Gallbladder problems, maybe

jannieC · #1 03-22-2006, 08:01 AM

I'm having an ultrasound this morning to see if I have a problem with my gallbladder. Nothing to eat or drink after midnight last night and if you know anything about me, you'd know I can't live without my morning coffee.

I'm so thirsty now, it's insane. Anyway- has anyone ever had gallbladder problems? Surgery?

elie · #2 03-22-2006, 08:24 AM

Don't know anything, sorry

I'm just writing to say I hope everything goes well

. (and that if I could not drink coffee I would probably have a horrible headache the whole day

)

skcin · #3 03-22-2006, 09:26 AM

I haven't, but I had a friend who did. We think the Atkins diet did it, or at least played a part. I remember she was all upset about needing surgery cuz someone told her it was awful, and it took a long time to recover.

Hers went just fine & she said it wasn't bad. I can't recall if she had the entire organ removed or if it was just stones...

Keep us posted, hope everything goes well.

Ghosty · #4 03-22-2006, 09:28 AM

My sister had her gallbladder out. It was quick - I think just a day surgery done with laser, and she was so happy afterwards to not have any pain or feeling cruddy like she did before the surgery.

Good luck with it. I would hate missing my morning coffee too. I had to fast a few times in my life for medical tests and for when I had a c-section. It's horrible. I drink water throughout the night too and am always thirsty. And count on my morning coffee also. So it was really aggrivating. But soon it will be over - then go splurge and get yourself the best coffee ever!

I hope you don't need the surgery, but if you do, the good news is that gallbladder surgery has come a long way all these years, so it sounds like after you heal, you'll be happy to have had it done. Hang in there! Let us know how it turns out.

JazmenFlowers · #5 03-22-2006, 10:23 AM

oh Jannie I hate to hear this! what are your symptoms? I had to go in once for all kinds of tests ($2500 worth) to figure out what was wrong with me. I had intense pains all night and woke up early the next morning and I swear I thought I was going to die...everything had an electric green outline and I was passing out. They said gallbladder, kidney, this, that, everything and it turned out to be...gas. Yes, let me tell you how embarassing and ridiculous I felt, but they said gas pains can be some of the worst pains.

Anyway, didn't mean to go on about me, but I don't really have any knowledge of gallbladder problems, but I hope everything works out and keep us posted.

BTFLCHLD · #6 03-22-2006, 10:53 AM

yes i have known a few people who have had it removed...
and all were much better once it was...the surgeries were
fine and unremarkable...i hope the testing reveals what may
be ailing you. as jazzy asked...what are your symptoms?

((((((janet))))))

jannieC · #7 03-22-2006, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JazmenFlowers

oh Jannie I hate to hear this! what are your symptoms? I had to go in once for all kinds of tests ($2500 worth) to figure out what was wrong with me. I had intense pains all night and woke up early the next morning and I swear I thought I was going to die...everything had an electric green outline and I was passing out. They said gallbladder, kidney, this, that, everything and it turned out to be...gas. Yes, let me tell you how embarassing and ridiculous I felt, but they said gas pains can be some of the worst pains.

Anyway, didn't mean to go on about me, but I don't really have any knowledge of gallbladder problems, but I hope everything works out and keep us posted.

Well, see now, I've been saying all the while that it's gas, and the reason I even went to the doctor to begin with is to find out why the hell I'm in so much pain all the time. It all started when I joined Weight Watchers (cue in the scary music), so I thought I was having a hard time adjusting to all the fiber. Every day, without fail, at around 4pm, my stomach starts bloating up and by 5pm, I'm in pretty severe pain. It just feels like horrible gas. In spite of the fact that I am um, going to the bathroom regularly for the first time in my whole life (sorry, TMI). Anyway, she felt about my stomach and decided I needed to have this ultrasound. My mother and sister both ahd gallbladder surgery, so that factored in as well. This procedure cost $400 with no insurance, so I'm not happy this morning. But I am munching on a Fuji apple and sipping my coffee now, so that's good. I'll get my results hopefully by the end of this week.

JazmenFlowers · #8 03-22-2006, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jannieC

Well, see now, I've been saying all the while that it's gas, and the reason I even went to the doctor to begin with is to find out why the hell I'm in so much pain all the time. It all started when I joined Weight Watchers (cue in the scary music), so I thought I was having a hard time adjusting to all the fiber. Every day, without fail, at around 4pm, my stomach starts bloating up and by 5pm, I'm in pretty severe pain. It just feels like horrible gas. In spite of the fact that I am um, going to the bathroom regularly for the first time in my whole life (sorry, TMI). Anyway, she felt about my stomach and decided I needed to have this ultrasound. My mother and sister both ahd gallbladder surgery, so that factored in as well. This procedure cost $400 with no insurance, so I'm not happy this morning. But I am munching on a Fuji apple and sipping my coffee now, so that's good. I'll get my results hopefully by the end of this week.

yeah, well, I'm right there with you (see this morning's blog on myspace).

I have chronic stomach problems. Sorry if this is TMI. I've never been "regular" or really not had a stomach ailment of some sort. It sucks to always go through the same thing every day. It's exhausting. What you're describing sounds like gas to me. Have you tried taking like Mylanta Gas or something to see if it eases it? The regular Mylanta works well too.

BTFLCHLD · #9 03-22-2006, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jannieC

(cue in the scary music)

as far as i know, at least in the experience i had had with the few who have had it, a symptom of gallstones is continual vomiting of bile (!omg jazzy i typed bile!) but that just may be the case when they become large and block a duct. have you tried GASEX (or whatever that med is) for relief?

hayley · #10 03-22-2006, 11:05 AM

Gall bladder problems are hereditary, so if your mother and sister had it, you definitely might be suffering.

I had severe attacks for several months a couple years ago that were cited as gallbladder problems. I was told that it was probably due to my change in diet- I had started Weight Watchers a couple months before. Apparently, changing your diet all of a sudden from high-fat to low-fat/high fiber can throw your system for a loop. I was posting at the WW boards at the time, and there were a TON of people who had had theirs out or who had problems. It shocked me. So I was better about my diet, and they went away for awhile. They came back in a big way about a year ago.

I found out then that my pains weren't related to my gall bladder, although the pain mirrored what a gall bladder attack would. I was in so much pain- they would just come on out of nowhere and last for hours. I was in the ER a couple of times, and finally the last time (when the pain had lasted nineteen hours without reprieve) that it was actually my rock star liver causing the pain. I gave myself alcoholic hepatatis with my drinking! Woo!

DavidMn · #11 03-22-2006, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jannieC

I'm having an ultrasound this morning to see if I have a problem with my gallbladder. Nothing to eat or drink after midnight last night and if you know anything about me, you'd know I can't live without my morning coffee.

I'm so thirsty now, it's insane. Anyway- has anyone ever had gallbladder problems? Surgery?

My mother had gall stones removed about 15 years ago.

estranged4life · #12 03-22-2006, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jannieC

I'm having an ultrasound this morning to see if I have a problem with my gallbladder. Nothing to eat or drink after midnight last night and if you know anything about me, you'd know I can't live without my morning coffee.

I'm so thirsty now, it's insane. Anyway- has anyone ever had gallbladder problems? Surgery?

my wife Deb had her gallbladder removed in early 2003...It was really an easy procedure, A "Lapscotomy" (Probably spelt it wrong...aka laparascopical), she was out of the hospital the same day as the procedure.

She was put under anesthesia, had 3 small incisions made and the gall bladder was removed through those incisions...Really wasnt as painful as compared to the older way a gall bladder was removed (Which was through a large open incision, Which was very risky for infection)

Oh well, Just saw Brad's post...That is exactly how it is done.

Kinda odd, But my Dr thought I was having gall bladder/gall stone problems...Turns out I have some residual effects in my back from the unknown neurological problems I am still suffering (Have an appt on the 31st to see if the MRI can finally be performed to determine what is the cause of the "abnormal" CT scan I had.)

Good luck with your ultrasound!!!

Violet · #13 03-22-2006, 03:09 PM

I had my gallbladder out about 15 years ago. The laperoscopic procedure for it was pretty new then, I think, and I actually had to stay over night in the hospital. I had it done the day before thanksgiving and was back to work the following monday. Pain from the surgery wasn't too bad.

As for the pain from the gallstones themselves, worst I've EVER had. At the time I compared it to someone taking a broom handle and shoving it through my stomach (actually right below my sternum). It radiated all the way to my back. I've never given birth, but I've spoken to people who have had both gallstones and given birth (not at the same time

) and said that the pain from gallstones was worse than giving birth. Even though it's been 15 years I can still vividly remember the pain. I actually went to the ER one night before I got a diagnosis. I remember that rocking back and forth seemed to help a tiny bit, and someone suggested that movement might stop the stones from blocking the duct.

Anyway, good luck with it. I hope you find out soon what it is. Now that I think about it, I had both an ultrasound and upper GI, and I THINK they saw the stones on the ultrasound. OT, but I have a CAT scan scheduled Saturday to see if I have kidney stones.

Good luck...
Carol

jannieC · #14 03-29-2006, 09:29 AM

I have had a week from HELL and it's only Wednesday. Can I share?

The day before yesterday I had to go to the doctor because I have a really bad infected ingrown toenail (I know, sorry- but that's part of what makes my week so hellish- I couldn't leave that out.). In addition to that, I pulled a muscle in my back, and could hardly walk. So, I went to the doctor and she gave me an antibiotic for the toe and a shot of demerol/phenergan for the back (yay). While I was there, she pulled my results from my ultrasound the week before and told me that not only do I have gallstones, but my gallbladder isn't functioning properly. So, they're scheduling me for surgery next week and I have no medical insurance!!!! How's your week going?

JazmenFlowers · #15 03-29-2006, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jannieC

I have had a week from HELL and it's only Wednesday. Can I share?

oh my lord. I'm so sorry. Here's a positive...at least you know and they are going to take care of it and HOPEFULLY you will feel a zillion times better. As far as insurance goes...yeah, that's a bitch. Have you thought about getting it on your own? I know that can be quite pricey too. If all else fails, put it on your credit card...there's not a lot you can do.