New with concerns of bile duct stones

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
New with concerns of bile duct stones
19
Fri, 01-28-2005 - 7:27pm

Several years ago, I had my gallbladder removed. Exactly one year ago, I had stones removed from my bile duct. I spent four long months undiagnosed. Severe pain, severe jaundice... I had been in and out of the ER more times than I care to remember. Had every test done and they kept saying it was all normal. Turned out the results were NOT normal. It took four months to get to that point and find a doctor who knew what was going on. She is no longer here though. :(

Anyway, The pain is back. Not quite as sharp but still extremely uncomfortable. And as of right now, I am getting all itchy. I hope the jaundice isn't returning too now! I am under military insurance so I did get a referral to a new specialist but the soonest they can see me is the middle of February. In the mean time, my regular doctor prescribed Hydrocodone for the pain... which I THOUGHT was hard on the liver but I have to take something.

Has anyone else here gone through this kind of thing? How long does it take for stones to develop and cause problems again? Other than diet, is there anything that can be done to prevent this?

I am over-weight and have had horrible eating habits so I know that has to be a contributor if not the sole cause but the weird thing is, the first time this happened, I was in the progress of losing weight. I lost about 20 pounds and then was hit with this problem. And now, the same thing is happening. I started dieting and losing weight. Lost 12 pounds and here I am with the pain again.

Can anyone give me more insight on this mess I am in?

Thanks!

Jill



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Mom to Erin (19) and Haley (10yo Asp

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Mon, 01-31-2005 - 1:09pm
Thanks Wren. The stupid base clinic would not approve an ER visit but did get me an appt at the base clinic this morning. The doctor I saw gave me a shot of Demerol for the pain and is trying to get my specialist appt moved up to within 24 - 48 hours. She agrees that I more than likely won't be able to wait til the 16th. Thing is, they have not done any tests at all still. No urinalisys, no new bloodwork, no ultrasound... nothing. I just don't get these doctors at all. I just hope I can get some real treatment soon. The pain is getting ridiculous. :( Will let you know what happens.


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Mom to Erin (19) and Haley (10yo Asp
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Registered: 10-14-2003
Mon, 01-31-2005 - 1:45pm

Jill,

thflowers-hahd23222.gif picture by Wren53B

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Tue, 02-01-2005 - 12:28pm

Finally someone listened. My military insurance provider just called and told me that she spoke with my specialist and they got my appt moved up to this Thursday! YAY!!! She also said that he wants me to do some blood work before hand so that he will have it for the appt. So I ran up to the clinic to take care of that. She also said that if the blood work looks bad enough (can't recall her exact words), they may just tell me to go straight to the ER instead. So either way, there is a plan of action and that makes me feel so much better. I have the next two weeks off work so I can just kick back and recover.

Honestly, I am just glad they are finally listening and taking me seriously. Dealing with military insurance is a royal nightmare when you need more than just basic health care. :(

Jill



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Mom to Erin (19) and Haley (10yo Asp
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-20-2004
Tue, 02-01-2005 - 1:39pm

YaY!!! Yay!!!! Whoo hoo! Good for you!

I know all to well the nightmares of the military health care system. Good for you for keeping after them! Let us know what happens.

Love,

Jamie

Love,

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2003
Tue, 02-01-2005 - 2:50pm

Jill,

thflowers-hahd23222.gif picture by Wren53B

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Thu, 02-03-2005 - 11:42am
Well, I'm going in for another ERCP. Scheduled for Tuesday so hopefully all goes well between now and then. Wish I could just walk in and have it done now so that I could get it over with but I know it doesn't work that way. Would be nice though. I'm just glad this doctor is getting things done. Makes me happy.

Jill
~ * ~
Air Force wife and mom to 2 girls.
~ * ~
Mama to furkids: Angel (chihuahua), Abby (rattie), Hamtaro (hamster) and Jean/June (mice)
~ * ~
Visit Angel's puppy blog!


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Mom to Erin (19) and Haley (10yo Asp
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2003
Thu, 02-03-2005 - 11:56am

That is great news Tearose,

thflowers-hahd23222.gif picture by Wren53B

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Thu, 02-03-2005 - 1:33pm

Thanks Wren. I've been taking short walks in the mornings and evenings when its not too cold out. The morning walks are especially nice for me. Yes, it feels absolutely wonderful just having a set plan to take care of this. Makes me feel a lot better.

Thanks again,


Jill
~ * ~
Air Force wife and mom to 2 girls.
~ * ~
Mama to furkids: Angel (chihuahua), Abby (rattie), Hamtaro (hamster) and Jean/June (mice)
~ * ~
Visit Angel's puppy blog!


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Mom to Erin (19) and Haley (10yo Asp
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2003
Thu, 02-03-2005 - 1:49pm

When you feel Happy

thflowers-hahd23222.gif picture by Wren53B

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