Gallbladder problems since last year

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-28-2004
Gallbladder problems since last year
30
Thu, 02-03-2005 - 12:39pm

I've been sick for what seems like FOREVER!! Last Septmeber I had a severe UTI and while I had that the Dr discovered I had H. pylori. I finally got rid of that right around Thanksgiving. I started feeling better for a week and than began to get sick again.

Ever since then I have had bad pain in my stomach, and i'm nauseated EVERY SINGLE DAY, some days its horrible, some days its bearable. I had an ultrasound which revealed a polyp on my gallbladder (which i have named "George" ") ) but the Dr said it wasn't cancerous. I have since had a Cat Scan of my Abdomin and it turned out fine. She said there was nothing else wrong with me, no thickening of the gallbladder walls or anything. She put me on some stomach medicine and said if i don't feel better in three months we'll see if my gallbladder is functioning correctly.

I'm a senior in college and work two jobs, I CANNOT go on like this being miserable everyday and missing things I am supposed to be at!

I was thinking about having my gallbladder removed over Spring break. if I had it out on the friday beforehand do you think i would be back to work in a week?

I'm calling my Dr tomorrow to make an apt to discuss my options. I am certain its my gallbladder, (runs in the family) and i really don't want to have to go and take any tests, esp that two hour one where they put the stuff in that goes to your liver first. forget what its called. its hard enough to get into the dr with my schedule, much less take the day off from work!!

HELP!!!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-28-2004
Sat, 06-11-2005 - 8:02pm

This is like the song that never ends

After MANY many months I am finally seeing a surgeon this coming Thursday to discuss getting my gallbladder out. My hide a scan came back normal but I have had 50 million other tests by my GI dr and he is pretty sure that my gallbladder is causing me to feel so miserable.

My stomach emptying test did show that my stomach does not empty AT ALL, since i went on meds for that i have felt a little better, but I have still dropped 20 pounds in two months from not eating and being sick. Last week I had another scope down to my small intestine, because two weeks before that i had a small bowel x ray (they are HORRIBLE NEVER have one!) and it showed a dialation in my third quadrant, the scope showed it was ok, but my dr also botox'd the muscle at the bottom of my stomach so that it would stay open and help with the stomach emptying.

So this is still going on. hopefully after Thursday I will be headed to surgery soon and get this nightmare over with!!! I am praying to feel well enough to go to Iowa over July 4'th to visit my brother. Its a 5 hour drive from here. Anyone had any experience with having their gallbladders out? Please share!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2003
Sat, 06-11-2005 - 8:09pm

Hi there

thflowers-hahd23222.gif picture by Wren53B

Avatar for diamond_0
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2004
Mon, 06-13-2005 - 3:39am

I had mine out on March 29th (I had polyps and an inflamed wall)and unfortunately am still experiencing bouts of nausea..which I was told should go away after the GB was removed. If I eat too many foods that are high in fat I experience nausea, stomach cramps and sometimes diahrrea. I find that eating fiber helps with the diahrrea.
The surgery isn't that bad. I was admitted at 7 am, had to take a few pills, had an IV put in and was wheeled into surgery about 8 am. The anesthesiologist(sp?) came and talked to me then I was wheeled into the OR. I was given something in my IV that made everything fuzzy while the other nurse put the oxygen mask on my face and I was out about 5 secs. later. I woke up with some severe nausea but was given Gravol through my IV. My heartbeat, blood pressure and temperature were monitored for an hour(my heartbeat was fast and my blood pressure was low so I had to stay longer). After my blood pressure and temperature were normal I was able to go home. I had 4 incisions--3 around my rib cage and 1 below my belly-button. The CO2 was the worst part for me. It caused alot of shoulder/abdomen pain. It took about 2 weeks to fully leave my system. Walking around helps that. The first few days will feel like you were hit by a transport and getting up will hurt like crazy. It's best to have someone there to help you up. By about a week I was up and moving around with no problems. My scars are still visible but are very tiny.

Good Luck and keep us updated!
Donna M

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 06-13-2005 - 11:39am

Wishing you all the best and a quick recovery.

Ditto to what Donna said about the CO-2 & post-op pain.

I would think you'd be fine for a long car ride July 4 - my only suggestion would be to really eat a low low fat diet after surgery - and be careful not to splurge at the July 4 festivities. Everyone is different - and my co-worker was eating cheese burgers 3 days post op wtihout problems - however even today a cheese burger would have me nauseated for at least a week and likely up all night with pain.

I guess I just wouldn't push it by indulging in high fat food when you know there is a risk they will make you feel icky and put a damper on the weekend plans.

take care,
Jo

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-28-2004
Tue, 06-21-2005 - 6:07pm

Thanks to all for the advice and tips. My Surgery is scheduled for This Thursday at 11:30 am. I have to be there at 10 and do a clean out tomorrow. (Yippeee doooo) My Doctor said I will most likely stay overnight because he likes to put a drain in and monitor people which is just fine and dandy with me. I have problems coming out of anesthetic and after my knee surgery they practically threw me out of the hospital while i was still passing out!!!

Hopefully I will be back on here with a good report in several days. I have been on a very low fat diet and have felt better the past few days so here's hoping!

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2003
Tue, 06-21-2005 - 7:54pm

Take care and I send you with some prayers and positive thought

thflowers-hahd23222.gif picture by Wren53B

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-28-2004
Sat, 07-02-2005 - 2:43pm

The Surgery is over and so is the worst part!!!

Surgery went well, i was in the Hospital overnight, i had a drain in, and i also got VERY sick in the recovery room and during the middle of the night. I didn't know they were giving me morphine as that makes me realy sick. So that wasn't fun.

Got to come home the next evening and slept for several days, was in alot of pain, that I hadn't expected. Went to my one week checkup this past Thursday and got my stitches out. The dr said I am doing well. Am still in a little bit of pain, and having some pains when i eat but he said that should calm down once my body gets used to not having a gallbladder.

Thankfully I have not had ANY problems with Diarrhea! Which is such an answer to prayer. If anything it has been the opposite. I am still having some pain when i go, with my stomach muscles but hopefully that will go away as well.

As for that nasty Gallbladder, my Dr cut it open after surgery to look at ot, as i went into surgery he said i had a 50/50 chance of being healed form this, but when he cut it open it was covered with Cholosterol Chrystals, everywhere. they form gallstones, now he says he is 90% sure that is why I have been so sick for so long. So that was encouraging. Now i am trying to build up my strength, hard when i want to sleep all of the time! and get better!

we weren't able to take our trip to iowa this weekend because i still wasn't well enough to go, but hopefully soon!

THanks for all of the prayers and helpful advice!

Avatar for diamond_0
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2004
Sat, 07-02-2005 - 4:23pm

Glad to hear you are recovering well and sorry to hear you couldn't go on your trip. As the days go by the pain will lessen.

remember to take it easy,
Donna M

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2003
Sat, 07-02-2005 - 8:08pm

I am so glad that you are ok and

thflowers-hahd23222.gif picture by Wren53B

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-23-2003
Mon, 07-04-2005 - 1:15pm

Hey Cherrypie,


Glad to hear you are recovering well.

 

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