Gallbladder, anyone?

[Lise]

Hi, TE'ers--

I'm scheduled to have my gallbladder removed 11/2. I've known I had gallstones for about 5 years, but hadn't had a bad attack since the first one in 2001. Then this year it picked up--three very painful attacks between Feb and August. The second one convinced me, and I went to see the surgeon.

I had the worst gallbladder attack yet on Monday. I was at the hospital, finishing a 24 hr shift when it happened. My friend/colleague/boss Sandie had just arrived to take over for me and found me in a lot of pain, then I began throwing up, so she helped me to the ER.

They gave me morphine (a wonderful drug) three times, and some anti-nausea meds. I got admitted to the hospital for observation and more drugs if I needed them. I was doing fine by the next day, and they sent me home. I had another attack last night, but was able to manage it here with the meds they gave me. I've talked with the surgeon, who does not feel it's dangerous to wait for the surgery. However, he did say, "You can't go on having attacks every night, Lise." I agree with him there.

My surgery is scheduled for Nov 2. If I have another attack before then, I will just bite the bullet and have the surgery sooner. I'm trying to hold out; I have plans to go to Florida this weekend to see my dear friend, who had a stillborn baby earlier this month. I also don't want the other midwives to have to cover for me for ten days, when I already have the time off in November.

So, here's the question: If you've had your gallbladder removed, what pearls of wisdom would you give me for before or after the surgery? I'm grateful for any tips! I'm heading to Florida tomorrow morning, but will get back online Sun night at the latest.

Thanks, TE!

[crazycanuck]

(((((Lise)))))..I have no words of wisdom to offer except take care of yourself

Please have J give you lots of hugs.

I'm sorry to hear about your friend's loss

take care

C

[Lise]

(((((Lise)))))..I have no words of wisdom to offer except take care of yourself

Please have J give you lots of hugs.

I'm sorry to hear about your friend's loss

take care

C

Thanks, CC--John was wonderful, as you might expect. Sandie called him, and he arrived quickly. Stayed calmly and lovingly by my side until they got me settled into a room and gave me one more hit of morphine. His presence is so calming and theraputic for me. I'll miss him this weekend. Thanks for your loving thoughts. L.

[LBTC]

{{{{{{{{{Lise}}}}}}}} Visualize butterflies. Gentle blue and green ones, for healing and calm.

The docs didn't want to take my GB out, because there were no stones, even though it was badly inflamed and causing a good amount of pain. My naturopathic program, acupuncture and integrated massage have gotten me to almost well in the last few months. I wish you could try these same treatments before surgery....but if you can't, I have lots of extra butterflies poised and ready to be there from now until and through your Nov 2 surgery and beyond so you feel well until then, your surgery is flawless, and your recovery is swift and complete.

Many hugs and even more butterflies,
~T~

[Pax]

Hey Lise, had mine out a few years ago, simplest surgery I've ever had (of 9 total). I felt better immediately and was just tired for a few days.

Learn to watch what you eat until you see how your body reacts...it'll help with potentially embarrassing situations. Examples: cheese and eggs now give me the runs, meat plugs me up, and EVERYTHING gives me gas.

[Lise]

Thanks, T and Queen! I think I will go see an accupuncturist before surgery. I see a woman who does energy work/healing as well as talk therapy--I'm sure she can make some good suggestions.

About the food--the surgeon told me that my GB is so full of stones and sludge that it's likely that it doesn't contribute much to my digestion anyway. It will be interesting to see what changes, post-op. It will be a relief to not worry about when the next attack is coming.

[echidna]

Although gallbladder disease is widely discussed by docs as a product of Three F syndrome (Female, Forty, and Fat), weight loss can trigger it, too. Gallstones are basically little calcified wads of cholesterol. If your body is transporting to much cholesterol in either direction it can start forming stones. In the case of weight loss, you are "reversing" the normal flow of cholesterol in your body - repackaging it from cells that no longer need it.
Maintain a moderately lowfat diet until your surgery, and especially avoid sudden big influxes of fat. When your stomach receives fat, it signals the gallbladder to contract to squoosh out bile that emulsifies it. The more fat, the bigger the squoosh, and the more it hurts.

[LBTC]

When your stomach receives fat, it signals the gallbladder to contract to squoosh out bile that emulsifies it. The more fat, the bigger the squoosh, and the more it hurts.

This is an especially good reason to not do a gallbladder flush when it is in such poor shape. Real lemon juice can produce the same function, as can ginger, and I think onions. Unfortunately, you'll need to keep a pretty low-key bland diet until the surgery, but I'm sure you can handle that!

I have heard and read many stories where patients have had numerous vague gastro intestinal complaints (not unlike what I've experienced over the last year or so). Doctors have found stones in the GB and removed it. Unfortunately, in lots of cases the GB stones are not actually causing any problems so the symptoms don't go away.

It doesn't sound like this is your experience, Lise. So don't feel like you're doing the wrong thing! I sure as heck wished I could have just had a little surgery 10 months ago, but the docs wouldn't do it, and I was left to my own devices. Turns out that for me, this was the right thing. We all walk this journey on a little different path.

Still sending calm refreshing butterflies your way...and hugs,
~T~

[sbctwin]

Had mine out several years ago. I was experiencing extreme pain for several years, but the episodes were so far apart. I then told my doc and she ordered an ultrasound...the next week I had my gall bladder removed. It had been months since the last attack, but apparantly I had a stone that was starting to block the duct and the surgeon said I needed it out immediately before it went into the duct. I haven't had the pain since. Be careful on your trip, Lise...

[marycarrell]

I'm getting mine out soon so I totally feel your pain. Also, my dog looks just like yours. I love finding other dachshund nerds

[Domas]

Sometimes the interrupted pain (colic) in the gallbladder area in the abdominal cavity can occur after operative removal of gall bladder, and such pain can be caused by gall stones in the common bile or pancreatic duct. With such problems it is best that the patient visit the doctor that will determine the matter.

[schnitzle]

Although gallbladder disease is widely discussed by docs as a product of Three F syndrome (Female, Forty, and Fat), weight loss can trigger it, too. Gallstones are basically little calcified wads of cholesterol. If your body is transporting to much cholesterol in either direction it can start forming stones. In the case of weight loss, you are "reversing" the normal flow of cholesterol in your body - repackaging it from cells that no longer need it.
Maintain a moderately lowfat diet until your surgery, and especially avoid sudden big influxes of fat. When your stomach receives fat, it signals the gallbladder to contract to squoosh out bile that emulsifies it. The more fat, the bigger the squoosh, and the more it hurts.

This ^

I had an inkling that something was going on with my gallbladder but it was Thanksgiving dinner that pushed me over the edge into horrible pain! I had been dieting and lost a good bit of weight before this occurred.

I had a laparoscopic gallbladder removal with 3 incisions. After surgery I was in a lot of pain for about 10 days, couldn't really stand up straight. It's nice to have someone around who can help you out the first few days.

Once I healed up I didn't notice any problems with my digestive system, and for better or worse I can still eat fatty foods without a problem.

[texascampgal]

I still have my gall bladder but occasionally suffer from painful episodes. My cure is.... baking soda. I desolve about 2-3 teaspoons in a cup or so of water and gulp. It's kind of like drinking sandy, salt water, but within 10 minutes the pain stops... completely.

I know this is only a temporary fix and eventually, I'll also have to have the surgery. For now though, no meds and no talk of surgery.