It's finally official...I gave in

[Russ]

Debra, best of luck....you will be glad to have it done and over with....the gall bladder attacks are no fun. My dad had them, really sharp pain that came up his back. He had to have the conventional surgery(instead of lapiscopic as he had a prevous colon cancer surgery before and scar tissue was an issue) and came out just fine. NO LIFTING till the doctor ok's it.....OR you'll end up down the road having a hernia surgery like my dad did!!! He would not listen and worked because he felt good.....big mistake.....listen to the what the doctors say.

Had a 97 year old grandma have gallbladder surgery too(she will be 103 soon)....she had the back pain too and was puking up the bile(nasty, like orange pop) doctor said , she needed surgery and came out of it really well. Will be thinking of you and keeping you in my prayers. Take care and take things easy.

 

[Sunny]

This has all been very interesting. A friend of mine has to have her gall bladder out soon, too. She's been suffering with terrible pain for months now, and was twice diagnosed with pleurisy and once with pneumonia. Believing her doctors, of course, and taking the prescribed meds didn't make her feel much better, though. What did relieve her pain, at least temporarily, was having her back "pounded" like one does when there's severe chest or lung congestion. Her medically trained friend who was pounding her back was the one who clued in to the fact that it might be her gall bladder, as the pain he had experienced before his was removed was similar to hers. So she went to the doctor again and they found that it was indeed a diseased gall bladder and the ultrasound she had done the other day showed that there are several stones, as well.

So, Stacy, I hope you'll get in to see your own doctor very soon and have the pain investigated.

And CAM, I wish you a quick and thorough recovery with as little pain as possible.

 

[CKC]

I was pregnant and thought I was having labor pains found out the pains I was having was actually the gall stones. I had my son three weeks early. Three weeks after he was born I had another attack and that's when I found out that all the pains I had during pregnancy were the gall bladder attaks. Had to go to the ER. I couldn't take the pain. Face in the floor while screaming and couldn't move. My poor husband had to get me in the car with our infant son and rush to the ER. We get there and they give me demeral(sp?). So I am of no use... all doped up. They did an ultrasound and said you need your gall bladder out now and admitted me. The next day I had my gall bladder removed. I was scared, but it was an easy surgery. I was worried about having an organ removed. My Mom had the same surgery. She told me I would be fine. The only thing is sometimes your diet will need to be adjusted. Some foods may not agree with you anymore.

My biggest problem is it took a week to get my son to breast feed after he was born. Once I went in for surgery I couldn't breast feed because of the drugs. So he had to take to a bottle again and I had to pump while in the hospital recouping from the surgery to keep the milk flowing. Not to mention I was going through post partum. I had just started getting used to being a Mom and feeling good about myself and then had to start all those feelings over with. It was a rough few months, but no more pain. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

Take care and think good thoughts. Please do not cancel. You will be glad when it's over.

 

[Horse Hugs]

I also started having pains when I was pregnant with my son. After he was born I ended up in the ER with terrible pain and they admitted me and took it out. I have a 10" scar that runs diagnally all the way across my chest. I was young and thin and so my doctor was lazy and just removed my gallbladder. I ended up staying in the hospital for 4 weeks because it turns out there was a stone left in my common bile duct and it got infected and burst through causing a massive infection. Don't worry, they are a lot more careful nowadays- this was 18 years ago. They did give me a lot of morphine, though, and I have absolutely no memory of about 5 days of my life so at least the pain wasn't bad!!!

 

[CAM]

I also started having pains when I was pregnant with my son. After he was born I ended up in the ER with terrible pain and they admitted me and took it out. I  have a 10" scar that runs diagnally all the way across my chest. I was young and thin and so my doctor was lazy and just removed my gallbladder. I ended up staying in the hospital for 4 weeks because it turns out there was a stone left in my common bile duct and it got infected and burst through causing a massive infection. Don't worry, they are a lot more careful nowadays- this was 18 years ago. They did give me a lot of morphine, though, and I have absolutely no memory of about 5 days of my life so at least the pain wasn't bad!!!

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Wow, what an experience! My doctor did say he will insert a catheter into the duct to distribute dye so he can see if there are any stones lodged in there. I got the impression that was a new technique that is just recently being used. I'm glad it turned out ok for you but what an ordeal.

CKC-I had kidney stones when I was pregnant with my son. I remember thinking I was going into premature labor as well. It required an ER visit as well and one very long night. Good for you for keeping up with the nursing during all of this. True dedication.

Russ-That is one tough grandma you have.

Reminds me of the "Grandma" in the movie Madagascar with the cane in the subway station for those of you who've seen it. One tough cookie.

 

[bonloubri]

I had my gallbladder removed several years ago. I had the laproscopic surgery. Went in on a Friday as an outpatient and was back at work Monday. Boss would only let me work half days for the first week, but I think I could have worked all day. However I did have a sitdown bookkeeping job.

Good luck with your surgery.

 

[Just Us N Texas]

Have it done!!!! I had my gallbladder out several years ago when they did it the old fashioned way. After being diagnosed, I waited nine months to have the surgery. I so dreaded it. I went in on Friday, had surgery that day. was sent home on Saturday. By Monday, I was back at my secretarial job for half days the first week, then full time after. I suffered so badly till I had it done. Pain, gas, couldn't eat. By the time I finally gave in (I had previously had anesthetic issues), I felt as if I couldn't live like that a minute longer when help was so easy to get. I have not dreaded having it out one minute since. I could eat anything I wanted after surgery, with no pain, no discomfort! My surgeon told me at the time that it was better to get it out while I, and the gallbladder were still healthy! He said that when you wait too long, besides health issues, you could still have the pain after surgery! I know I was so angry at myself for putting it off so long after being diagnosed!

 

[minimama]

Well, going by what people have posted I am thinking maybe somethign different. But, I do plan to go in and have it checked. I am usually veyr careful with my health. I have way to much to live for and look forward to, to not go get things checked out.

Thank you all for the information.