Gall Bladder

[vixen]

2 months ago today I had my gall bladder out. Let me tell you it has been like a whole new lease on life! For 23 years we thought I was suffering from an ulcer. The symptoms for gall bladder attacks and heartburn are very much similar. Finally in the end of May it became unbearable! I couldn't eat without getting sick, and I was following a very strict heartburn free diet, I couldn't sleep - I was in short - a mess. I finally said I have to go back to the doctor. I explained my symptoms and thought maybe I have a gluten intolerance - I was tested for everything. They were taking blood from me like I was a human pin cushion.....I had to set up an appt for an ultra sound to explore the idea of gall stones. I had it set for a date and the pain was so bad, we moved it up to sooner. The day of the test it was so sore and sensitive they sent me to the ER to have it checked out further. In the ER they admitted me, brought me to a room that at least had a TV and I was poked and prodded like a science experiment. I was then given another ultra sound as well as a ct scan. After over 24 hrs of not eating I was told, yes you do have gall stones - its not an emergent situation. Go home and eat clear broth and follow up with you PC. You see it was 6pm on a Friday when they figured this all out and what doctor wants to come in at that hour to preform a 2 hr surgery only to have to come in on Sat and check on me etc.....so I was told, here's your hat - what's your hurry - go home...

Monday I called my PC and was given the - call us back in 2 weeks and make an appt. I said WHAT - I AM LIVING EVERY DAY IN PAIN!!! I got a call back, come in tomorrow at 9:30 and that I did. The PC said your gall bladder needs to come out, make an appt with the surgeon. I went to his floor of the med ctr and made an appt for a consult that was like 2 weeks away - it was his soonest. My PC called his peeps and next thing you know my appt was the next day....go figure. I go see the surgeon and he says it has to come out, I'll have my peeps call you....2 hrs later his peeps call me and the surgery is like a week after that.

So on 06-23-2009 I started a new life. I can eat what I want, sleep when I want and enjoy life again. I still have it in my brain that most foods I can't eat and because I can't eat them I have convinced myself I don't like them. When I ate pepperoni for the first time in 23 years I forgot I liked it....there are still foods I am scared to try but I am getting over that. I mean you can't erase 23 years in 2 months - right....

On top of it all, I have gone down 1, almost 2 pant sizes ( I don't believe in scales) so even though I can eat things, I am still trying my hardest to maintain a healthy lifestyle....my co-workers say I look great and they can see the difference.

So for all of you out there - if it hurts and doesn't go away.....go to the doctor - no matter what it is - it will make a HUGE difference in the end!

[Cracker4Life]

Alls I have to say is congratulations. 23 years without pepperoni is a major feat :P

Im glad to hear you are feeling much better. nobody should have to live life in misery.

In my early teenage years my mom was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. she was the healthiest person I knew and cancer still got her. she ate right, didnt smoke, took vitamins. all of that Jazz. they suspect she got it from work at a General Motors Plant where they used that building to make weapons for world war 2.

she had to have a total hysterctomy. and her diet had to change completely and since her diet changed mine did as well.

and now 8 years later when she tries most of the food that she gave up she cringes I dont know why that is though.

[vixen]

Your body and brain are so controlled to not eat the foods that you thought made you sick. In my case it was anything fried, fatty, greasy, chocolate, cheese, milk, alcohol, peppermint.....what a list huh. Now I am scared to eat these things still -although chocolate and alcohol were never an issue I would eat/drink and suffer gladly!

[Flipchic]

:hugs:

Last February I also had my gall bladder out due to gall stones. I also experienced the symptoms you mentioned. The pain was around my tummy, creeping to my right side, up to my back. It was on the 2nd attack that I was rushed to the hospital. They said it was either acute gastritis or gall stones. they injected an anti-spasm thingie on me to temporarily relieve me from the pain. then asked me to take an ultra sound (that i posted on fb an a lot ppl then thought i was prego lol :hehe: ), and they found little stones (i forgot the exact size lol) in my gall bladder. The doc says i could either take meds that would dissolve them after a period of medication, or take the whole gall bladder out already. I chose to get it out, coz i hate being on medication (makes me moody and stuff), and just to maximize the use of my company healthcard thingie and my health insurance lol.

I'm really happy now that it's over and done. Although it left a nasty scar on my tummy :( coz i had the conventional cholecystectomy. I was advised to, as much as possible, avoid fatty foods (since losing my gall bladder, i lost the storage of bile which helps in the digestion or i think absorption? of fat from the food i eat, in my tummy..somethin like that.. and my liver might suffer..).

What "method" (or somethin) was done to you? was it Laparoscopy?

[vixen]

yes I had the procedure done by laser surgery - I have 5 incision points. One at the top of the abdomen, one at my belly button and 3 in my right side. Here is a tip, eat fiber one bars and the bile salts in the fiber bars do much of what the gall bladder did - I can still eat fatty foods - although I don't really but TRUST me it works wonders!!!!! Skip a day and you'll feel the results!

[Flipchic]

i think i'll try that.. thanx ;)