About three weeks ago on a Monday night, I went to bed as soon as Bobby got home from work. I had this weird pain in my side that had been plaguing me all day. The next morning, I felt better – for a few minutes, and then it came back. It wasn’t super-bad (trust me, I am a MAJOR WIMP), but it was annoying and uncomfortable. I knew it couldn’t be my appendix because I gave that organ the heave-ho when I was 18. I began to suspect kidney stone, gall stone, or cancerous tumor (see: post category, Jenny is Neurotic.)
Six days later, on a Sunday, I decided to go to Urgent Care because a) Bobby was home with the kids and b) the pain was so persistent I had really psyched myself out that a terminal diagnosis was forthcoming. So off I went, with super-high nervous blood pressure brought on by my wild imagination as well as my symptoms.
At Urgent Care, the doctor asked me a few questions, pressed around my abdomen, assured me I did NOT have a tumor, and upon learning I also did NOT have an appendix, told me I most likely was experiencing a gallbladder attack. I was relieved and not really surprised. I had expected that, if I wasn’t to soon me on my deathbed, it was probably my gallbladder. My mom had hers out when she was younger than I am now, and my BFF Luanne just gave hers up in December. My friend Lori had hers out just after having a baby (or were you pregnant, Lori?)
The good doctor told me (in heavily accented English and using the phrase, “ok, cool” a lot) that I could go get a liver function blood test and an ultrasound at the nearest hospital if I wished.
I thought about it and decided to pass. That sounded expensive! The past two weeks I’ve been treating my symptoms by drinking ridiculous amounts of water (previously unheard of for me) and taking herbal supplements to promote gallbladder health. And, it’s really helping. I can still feel that gallbladder telling me it’s there sometimes, but not nearly as much as before, and it really is not painful, it’s more of a nag. I’d really like to try to avoid surgery, because who has TIME for surgery, I’ve got a fabulous trip to Miami to plan for! (However, see above, I AM A WIMP – if it gets excruciating, I will head to the nearest hospital and demand they operate.)
But then. This week, for some reason the gallbladder PLAGUE has hit all of my Facebook friends! THREE, count’ em THREE people I know (two I actually KNOW, like, in real life) have gotten their gall bladders removed THIS WEEK!! One is only 21 years old, the other two both have babies that are less than two months old.
What’s the deal, gallbladders of the world? Is there like a general uprising going on?
So, have any of you dealt with this? Any exciting remedies I should know about? I am using one that has like, a million fab herbs for liver & gall bladder function in it. I got it from Health Foods Unlimited, so you know it has to be the cure-all. Ha.
Give me your best advice or gallbladder stories! Save the gallbladders!
You knew your time was coming It is the YEAR OF THE GALBLADDERLESS BLOGGERS..Just get yours out you will feel better after it is out….I would say I feel better but I am pretty sure you know that my surgery was a “GUESSING” surgery…I still have issues…BUT my surgeon is AWESOME. He looked like Stanly Tucci (You know Devil Wears Prada.) He was funny and puts you at ease. Great dr. If you are having issues GET RID OF IT.
I had my gallbladder removed in my 20s and there were a few things that I avoided while waiting for my surgery that seemed to help: cabbage, tomato sauce and lettuce. After having the surgery, I cannot drink regular coffee anymore, or anything with loads of fat… (perhaps things I should have been avoiding anyway!)
Someone recommended papaya enzyme tablets to help with digestion, but they didn’t seem to do much. Good luck!
Even if you don’t have your gallbladder removed, you at least need a scan to make sure a gallstone is not running through your bowels. I had a GI tell me recently that Gallbladder issues and Pregnancy have become a related factor thus the reason women have more issues than men. It you are having persistent discomfort then it is probably best to bite the bullet and get it out. Most gallbladder surgeries can be done as a laparoscopic procedure and you can be 80-100% in 1 to 2 weeks.
Just my opinion, the longer you wait, the greater chance of infection and bigger issues that may arise.
You know your body and if it is talking to you……. then you already know what needs to be done!!!
🙂
Eh I say go for it. I am feeling pretty good today, recovery doesnt seem that awful. I should be able to drive and all by Monday. Just can’t lift over 20 lbs. I am on day 2 post op. my last attack on Monday was awful and lasted 1 hour 45 minutes. It was worse than labor for me so I said get that thing out! Good luck! It will all be ok just get it done.
No help here. Ask your mom!
UP
I had my gallbladder removed in 2005. It was the best thing that ever happened to me because the majority of my stomach issues went away with it. I took a week off work. However, I had about a month in between the diagnosis and the surgery. I avoided fatty foods, alcohol, spicy foods, etc. I would suggest at least getting a scan to assess what all is going on … you don’t want it to start to affect your pancreas.
My pain started when I was six months pregnant with my first child and got so bad I had to stop working and get pain meds. It went away after I stopped breast feeding. Same with the second child. However, after the third, the pain did not go away and was annoyingly present most of the time. I finally had it out last year and wished I had done it sooner! The only time I have issues is when I get stressed out. Otherwise I can eat what I want. Try an ice pack, it always helped me, heat made it worse.
I had mine taken out when I was 12. About a year later my oldest sister had hers out and then another sister and another sister who were all older than me. It was pretty strange almost like an epidemic and they all blamed me as if I caused it. I can tell you it sucked but I was only 12. I’m sure it’s not that bad now.
Wow! I got a Mommintup shout out! Woot!
I had attacks all throughout my pregnancy with Faith, in 2000. They were misdiagnosed as kidney stones… and lots of vomiting to boot (which may or may not have been morning sickness related). When Faith was 6 weeks old I had the worst attack ever… which put me in the hospital for 3 days. Missed being home with my baby, and missed my brother-in-law’s wedding. I had my gall bladder out on 10/12/11, Faith was 4 days shy of being 2 months old.
First of all, I hope I do not really need to tell you this, but… THE INTERNET IS NOT A REPLACEMENT FOR A DOCTOR! LOL! I had my gall bladder out when I was 19. It was misdiagnosed many times before they knew what was wrong. So, my 2 cents is–go get the ultrasound. Then, at least you will be sure of what you’re dealing with.
I had no idea I had a gallbladder issue until I ended up in the ER one Saturday morning. Worst pain even. Worse then labor. Looking back I had been having really bad, unexplained mid-back pain for months. This should have been my first clue. I also had eaten very fatty foods the night before both of my attacks. Stay away from fatty foods. Nothing deep-fried. I did not enjoy the surgery or recovery at all. Very painful but I am a super wimp.
You all have me convinced! I will call my family doc tomorrow. Who wants to babysit so I can go to the DR. next week???
Glad you’re headed to the MD. I’m a surgical nurse–the surgery is really not that bad, same day, laparoscopic. You’ll need to have someone with you for 3 days or so just because of the good drugs and your kiddos, then you’ll be alright at home alone. No driving for a 5-7 days, again, because of the drugs.
So much better to get it out than have the GB get too inflamed and have stones in all the ducts or develop a bad infection, etc.
I had mine removed in 2008…I had a C-section in 2006, which apparently opened the flood gates? I would’ve rather had ten kids come out at once then have to go thru that much pain again! I feel better now but do have issues with eating certain foods but there is always amodiam AD for such occasions! Two week recovery time if that helps!! Good luck!!
Well, at least you’re not pregnant and having it taken out. LOL. I was 4 1/2 months along with the Renster and was losing buckets of weight. I couldn’t eat anything, it was awful. Anywho, the little turkey kicked my stitches out from the inside. Should have known then he was going to be my handful of energy.
Good luck! I did feel 1000 times better afterward. Maybe they’ll keep you and you can get some good uninterrupted sleep. Always looking for the positive!