Posted on 03/27/2019 10:53:53 PM PDT by Romans Nine
Well started the day out like usual. Got up, got dressed, went to the dinner table, wife brought me over fresh cooked eggs, bacon, toast and large glass of milk. I ate while reading GD.com and Free Republic. Went out to my service truck and something felt a little “off”. I went back inside and the pain hit me like a freight train. Sever abdominal/chest pain. Worst pain I’ve ever felt. I’ve had my eye cut open, kidney stones, fell on a tee post that went deep enough to hit a lung, had a rifle cartridge breech the case in my face, smashed my hand in a road reclaimer tiller, broken my sternum and three ribs but none of that compares to this pain. Wife put me in the car and headed to the hospital. I broke out in a cold sweat and the pain was causing me to almost loss consciousness. We made it to the second town about 20 miles and my wife spotted a Sheriffs deputy and flagged him down. He gave us an escort up the highway until we met with an ambulance. The EMT’s assessed me enough to know it wasn’t my heart because if it had been they would have called in the life flight.
On the way in the ambulance they gave me a shot of Fentanyl. When we arrived at the ER they took me in and within 20 minutes I saw a doctor. At some point they gave me another dose of Fentanyl, took blood for lab work and that Fentanyl sent me into la la land. Doctor oredered an ultrasound and I received that within 30 minutes. It was not conclusive enough so they ordered a Cat Scan and I had that done within another 45 minutes.
Sometime after the Cat Scan the Fentanyl wore off and my pain started to come on hard. My wife told them that the Fentanyl made me delirious so they gave me Morphine. Ah now that was much better. No brain fog and no pain.
I asked the radiologist what she could see since I knew she knows what she’s looking at. She told me that I would not be going home tonight.
Back in the room the doctor came in and told me I have an infected gallbladder full of stones and she would be doing surgery either tonight or in the morning first thing. All of that happened within 6 hours of arriving at the ER. So I got moved to a room, they have me on an IV and are putting antibiotics through me. In 7 hours from this post I’m going in for surgery to remove my gallbladder.
I have read the horror stories on here about the ER wait and hospital care a lot of you have dealt with and let me tell you every single nurse, assistant and doctor here have been fabulous to interact with. After I finish this post I’m composing a letter to send to the administrator about just how good they have treated me and my wife. The surgeon is a woman from India and she was so personable and explained everything and every contingency there was.
I guess most people start having pain more gradually with gallbladder stones but mine has many stones and is infected. The only thing that felt unusual to me over the last few weeks has been an unusually sore back.
So anybody else surrendered your gallbladder to science? What was your experience? They claim I might have some digestive track problems adjusting to the loss of my gallbladder.
By the way, I’m 46 years old, generally healthy, not overweight and do not take any prescription drugs.
Mine got cut out when I was 30. I blame chocolate chip cookie dough and strangely enough I didn’t want it anymore after the surgery. I’m kidding....sort of.
I had 5 attacks of that excruciating pain and don’t miss my gall bladder at all.
Glad you were diagnosed so quickly, and getting such a quick resolution. Hope your surgery goes well, and your recovery is a breeze.
Dude, prayers up to you. I’m glad you are well enough to post on FR about it, but you need to take care.
Good luck to you on the surgery & I hope you start feeling better.
Again, prayers sent out to you.
About three years ago I was at gym and started having pain, went hone and in an hour called wife to come home and bring me to hospital, couldn’t talk on way but pain stopped about arriving at hospital. They did blood test and told me I needed gallbladder removed. Said okay let’s schedule it this week. Doctors said I was too sick to go home, I could die.
Yikes. Surgery had to wait for several days to be sure stone passed.
Surgery went well but afterwards I had complications from internal bleeding. Fainted, received transfusion and anemic for several months
Everything fine afterwards. Can eat whatever I want except no longer desire fatty foods and if I did my cardiologist would frown.
A year ago my daughter had hers removed at age 29. She is thin and very active. She had minor complication because she was thin. Doctor misjudged incision and cut into intestine.
She eats anything too.
I’ve never experienced anything such as what you described.
I am happy for you that you got help right away.
I do know that some digestive disorders tend to run in families. Such as Diverticulitis or certain cancers.
I’m guessing you don’t know of anyone in your immediate family who went through this.
You may end up changing your diet. A low fat diet, Lean meats, poultry and fish are okay. Also recommended: Meals rich in fiber; fruits nuts, seeds, beans and whole grain. Avoiding or minimizing foods such as french fries, bacon, sausage, or ice cream. Your doctors will tell you.
The hour you posted is rather late in the day (11pm Pacific). I’m a Night Owl, but not as much as I used to be. If you do not get a lot of responses before daybreak, don’t be discouraged. I suspect many of our Free Republic friends will have much to tell you about such experiences. Best of luck to you and your wife.
Prayers up and you have FRmail.
Had a gallbladder “attack” several years ago. Had my gallbladder out the next day. What a relief! I had to stay a few days more than usual, because I couldn’t keep anything down. At my post op appointment, my surgeon said I can eat whatever I want. But if you’re going to eat something fried or fatty, I wouldn’t stray too far from a bathroom. You may have an almost immediate need for it.
Prayers up for you and good luck on the surgery and recovery.
Assume your procedure will be laparoscopic?
I had same thing done 8 years ago, had the worst cramping pains for years until finally went to doctor & MRI showed my gallbladder was almost completely blocked with stones.
But the pain would come & go so just thought it was something I ate, heartburn etc..
I’ve read there are so many naturopathic options that will help, shrink the gallstones etc...but my case was too far gone & needed surgery.
My only issue now is when I have to use the bathroom, it better be close by! That is one of the side effects my surgeon explained to me..but if eat healthy, non fatty foods - it helps. Guess that’s the positive of the surgery.
I was never highly overweight or ate entirely unhealthy but my cholesterol levels have always been high..gotta love genetics.
Happy healing! The surgery itself wasn’t bad & scars are minimal.
So where is this hospital. Canada? :)
Will be Praying for you
My pancreas exploded due to gall stones. I think you know the pain level.
I got to watch the paramedics work on me from the general vicinity of the ceiling
Morphine is good, I’m convinced I would have gone into shock and died without it.
Had to be on it for several days and NPO while things calmed down before I could have surgery.
Don’t remember the surgery. Don’t miss my gall bladder.
You’ll be fine.
It all went fine. Had there been blockage, I think the surgery is more complex and a larger incision has to be made. Healing was fine and I was checked out Saturday morning. What I noticed after and for a few years, even, was no matter what I ate, I got diarrhea almost immediately. Didn't get any instructions on diet, though, but you should avoid fried foods and probably dairy. I'm sure you'll be told about that when you see your doc for follow up. Best of luck to you. It's a common procedure and people get along fine without their gall bladder. Apparently, the liver makes up for the digestive process that the GB used to do. You'll do fine!
The back pain was your first sign
....that’s what pushed my husband to get to the doctor......as I remember he had surgery within days.
It’s been a number of years now and he’s doing fine.....
.....
Praying for you!
Here’s what my guru, Dr Weil has to say about it:
Gallstones - Gallbladder Pain & Symptoms
https://www.drweil.com/health-wellness/body-mind-spirit/liver-kidney/gallstones/
Gallbladder Gaffe?
https://www.drweil.com/health-wellness/body-mind-spirit/gastrointestinal/gallbladder-gaffe/
Getting Rid Of Gallstones?
https://www.drweil.com/health-wellness/body-mind-spirit/gastrointestinal/getting-rid-of-gallstones/
All Set for Surgery?
https://www.drweil.com/health-wellness/balanced-living/healthy-living/all-set-for-surgery/
Good luck!
Heavenly Father, You are a God of Mercy and Love. We pray for the procedures performed by the doctors and nurses before, during and after Romans Nine’s surgery. We pray for his healing and a speedy recovery. Please provide hope and comfort to Romans Nine, his wife, family and friends. Let this be a time of testimony . . .giving You the Honor and Glory. In Jesus Name, Amen
PS. Two years ago this spring, I had severe pain like I had never ever felt before shooting up my arm and shoulder. I could not raise my arm at all. Since I was by myself at the time I managed to get over to the computer and rather than call 911 I typed in my symptoms with my left hand I figured if the ambulance arrived and off to the hospital, my life would not be the same. What came on the screen was not a heart attack or stroke but rather a reaction to Levaquin that I had taken for a splinter in a thumb I had to have surgically removed. It is a very dangerous antibiotic by Johnson and Johnson with other drugs in the same family. Do the research. . .some very sad stories . . .some of which were told to me in person. I praise the Lord that He guided my path.
Prayers done for You, Family and Medical Team. Sounds like You are lucky. (For the most part)
Back in December 17th of 2016 I went into the Hospital for My foot Neuropathy. Well there My right side of gut was really hurting so off to an MIR. We got back to My room and suddenly the worst Pain I have ever had like I had been shot. I’m sceaming for pain meds as we go back to the elevator the RN hit me up with something in the Pick Line I had. That helped a bit and then I was on the table and Doc and Antistiest (sp?) said We’ll take care of You and count back from 100, I made it to ninety eig- and that was the last I remember.
That was Christmas Eve. I had My Intestine rupture. Damned good thing I was already in the Hospital or I’d be dead. While in Recovery I thrashed around and tore the internal stitches. Back to Surgery to fix that. Then they put Me in an Induced Coma for 2 weeks Strapped down because I was fighting to get up.
I vaugly remember I was on a ceiling looking down at Myself on the Ops Table and seeing the Docs talking about Organ Donation and I was
SCREAMING at them “I’m Alive ! I’m Alive !!!”
I also got some nasty Gut Critter and My Renal System was not doing well to the point of being transferred to the Main Hospital for Dialysis treatment but God saved Me from that as thing’s began to work again.
Long story shortened, I was in Hospital till the end January 2017 then in a rehab for 4 weeks because my legs had Atrophied and had to get walking again.
That put a whole new world in My Life. Christmas 2017 took on a whole new meaning for Me.
So hang tight and I’ll be waiting for Us to hear from You in a day or two.
BTW My 80 year old Mother had Her GB removed and came through just fine.
TTYL
My symptoms were similar to yours, although I didn’t have deep chest pain. That was back in 2015. I was 68 at the time. Just felt like I had pressure in the middle of my sternum and couldn’t get a full breath. Also felt like someone had punched me in the middle of my back. Had a headache, face flushed, and my blood pressure was high. Felt crappy all over...chills. Ended up in the emergency room twice with the same symptoms. I thought it might be my hiatal hernia, but it wasn’t that. Of course the medical staff were more concerned about a heart attack, but there was nothing wrong with my heart.
I was finally referred to a surgeon, and scheduled for surgery. I didn’t have any large stones, but a lot of what they call sandy sludge. Because I had had 3 previous abdominal surgeries, they couldn’t do it laparoscopically, and cut me open. Had the surgery in the morning. By afternoon they had me up, and walking around the ward floor. The next morning the surgeon came in to check on me, and because I was having no complications, he sent me home. Haven’t had a bit of trouble since. I can eat greasy food without any complications. I’d read that some people who have had their gall bladders removed, end up with diarrhea a short time later when they eat anything greasy, but I was one of the lucky ones.
I had some reservations about them cutting me open to do it, because my grandmother had died on the operating table having her gall bladder removed. That was in 1946, the year before I was born. I never mentioned it to the surgeon until after the operation was over.
Good luck with your surgery. I’ll keep you in my prayers!!
Wow! Wish you the best and a speedy recovery. To be honest, I seriously felt ill hearing all of the things that have happened to you, and I embalmed bodies for 10 years.
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