Spent the entire night in the ER - Surgery here I come!

Boys r us wrote: This entire week I've been having these episodes of such severe pain in my abdomen that I can barely breathe. I cannot talk through the pain, which DOES NOT come and go..once it starts it's completely consistant for at least an hour and I mean the kind of pain that I've NEVER EVER felt before, the kind that has me screaming and crying. Everytime Rick and I would get ready to go to the ER, the pain would begin to subside..so I would convince him(and myself) that there was no point in going to the ER that I would just make a dr apt with my family doc to see what was up. Well, it happened again last night(4th time this week) about 9 and I said enough is enough! Rick stayed with the kiddos and my mom came and took me to the ER, we were there until 4am, got home just in time for Allie's 4am feeding
They ran a bunch of tests and my liver enzymes were extremely elevated which is indicative of a gallbladder issue and they said my story was a classic case of acute gallbladder attacks. So..they gave me some pain killers to take until I can be scheduled for surgery. I have to call my family dr on monday to begin the process, for which I PRAY IS NOT TOO LONG AND DRAWN OUT..b/c I NEEEEEEEED this taken care of asap, I live in fear of another attack, I swear to you, it's the absolute worse pain I've ever ever ever even imagined being possible!

Anyone ever had their gallbladder removed? I'm a little nervous, but I think at this point I'd let them amputate my leg if they told me it would prevent this pain!

MyBlueEyedBabies replied: I had gal bladder attacks through out my pregnancies with Katy and Matt then started getting them again when Matt was 5 months old so out it came. I won't lie the first week after the surgery I was in so much pain I wanted to die...found out later that codine does nothing for me so I was basically recovering med free. After that it is the best thing ever. I have not been doubled over crying once since June of 2004 so I would take a week of pure misery for that any day.

eta. when I would feel an attack comming on *if someone else was home to watch the kids* I could usually get away with taking 2 vicodin and 2 Mylantas and go to sleep and I seemed to miss the worst of the pain...If I couldn't catch it early I almost always ended up in the ER on IV pain meds

MyBrownEyedBoy replied: I've never had a gall bladder attack, but I have friends who have. No fun, Nicole. I am sorry. I hope you have a quick surgery and a smooth recovery.

gr33n3y3z replied: please keep us updated
Take your pain meds and dont miss a dose even tho you feel better

~Roo'sMama~ replied: Ooooh Nichole, that sounds awful! I hope you can get the surgery over with soon so you don't have to deal with that pain anymore!

flirtycuddle replied: I've actually been in the ER two times for gallbladder attacks and I know they hurt more then anything. Except my doctor keeps telling me to try diff meds to take care of it. I am going back this week for a follow up cuz the meds are not working and to start the process to have mine removed also. From what I hear it's not all that bad and recovery is easy(unless the pain meds don't work).

amynicole21 replied: Ouch! I hope they can do it soon!!~

CantWait replied: Sorry Nichole. Hope they get you in quickly and you recover well.

KUP

My2Beauties replied: Oh man Nichole - this really stinks. I've never had them myself but I know people who have and they say they wouldn't wish the pain on their worst enemy, so I know it's horrible hon! Hang in there, I hope the meds work for the attacks and I hope they can get you scheduled for surgery ASAP! I'm sorry!

Mommy2BAK replied: I really hope you feel better Nichole!!

C&K*s Mommie replied: Chris had a sudden attack of the gallbladder after the symptom producing fatty meal one night, and had the surgery eventually. Most of his family had their removed. All went well with him, and I hope all goes well with you.

I have had the doubling over- take your breath away pains before during my latter pg, but nothing since.

paradisemommy replied: my dad is going through this very same thing right now - in fact, he is scheduled to have his removed tomorrow - supposidly it's a fairly easy outpatient procedure that should take less than an hour..he explained the exact same sharp pains as you and said they were really bad..i'll let you know how his surgery fares after - good luck and hang in there!!

luvmykids replied: Ooooohh I am soooo sorry, I've had gallbladder attacks and honestly, no kidding, thought I was dying. I hope you can get it taken care of very quickly

Cece00 replied: I've had mine removed. It was 5 wks after the birth of my 2nd son.

Its an outpatient surgery, done laproscopically. The surgery itself takes less than an hr, and once you can drink and pee they let you go home. Your staples will stay in for about a week (maybe slightly less) and then they take them out.

The surgery was VERY easy, the pain is pretty minimal and as far as procedures go, its a cake walk.

You will feel a MILLION times better once you have it done.

Its pretty common to have gallbladder issues once you have kids. I'm not sure why, but it happens to a lot of women.

Ask them to remove it this week, you'll be fine about a week after. I actually went out with friends like 4 days after my surgery, I still had the staples in

Kirstenmumof3 replied: I'm so sorry you have to have this surgery done. What you are describing sounds a lot like what I went through a few days ago, it's just awful! I hope the surgery won't be too invassive and you will be back on your feet quickly!

kimberley replied: ouch! p&pt your way. i hope the pain is gone soon.

redplaydoh replied: I had mine removed laproscopically as well. The surgery was fast and after surgery I had quite a bit of pain but nothing that wasn't managed by meds for the first day. The next day I was out partying with my friends at a club. (This was before kids of course). Two days after the surgery I was back to work with no problems.

You'll feel a LOT better after the surgery! Good luck and call to get it scheduled, you'll be glad you did.

holley79 replied: Aw sweetie I hope you get better and i hope they don't draw you out too long.

grapfruit replied: I hope you can have it done laproscopically so it's easier! I was looked at for the whole gallbladder thing, but it ended up being something called Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome, which is completely bizarre and rare. My surgury involved a 5" incision, 4 days in the hospital and the doctor sticking his hand inside and "moving things around". Super painful. I'm PRAYING for the laproscopically for you. Much easier.

coasterqueen replied: My mom and Dh's cousin both have had it done. Both have said after having the surgery when you gotta go to the bathroom you gotta go, there's no waiting to find a restroom. They both say it makes life a real PITA. That's all I really know from it.

jem0622 replied: I am sorry you are in such pain. A very dear gf had the same thing happen. Just hope and pray that they get all of it out, or they may need to go in again! That is what happened to her! Once she had it all out then she felt super!

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied: Sounds awful Nichole! I'll be thinking about you as you go through this. Please KUP!

Calimama replied: I hope your surgery and recovery go well!

sparkys2boys replied: oh, i'm so sorry that your not feeling well. Hope they can get you in soon to get it taken care of.. good luck

MoonMama replied: Oh sweetie how awful! I am so sorry lots of thoughts and prayers, Good luck and KUP.

Maddie&EthansMom replied: Oh Nichole that sounds AWFUL, hun!! I'm so sorry. I hear it is fairly common after women have children to have gallbladder trouble. I hope the recovery goes well.

mom2my2cuties replied:
And it takes A LONG time for this to subside...I am still having that issue. You also have to be extremely careful with what you eat.

I had mine done a little over a year ago now. Like everyone said - it is not really a big deal, but if you do spike a fever, go to the ER immediately, that would be it getting infected and you will need it out immediately. My doctor actually sent me straight from his office to the ER because of this. Turned out mine had completely died and turned black.

Cece00 replied:
I've NEVER had a problem with this, personally. So it is not everyone, you may be one of the ones who gets it removed and never looks back (like me).