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Going from bad to worse -- Compiler in ER-- gall bladder?

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Posted 2/10/2012 3:58 PM (GMT 0)
Well, the other day I posted a rant about all my doctor appointments. Now, time for a real whine. If I didn't have PC, maybe I would just consider this a bad streak. But, honestly, I feel like an old car in okay condition, but continually having parts just go. That's probably exactly how it is!!

Recently I had that eye problem (recheck on that in 2 1/2 weeks).

Anyway, last night I had a great chicken dinner. I was hungry and ate quite a bit of the broiled chicken (including a bit of skin). 90 minutes later I was snacking on some pistachio nuts when all of a sudden I started experiencing significant abdominal pain/pressure. It was terrible. Usually, alka seltzer or rolaids works quickly when I get gas but this was different. They didn't help. When I started sweating. I even got concerned about a heart problem. So, after 2 1/2 hours, I said take me to the ER. We got there at 11:00 PM. Bottom line: I was IVed some pain killer (tramadol or something like that). I know I have had a silent gallstone for about 25 years. Well, the doctor thinks this time it might not be so silent. At least it isn't a heart problem. We got home at 1:30 AM (not bad -- I sure didn't want to spend the night there but figured I'd have to in order to exclude a heart problem -- apparently it is not that).

I am now at work and we have scheduled an ultrasound of the abdomen for later today. Unfortunately, nothing whatsoever to eat or drink for 8 hours, so I have had nothing since last night. I also didn't sleep at all due to the pain and I am still in pain.

I still wonder if this is some kind of weird trapped gas. I have been burping/belching a lot but it isn't helping. It is pain and pressure almost symmetrical but centered at the center. Last night it also went into my upper back.

Has anyone had such attacks? Am I in for surgery? If so, can they do it laparoscopically after a Daa Vinci?

Mel (really getting upset!)

 

Posted 2/10/2012 4:10 PM (GMT 0)
I was just mentioning how you never know what kind of things can occurr and creep up on you. Hope this is something else even diverticulitus (probably isn't???). I don't think we like having things removed that were O.E.M. equipment for our bodies. Mel.......cheap humor......you are seeing so many docs now....get a Bar Code system on you!!!!

Hope you get a good break on something, you are about over due by now!!!! I just got out of ER and hospital Tuesday 5:30 p.m., didn't see that episode on my radar at all.
Posted 2/10/2012 4:13 PM (GMT 0)
I think they try to break the stones up via an ultra sound device and then you just pass em through.

But ya, multi surgeries in the same spot isn't an issue.
Posted 2/10/2012 4:14 PM (GMT 0)
my wife.

it was gall bladder.

two doctors wanted to operate about 18 months ago. Then the third guy, the guy we had selected for surgery said that we shouldn't operate until it acts up again. Hasn't since then.

Pain was intense. We are jut waiting for it to return and hope it doesn't until we're back in the States.
Posted 2/10/2012 4:36 PM (GMT 0)
Compiler, you sure have had a run of bad luck medically lately. I have no experience with what you are going through, but I know at the hospital where I had my RALP they do use the Davinci for Gallbladder surgery if it has to be removed, not sure about stone removal.  Good luck from here on out.

Terry

Posted 2/10/2012 5:04 PM (GMT 0)
Compiler - hate to say this but that sounds exactly like what happened to me with my gallbladder. Had a nice big dinner. Pain like I've never had before and nothing would make it feel better. I went to ER that night and they did the pain med thing for about 8 hours, a ultra sound and sent me home with an appointment with the surgeon for two days later. Never made it. The day I was to see the surgeon it flared up and I called the doc. They sent to the urgent care clinic for a blood test.

Next thing I was being wheeled to the ER for surgery.

The only good thing I can offer is that since I've had the gallbladder out I've not have as much tummy upsets as I had before. Now you will have to watch how much fat you eat at one time. It's a pain to go through (sorry - lots of pain) but once it's done it's done. Not like this PC thing.

Hang in there,
Andrew
Posted 2/10/2012 5:12 PM (GMT 0)
But can they do it laproscopically even after you've had the prostate surgery?

I am still in pain, and its been about 17 hours.

Mel

Posted 2/10/2012 5:16 PM (GMT 0)
Mel,

I would think that even after PC surgery you could still have the Gallbladder out by robot.  A friend of ours had hers out last year by robot and went home the same day and she is 81 years old.

Terry

Post Edited (The Water Guy) : 2/11/2012 6:06:45 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/10/2012 5:21 PM (GMT 0)

compiler said...
But can they do it laproscopically even after you've had the prostate surgery?


I am still in pain, and its been about 17 hours.



Mel

I'd be surprised if they couldn't use the robot. Hang in there. Sorry but there is no pain like a hot gallbladder. Ask for the pain meds now. You'll need 'em for awhile.
I've been there and feel for you.
Andrew
Posted 2/10/2012 5:38 PM (GMT 0)
this is miserable -- actually it feels like a whole bunch of torn muscles plus bloating.

They do have a Da Vinci locally but I don't think they do the gb with it. But I think they do it laproscopically.

Classes done, office hour almost done. Time to go home and rest for my 3:30 test -- then at least I can eat/drink something (but nothing fatty).

Mel

Posted 2/10/2012 9:19 PM (GMT 0)
Mel,
Sorry you are having to deal with this on top of everything else. To answer your question about laparoscopic surgery. the answer is yes you can. In 2008 I had laparoscopic sigmoidoscopy and in 2009 I have my robotic prostate surgery. You will end up with a bunch of small marks on your abdomen.
Posted 2/10/2012 9:48 PM (GMT 0)
Yep Mel,
They can do the gall bladder removal easily laproscopically (I don't know whether the Da Vinci is used anywhere for it ) after the robotic RP. Speaking from experience here ------- I had mine out about six months ago. Emergency surgery and they came across the mesh from my RRP and it presented no problem. You have my sympathy ------ I know that pain and nausea. If it has to be removed (often the case when you start to have problems) you will bounce back faster than the prostatectomy. I have not modified my diet at all since the op and have never noticed any difference.
Good luck,
Bill
Posted 2/10/2012 10:09 PM (GMT 0)
Mel,

I am sure sorry to hear this. I know you have a lot on your health plate already. Good luck today.

Posted 2/10/2012 10:45 PM (GMT 0)
are you sure that you didn't subscribe to the "Disease of the Month Club?" (meant to be an attempt at a joke). Seems lately, when it rains its pours.

Me - At age 28, in great health, I had a severe attack of accute pancreatitis. When from eating dinner fine, to being in the ICU of a hospital in Dallas in the space of 3 hours. The panceatitis caused bile to backup, ruining my gallbladder in the process. It was pain that to horrible to recall. The only saving grace, was they called in a doctor (who was at a dinner party), and he happened to be a specialist in pancreatitis, and he made the correct dx. Once dx, they were shooting me up with morphine.

To make a long story short, and this will show you how things have changed over the years, this happened in 1983. I spent a total of 10 days in the hospital, including 3 days in ICU (where it was touch and go), and in the end they took out the gallbladder the old fashioned open way. It left me with the largest scar on my body, about 9 1/2" long and all jagged like a shark bite.

My wife had just given birth to my daughter 2 weeks earlier, so she had a terrible time dealing with it.

At least in this age, they can sometimes break up stone(s) with a good blast, and if they do have to remove it, just a day surgery with several tiny holes. Many patients don't even have to spend the night.

Good luck, hopefully you will bite the bullet on this, if the gall bladder is really "gone", unfortunately, the pain will return and you will know it.

david in sc
Posted 2/11/2012 1:40 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the knd words. David -- it is the disease of the Week for me, it seems.

Here's an update:

The screw is tightening. After teaching today and having nothing to eat or drink since 2:00 AM, I went in for my ultrasound today at 3:30.

After the test, the technician came out and said she spoke to the radiologist and I had to go right back into the ER. So, the next 3-4 hours are spent waiting around in the ER room. Finally the doctor said the ultrasound showed a thickening of the gall bladder, which is not good. He suggested immediate surgery. But he said if I want I could go home and see what happens, but I've been in pain for over 24 hours so it probably will not resolve. Meanwhile, 17 ambulances showed up due to a 60-car pileup on I75. I decided to go home. I can come back tomorrow, rather than wait around for who knows how long while they deal with more serious situations. Also, I didn't want to deal with an emergency surgery from some surgeon I don't even know. When I got home, I contacted my family doctor. He said I did the right thing. It did turn out that the surgeon on call was super top-notch, so I'll try and see him on an elective basis...unless I have to say uncle tomorrow.
Mel

 

Posted 2/11/2012 2:16 AM (GMT 0)
I had my gall bladder out and before that the radiologist gave me the same line about needing emergency surgery. My internist talked her down, telling me later that radiologists overreact to gall bladder problems. He said that it would be better to wait and get the right surgeon, which I did. Things worked out. So I would suggest getting a second opinion about the severity of your emergency.
Posted 2/11/2012 7:47 AM (GMT 0)
I think a gall baldder op can be done with old fashioned key hole surgery, ie the docs hold the tools rather than the robot. If a gall stone, then I have also heard of using ultrasound to make the gall stone fall to bits so it passes out through the gut.
Hope you have a speedy resolution of the problem.
I'll subscribe tio disease of the month club. I've been getting a lot of abdo pain lately plus heart burn, sweats, dizziness etc. I thought I was just a bit constipated and had been blaming the effect of SRT on my rectum. Better keep an eye on it.
Alf
Posted 2/11/2012 9:45 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry to hear of the problems, Compiler...

Oddly enough, when my gallbladder was acting up I had chest pains right near my sternum that would go into my left shoulder. They did about $150K worth of heart test and thankfully it wasn't that. When I had horrific stomach pains it was due to ulcers. Doubled over in the ER and the only thing that helped mildly was a GI cocktail and whatever they gave me for pain. They have since resolved. :)

Be sure to get a HIDA scan done and if they say your gallbladder is only working at 10%, remember that it is still not 0%. I deeply regret having my gallbladder removed and should have waited until that 10% was gone. Still get the chest pains and there are never any bathroom close enough. Having it removed really didn't resolve anything, but it did create more stomach problems. But, hey... I'mm a strange bird. lol Get a second opinion.

Good luck in whatever you decide.
Posted 2/12/2012 12:03 AM (GMT 0)
Groan.. Yeah, I hear about a small but significant number of folks who have problems after the gb surgery

Update: I am home and resting. AS I think I indicated, I did not go through with the emergency surgery. I am feeling better. 85% - 90% of the pain is gone, but I've been on a fat-free diet and I am still running a temperature (it was 100.4 during the night and 99 at its low today-- it 99.7 right now). I was told if it gets to 101.5 or so, I am out of options and go back to the ER.

The big test will be what happens when I have a low fat meal (and then a regular meal). I did have some low fat soup with no ill effects. It would be nice if this can go away and I can dodge a second emergency surgery bullet in 2 weeks.

Mel 

Posted 2/12/2012 10:11 AM (GMT 0)
The problem Mel is that once you produce stones you will in all likelihood continue to produce them. That itself is not the problem. The problems arise when those stones obstruct the exit of the bladder. Not only is it exceedingly painful but makes the bladder very liable to infection. If the infected bile backs up long enough it can cause problems for your liver. Keep your eye on that temperature ----- it is a good indicator if it rises you may be fighting a gall bladder infection. I have eaten whatever I want (apart from anything containing gluten ---- but that is another story) since mine was removed and have never noticed the slightest difference. The operation is fairly straight forward ------------ similar to a prostatectomy without the need to spare any nerves or watch for positive margins. Snip, snip, rejoin and out it comes. I don't know that I would be too concerned with finding the best gall bladder artist in the country.
Posted 2/12/2012 5:31 PM (GMT 0)
Still struggling here. Pain is about 95% diminished but I'm not feeling well nor eating much. It is hard to find a non-fat diet. I did have Raisin Nut Bran with skim milk an hour ago and I'll see how that goes (3 gms of fat). If that goes okay I might have a hard boiled egg (5 gms of fat).

I am still running a low grade temp (99-99.5, closer to 99). I was told if it gets to 101.5 then I am out of options.

I'm hoping the "attack" just fades away... before I do!

Mel

Posted 2/12/2012 10:24 PM (GMT 0)
Hang in there Mel! Thinking about you.
Posted 2/12/2012 10:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Brother Mel!

Our thoughts and best wishes are with you!

Bud
Posted 2/13/2012 4:37 AM (GMT 0)
Update:

Pain/discomfort has returned after some low fat foods (but at about 50% of the level that first brought me to the ER). I'm also running a temp, now close to 100 -- just enough to feel generally sick, barely).

I will be calling a surgeon tomorrow morning. Good luck to me trying to get to see one quickly.

Mel

 

Posted 2/13/2012 12:51 PM (GMT 0)
Gosh, good luck to you. I hope everything goes as well as it can. When it rains it pours (and that's not just salt I'm talkin' about!).
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