It's official. I'm old. As if turning 39 didn't remind me of how old I am the fact that I have gall stones certainly does. Until recently I thought that gall stones were only present in old people...like nursing home old people...but apparently that's not the case. Many women who have birthed babies suffer from gall stones and gall bladder attacks. I'm learning that quite a few of my friends have been in the same boat recently. Ugh! Darn you, Eve!
I can't begin to adequately describe how painfully awful gallstones are. Worse than labor, by far. I've had four gall bladder attacks in the last two months and they have gotten increasingly worse. The first one scared me to death because I thought I was having some sort of heart issue. The chest pain was so severe I almost had Todd take me to the ER. But the pain abated after about 15 minutes and left me dry heaving and feeling like I was hit by a truck. The next morning I woke up and felt completely fine so I sort of blew it off as a "freak" episode of...who really knows what. I googled my symptoms and self-diagnosed gall stones. I tried cutting fat our of my diet and following a litany of other gall bladder diet rules, but about five days later it happened again...and was worse than the first time. I was on the phone with my doctor first thing the next morning and she ordered an immediate ultrasound. Gall stones, as I surmised. Now what?
She told me that there's not a whole lot you can do for gall stones unless you opt to have your gall bladder removed. I'm not one who is surgery happy so I just decided to live with it and eat better. However, since I can't pinpoint my "trigger foods" I haven't been able to stop the attacks. The worst one, by far, happened on my birthday. Excruciating pain and at least 20 bouts of vomiting over the course of three hours? What a lovely birthday celebration, huh?
After that attack I decided that I needed to see a gastroenterologist ASAP. He agreed that I have gall stones, but wants me to have an endoscopy to see if there are other issues at play. I haven't scheduled the procedure yet because I'm a little nervous about it, but friends who have had them before assure me that the procedure is no big deal. I must admit that I was a little put off by the doctor, though, because he didn't give me any "what to do when you have an attack" strategies and I got the vibe from him that basically, I'm screwed. Nothing will help so don't bother. I'm wondering if it would be wise to maybe see another gastroenterologist for a second opinion before scheduling an endoscopy. I don't know. I think I'm playing the "if I ignore it it will go away" card right now...in hopes that it will. Even though I know it won't.
Getting old is no fun!
4 comments:
They have great techniques for gall bladder surgery now. It's a fairly easy surgery to recover from, from what people have told me.
I have an undiagnosed problem with something in my foot's arch. It only hurts when I use it, so I haven't been to the doctor. I fell old too!
So so sorry that you are sick. Praying for healing and wisdom. I know from having lupus that getting a second opinion doesn't hurt, especially if you are not feelin' it with the doctor you saw.
so sad to hear your pain. it sounds HORRIBLE! and to hit so frequently. i'm so sorry. will be praying for you. i think a 2nd opinion would be great. stay off the internet for the 2nd opinion - you'll freak yourself out. praying praying praying!
Charla- how did I not see this until now?? I'm so sorry you've been going through this. Sounds awful. I hope you find a new doctor and are able to find some pain management or prevention of future attacks. Praying for you!
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