Just checkin on you guys hope you are doing better now. Don't take it too fast I was pushing some things around today on a cart...but that apparently did not help. My belly buttom and tummy sure burn now. It has been over 2 weeks.... but someone told me it really takes months to get back to normal after the gallbladder is removed.

crampster

Hi Crampster and Gigi D

I am getting better! I feel like I had acid reflux and that seems to be subsiding a bit. I feel like I am getting more energy each day. Today was my kids first day back to school, so I plan on catching up on laundry and rest during loads.
I have called my surgeon about my leg cramps and some pain down my right leg. I think I told you earlier that we both don't think blod clot but may do an ultrasound just to be safe. The nurse thinks some of it may be sciatica...again not sure.

I feel better than I actually sound!! :) I hope you guys are doing well. Keep posting so we can keep up with progress and life!
pbjmom

Hi PBJMom and Gigi D,
No doing well today.... someone I work with needed help. Needed to move a metal cart on wheels up 5 stairs. I though ok this shouldn't be to hard it's only 5 stairs and there was nothing on the cart.

Wrong!!!! I was in pain last night had to take my last pain pill. I'm going to have to call the doc today to get a couple more pain pills. I was walking doubled over by this morning. Had to stay home from work. I had burning feeling around my belly button. If I touched around my belly button it burned even more.

Bad move... hopefully I can go back to work on Friday. Our students have not returned to school yet... they do not come back until the first week in September after right after Labor Day. I guess that is good it gives me a little more time to get some things done plus time to recover from this mybad.

So just remember even if you are feeling much better... you might want to wait a while before you lift anything over 25 pounds because boy will thatset you back..... I think I will give it another month before I try to lift anything over 25 pounds....it is just not worth it. I hurt about 50% of the pain I had after surgery.

You guys hang in there and don't do too much...
crampster

Crampster- Did you say you had some test for possible blod clots? 'i heard the best test is the ultrasound. i still have no symptoms for a blood clot but just cramps in the leg.

'thanks
pbjmom

It was some kind of test that they ran on the blood....
it was unreliable (in fact my doctor said it was not real reliable before the results where even back).... it was positive for both my daughter and I. We followed that up with a dopler ultrasound which will identify where the clot is... but they couldn't find a clot..... which was good.

Hang in there.... hope you are feeling better. Don't overdue... I sure learned that big time yesterday.
crampster

The doc wants to do a doppler ultrasound (venous ??) and if that comes back negative (which we are pretty sure it will) I will probably be sent to a neuro. It may be a nerve issue since it is from my pubic area to the foot. He just wants to see what these symptoms are since they developed after surgery.

Thanks! And I promise to take it easy...you, too! No lifting up any stairs!!:)
pbjmom

Just talked to my surgeon a couple of minutes ago.... he wants me in for follow up by next week. He said what I was describing to him sounds like I might have popped a stitch. Lovely..... but he is calling in pain meds to keep me comfortable. I guess that will teach me.....No More Lifting.
crampster

Hey Crampster!

I am so sorry you may have popped a stitch. Where is it located? I don't know much about different things surgeons use to close off things inside. I found out I have titanium clips. It kind of freaks me out a bit. I know this is common, but it is not what I would expect. Guess, that is why I never went into the medical profession! I was a teacher before I had the twins and will probably go back one day.

I hope you are doing better with some good meds! Take care!
pbjmom

Hi Crampster and PBJMom! Sorry, I've been pretty busy lately and just now found the time to check in.

Crampster-awww, that's too bad! That stinks that you've been feeling worse. At least now you've got some more pain pills. Stay in bed as much as possible and just take it easy.

PBJMom-sounds like you aren't doing too badly, that's good to hear:) ! Hopefully the pain in your legs will ease up and isn't anything too serious. And remember, as a word of caution, even when you're having good days don't overdo! I've made that mistake more than once.

I'm doing pretty good-I have my good days and bad days. Today was a really good day-not much pain at all. My problem is that I had (well, have) other issues outside of the gallbladder. I can't wait to get everything resolved! The doctors I've seen haven't been able to find the source of all my problems yet. Crampster, you've mentioned that you have IBS-did it take a long time for you to get diagnosed and are your symptoms under control now? I'm starting to think maybe that's what I have-I don't have the classic symptoms for it, and have rectal bleeding and pain every day, but I'm running out of any other possible diagnosis. It's very frustrating!
But anyways, back to recovery from gallbladder surgery, I'm healing pretty well and doing good. I see my surgeon again next month just to check over the incisions and also to make sure I don't have a hernia or anything.

Good luck both of you-take care!

IBS...... Gigi hmmmmmmmmmmmm excuse the pun... is a pain in the butt.

You were running fevers right??? One of the symptoms of ulcertive colitis. Check this out???
You never get rid of IBS so most of us learn to cope... a balancing act of calcium and meds for IBS-D (some people who have gallbladder surgery sometimes get something called

... you ready for this "dumping syndrome" it is exactly what it sonds like ... not sure about IBS-C.

Pbjmom,
Twins huh... that will keep u busy. Last year my school should have been called twin city.... Principal had twins... one of my co-workers had twins.... we had 2 sets of twin seudents that I knew of at my high school... this year the new Assts=ant principal just had twins last week. I myself have what is called Irish twins... 2 children born within the same year and for 18 says they are the same age.

I think the stitch I popped was inside around the belly button... must not be to urgent:blob_fire cause he wants to see me next week.. not Friday.

Well check on you guys later ...don't overdo, not sur if I will work Friday...one day at a time. Maybe I'll go in and see if I can make it through the day.
crampster

:dizzy: OK...
.........but on the bright side... since I had to stay home I went shopping on QVC.... well I thought bright... my husband didn't. They had gold jewelry all day..oooooh...aaaaah.... bling.bling. my husband bought my xmas present...
I'm not really a materialist person ... but I sure like gold......

My said I wouldn't wait until xmas to wear the necklace... but I will.... it was fun to pick out my own present. Lucky me... I got something I've always wanted.
crampster

Hi Gigi and Crampster!

I have been visiting with friends this weekend here while my husband had to go out of town. My girlfriends (one has had her gallbladder out) wanted to come help with the kids and make sure I didn't do too much. What a help! They are good friends.

Anyway, just wanted to check on you guys and see how you are feeling. I have had a few days of bad stomach issues. I am eating well still, just don't know if this is some post surgery stuff or what. Heck, I could have a stomach bug for all I know or it could be acid reflux. Just funny after feeling really good for almost 10 days post surgery to feeling sick to the tummy.

I went and had an ultrasound on my legs to rule out any blood clot. Of course, as we expected all was fine. The cramping in my legs is getting better. I may have to go see a neurologist to see if I could have a little nerve damage, possible sciatica.

Wow, this all sounds bad! But, I really am feeling good post surgery. I am one of the lucky ones not have to run to the bathroom. My system seems to be working well.

Keep me posted on how you guys are doing! Have a good week!
pbjmom

Hi PBJMom,
Still haging in there... have been taking it easy since I hurt myself last week. I see the surgeon for follow up on Monday. Have you noticed a change in your appetite since the surgery? Any foods you particularly have issues with?
crampster

Hi Crampster!
How was your appt with your surgeon? I hope everything went well.

I have been trying to track what I eat to see what doesn't agree with me. My appetite is definitely back. Yogurt is really helping me. I eat that first before I have a cup of coffee. I have eaten pasta and marinara, chicken dishes (some low-fat, some not) the like. I have found that if I eat sugar type things or fruit on an empty stomach, it rocks my world. I love carnation instant breakfast. I drink it with skim milk (skim by itself is fine) but add the carnation stuff and I hurt pretty bad. Someone made us chocolate cake and I ate some, but only after a meal and had no problem. I have not had anything greasey like pizza or fast food, so I can't tell yet.

how about you? What works and doesn't work? I think you had surgery well before me, so maybe you have tried more. I am a little hesitant to eat just everything yet.

Hope you are resting well!
pbjmom

The appt was ok... doc says check back in 6 months to make sure I don't have a hernia .... okay so I'm thinking positive ... I just didn't do something to dumb to believe .... and I WONT need to have another surgery in 6 months to fix a hernia because I picked up too much weight.

Doin much better now.. but really havin hard time gettin back into a routine because I can't get comfortable at night. Tummy still tender from where the "pop" in the stitch was... feels a little like a burn. Much better though... how you guys holding up. Gigi D must be busy... havent heard much....

Doing the food eliminating thing too... so far I found that I can eat 2 very very small slices of pizza... yea for me... my favorite food. I am surviving on pumpernickle bread, roast beef and provolone.... for some reason this combination does not bother my digestion at all. I am finding that whatever I eat it has to be in small amounts. Still dropping a little weight... maybe a pound or two a week. I'm not sad about that. Told my daughter to watch out... I will be borrowing her clothes... she just laughs.
Going to be starting on the vitamin E oil soon to try and minimize scars.
Eating out is not much fun any more... I seem to not be able to get away from the diahrrea... any of you guys havin a problem with that?
crampster (3 weeks post op gallbladder).

Hey there!

I am glad to know you are doing okay with the popped stitch. Where did you pop it? I miss sleeping on my stomach. I tried to roll over last night and woke up immediatley with it not feeling great. I guess I will try again next week.:)

I have not had the bathroom issue at all. Don't get me wrong, some mornings it is not the fun bathroom visit, but I have not had to be near a bathroom whenever I go out. I feel fortunate that way.

My friend who had her GB out two years ago said Vit E doesn't work at all. It can actually give you a rash. I looked it up on the net and most sites say not to Vit E on scars. She told me to use Mederma, so I sucked up the cost and started it yesterday. I hope it works!

My twin boys are having their birthday this week. Pizza at the bowling alley with cake....wish me luck!!!!

I hope we hear from Gigi soon!

pbjmom

Hmmmm let me know how the Mederma does. I have some scar zone... I think I will give it a shot. I hadn't gotten the vitamin E yet so... guess I will try that... if the Vit E didn't work for the others maybe it doesn't work. Was not sure as I have never had any major surgery or anything. I have the scar zone we got for my daughters knee...

Good that you don't have any major D..... issues. It is soooo frustrating. My parents wanted to take me out to dinner and I knew what the side effects would be so.... I was in a panic.... and had to go home before everyone was done eating cause I was not feeling well (plus.... the bathroom had a waiting line).
Strange thing is I only seem to have major issues when I go out in public.... can't figure that one out. Maybe it is because I am still have some slight issues... maybe it is IBS complications??? My niece had Dump Syndrome..(it is exactly what it sounds like).... and still does after her gallbladder surgery. I was worried about that. No sure that is my problem. Still adjusting.
Hope your boys have a nice B-day party and eat small slices to test the waters. Maybe try a slice ahead of time to see how your body responds. There are a lot of people getting ready for gallbladder surgery that are scared/worried.... Dani, Mommy2Brandon and Nal...on some of the other threads... so give a pep talk if you can. I remember how scared I was and it was nice to get support from others.
Crampster
Wish you luck

Hi PBJMom and Crampster! Sorry that it's been awhile.

Crampster, I'm having the horrible D Syndrome, and like you I don't know how much is from the gallbladder surgery and how much is from other issues. I had that problem before surgery, too. It's been really bad the past couple of days, especially right after lunch. It gets pretty embarrassing running to the bathroom all day at work!!!

I think I'm doing okay from the gb surgery, but like I said I have other ongoing problems. I've vomited the past two days. I have abdominal pains still, and it almost feels like pain in my bones (hip, pelvic and ribs). I go back to the gastro Friday, so hopefully something will be figured out and done about it. I'm so tired of going to the doctor all the time!!!

I can lay comfortably on my stomach to sleep, but I wake up constantly at night. Haven't really noticed any one particular food that gives me problems.

Hope you both are well!

Oooooh I feel your pain. I have to go back to the surgeon in 6 months to see if I really injured myself picking up stuff too heavy if I did I may have to have a surgery for a hernia ... just great. I'm hoping I layed down soon enough and rested long enough that everything will be ok.

I'm sorry about the D syndrome.... I'm having issues after eating. It is hard and can be really embarrasing it's like having a bad case of the flu. The up side is that it is somewhat predictable. The downside is that you worry about being in public. Since I am back at work it's not so bad right now ... but when everyone comes back... we have only 3 bathroom stalls for over 100female staff members. Not an ideal situation... so I am going to have to try and time when I eat in between when everyone else eats.. because of the bathroom situation.

PBJMom is hanging in there it sounds like. ... Titchou still sounds like an old pro with her advice...
We have 3 newbies that are very nervous one will be having surgery on Thursday.... so any words of encouragement would probably help. Even with the D syndrome.... I'm still happier than I was... as I was in almost constant pain. Now I just have tenderness and a quick sprint to the bathroom. If necessary I can live with that. I am finding that I have a slightly lower D syndrome if I keep the fat low and eat a fiber.
Glad to here you are doing too bad... as we hadn't heard from you in a while.
crampster

I'll keep you in my prayers, Crampster, that you don't have a hernia. That's one of my fears, only because the only way to correct it is to have surgery, and with surgery there's a good chance that it will recur. It's like a vicious cycle! I go back to my surgeon in a few weeks for her to check how my incisions are healing and if a hernia has developed. I think I'm doing okay, so I'm not worried about it.

Take care!

Stinks doesn't it. It is hard not to do any lifting when we have so much that needs to be done. With being back to work it is getting harder and harder not to lift. All of the teachers are coming back next week so I have 15 dvd/vcr players to install before they get back.... at least they are super lightweight.... that isn't what I'm worried about it is the place they are located. ... first I have to climb up on a latter then I have to reach behind a 27 inch tv... which I will have to slide over to plug the dvd player into... there is a small hole built into the cabinet that was built into the corner and is on 2" away from the ceiling with the tv sitting on it....

I might try and hook up one just to see if I can do it without pulling anything... I haven't finished healing over the last relapse yet... so I don't want to pull anything else.

I hope you don't have a hernia either... I will keep you in my prayers as well. It might be considered bandade surgery that we had but it sure seems complicated.... cause it takes a while to recover.
crampster

P.S......

I would do it again in a heartbeat. Even though it takes time to recover.... which I should have given it more.......

I would do it again... even with the discomfort and pain of the relapse.... it is still better than what I was dealing with before hand. The least pain I was having was a constant stitch in the side (kinda like after running too much too fast)...

I guess I could tell I was having the relapse when I got up from laying down to rest... I had trouble straightening up again.....


For any of you out thee having gallbladder surgery it does take a while afterwards before you can strand up straight.. I think this is the body's way of telling us to take it easy and let it heal...
crampster