One large stone and dull pain

04-30-2017, 11:25 PM

I cannot decide if I really need to have my gallbladder removed.
First time I noticed a discomfort in 2008 and it was only one small 2 mm stone.
In 2012 ultrasound showed 2 stones 3 and 4 mm each. I was taking ursodeoxycholic acid for 6 months but it didn't help and in 2014 I had a series of 4 very bad gallbladder attacks with alt and ast levels elevated. I haven't had gallbladder attacks since that time but I constantly have a discomfort feeling and sometimes at least one time every 2 weeks a dull pain which is not severe at all like 1 or 2 out of 10 and usually after meal. I also have a much more severe pain every spring around March and April. That is also a dull pain but it is 6 or 7 out of 10. Last time it was 2 weeks ago and I couldn't eat anything first day, I ate only crackers for the next 2 days and I've been on the fat free diet for 2 weeks.
The recent Ultrasound showed that I have a gallbladder wall thickening 3 mm, stable cholelithiasis and gallbladder adenomyomatosis. One stone 16*15mm.

I have visited a surgeon and can have a surgery in few days but don't know if I should do that. I understand that I will have to do it in the future but maybe it is ok to keep it for now.

Does this familiar for anyone, have you experienced dull gallbladder pain without attacks?
Have you had your gallbladder removed?

Thanks!

05-01-2017, 03:26 AM

Why are you thinking about postponing this? Statistically, the longer you wait the better chance you have for this rupturing, and needing emergency surgery.
If they do that, it will be a long incision, not laproscopic.

Its a much easier surgery (and recovery) if you have it done when it is not an emergency situation.

Best,
MSNIk

05-01-2017, 04:06 AM

Don't keep putting yourself thru this. I know 2 people who died from ruptured gbs and one who came close (5 days on IV antibiotics before they removed it with a full cut - it weighed 6 pounds and had gangrene). Don't mess around. Have it out and be done with it.

05-01-2017, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSNik

Why are you thinking about postponing this? Statistically, the longer you wait the better chance you have for this rupturing, and needing emergency surgery.
If they do that, it will be a long incision, not laproscopic.

Its a much easier surgery (and recovery) if you have it done when it is not an emergency situation.

Best,
MSNIk

I'm thinking about postponing this because I currently don't have any other complaints with my gallbladder besides a dull pain. I don't have nausea, constipation or anything else. Only a dull pain and yes I cannot eat fat but I'm fine be on the diet all the time. I noticed that many people who had a surgery were suffering from ongoing gallbladder attacks and issues for months when they finally had their gallbladder removed. I'm generally feeling great cycling and walking regularly, have plenty of energy and sleep well. I also was told by one of my friend who is physician that large stones like mine usually don't get stuck.

05-01-2017, 10:06 AM

I wouldnt be concerned about the stone as much as what you wrote above... "The recent Ultrasound showed that I have a gallbladder wall thickening 3 mm, stable cholelithiasis and gallbladder adenomyomatosis."

The thickening is a sign that the gallbladder is not functioning, and they do not get better, only worse. I was not thrilled to have mine removed either considering I was doing fine with the exception of occasional pains...in fact, they do not even think my pains were associated with the gb! But knowing it was thickened and knowing that it wasnt functioning properly, I had to admit that Id rather go through it now rather than in an emergency when I might be in a life threatening situation or, traveling for my job and away from home.

The surgery is not the end of the world...its a few weeks of really inconvenient problems learning how to eat again and what you can and cant do, but overall, less than 2 weeks later, I think I am doing pretty good and am returning to work tomorrow.

They keep telling me in another month Ill be able to eat anything I want, including cheese and fat- I am looking forward to being able to do again without pain!

05-06-2017, 10:39 AM

I'm going to have a surgery on Monday. It was a tough decision at the begging. I was on the diet and felt great until I ate a small ice cream. It was a big mistake. I was nauseated and had pain for few days. Now I clearly see I need it asap.

05-06-2017, 11:57 AM

Hi TImur,

Best of luck to you on Monday. Its really scary knowing you are going in for surgery, but please try to look at this as a positive. You really cant know how bad it is unles they operate but you DO KNOW that once its over and you are recovered, your pain will be gone.

Its 2 weeks and a day for me today...Im doing better every day. Im now back at the gym walking on the treadmill and using light hand weights- at least its something....and Im eating more and more each day!

The recovery is easy for the most part...the only thing which I am missing right now is the ability to eat full fat cheese and maybe alittle grease

An ooey gooey pizza sounds about right right now, but Im giving my body another 2 weeks before I try it. Other than that, each day is easier and easier and each day I eat alittle more different foods. For the most part I have tolerated it all well.

Sending you positive vibes and hugs for Monday!

MSnik

05-08-2017, 09:29 PM

Thanks MSNik,

I had a surgery this morning. I didn't have much pain in the hospital. However, I currently cannot lie down on my back. I feel like a stubbing pain in the place where gallbladder used to be or maybe in the liver. The pain is not severe but quite uncomfortable. I have little the same pain when I walk.
Do you think this is ok?

05-09-2017, 04:10 AM

Definitely. It's mostly from 2 things- the gas they inflated you with to do the surgery has not completely dissipated and the soreness inside from pulling your gb from behind your ribcage and out the belly button. You are bruised internally. This will take several weeks to subside. The gas will dissipate more quickly if you walk as much as possible.

05-09-2017, 05:38 AM

Yup Timur,
Perfectly normal...not only is it gas, but they had to cut muscles in your abdomen and those have stitches in them...I couldnt lay down for the first 3 nights either. I slept with a big couch pillow behind my head. I also couldnt lay on my left or right side....I had to sleep on my back, which is not my preferred position and I didnt sleep very well.

When I could finally sleep flat and roll on my side- WOW! I had the best nights sleep ever!

Walk, walk, walk! Even if it is only for 5 minutes at a time, try to get up every hour you are awake and walk off that gas! You'll be bloated in the tummy area for awhile, but you'll see in a few days how much it goes down!

Congrats for getting through it so well! Dont forget to drink water to help push that anesthesia out of your system as well!

Best,
MSNik

05-11-2017, 04:51 AM

Hi Timur,
Just wondering how you are doing/ feeling and if things are getting better?

05-11-2017, 11:59 AM

Hi MSNik,

Thank you for asking! Yes I'm getting better.
First two days were rough. I had a surgery at 8 am on Monday. I woke up really sore after anesthesia but it wasn't so bad it was last time a had a surgery ten years ago. I was walking and drinking a lot of water because I couldn't go to bathroom. The issue finally has resolved after 4 bottles of water and hours of walking. They discharged me at 4pm. My belly was very sore I couldn't lie down or even sit so I walked non stop 4 hours until I got so tired. I have taken narco and fell asleep on the sofa.
Second day was better. I had jello, crackers and a lot of water. The food made me bloated but the best part I didn't have much pain. I have taken gas-x, citrucel and milk of magnesia. I had a little of nausea few times. I was sleeping sitting on the sofa again.
Yesterday I have been able to shower in the morning and milk of magnesia did its thing. I have added mash potato, boiled carrots, nonfat yogurt and toasts to my menu. I was nauseated afternoon but tea with lemon and ginger helped a lot.

This night I finally was able to sleep lie down on my back. Belly is bloated less. I have eaten yogurt, jello, crackers and chinking soup for the last 4 hours.
I'm currently only a little bit concerned about constipation and upper right quadrant pain after eating maybe too much.
I also have been reading about clip slipping after surgery complication. I'm not sure if I should worry about that.

Thanks!

05-11-2017, 05:49 PM

Timur,
Your side effects from surgery sound exactly like mine. First you probably already know that any narco and even the anesthesia, will give you constipation and both stay in your system up to 5 days....so keep on with the milk of magnesia, add another laxative if you really think you need to and mostly remember that you arent eating much solid food- therefore you are going to have less stool. Dont worry too much about it right now. It took me until Day 6 before things started working right again!

One of the things that helped was adding a baked potatoe (not mashed, as mashed often has butter or milk in it) with non fat yogurt on it...more fiber. I also added a 1/2 cup of instant oatmeal every other day..more fiber! Fiber means you will not have loose stools, but more solid ones. It takes awhile, but once things kick in you'll feel better!

If you can manage it, add some fruit to your diet as well. I went out and got the fruit cups with peaches....and I also had mandarin oranges, fruit is good for you too.

Each day you should try alittle bit more. Im still not eating red meat or salad, but Ive tried almost everything else. Ive been grilling skinless chicken breasts almost daily and picking at them for protein. One cannot live on yogurt alone!

It sounds like you are doing as well as you should be. Dont worry about anything except getting your strength back and sleeping for a few more days. Im back at work, and I would give anything to be back on the couch!

Hugs,
MSNik

05-12-2017, 08:31 PM

Thank you MSNik. Great suggestions!

Today is day #5 and I have been sick since afternoon. I have tried some new food and junk food like ginger candies, ginger ale and mango sorbet probably too soon. I have exactly the same URQ pain as I had before surgery and a little nausea. I'll try to be more careful tomorrow.

05-13-2017, 02:45 AM

Hard candies and ginger candies shouldnt bother you...they are fat free. The sorbet may have done it..

There is also actual pain which I get in the exact same area where the Gb was. I asked my doctor about it and he said it is because of the manipulation of the surgery. He said I am likely to be sore in that area for quite some time.

Inscisions heal in 8 weeks on the outside of our bodies...at 3 weeks, mine are looking good...but the insides, where they cut through the muscles, takes up to a year! Stretching or lifting or bending will be tender for quite awhile.

By the way, one of the "treats" which I found tolerable was to buy Fat Free Cool Whip. Keep it frozen and eat it that way...like icecream. OR let it melt and have it on strawberries! Yum!

Hang in there Timur, I almost lost my mind looking for things to eat week 1...but things are getting better each day! My next challenge is to eat salad! I am craving salad! :-)

MSNik

One large stone and dull pain

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