Need Gall bladder out...sorta scared, any good stories? - Gallbladder Message Board

shalynn · 05-09-2007, 04:37 PM

This has been a long time coming. I had my first attack probably three or four years ago. I ended up in the ER with that one. Ultrasound done shortly after that attack just showed sludge, no mention of stones.

I've probably had four or five more attacks since then. A few were pretty intense, but I made it through them. A few weeks ago though I ended up in the ER w/intense pain and vomiting. They had to try several meds to get me to stop vomiting. Finally, after six hours I stopped. They had to give me Morphine for the pain too. I was kept over night, and went home the middle of the afternoon the next day.

I had the Hida scan last week. It showed a chronic problem, delayed gastric emptying. My doctor said it will not improve. I figured as much. I also found out a few weeks ago I have several stones now.

I'm ready to get it out. I don't want anymore attacks. But, I'm afraid of surgery. Mostly the anesthesia. I guess I've watched too many episodes of ER

. I know there are trade offs, and you have to weigh the risks with the benefits.

I meet with the surgeon on the 21st of this month. I'm hoping to have it out the first of June. So, can any of you help ease my mind? I feel so foolish for being scared. All of the meds I was given in the ER pretty much got me over my medication phobia hurdle (that was due to having allergic reactions to several meds). I have had surgery before and did OK. I had my tonsils out when I was 22 (that was a long time ago, I'm 44 now)

Sorry for the rambling. Thanks in Advance.

Shalynn
PS
Oh, I also have MS, and am worried about how the surgery could affect me neurologically.

IndianSummer · 05-09-2007, 08:54 PM

I had a gall bladder attack this past monday, I went to the doctors on tuesday she sent me for an ultrasound that same day after the ultrasound I was sent straight to a surgeon who scheduled me to have my gall bladder out on thursday.
Thursday got here and I went and had my surgery and I felt good for the first few days but I was given oxycotin and percocet for pain, by sunday night I was having a nagging pain in my side that the pain meds didn't take away.
I went until tuesday like that when the pain got to be to much,I called the surgeon wednesday morning at 9 am as soon as they opened and was told to come right in.
I got to the doctors office and he checked me and he didn't have a clue as to what was wrong, I asked him if I could have a bile leake and he said no because I wasnt jaundice Im native american and my skin color is olive.
So he said maybe a gall stone had fallen out and he didnt catch it and he sent me for a ct scan for that evening, it is now that evening and the scan was done but his office is closed so I have to wait until the morning to find out whats going on.
But I have a theory

I think I may have kidney stones and he never asked for a urine sample just some blood drawn and I was never called about that either

So now im all oxycotined up and can't wait until tomorrow, he never did mention that it could be kidney stones but when I researched it on the web I have the symptoms like pain in my right side and in my right shoulder.
I sure hope there is something they can do I don't have time for this mess.
But you will be fine trust me, being put to sleep is a breeze I have MS also so I know what you are going through.
Post back and let me know how you are doing and how your surgery went
Take care and you can e-mail me anytime.
Jackie

nicole28 · 05-09-2007, 10:29 PM

I had my gallbladder out 5 yrs ago and I was only 23. I was told that my gallbladder was so full that I had stones floating in my stomach. I was so scared when i was told I had to have it removed.Forget the fact that I had already had a child and this shouldn't be a problem but too bad. So the morning of the surgery they gave me a medicine to calm my stomach and a drug called verset. After I received those I didn't have a care in the world. Before I knew the surgery was over and done with and the attacks were gone.There is stuff they can give you to calm you down before the surgery.
Don't worry it will be alright.Take care.

miknan · 05-10-2007, 04:49 PM

I'm like you in that I am having mine out too (May 24th) and I am nervous about all the horror stories. But I just try and think that most people have successful surgery and feel so good they don't come around this site much. Most people on here have problems...

Forensicmom · 05-10-2007, 08:29 PM

I had mine out 2 days ago and I was just like you, scared about the horror stories I'd heard from sites like this. I found a lot of friends and family that had had their's taken out and had do problems. Some had other problems going on too (reflux, hernias, etc) but almost all of them said that they defiantely felt so much better after the surgery.

I will not lie, this hurt much worse then I expected. I've had 4 children (naturally) and I figured the recovery couldn't be any worse then that, WRONG. The worse part for me that the gas they put into your body. They inflate you like a balloon for the surgery. Afterwards, the gas is trapped and just has to take it's time coming out. It's not intestinal gas either, so you can't really, um, release it. It gave me severe sharp pains in my sides and up in my shoulders. Fortunately, after 2 days, most of it has worked it's way out of my system.

Hang in there and try not to be afraid. It sounds like you definately need it out.