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11 mths of issues, surgery in sight

Posted , 6 users are following.

Star42
Star42

Hi all

After 11 long months of issues,starting with IBS symptoms in June, Reflux inSeptember and being refered and diagnosed with mulitple mobile  Gallstones In October, I saw the surgeon today.

I have lost almost 15kg during that time, had to cut so many food groups, suffering with reflux, IBS D ( so bad I hardly make it) or IBS C, gas, pain within 30mins of eating which takes my breath from gas, bloating, nausea, intermittent rib ache ( feels like a huge bruise or foot stuck under my rib) stomach makig a lot of noise nd often feeling unwell.

My symptoms range from mild, to severe to non existent, back to mild and then relief for weeks, then they creep back.

I have been placed on cat 2 for surgery which is highest after a physical emergency and must be done within 90 days, I have been told its usually a lot quicker than that.

I now face the fear I will end up like a lot on these boards, permanently damaged, expecially as right now all symptoms are minimal and mild/tolerable. I also know the risk it can cause leaving it, so trying to focus on that, so very anxious and worried right now, hoping it goes Ok.

Will let you know when I go in and my recovery after x

0 likes, 18 replies

18 Replies

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  • katherine42413
    katherine42413 Star42

    Posted

    Hi Star, I'm so glad that your surgery seems to now be in sight. Don't be in fear as remember there are far more people who have this surgery who are fine and don't have the problems some of us on here. 

    I always knew I'd have problems afterwards as they said I would and I think with a few of the others it actually takes alot longer to recover than you expect.

    You can't leave it Star as you've been suffering for a long time and probably longer than you realise, I know looking back I did. You know it'll get worse if you don't have this operation and to be honest the surgery was easy, I was looked after extremely well by the nurses in my hospital and they were also on the phone if I needed it when I was at home recouperating.

    Let me know when you get a date and stay on here and update me with everything. You'll be fine and they'll look after you very well but I know it is worrying. 

    Take care Star. xx

    • Star42
      Star42 katherine42413

      Posted

      Thank you Katherine. I really didnt know that people did have issues after,  until i came on here as everyone I know is fine. It is unnerving though, hopefully I will be fine xx I hope you get better soonx
  • victoria_55980
    victoria_55980 Star42

    Posted

    I was like you. My gall bladder pain came and went. But when it came I knew about it!! I had surgery in February and other than being a lot more sore than I expected afterwards for a week or so and very loose bowels for a bit longer, maybe a month or so. I have recovered fine. All I get now is a bit of tenderness on my wound scars but other than that the relief from having my gall bladder removed out weighs it all! I'm sure you will be fine.x

    • Star42
      Star42 victoria_55980

      Posted

      Thanks Victoria. Yes the other week my reflux had been hardly noticable, then I ate lunch and was pacing the yard and almost had a panic attack, it was so intense, sudden and unmanagable it frightened me and I really thought I was going to loose it, was swallowing gaviscgon and a few hrs later it stopped, havent had it like that before or since, so it lets me know now and again its still battling me LOL
    • victoria_55980
      victoria_55980 Star42

      Posted

      My pain could be zero for weeks at a time then it would come out if nowhere. I soon found that the only thing I could do was take painkillers as soon as I felt it starting, go lay down curled up in a ball with a hit water bottle and wait for it to pass! Sometimes it was a half hour or so. The longest was 3 days!! The worst most painfully episode I had was Christmas day resulting in a trip to hospital. Not good with 3 little ones at home needing me at Christmas. After that episode I was praying they would admit me and take it out but had to wait until February. Best thing ever! I never usedid to understand when people said how painful gall bladder could be...mine is do and wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy!

    • Star42
      Star42 victoria_55980

      Posted

      that sounds awful, I have only ever got sharp pain once, I get heaps of other symptoms but my pain has always been a bruised ache under my right rib, like I have been kicked, never the sharp intense agony, thankfully. Its all the other symptoms which have changed my life as well as this. I am thankful I dont get that awful pain too! Although sometimes when the brusied ache starts I cannot sit straight.
  • lynda20916
    lynda20916 Star42

    Posted

    Hi Star,

    I'm glad to hear that you're going to have the surgery.  You've been ill for quite a long time and have done everything you could, but it's time for you to get rid of the gallbladder so that your body can heal and you can recover.  I can understand your fears and concerns, but there are much worse things that can happen if you don't have it!

    Life events happen to all of us--and all we can do is learn from them (yes, even from illness) and adapt. If you are left with issues, you'll be able to manage them!  

    Remember to give yourself enough time to recover!  Please try to take it easy.  Let us know your surgery date and how you're getting on!  xx

    • Star42
      Star42 lynda20916

      Posted

      Thank you Lynda xxx

      Yes I have tried everything, 2 naturopaths, herbs, teas and even chanca piedra, nothing has worked ( whilst I waited for my appointment)

      Fingers crossed.

      Will update when I get my date smile

      I had been having bowel issues for quite sometime in relation too foods, such as nuts but it wasnt often and only if eaten in excess and then coconut the same, so likely started quite some time ago, but it wasnt obvious until June when it became constant and chronic!

      I have always suffers tummy aches too on and off, got quite used to them, so no idea if thats related too. I have 4 kids and am a self employed cleaner, my life is busy busy, so I likely just ignore things or disregard them usually.

      I have planned 3 weeks from work and hubby is taking 2 weeks carers leave to help with kids, dogs and house smile

      I already live with Castlemans disease and its rare unknowns, so hoping from this one I bounce back.

    • Star42
      Star42 lynda20916

      Posted

      I also had a CT in December ( my specalsit insisted) and had a colonoscopy and endescope the other  week with gastro, other than mild gastitis everything was fine, including biopsies, so they are pretty sure its just the gallbladder, so I guess this is a good thing and more likely too solve my issues, except the IBS which they say I could keep as its in my family.
    • lynda20916
      lynda20916 Star42

      Posted

      Hi Star,

      Sorry I'm just replying to your posts now.  Sometimes, I don't get notifications, which can be annoying.  

      I read up about Castleman's disease.  Oh, my gosh you're dealing with lots, aren't you!  At least because of all the tests, you're reasonably certain that it's your gallbladder! I think that removing it will get rid of one of the stressors that your body has--and give you a chance to feel better!

      Please let. me know when you get your date!  In the. meantime, I'm thinking of you, and you're in my prayers.  xx

    • Star42
      Star42 lynda20916

      Posted

      Thanks Lynda, I am lucky as they think I have the unicentric version, my tumour was removed on one side ( I had one on either side, so technically multi) but the other side shrunk after removal of the large one. It has not returned in size yet in 5 yrs, so we are hoping it was currative and that node was just reactive, but time will tell  I guess, as they had it at 95% currative with full resection and this is dropping as more people are relapsing with Unicentric. Its so rare they really cannot predict, just guess from past cases which are really not that many. Lots and lots with Uni on our fourm are very very sick and many have sadly passed away. Thgey used to think it was rare in kids but we are getting more and more kids getting diagnosed too recently...I get checked every 3-6 mths, so fingers crossed it remains stable, but of course all my symptoms sent panic into my specialist hence the urgent full body CT.

      Thank you and hopefully this will also be a positive surgery, I already live at the hospitals!

    • Star42
      Star42

      Posted

      sorry I meant with multi centric on our forum!
    • lynda20916
      lynda20916 Star42

      Posted

      I had never heard of this terrible disease before.  I hope it remains stable, and I am glad to know that you are being closely monitored.  

      I hope and pray that your surgery goes well. Please let me know when you get your date.  xxx (((BIG HUG)))

    • Star42
      Star42 lynda20916

      Posted

      Thanks Lynda and will do, think I need to avoid the natural forums on FB for a while too as they are all scaring me, telling me how stupid it is to remove an organ and how a flush will fix everything! 

      My stones are 1.5 cms and I really dont believe a flush would work but may well lead me to have emergency surgery!

      Not many people have heard of it, including the ENT who operated, they were looking it up on the computer in front of me! neither has most drs I meet, luckily my specialist is top of her field and has a handful of us, although I have been her only unicentric patient.

    • lynda20916
      lynda20916 Star42

      Posted

      You're very welcome!  I must confess, I never went to a natural forum.  It's not that I believe 100% in allopathic medicine, though.  I think that some alternative methods can help, and that the body itself will do what it can to heal itself.  But at the end of the day, if you have a diseased body part you need to consider removal, if it can be removed. I also believe (perhaps wrongly) that they have to be selling something!

      At any rate, I'm glad you have a specialist that knows how to treat you!  Please keep in touch, won't you? xx

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