Extreme Tiredness

I can't speak for the others who have undergone surgery but in general I think tiredness is part of the feeling unwell. Having been given my stones in a bottle and realising that these did not occur overnight it no wonder that the body reacts in one way or another. Most posts on this forum show that people become very run down from their symptoms. Right up to the day of surgery I looked like a Zombie. I was grey and exhausted and found it difficult to face each day. After 6 weeks I feel much better and look more normal. I am still having digestive and chest pain but that is to do with my hiatus hernia and Barrett's. I am sorry that your weight is delaying your surgery. Although I had lost 3½ stones (involuntary) before the op I was not a normal weight - still about 2 stones or more to go - but was lucky to have a surgeon who also specialises in gastric band surgery . Not once did he mention my wieght. When I had my hernia op in 1997 on my navel I was nearly five stones heavier! Don't let them use weight as an excuse. Try to rest when you can and drink plenty of water.

Don't despair Lelly.

Thanks!

I intend to go back and fight my corner. If they can do gastric bands and gastric bypass surgery keyhole when you are overweight I am damned sure they can do my gallbladder. I am scared that they will leave it too long and my liver function will be impared (ok so far thank goodness). So going to have a blood test to check.

I have recently been going to a new doctor who is a lot more sympathetic than my old one so I am hoping she can help. I am trying to lose weight (even on Orlistat, which isn't working at all).

I just want some energy back!

Lelly xx

lelly - when i was diagnosed i was tired all the time, i was sleeping about 14 hours a night and was only able to stay awake at work by keeping myself very busy - i was top sales 4 weeks in a row even though i looked and felt like death - i had no energy to walk to work as i had been daily before getting ill and was having to drive the 2 miles daily .. it was no life really after a month i had to admit defeat go back to the dr and admit that i could not continue as i was, i was jaudice and put the tiredness down to that but the stones and infection may also have been contributing to this.

if you are feeling tired all the time please go back to your doctor and discuss it further.

all the best.

vix

Hi Vix, Gemini,

I do intend to go back. If my doc doesn't know I am feeling this bad she won't put any urgency on the GB op.

As it hurts almost constantly now (although not agonising like a full attack, more like cramp) I think it is getting to break point. For the last 2 years I only noticed a problem when I had a major attack and I went from notmal to vomiting and rolling around in agony in about 5 mins.

But now it is constant and, strangely, I have noticed that if I put my hand over the GB area it is considerably colder than the rest of my body! Strange. I would have expected, if it was inflamed, for it to be hotter.

A very good friend who has also had GB surgery said she felt so bad before the op she was running at 20% of normal. So I guess this could all be linked. I just don't want the doc to delay until I get other complications (like liver damage etc) as I rather like the rest of my organs working properly and I don't suit yellow!

Anyway, thanks for the help,

I'll let you know what happens tomorrow,

Lelly xx

lelly...if you are getting near constant pain and feeling tired all the time you need to see your dr and explain this to him/her.. good luck and let us know how you get on .... near constant pain in the area should not be ignored!!

good luck with your appointment.

vix

Well the doc was a helpful as she could be I guess. Told her of the pain. She asked \"so why don't they take out your gallbladder\"? \"Yes!\" I thought. \"Because I am too fat\". \"Oh yes. Do you want to see the dietician?\"

So that is it. I am off to see the dietician to see why i am too fat. But she is doing blood tests to make sure my liver is OK.

Lelly xx

Hey Lelly,

Are the doctor's even referring you on to the Gastro-enterologist?

I think you should contact a surgeon yourself. Most have private and NHS appointments, and will give you a personal call back. The fact that you don't necessarily use the private route, doesn't mean they won't talk to you.

The reason I say this is to tell them you understand the bigger you are, the higher risk there is, but also to ask what they think of operating on someone of your weight.

Some surgeons might say it doesn't matter to them about your size, but the point is, maybe you can then say to the Doctor that you have already spoken with someone and he would be happy to operate, and would the Doctor refer you anyway, while you still stay with, and work with the dietician.

Have you other complications to losing weight such as Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome. This can cause weight gain, and make shifting weight hard.

As for the tiredness, you could also ask to be tested for Sleep Apnea. A sleeping disorder, where the soft pallate of your throat closes stopping you breathing so you don't get enough oxygen and your brain wakes you up out of a deep sleep state.

Another thing that can make you tired, is a mild reaction to high carbohydrate foods, which can happen if your gallbladder is 'mal-functioning' apparently. My mother has it. Eats bread, potatoes or pasta, and its like a sleeping pill to her.She was soooo much better after gallbladder removal on the energy levels, however she then got diabetes years later, and the insulin makes her tired now. But cutting back on bread was a big help to her.

Hope you get some joy soon.

Hi Lelly I'm so much worried about my health condition as I'm going through same health condition, extrem tiredness and weith loss (5kg) last 6 months. I was diagonisis gallstones about 6 months ago and the dr said I have to wait another 4 months for the removal of my gallbladder. I have a mild pain around my GB and serious indigestion   Would you please let me know what is you current condition and any advice for me. Thanks 

i have been having constant pain from gallstones for at least 7 weeks now.

i have been feeling extremly tired and having to sleep 3 times a day. should i go to A and E

 

Hi from Canada

I can relate to being tired from gall bladder. Its just going to keep happening until the gall stone or bladder is removed. The wait list here is 9 months, but the surgeon is going to try and get me in between 2 and 4 months, and that can't come soon enough. I want it out. I spoke to a guy who suffered for some time and once the gall bladder was removed he felt like a new person, this is something that no one should live with for any length of time. One thing I have every day is Apple Cider Vinegar, 2 tablespoons in juice, I use apple juice, it helps me. Good Luck with it all. I hope you get it removed ASAP

Mike

Hi i have had my gall bladder removed a year ago and i constantly feel really tired to the point i go to work in a morning by afternoon i could fall asleep easily however at night even though i feel really tired i cant sleep not falling asleep till around 2am 3am and up at 6.30am for work feel like im a zombie

Extreme fatigue yes ooh yes. I could sleep all the time but of course with a toddler not ideal. I have had many gallstone attacks rendering me useless for multiple hours and resulting in losing breakfast or whatever meal I had just ingested. Even ruining a Thanksgiving (here in the states). I've tried flushes, home remedies, and whatever I thought might work. It doesn't work. Two years later (last Monday) severe attack. Something has changed. My whole right side is not well. Went to the doctor. Scheduled ultrasound. Dr. already scheduled appointment with surgeon. Had a really bad bout of H pylori virus many years ago and haven't been right since. The constant exhaustion is horrible. Hoping after surgery exhaustion will decrease immensely. Will let you know! Tired of being sick and tired! Lol

Well, it has been a while but to summarise - I gave up on the NHS as, even after spending a night in A&E, they wouldn't do the op. So, when i changed jobs and fluked a good health plan I got referred private. Surgeon took one look and within 2 weeks it was gone!

He commented that you couldn't have got another stone in with a shoe horn and vaseline.

This was 3 years ago now. Generally afterwards it has been great. Took under 2 weeks for the post op recovery. Stitches out after a week. Now, i still get an odd ache where the GB was and I live on anti-acid tablets. But the pain has gone.

It is as though I have been given a new lease of life.

So, anyone worried about the surgery, don't be. It was sore, yes but not as painful as an attack. Co codamol for the first 3 days then nothing. You feel so much better after it is bordering on miraculous.

Lxx

I am experiencing the similar symptoms also. its the gallstones.

I understand how you feel I was just diagnosed with gall stones about four weeks ago running back-and-forth to the hospital with chest pains and nausea very uncomfortable feeling and I’m still dealing with it as of today. When I got discharge from the hospital they follow me up with a social worker they follow me up at its sergeant . just let you know i had to change my eating by finding things to eat because of the gallstones it want let me eat fatty foods and it made me more sicker i had to eat soup and crackers fresh fruit and drink a lot of water and meal prep . I'm also plus size woman cent i had gallstones i lost weight i was 360 and now 330 in 3 weeks after I found out about the gallstone I cant eat after 5 pm because it makes me sick and I take Acid medicine daily for acid reflex before i eat because it well give me a bad gallbladder attack in my chest and in my right shoulder blade and back . so try changing foods cause if you still eating fatty foods its going make worse trying finding a diet that fits you I know its hard but Believe me it will help you . It have help me so i can have my surgery to remove my gallbladder