[Wendy]

have finally caught up to me. I went to the doctor today because I am sure my gall bladder needs to come out. Same symptoms as my mom & 3 sisters & they all had theirs out. Anyway, I also found out I have a hernia. Oh well, if I need my gall bladder out I can just have both things taken care of at once. I go for an ultrasound on Thursday morning on my gall bladder.

 

[Quiver0f10]

have finally caught up to me. I went to the doctor today because I am sure my gall bladder needs to come out. Same symptoms as my mom & 3 sisters & they all had theirs out. Anyway, I also found out I have a hernia. Oh well, if I need my gall bladder out I can just have both things taken care of at once. I go for an ultrasound on Thursday morning on my gall bladder.

I had my GB out in June and had a hernia repaired at the same time. The surgery itself was very easy and quick and I was up and about that evening. By day 3 the GB area was fine, but the hernia was sore for a few days longer, but all in all I was on just tylenol within 3 days.

 

[Wendy]

Thanks! That eases my mind a little. I have been dealing with the gall bladder thing for over a year. I had an ultrasound last fall that didn't show anything. If this one doesn't show anything they are going to check the function of it. Hopefully something will be found. I am tired of the sick feeling all the time.

 

[Guest123]

I had gall bladder out last august (07), and they also repaired a hernia while I was there. Right before surgery was to begin the doctor came in and said do you realize that the bulge coming out of your belly button is a hernia? I said I had suspected that but I am kind of stubborn about going to doctors. He had me sign some kind of paper work saying it was ok to fix it while they were in there, and he did.

 

[Callieslamb]

sorry to hear this Wendy. My philosophy - if there is something that needs to be done - get it behind you. It won't be easier to do next year or the next. Better to get it done and heal up so you can get back to normal. Thank goodness for modern medicine so surgery is a good option for you.

Best wishes to you. Let us know how it goes.

 

[mayfinn farm]

My GB went out this time last year. I was fine one day, doubled over in pain the next, and in surgery just a couple days later. I had ultrasounds on it before, and they had never found anything...this time they found at least one stone, because I was even able to see it on the u/s. After surgery, he said it was a good thing they took it out, as it was infected. I never even knew a GB could be infected. But I can't tell ya how much better I feel to have it out. I had the laparoscopic? type, just 3 small holes, went home the next morning with bandaids. Most non-diabetics go home the same day. I had very little pain, the strongest med I took after leaving the hospital was ibuprofen. Hope you feel much better very soon!

 

[littlebitfarm]

No GB advice but I just had a hernia repaired in September. Did very little for 2 days afterwards but no pain meds. Went shopping and checked out an auction on the 3rd day. After that walking, sitting, and laying were no problem, changing position hurt. Got normal energy levels back after about a week. Back to work, full time, on day 7. The biggest problem was not lifting over 10 pounds for 8 weeks!!!! Not used to standing around watching others do the work.

Kathie

 

[The Monkey Mama]

Hey, the gall bladder surgery is WAY better than dealing with the gall bladder pain. I had mine out in 1995 and it wasn't a big deal - it only hurt for a day after surgery and not that bad.

Do have them check the function if they can't find any stones - my husband almost died in 2003 because they didn't find stones and kept saying he was "fine" - his gall bladder had basically died and was going necrotic. The surgeon at the ER that took it out said if we had waited 24 hours more he probably would have died.

One lasting side effect of gall bladder removal has been chronic diarrhea [they say it is temporary, but they lie. ]. But even that still beats the horrible pain that comes with those gall stones.

I hope you are able to get a good diagnosis and surgery and be done with it.

Good luck to you!

Kelly

 

[Wendy]

Thanks all! I hope we get somewhere with this. I have had the doctor tell me most people end up in the ER when they have gallstones. I told him I know 10 people that had their gallbladders out & not 1 of them ended up in the ER. All of them had the same symptoms I do. I have been told it seems to be hereditary. My mom, her 5 sisters, & my 3 sisters have all had theirs removed. So, I figured it would get me sooner or later. The hernia didn't really surprise me either as I am always lifting bags of feed, setting fence posts, that kind of stuff. At least the good side is we are going into winter & I can just sit & sew or read while recovering. The not lifting thing will be a real hard one for me too.

 

[tlrnnp67]

One lasting side effect of gall bladder removal has been chronic diarrhea [they say it is temporary, but they lie. ].

Questran/Cholestyramine is your friend!

 

[3ravens]

Yeah, the cholecystectomy (medical jargon for removing your gallbladder ) was the second best surgery I ever had. Nothing stonger than Darvocet for pain, up and around well after 3 days. In fact, like others, I had to remember not to lift more than 10 pounds, because I didn't hurt! And I had mine the oldfashion way with an incision. It was sooooo good to get rid of the constant heartburn and nausea and ummmmm "gas"! I never had a problem with diarrhea after, but I try not to eat too much fatty stuff at a time.

 

[moongirl]

Doctors have recently given me same diagnosis. The hernia bothers me more than the GB. Resisting the GB removal. Just stubborn I quess. I have only had one really bad attack and missed a day of work. Been taking milk thistle to strengthen my liver and it seems to be helping. Have to see how it goes from there.

 

[Melissa]

Hope you feel better soon Wendy and the surgery goes well.

 

[Quiver0f10]

I haven't had any bathroom issues since having mine removed, but I eat a very low fat diet.

 

[Windy in Kansas]

I have been told it seems to be hereditary. My mom, her 5 sisters, & my 3 sisters have all had theirs removed.

My daughter was told the same thing about it being somewhat hereditary.