F/U Stomach Problems

achiduck

So I got the results from my abdominal ultrasound today and I don't have an ulcer like I thought. I have gallstones and one is so big it's 2.9 centimeters wide (just over an inch). So now I have to make a decision about whether or not to have surgery to have it removed. It's a laproscopic surgery so it's not terribly invasive but it means being of work for a week or so.

My doctor mentioned that there are medications that he can give me to disolve the stones but their pretty "intense meds" as he described and they're not usually prescribed anymore since the stones will come back after I stop taking the pills.

I am going to try changing my diet and perhaps doing a cleanse as I've read that it can help to flush out some of the smaller stones and improve the symptoms.

Has anyone here had their gallbladder removed or has your FI/H? Did the pain/bloating, etc go away afterwards? I've read that 34% of people still have issues from bile production afterwards.

achiduck

Thanks MilkDuds. I just found out a few hours ago, so I want to give it time to sink in and look into all my options before making any kind of decision.

SEWF

I don't have any experience with this, but I'm glad they figured out what is wrong. A lot of times, it's worse not knowing what is happening.

achiduck

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_fu-stomach-problems?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:786b39e9-cf51-481a-b500-8b33edff3428Post:81faaa5d-7f3b-45cf-96db-3a6711651b7c">Re: F/U Stomach Problems</a>:
[QUOTE]I don't have any experience with this, but I'm glad they figured out what is wrong. A lot of times, it's worse not knowing what is happening.
Posted by SEWF[/QUOTE]

Exactly. I would have rather it be an ulcer since it's pretty easy to treat (round of anitibiotics and a strict diet to allow the stomach to heal). But it is what it is. I definitely had a freak out moment on the way to the doctor where I convinced myself I had stomach cancer. Then when he finally told me what it was I was like Oh, ok... resume breathing.

AllAboutTheBenjamin

My sister had hers out.  My uncle had his out too.  My sister had constant pain for like, two years - her docs kept telling her it was an ovarian cyst.  Turned out her gall bladder wasn't functioning, like, at all.  They both felt great after surgery.

Both my sister and uncle have said that for probably about six months to a year after they got their gall bladders out, it was um, ahem, extremely easy to have bowel movements.  My sister struggled with constipation forever and after her surgery, she'd get excited as all get out whenever she took a shiit, because it was incredibly easy.  My uncle has a couple stories of having to take emergency shiits - one that includes getting off the freeway and ending up in a bad neighborhood in central LA, knocking on a stranger's door and taking a crap in the yard after no one answered the door.  He said it was either that, or go in his pants.

Um, sorry.  This was weird. 

achiduck

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_fu-stomach-problems?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:786b39e9-cf51-481a-b500-8b33edff3428Post:456c4f21-6d6e-4e8e-884f-8657ba8ad502">Re: F/U Stomach Problems</a>:
[QUOTE]My sister had hers out.  My uncle had his out too.  My sister had constant pain for like, two years - her docs kept telling her it was an ovarian cyst.  Turned out her gall bladder wasn't functioning, like, at all.  They both felt great after surgery. Both my sister and uncle have said that for probably about six months to a year after they got their gall bladders out, it was um, ahem, extremely easy to have bowel movements.  My sister struggled with constipation forever and after her surgery, she'd get excited as all get out whenever she took a shiit, because it was incredibly easy.  My uncle has a couple stories of having to take emergency shiits - one that includes getting off the freeway and ending up in a bad neighborhood in central LA, knocking on a stranger's door and taking a crap in the yard after no one answered the door.  He said it was either that, or go in his pants. Um, sorry.  This was weird. 
Posted by AllAboutTheBenjamin[/QUOTE]

LOL... oh AATB you're hilarious. My doctor warned me about that if I have the surgery. I'm choosing not to think about that part of it too much.

missy68

I had mine out, 11 years ago. The old-fashioned way. They were just starting the laparascopic procedure, but I was not a candidate for it because of the amount of inflammation  I had. There aren't foods that bother me that much anymore, at least from this surgery, but it took a few years for my system to adjust. I learned to appreciate public restrooms

I'd had 3 major attacks before one (at home between finals and graduation) sent me to the ER. The school's doctor had said IBS; I ate ALL the wrong foods.

I actually was in the hospital a week, and recovery took 6 weeks (no driving, no heavy lifting, I had to get permission towards the end to go on a trip to the beach - pool water only).

Nowadays, it isn't anything like that. A colleague of mine just had his removed and was in for a couple of days (he'd developed a slight fever so they kept him longer), out the rest of the week, and he's now back at work, half days.

hbatchel2

My mom had hers taken out about a year ago. She came home the same day and rested for a few days and then was fine. She hasn't had any other issues since then that I know of.

achiduck

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_fu-stomach-problems?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:786b39e9-cf51-481a-b500-8b33edff3428Post:776dc46a-5049-42d2-8de2-7076f56d492a">Re: F/U Stomach Problems</a>:
[QUOTE]I had mine out, 11 years ago. The old-fashioned way. They were just starting the laparascopic procedure, but I was not a candidate for it because of the amount of inflammation  I had. There aren't foods that bother me that much anymore, at least from this surgery, but it took a few years for my system to adjust. I learned to appreciate public restrooms ;) I'd had 3 major attacks before one (at home between finals and graduation) sent me to the ER. The school's doctor had said IBS; I ate ALL the wrong foods. I actually was in the hospital a week, and recovery took 6 weeks (no driving, no heavy lifting, I had to get permission towards the end to go on a trip to the beach - pool water only). Nowadays, it isn't anything like that. A colleague of mine just had his removed and was in for a couple of days (he'd developed a slight fever so they kept him longer), out the rest of the week, and he's now back at work, half days.
Posted by missy68[/QUOTE]

My first attack sent me to the ER since I'd never experienced anything like it. I thought I was dying or something. The second and thrid attacks didn't have any different symptoms but made me realize that this was a recurring thing and to go see the doctor to figure out what was wrong.

DNAtime

Okay I really opened this thread becuase I always read F/U follow up as F@#$ YOU Stomach Problems!!

But two friends have had their gall bladders out and they were really happier afterward.

achiduck

Lol.. I see it that way sometimes too.

missy68

I had the first two while I was at school. I had a hard time breathing, and hyperventilated; my hands went numb. When my roommates realized I wasn't being funny (i.e., you shouldn't have taken your bra off fast!), they took me to the infirmary, and I stayed overnight. I had another one at school, after drinking some beer.  I basically lived on cheesy mashed potatoes and ice cream for the last 4 weeks of school (bland foods; no crunchy stuff or hard to digest foods). The opposite of what I needed.
My mom heard me crying in my room at home and saw me doubled over in pain. She's the one who took me to the ER. I was completely diagnosed there, and sent directly to a surgeon. He wanted to take it out the next day. I told him no; I was walking for graduation (he didn't think I could wait 4 days and put a surgeon on call in Charlotte). So he put me in the hospital overnight on pain meds, sent me home with major ones, and that's ALL I was allowed to do. No baccalaureate, no parties, no packing - nothing. I don't remember much. Two days later, I was under the knife.

Yoda2010

I had my gallbladder removed almost 1 year ago and it was the BEST decision I ever made. Usually gallbladder issues never completely resolve and I've been told that once you have issues with it you most likely will (off and on) unless/until you have it removed. Recovery kinda sucked but like you said, its done by laparoscopy so its not toooo bad.

Yoda2010

oh and yes, most people do have "emergency shiiits" for a while afterward. Im a year out next month and ya....still happens. But its not like you poop yourself, lol. Sounds worse than it is!

achiduck

Thanks Yoda. I've been reading the same thing - that the issues won't go away on their own. The thing I hate about the attacks is that now I feel like I have a handle on what foods are the triggers but sometimes they cause a full-blown attack and sometimes it's only 2 hours of discomfort. It's a total crapshoot. Glad to hear the emergency shitts aren't so bad. This is a really gross question- but is is more like the sudden urge to use the washroom or is is more diarehha-like?

missy68

Yes. Either. Depends on what you've eaten.

Does that answer it?

You will find new appreciation for public restrooms, and quit caring if there's someone else in there.

Yoda2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_fu-stomach-problems?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:786b39e9-cf51-481a-b500-8b33edff3428Post:8f340926-bd5c-4760-bdbb-b68bedf5fbbe">Re: F/U Stomach Problems</a>:
[QUOTE]Thanks Yoda. I've been reading the same thing - that the issues won't go away on their own. The thing I hate about the attacks is that now I feel like I have a handle on what foods are the triggers but sometimes they cause a full-blown attack and sometimes it's only 2 hours of discomfort. It's a total crapshoot. Glad to hear the emergency shitts aren't so bad. This is a really gross question- but is is more like the sudden urge to use the washroom or is is more diarehha-like?
Posted by achiduck[/QUOTE]

If you have the surgery you wont have any foods that trigger any sort of attack anymore...think of it like that :)

And its both...you have to go NOW and its #3. Ha! It gets better and better though, I promise. I know 4 people who had this surgery and 3 out of 4 had this experience...so maybe you wont, but definitely weigh it in while deciding to get the surgery or not.

ZombieNates

I just wanted to say I hope you feel better soon!

Yoda2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_fu-stomach-problems?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:786b39e9-cf51-481a-b500-8b33edff3428Post:f7a6c679-3c91-4fb0-9d1b-8b4f558f004c">Re: F/U Stomach Problems</a>:
[QUOTE]Yes. Either. Depends on what you've eaten. Does that answer it? <strong>You will find new appreciation for public restrooms, and quit caring if there's someone else in there.
</strong>Posted by missy68[/QUOTE]

Haha, true statement!

achiduck

As someone who definitely waits until no one else is in the bathroom to do anything else but pee, I guess i'll just have to get over it. Thanks for the info!

And thanks Nates!