Gallstones

[UGetPaid]

I was told a number of years ago that I had gallstones, but that as long as they weren't bothering me I should just leave them alone.  Back in early September I had a gallbladder attack that sent me for a loop.  It went away after a number of hours, but I had ongoing intermittent discomfort.  The crazy thing was that some foods would bother it one day, but not have any effect the next!


It took a month before I was able to consult with the surgeon after my family doctor confirmed it was my gallbladder through some blood tests.  It was another month after the visit with the surgeon that a date for surgery was free. Thankfully, I was not in any severe pain, but just off and on general discomfort!  (I even managed to ride the rollercoasters with my kids a number of times over September and October on the weekends when I was feeling stable).


I was supposed to have a laparoscopic outpatient procedure on November 4th, with four small incisions; but when I woke up from recovery and was wheeled up to a room, my wife told me that they had to open me all the way up and I would be staying in the hospital for a few days.  It turned out that I had a very large stone right at the bile duct and it blocked the surgeon's ability to safely do the laparoscopy.


Our health insurance is not all that great generally speaking, but thankfully due to earlier unrelated issues over the summer, I had already met my yearly deductible and the surgery was 100% covered.  (Sleep studies testing for apnea are quite expensive and two of those put me way over the top of my deductible).


Since I primarily work a desk job, I was able to get back to work after 12 days and worked 1/2 days for a week and am now able to work normal hours -- only taking ibuprofen for pain which is mostly gone (except when I sneeze).


Appropriately for this week: I am thankful for my doctors and my (wife's) medical insurance. 

[Nancy5]

So glad you are feeling better and happy your insurance covered it.   I had my gallbladder removed about 4 years ago, I know the pain you had, it was terrible.  Now you can enjoy the holidays with your family knowing you are now healthy!

[cathy37]

Your story sounds very similar to mine.  When I had my daughter in 1983 I had a C-section.  The doctor felt the gallstone at that time.  I later found out I was a diabetic and they said the same thing, that if wasn't bothering me to leave it alone.  In 2012, I was having problems with my liver enzymes being  too high so they determined that I needed to have the gallbladder removed.  I was also suppose to have laproscopic surgery and ended up being opened up because of a large gallstone.

[mgint]

Ive had gallstones before and it isn't pleasant passing them either.

[gsdoss]

I had my gall bladder removed 2 years ago and still having side effects.

[stretch1967]

I went to my surgeon about a lump on my breast. he was asking for my health history. I told him that I was in the hospital with sepsis. he ended up doing an ultrasound on my gallbladder. 2 weeks later he removed my gallbladder. Check with a different doc.

[kingozzy]

If they are anything like kidneystones then I believe it is one painful ordeal, best of luck to you!

[sgluckadoo]

I was told a number of years ago that I had gallstones, but that as long as they weren't bothering me I should just leave them alone.  Back in early September I had a gallbladder attack that sent me for a loop.  It went away after a number of hours, but I had ongoing intermittent discomfort.  The crazy thing was that some foods would bother it one day, but not have any effect the next!


It took a month before I was able to consult with the surgeon after my family doctor confirmed it was my gallbladder through some blood tests.  It was another month after the visit with the surgeon that a date for surgery was free. Thankfully, I was not in any severe pain, but just off and on general discomfort!  (I even managed to ride the rollercoasters with my kids a number of times over September and October on the weekends when I was feeling stable).


I was supposed to have a laparoscopic outpatient procedure on November 4th, with four small incisions; but when I woke up from recovery and was wheeled up to a room, my wife told me that they had to open me all the way up and I would be staying in the hospital for a few days.  It turned out that I had a very large stone right at the bile duct and it blocked the surgeon's ability to safely do the laparoscopy.


Our health insurance is not all that great generally speaking, but thankfully due to earlier unrelated issues over the summer, I had already met my yearly deductible and the surgery was 100% covered.  (Sleep studies testing for apnea are quite expensive and two of those put me way over the top of my deductible).


Since I primarily work a desk job, I was able to get back to work after 12 days and worked 1/2 days for a week and am now able to work normal hours -- only taking ibuprofen for pain which is mostly gone (except when I sneeze).


Appropriately for this week: I am thankful for my doctors and my (wife's) medical insurance. 

what an ordeal. Glad you are ok. I hate having ongoing misery like that!

[pmagalei]

Glad to hear that you are recovering well. I bet those discomfort feelings are over now! Also glad your insurance covered the Dr's bill 100%. Now you can enjoy your Thanksgiving day without pain. God Bless!

[UGetPaid]

Thanks everyone - well on my way to recovery. Right now the biggest thing holding me down is that the incision scar is very sensitive to friction irritation from clothing.  Any advice on desensitizing it?

[ljrjess69]

i had a big gallstone had to have my galbladder taken out..........

[ejholt]

I had had gallblater attacks for years and they could never find anything.  In 2008 I had another one and they finally did surgey and I had about 150 gallstones.  I have felt so much better since then.