Aa
My Gallstone Symptoms and Questions
Hello,
I went to the Doctor because my stomach grew to look as if I was 5-6 months pregnant within like a months time. I am normally 120-130 pounds, and 5'1. I am now 150 and look about 6 months pregnant. My Doctor made a good call and ordered a sonogram. pelvic, abdominal. Well the results came back the very next day and I had to call the Doctors office four times to tell them the results were in, but they assumed the results could not be in yet and to wait until after the three day weekend. After calling the Image center and they said the results were delivered I finally got the Dr office to listen and sure enough they were in. The lady said there would be a Doc on the night shift and he could read the results if I came in.
He tells me I have Gallstones and there is nothing I can do but loose wait. He assumed I over eat and eat really bad food all the time. I am feeling very terrible, I have a hard big object under my breasts that feels like a baby, but is not. What ever is in my stomache is hard and not soft or flabby like normal stomaches. Then I have really bad sweats, pain in my back (burning), and lower back and right side. I have thrown up on numerous occasions but not all the time. I feel like **** and I can not talk to my Doctor until Thursday. I sent a email to my Doc office and I will call on Tuesday to ask some else to read the results. Turns out the man the read my results is not a real Doctor. He is a Physician Assistant, so what is that ??? OMG, I did not know that until I just researched them online. I have been reading all of this information all day, and I don't think I should just diet. Oh and before the sonogram my white cell count was off so the real Doc gave me another blood test, but we do not have the results yet. Does any one know about this stuff, after reading it sounds like I have a infection. I don't know, but I do know I am not feeling good at all. I have 6 kids and a husband, so you could imagine my life, and normally I have always been healthy. My dad had Gallstones though. If any one has any experience with this I would love some imput ???
Thank you,
momofmany
I went to the Doctor because my stomach grew to look as if I was 5-6 months pregnant within like a months time. I am normally 120-130 pounds, and 5'1. I am now 150 and look about 6 months pregnant. My Doctor made a good call and ordered a sonogram. pelvic, abdominal. Well the results came back the very next day and I had to call the Doctors office four times to tell them the results were in, but they assumed the results could not be in yet and to wait until after the three day weekend. After calling the Image center and they said the results were delivered I finally got the Dr office to listen and sure enough they were in. The lady said there would be a Doc on the night shift and he could read the results if I came in.
He tells me I have Gallstones and there is nothing I can do but loose wait. He assumed I over eat and eat really bad food all the time. I am feeling very terrible, I have a hard big object under my breasts that feels like a baby, but is not. What ever is in my stomache is hard and not soft or flabby like normal stomaches. Then I have really bad sweats, pain in my back (burning), and lower back and right side. I have thrown up on numerous occasions but not all the time. I feel like **** and I can not talk to my Doctor until Thursday. I sent a email to my Doc office and I will call on Tuesday to ask some else to read the results. Turns out the man the read my results is not a real Doctor. He is a Physician Assistant, so what is that ??? OMG, I did not know that until I just researched them online. I have been reading all of this information all day, and I don't think I should just diet. Oh and before the sonogram my white cell count was off so the real Doc gave me another blood test, but we do not have the results yet. Does any one know about this stuff, after reading it sounds like I have a infection. I don't know, but I do know I am not feeling good at all. I have 6 kids and a husband, so you could imagine my life, and normally I have always been healthy. My dad had Gallstones though. If any one has any experience with this I would love some imput ???
Thank you,
momofmany
Hi Shauna:
You have to be really careful with your diet afterward, too. The best thing you can do is ease back into your diet slowly. What are you eating now? You should be safe with: rice, bananas, applesauce, fruits, cereals, milk products, yogurts, oatmeal, cottage cheese, cooked vegetables and skinless, boneless meat and pretty much anything baked. There are tons of things that you should be able eat before your surgery. After you are fully recovered from your surgery and hopefully you won't get Post-Cholecystectomy Syndrome, you can add a new food every third day. That way you will know EXACTLY what is bothering you because of the time. For example, if you're dying for a cheeseburger, go to a place where they broil the beef like A & W, Dairy Queen or Burger King. Don't have fries at the same time because if you get sick, you won't know whether it's the fries or the burger that is causing it. Any place where they fry is right out for a good six months and should be introduced very slowly. Most people just dive right in to their old diet and end up sicker than before they had their gallbladders removed. Then they blame their symptoms on their surgery or Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction, Small Bowel Bacterial Overgrowth or any number of other things.
I wish you the best of luck and if you have any questions before or after your surgery, feel free to post or email me and I'll be happy to help in any way I can.
All the best,
Sam
You have to be really careful with your diet afterward, too. The best thing you can do is ease back into your diet slowly. What are you eating now? You should be safe with: rice, bananas, applesauce, fruits, cereals, milk products, yogurts, oatmeal, cottage cheese, cooked vegetables and skinless, boneless meat and pretty much anything baked. There are tons of things that you should be able eat before your surgery. After you are fully recovered from your surgery and hopefully you won't get Post-Cholecystectomy Syndrome, you can add a new food every third day. That way you will know EXACTLY what is bothering you because of the time. For example, if you're dying for a cheeseburger, go to a place where they broil the beef like A & W, Dairy Queen or Burger King. Don't have fries at the same time because if you get sick, you won't know whether it's the fries or the burger that is causing it. Any place where they fry is right out for a good six months and should be introduced very slowly. Most people just dive right in to their old diet and end up sicker than before they had their gallbladders removed. Then they blame their symptoms on their surgery or Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction, Small Bowel Bacterial Overgrowth or any number of other things.
I wish you the best of luck and if you have any questions before or after your surgery, feel free to post or email me and I'll be happy to help in any way I can.
All the best,
Sam
Okay guys,
I went to the Doctor, and the stones are in my gall bladder, so it has to be removed within a week. My Insurance has to approve it though, so I hope I make it until then. I have been in serious pain and now that I know what I really cant eat, I know that the food was causing pain. That is shocking to me. Who would of thought food could cause that much pain? If you have gall stones and you eat fried foods, cheese, Ice Cream, and so on, pay attention. You will have really bad pain after you eat. I know they said don't eat those things, but I thought is because of my weight or some thing. Any who it is true, so I am going to be starving for a while. If any one has any good ideas of what I can eat, that would be great ?
My entire diet is what they said I cant eat, uuuggg!!
I will keep you all posted. You all are in my Prayers as well/
Take care,
Shauna
I went to the Doctor, and the stones are in my gall bladder, so it has to be removed within a week. My Insurance has to approve it though, so I hope I make it until then. I have been in serious pain and now that I know what I really cant eat, I know that the food was causing pain. That is shocking to me. Who would of thought food could cause that much pain? If you have gall stones and you eat fried foods, cheese, Ice Cream, and so on, pay attention. You will have really bad pain after you eat. I know they said don't eat those things, but I thought is because of my weight or some thing. Any who it is true, so I am going to be starving for a while. If any one has any good ideas of what I can eat, that would be great ?
My entire diet is what they said I cant eat, uuuggg!!
I will keep you all posted. You all are in my Prayers as well/
Take care,
Shauna
Okay, I went to my sonogram appointment, and my heart is clear. He was not supposed to tell me , but he did beings we were so worried. He did not see any fluid, and he checked my stomach plus lungs. After I told him about my big belly he was worried, and checked me all out. That was so nice of him. I felt so much better. I go to the other appointment Wednesday, so I will keep you posted. I am sorry it took so long to reply, I have been feeling terrible. I have to get these things out of me. I am not sure why they are bothering me so much unless they are infected ? I guess we will find out soon.
I am limited on the doctors I see due to my insurance. I am not sure if I can see 2 docs for another opinion. There are three other docs involved that looked at the results, so that may help. I think I should have them removed ASAP. I have 6 kids and a husband to keep up with, and they just don't get it. If I am not in bed not moving they think I am okay. I have to keep going for them. I will be better soon. Do any of you know how long I will have to be in the hospital? Okay, thanks for your support. You all are the best!!
Take care and I will keep all of in my Prayers,
Shauna
I am limited on the doctors I see due to my insurance. I am not sure if I can see 2 docs for another opinion. There are three other docs involved that looked at the results, so that may help. I think I should have them removed ASAP. I have 6 kids and a husband to keep up with, and they just don't get it. If I am not in bed not moving they think I am okay. I have to keep going for them. I will be better soon. Do any of you know how long I will have to be in the hospital? Okay, thanks for your support. You all are the best!!
Take care and I will keep all of in my Prayers,
Shauna
That's such a relief, Shauna. I'm glad. It's great that your husband and Mom are going, too. My husband came with me to my last MRI and it was so much easier. They normally don't give you too much information afterwards. They just send it to your doctor and let him give you some news. Thanks so much for keeping us all posted. Best of luck with your appointment next Wednesday, too! Be sure to check the doctor out on www.ratemds.com and www.drscore.com. You should know how to prepare for your appointment.
I have this weird theory that doctors can have predictable personalities according to their specialty. I'd say 70% of GIs are warm, compassionate and empathetic. 70% of Surgeons are cold, concise, assertive and arrogant. 70% of primarys are helpful, considerate and understanding. 70% of Neurologists are sensitive, concerned, helpful and have wicked senses of humour! Just my own personal theory and not based on anything but my own personal experience. =)
Hang in there, Huney! You're in my thoughts and prayers every day.
Sam
I have this weird theory that doctors can have predictable personalities according to their specialty. I'd say 70% of GIs are warm, compassionate and empathetic. 70% of Surgeons are cold, concise, assertive and arrogant. 70% of primarys are helpful, considerate and understanding. 70% of Neurologists are sensitive, concerned, helpful and have wicked senses of humour! Just my own personal theory and not based on anything but my own personal experience. =)
Hang in there, Huney! You're in my thoughts and prayers every day.
Sam
Okay, the lady that put the test together put the wrong code, Thank The Lord, I am only taking a normal heart sono, so I panicked for nothing. Any who, that is next Wednesday at 10:15. My mom and husband are going with me, so I will have great support if real bad news come back. I will keep you all posted.
Thanks so much,
Shauna
Thanks so much,
Shauna
Well, not sure how to take this, but the Doctor wants me to have a heart sono, but it is not just a normal one. When I called to make my appointment the lady on the phone was not sure they could provide that type of sono. So I am in waiting for a phone call from her to let me know.
I will keep everyone posted. My appointment with the surgeon in not until the 17th. That was only appointment they had, but I am on the cancellation list.
Thank you,
Shauna
I will keep everyone posted. My appointment with the surgeon in not until the 17th. That was only appointment they had, but I am on the cancellation list.
Thank you,
Shauna
Hi Shauna:
I'm really anxious about the fluid around your heart, too. I've never heard of that but hopefully someone else will have some information or a link for you. It's wonderful that they are expediting the process. You can't monkey around with that stuff. I'm glad they are referring you for your surgery. Please remember to write if you need to. I'm going to send an email to the group.
All the best,
Sam
I'm really anxious about the fluid around your heart, too. I've never heard of that but hopefully someone else will have some information or a link for you. It's wonderful that they are expediting the process. You can't monkey around with that stuff. I'm glad they are referring you for your surgery. Please remember to write if you need to. I'm going to send an email to the group.
All the best,
Sam
Hey Shauna, I've been reading the thread and was just wondering what your blood test results were. Do you/they think your hard belly is a result of fluid retention? And then that's what they were saying about fluid around the heart??
Let us know! :-)
Nicole
Let us know! :-)
Nicole
Ever since I was diagnosed with gallstones on May 24th, I have been researching on several different websites. If you are experiencing pain (especially recurring pain) then it seems the best and maybe only option is to have your gallbladder removed. It is only if you are NOT having symptoms that you don't need to do anything about it, and even then most docs would probably recommend at least a low-fat diet or something.
I am the same height as you and I weigh 175 lbs., although you wouldn't know it by looking at me. Most people say I don't look like I weigh more than 130 lbs., which is what makes my actual weight so surprising. According to the body mass index, I am in the obese category. So if your doctor thinks YOU'RE overweight, tell him he ain't seen nothing yet! ;)
BTW the doctor who diagnosed me said I would need surgery, and I've only got 4 or 5 stones that didn't look very big in the ultrasound (compared to others I've viewed online). If I were you I would get a second opinion. People have ended up maimed and even dead because of some doctors and their God-complexes.
I am the same height as you and I weigh 175 lbs., although you wouldn't know it by looking at me. Most people say I don't look like I weigh more than 130 lbs., which is what makes my actual weight so surprising. According to the body mass index, I am in the obese category. So if your doctor thinks YOU'RE overweight, tell him he ain't seen nothing yet! ;)
BTW the doctor who diagnosed me said I would need surgery, and I've only got 4 or 5 stones that didn't look very big in the ultrasound (compared to others I've viewed online). If I were you I would get a second opinion. People have ended up maimed and even dead because of some doctors and their God-complexes.
Hi Sam,
okay, back from the Doctors. Well, he said I do need surgery, so he is sending me to a specialist, ASAP. Then he also said that I have some weird fluid around my heart, or some thing close to that. He ordered a sonogram of my heart. Do you know much about that ? He did not want to tell me much, I could tell, until the results come in from that. I guess all is up in the air still, but this Doctor is taking care of it at least. He seems like a great Doctor. He made a great call with the sonogram order to begin with, so at least I know what is wrong.
Thanks for your support, going to rest,
Shauna
okay, back from the Doctors. Well, he said I do need surgery, so he is sending me to a specialist, ASAP. Then he also said that I have some weird fluid around my heart, or some thing close to that. He ordered a sonogram of my heart. Do you know much about that ? He did not want to tell me much, I could tell, until the results come in from that. I guess all is up in the air still, but this Doctor is taking care of it at least. He seems like a great Doctor. He made a great call with the sonogram order to begin with, so at least I know what is wrong.
Thanks for your support, going to rest,
Shauna
Hi Shauna:
You should have more than enough information from the group. Maddi has all of my links, so you can access them through the group. There are others, as I mentioned, that have a bit more traffic so, if you're looking for a group who post every day, you may want to join a few others.
All the best,
Sam
You should have more than enough information from the group. Maddi has all of my links, so you can access them through the group. There are others, as I mentioned, that have a bit more traffic so, if you're looking for a group who post every day, you may want to join a few others.
All the best,
Sam
Thank you so much. I joined
Pancreatitis_sphincterofoddi***@****
Wow, the owner sent me a message with mass information and a Library is available as well. This is great!
Thank you,
Shauna
Pancreatitis_sphincterofoddi***@****
Wow, the owner sent me a message with mass information and a Library is available as well. This is great!
Thank you,
Shauna
Hello,
yes, any information you have would be great. I did a search, but so many options come up, and it is always hard to know what to read exactly. I go to the Doctor tomorrow late in the afternoon, so I will let you know when I get a chance. I will go to the Yahoo groups and check it out. Thank you so much for your help and support.
Talk soon,
Shauna
yes, any information you have would be great. I did a search, but so many options come up, and it is always hard to know what to read exactly. I go to the Doctor tomorrow late in the afternoon, so I will let you know when I get a chance. I will go to the Yahoo groups and check it out. Thank you so much for your help and support.
Talk soon,
Shauna
Hi Shauna:
Please feel free to write or vent whenever you need. Let me know how your appointment goes, if you get a chance? In the interim, there's no shame in going to the hospital if it gets to be too much to handle or if your anxiety gets the best of you. If you want to do some reading, let me know. I have some links regarding gallstones, sphincter of oddi dysfunction and pancreatitis. These might help you to understand how your digestive system works and what can be done to help you with the bloating, etc.
Finally, Yahoo! groups are available to you, if you're interested. Like MedHelp, there are never any fees. The benefit of those particular groups is that everyone there has been in similar, if not exact, situation as you are now. Go to Yahoo!. On the left-hand-side of the page, select groups. Search GROUPS for "sphincter", "pancreatitis" or "digestive". There is brief description of each group and you can just choose which ones look interesting. The groups with more members are generally more active. It's kind of nice to have that level of support. I belong to Digestive-Support-and-Information, Pancreatitis_sphincterofoddi and Sphincterofoddi_pancreatitis.
All the best,
Sam
Please feel free to write or vent whenever you need. Let me know how your appointment goes, if you get a chance? In the interim, there's no shame in going to the hospital if it gets to be too much to handle or if your anxiety gets the best of you. If you want to do some reading, let me know. I have some links regarding gallstones, sphincter of oddi dysfunction and pancreatitis. These might help you to understand how your digestive system works and what can be done to help you with the bloating, etc.
Finally, Yahoo! groups are available to you, if you're interested. Like MedHelp, there are never any fees. The benefit of those particular groups is that everyone there has been in similar, if not exact, situation as you are now. Go to Yahoo!. On the left-hand-side of the page, select groups. Search GROUPS for "sphincter", "pancreatitis" or "digestive". There is brief description of each group and you can just choose which ones look interesting. The groups with more members are generally more active. It's kind of nice to have that level of support. I belong to Digestive-Support-and-Information, Pancreatitis_sphincterofoddi and Sphincterofoddi_pancreatitis.
All the best,
Sam
Thank you. I will make sure I tell him about my weight, and that I get a referral to a specialist. I figured there was more to it, then go home and diet.
Thank you much,
Shauna
Thank you much,
Shauna
I'm so sorry you are suffering. It's horrible that you have to wait but unfortunately, it happens a lot. After you see your doctor on Thursday, hopefully he will refer you to a Gastroenterologist. Don't forget to tell your doctor that your weight has increased dramatically over a short period of time! If you can't wait, there's always the emergency room.
Hang in there!
Sam
Hang in there!
Sam
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Gastroenterology Community
Learn which OTC medications can help relieve your digestive troubles.
Is a gluten-free diet right for you?
Discover common causes of and remedies for heartburn.
This common yet mysterious bowel condition plagues millions of Americans
Don't get burned again. Banish nighttime heartburn with these quick tips
Get answers to your top questions about this pervasive digestive problem
