It's not always spasticity - part 2!

[jensequitur]

Well, on Friday, I started experiencing some muscle spasms around the torso and abdomen.  My stomach started aching, too.  At first I thought was spasticity.  I've had problems before with muscle spasms around that area.  Then I started vomiting.  The weird thing is that I never felt nauseous, and actually had hunger pains while in the middle of the stomachache.  I was sick all Friday night, felt terrible Saturday, and on Sunday was vomiting again.  Today was the first day I felt close to normal.  The doctor thinks it might be appendicitis... just what I need!  On top of the huge hospital bill for the blood clot, now possibly I'll have to have my appendix taken out.

This time I went to the doctor as soon as I could, instead of just assuming that it was nothing.  Let's hope that it turns out to be something minor, like gastroenteritis or something.

[LisaJF]

I don't want to be condescending, but there are diets to follow with people who have gallstones.  I'm sure you are aware and most likely your primary gave you a list of foods to avoid, organic foods that are helpful and some remedies other than pharmaceutical (lipid lowering agents, oral dissolution of gallstones -- ie: Actigal) that could help ie: flax seed and tea.  True, diet is not the only factor that would dissipate the pains of what you're going through, but it can't hurt either.

I'm sorry that you are suffering though, GI pain, nausea/vomiting are not fun to contend with.

Hope you're feeling better!

Lisa

[anon07072023]

yeah, because if it were your appendix, it would probably have to come out pronto!

[jensequitur]

Yeah, evidently I'll just have to get it removed.  It's not a big procedure, but it's one I can't afford right now.

Personally, I'm okay with it.  At least it's not my appendix!

[Lulu54]

I'm not sure if we're supposed to celebrate or be sad for you....... at least you know what's causing the pain.  Modifying your diet will only go so far in helping you quiet that bad boy.  

hugs, L

[anon07072023]

Is there anything that you can do to get rid of them in the mean time?
Or would that just be getting your gall bladder removed?

[jensequitur]

Hey, the reports came back in - I have gallstones!  Whoopee!  At this point, I can't afford another huge hospital bill.  I'm going to hold off until my symptoms get bad enough... with any luck, it'll be a couple of years.

[jensequitur]

Ah, stomach is fine now, aside from a tiny bit of ache when I eat something.  I wasn't sure if there was any point today!  Until my stomach had a twinge...  then I said well, okay.

[Lulu54]

That's horrible to wait with stomach pain - do you think they will want to do more tests (Hida Scan) perhaps before the final verdict?  

Hang in there - L

[jensequitur]

Well, went in for the ultrasound today.  She spent an awful long time imaging the area around my gall bladder (upper right of the stomach.)  The pelvic and abdominal seem to be fine - the time spent on those was less than half of the time spent on my gall bladder.  I happened to glance up at the screen and see that she had what looked like black circles up, and there was a red pixelation, then a blue pixelation in one of the circles, but not the other.  Possibly I have a blocked bile duct!  I get to hear about it in a couple of days.

[Lulu54]

Jen, here's to dodging an additional hospital bill.  I have to wonder if you will get an answer to your problem or if you will be left hanging and wondering.  It seems like some of these abdominal pains can be hard to trace back to a cause.

keep feeling better -
Lu

[anon07072023]

I've read somewhere that sometimes a brainstem lesion can cause vomiting. I hope that's not what it is. Maybe it's just a virus or something. I'm crossing my fingers for you...
-Kelly

[jensequitur]

It looks like it's not my appendix - the bloodwork came back, and my wbcs are nice and normal.  I still have abdominal tenderness, so they're doing a sonogram tomorrow.  My dad had gall bladder problems until it was removed - at this point that's my only worry.

It might be a reaction to food - although Friday I didn't really eat all that much, and what I had came right up.  I think the medications are fine.  I'm not on anything that would cause sensitivity... so who knows!  As long as my appendix isn't about to burst, or my gall bladder causing problems, I'll be just fine.

[supermum_ms]

Hmmmmm my dd had her appendix out, vomiting, spasmic 'agony' pain, she wasn't nausous either and if I remember right she said she was starving but too scared to eat incase she threw it up. Appendix out and nothing wrong with the appendix, its also happened a few times since, she's even told the emergency doc his dx of 'rumbling appendicitis' was wrong because she doesn't have one.

She wont/cant go through the tests but the thought is that its gastrointestinal spasms due to her food allergies or possibly spastic colon from her life long bowel issues, what ever it is its a bloody good mimic for appedicitis. So with that thought in mind could any of your medications be affecting your colon?

Hope its not appendix or it is an easy fix at least!!

Cheers........JJ

[Guitar_grrrl]

Owww!  Speedy recovery, y'all!

[drsdonthelp]

Oh my Gosh Jen, I hope you are ok. Its a good thing that you took it serious and got yourself to the doctor. I will keep you in my prayers tonight .

Pam