Just got back from the Emergency Room (yet again)

[Wrennie]

I ate some yogurt and gluten-free crackers last night and then suddenly doubled over in absolute agony. I was in so much pain I couldn't even stand.

I asked to be driven to the ER and they did an ultrasound of my abdomen, only for me to be diagnosed with gallstones (which can be a potential complication of prolonged starvation. Naturally *I'm* the one to get it).

I had so many of them that it's supposedly impacting my liver function and they want to surgically remove my gallbladder. Just wtf. That was the last thing I needed to hear what with everything else that's going on with me.

 

[FuneralCry]

That sounds very horrible. Our bodies are capable of torturing us and I'm sorry that you have to go through this. It can be dreadful when things just get worse. I wish you the best

 

[summertimestars4]

awww i'm so sorry to hear it. physical health issues are so frustrating, it's like being stuck in a torture chamber with no break. i have chronic pain issues myself. the healthcare system leaves much to be desired for many patients. best wishes to feel better soon.

 

[Fragile]

I feel you, I have some gallbladder tumors and the only treatment is to remove the entire organ, seems like this is the case with anything mildly affecting it.

I've been procrastinating on that surgery for about two years now, I just don't want to deal with more bullshit and the recovery period. But to be fair, many people recover quickly from it, and the procedure is not as invasive as other surgeries, still shitty, but keyhole surgeries are not as terrible.

Good luck with your health

 

[Dragon's Heart]

I hear you. I also have gallstones and need some surgery. Apparently, one of them is about the same size as the gallbladder so things cant be working right. On the upside- gallbladder surgery is easier now with laparoscopes and such, I hear it is pretty much an outpatient event. I hope you feel better and it all works out for you.

 

[Wrennie]

I feel you, I have some gallbladder tumors and the only treatment is to remove the entire organ, seems like this is the case with anything mildly affecting it.

I've been procrastinating on that surgery for about two years now, I just don't want to deal with more bullshit and the recovery period. But to be fair, many people recover quickly from it, and the procedure is not as invasive as other surgeries, still shitty, but keyhole surgeries are not as terrible.

Good luck with your health

Thank you.
I'm so sorry to hear about your tumors. It seems like doctors' answers to everything in the modern era are either "cut it off' or "cut it out" when a part of your body is negatively affecting you. I don't believe that the gallbladder is "unnecessary" like many medical professionals state. I wish Focused Ultrasound was approved for treating gallstones/tumors via noninvasive thermal ablation.

I hear you. I also have gallstones and need some surgery. Apparently, one of them is about the same size as the gallbladder so things cant be working right. On the upside- gallbladder surgery is easier now with laparoscopes and such, I hear it is pretty much an outpatient event. I hope you feel better and it all works out for you.

Ah, I'm so sorry to hear you're in a similar predicament. Regarding surgical advancements, I truly hope that that is the case… I've read that some gallbladder surgeries leave behind a seven inch scar and permanent nerve/muscle damage. Since I'm on Medicaid I can't be selective with my surgeon, either.

 

[Fragile]

Thank you.
I'm so sorry to hear about your tumors. It seems like doctors' answers to everything in the modern era are either "cut it off' or "cut it out" when a part of your body is negatively affecting you. I don't believe that the gallbladder is "unnecessary" like many medical professionals state. I wish Focused Ultrasound was approved for treating gallstones/tumors via noninvasive thermal ablation.

Exactly!
I still can't believe that there is no other viable alternative when it comes to gallstones. Especially because some people never truly adapt to not having a gallbladder and experience some nasty symptoms for many years after they remove it.

And my tumors are not even malign and way less painful than gallstones, but the first thing they thought was to chop it off regardless.

Hopefully you'll find a non-surgical alternative, there are a few, but it's rare for doctors to prescribe anything other than what they've been taught.

 

[Insomniac]

I heard gallstones were the most painful pain you can experience.

This is really horrible. I hope they gave you morphin or something for the pain.

 

[Wrennie]

I heard gallstones were the most painful pain you can experience.

This is really horrible. I hope they gave you morphin or something for the pain.

They gave me this weird magnesium drink which helped temporarily, but now I feel like literal 'death' again (despite not having eaten anything today).

 

[GentleJerk]

Oh dear that sounds just awful! I too wonder why they don't have less invasive treatments approved for gallstones? Considering how surprisingly common they can be. Complete gallbladder removal just seems so drastic. I really wish you didn't even have to think about such things Wrennie.

I've heard that some people do pretty well after gallbladder surgery, so I hope things go well for you.

This is probably a stupid idea but if you are already looking at getting the gallbladder removed, and there is some small chance that it might help, I don't see why not... Have you thought about non-surgical things like a gallbladder flush? There are different types of them. One is very simple and is just Olive oil and lemon juice taken before bed. Some people say it doesn't work but a lot of others swear by it.

However things go, hopefully you feel better soon.

 

[Marktheghost]

Ask them to remove your liver instead. Or wouldn't that work?

 

[soundsinteresting]

Ask them to remove your liver instead. Or wouldn't that work?

Wtf

 

[FailureGirl]

Sorry to hear that, the pain can be worse then child birth. I had my gallbladder removed 1 & 1/2 years ago because it had gotten so bad it stopped working but adjusting after wasn't too bad just less fats and dairy in my diet, so if they do remove it I hope you have a fast recovery.

 

[Depressed Cat]

I'm so sorry that your suffering has just worsened, Wrennie. We often talk about mental illnesses here and forget how much suffering those with physical illnesses go through, even if they're non-terminal ones. It sucks that you can't choose a different doctor with your insurance. The US healthcare system is a giant mess.

Life itself is a fucked up thing. The human body and mind can cause immense pain and suffering. I wish there was an off switch to our own lives.

I wish you the best and hope everything goes painlessly for you.

 

[Wrennie]

Ask them to remove your liver instead. Or wouldn't that work?

That would work out even worse for me, unfortunately.

Oh dear that sounds just awful! I too wonder why they don't have less invasive treatments approved for gallstones? Considering how surprisingly common they can be. Complete gallbladder removal just seems so drastic. I really wish you didn't even have to think about such things Wrennie.

I've heard that some people do pretty well after gallbladder surgery, so I hope things go well for you.

This is probably a stupid idea but if you are already looking at getting the gallbladder removed, and there is some small chance that it might help, I don't see why not... Have you thought about non-surgical things like a gallbladder flush? There are different types of them. One is very simple and is just Olive oil and lemon juice taken before bed. Some people say it doesn't work but a lot of others swear by it.

However things go, hopefully you feel better soon.

Thank you for the advice & well-wishes, I truly appreciate it.

I'll look into that gallbladder flush thing!

Sorry to hear that, the pain can be worse then child birth. I had my gallbladder removed 1 & 1/2 years ago because it had gotten so bad it stopped working but adjusting after wasn't too bad just less fats and dairy in my diet, so if they do remove it I hope you have a fast recovery.

Ah, I'm so sorry to hear that you went through the same type of ordeal. It truly is excruciating.

Thank you for your kindness.

I'm so sorry that your suffering has just worsened, Wrennie. We often talk about mental illnesses here and forget how much suffering those with physical illnesses go through, even if they're non-terminal ones. It sucks that you can't choose a different doctor with your insurance. The US healthcare system is a giant mess.

Life itself is a fucked up thing. The human body and mind can cause immense pain and suffering. I wish there was an off switch to our own lives.

I wish you the best and hope everything goes painlessly for you.

I completely agree that life is a really fucked up thing (or at least humanity has made it into something infinitely more fucked up than it actually has to be).

Yeah, insurance is garbage in America. I know I won't even be able to stand upright if I get a trashy surgeon.

Thank you so much for your compassion.

 

[PrisonBreak]

I have never been so touched by a thread. I have nothing but love and empathy for you Wrennie. XO

 

[Shu]

You can do the liver and kidney flush with apple juice and epsom salt to remove stones.

 

[Feeding Pigeons]

Yeah, insurance is garbage in America. I know I won't even be able to stand upright if I get a trashy surgeon.

God forbid.

 

[bloodfallsfirst]

I hope everything turns out well for you, but fuck the medical system and how expensive everything is, and fuck doctors who don't listen to what you really need

 

[nautilus]

I ate some yogurt and gluten-free crackers last night and then suddenly doubled over in absolute agony. I was in so much pain I couldn't even stand.

I asked to be driven to the ER and they did an ultrasound of my abdomen, only for me to be diagnosed with gallstones (which can be a potential complication of prolonged starvation. Naturally *I'm* the one to get it).

I had so many of them that it's supposedly impacting my liver function and they want to surgically remove my gallbladder. Just wtf. That was the last thing I needed to hear what with everything else that's going on with me.

So sorry to hear you are going thru yet more shit, Wrennie. Hugs xxxxx

 

[LookieLou]

I ate some yogurt and gluten-free crackers last night and then suddenly doubled over in absolute agony. I was in so much pain I couldn't even stand.

I asked to be driven to the ER and they did an ultrasound of my abdomen, only for me to be diagnosed with gallstones (which can be a potential complication of prolonged starvation. Naturally *I'm* the one to get it).

I had so many of them that it's supposedly impacting my liver function and they want to surgically remove my gallbladder. Just wtf. That was the last thing I needed to hear what with everything else that's going on with me.

My lawyer says I can legally refuse ANY medical assistance.

 

[Chronicillness]

Can we be friends, Wrennie? Your posts are uncannily reminiscent to my life's most dire situation: baffling symptoms and an accumulation of diagnoses with no end in sight

 

[angiegirl30]

Ask them to remove your liver instead. Or wouldn't that work?

Um that is not possible. You have to have a liver in order to live.

I ate some yogurt and gluten-free crackers last night and then suddenly doubled over in absolute agony. I was in so much pain I couldn't even stand.

I asked to be driven to the ER and they did an ultrasound of my abdomen, only for me to be diagnosed with gallstones (which can be a potential complication of prolonged starvation. Naturally *I'm* the one to get it).

I had so many of them that it's supposedly impacting my liver function and they want to surgically remove my gallbladder. Just wtf. That was the last thing I needed to hear what with everything else that's going on with me.

Sorry to hear you're going through this. Gallbladder pain just sucks. I had mine taken out several years ago and I felt so much better. It sounds like you have a shit ton of gallstones. They could have tried lithotripsy on you , which is like a high velocity ultrasound to break up the gallstones. But either you have too many or they are too big or both. So unfortunately surgery is the only alternative to relieve any pain and nausea that you are having. Surgery is relatively pretty easy. Just a couple of 1/2 inch incisions. It's called a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. They used to have to do a huge incision across your abdomen but they only do that now if there are complications or they have poor visualization of the gall bladder. Hopefully they have you some pain and nausea meds to take. Eat bland foods until your surgery and stay hydrated. Hang in there and get some rest.

 

[°Celsuis_Caesar]

What a gallbladder looks like:

 

[Marktheghost]

Um that is not possible. You have to have a liver in order to live.

Wrennie doesn't want to live though. And being dead would permanently end all her suffering.