Gallbladder! At what point do I go to the ER?
Some of you may know I was diagnosed with sludge in my gallbladder about 6 weeks post op. I would have pain on my right side under my ribs everytime I ate solid food. Then after the diagnosis I had excruciating pain one Friday night and then nothing (like a stone had passed kinda feeling). A few weeks passed and the pain came back. I went back to the doctor who referred me to a gastric doc. I have an appointment booked for Jan 2nd and a preliminary upper GI booked for Jan 9th. I called today and they were only able to move my appointment to the 2nd from the 4th, nothing available this week.
Well here's the thing...my pain is now almost constant, when I eat and drink. Now it feels like I'm bruised through to the back of my ribs on the right. And lastly (sorry way tmi) my bm's are chalky in color for about 3 days now. As I said I called today, told the doctors' rooms all of this but can't get in for a week.
For those of you whom have had your gallbladders out, what were your symptoms and at what point do you make a decision to go to the ER or wait it out?
Any input is appreciated.
Re: Gallbladder! At what point do I go to the ER?
I am not sleeved but have had gall bladder surgery. I would have constant pain under my ribs and the to part of my stomach that felt like bad chest pain. I thought I was having a heart attach with the last episode and called 911. They gave me a lidocane and antacid drink for the pain and sheduled me for surgery the next 2 days. After surgery I have been fine. That was in 2006
Re: Gallbladder! At what point do I go to the ER?
I am not sleeved but have had gall bladder surgery. I would have constant pain under my ribs and the to part of my stomach that felt like bad chest pain. I thought I was having a heart attach with the last episode and called 911. They gave me a lidocane and antacid drink for the pain and sheduled me for surgery the next 2 days. After surgery I have been fine. That was in 2006
Re: Gallbladder! At what point do I go to the ER?
If you go to ER you will get a ultrasound, they will find out if you have a stone blocking or more sludge. If it looks "hot" inflamed, they should have a surgeon come to consult. You might get your gallbladder out yet tonight. Or they might say you can wait till day hours or you wait till you see gastro dr. The thing is this has been going on for awhile now. either way it needs to come out. Be your own advocate. The chaulky stools mean you are not releasing bile. To me sounds like you are blocked. Toradol does help. Esp. a shot in the bottom. Good Luck.
Re: Gallbladder! At what point do I go to the ER?
Well, I was a fortunate one that didn't have symptons when they took my gallbladder out, but I do work for a general surgeon who does take gallbladders out all the time and I see your symptons all the time. You may have a gallstone lodged in your bile duct, which is not a good thing. Head to the ER, rather be safe than sorry. Stay away from spicy, fatty foods. I would stay on soft foods until your surgery. A Gastro doctor is not the only doctor that can take your gallbladder out. If you don't go to the ER tonight, look up a general surgeon tomorrow and see when you can get in.
Re: Gallbladder! At what point do I go to the ER?
They will probably do a Hidascan since, I am assuming, they already did a CT or Ultrasound because you said they see sludge in your gallbladder.
Re: Gallbladder! At what point do I go to the ER?
I have not been sleeved either, but a couple years ago I had a stabbing pain under the right side of my ribs. The next morning it was still there so I headed to the er they gave me morphine and then did an ultrasound which showed a large stone blocking the neck of my gall bladder. That afternoon I had it removed and was home the following afternoon. I would say the pain wa a stabbing sharp pain and I couldn't get comfortable it went from
My front almost through my back. I would just go to the er.
Re: Gallbladder! At what point do I go to the ER?
I had my sleeve and gallbladder out on the 21st. I had the same pain and went to the ER. I waited 2 months for my gallbladder to be taken out with my sleeve. It was difficult though. I stayed away from fatty and spicy foods. When I didn't I paid for it and ended up w a attack and in the er. It is better to be safe then sorry so go to the ER.
Re: Gallbladder! At what point do I go to the ER?
the pain I had was in the front - and back. Felt like my sternum was going to rupture and the pain went straight through where my bra strap was. The pain became more frequent. One day the pain was constant and I started throwing up. I told my kids that I was going to the hospital and I would be back later. I walked into the ER and said Hi my name is Tracy and I'm going to throw up- they showed me to a room. The Doctor came and asked a bunch of questions, I finally said, "I don't have the flu, its my gall bladder." they sent me in for an ultrasound. I was told I was going to have to have surgery but our surgeon was out of town,(blessing:)) so I had to go to the next nearest hospital. The ER staff was prepared for me when I got there. It was about 10:00 pm I was so dehydrated by this time that they couldn't put in an IV so they had to call in the Pic Line crew. LOVED having a Pic Line!
A stone had lodged into my pancreas (the swelling of the pancreas was what was causing the pain in my back, it was pressing against my spine) and my tox levels were off the charts. It was a near death experience at this point. I had to lay on my stomach as they put a scope and something else down my throat to flush the stone out of my pancreas. Then I spent 3 days letting my pancreas rest before they could take out my gall bladder. That meant NOTHING to eat and drink. On day 2 they let me have ice chips-- but I could only let them melt in my mouth, no chewing-- that would stimulate the pancreas.
This happened in August of 2008. September 2007 I started chemo. My last period was October. Finished all rounds of Chemo in January 08. Finished radiation treatments in March 08-- had a prophylactic mastectomy in April 2008.
When I went in for my surgery I ended up with the period from hell. Not fun!*It was a whole years worth during that week. *The surgeon who took out my gall bladder said I was a bit anemic. *I told him he would be too if he was bleeding like a stuck pig. *LOL he understood.
It was a very long week in the hospital.. my poor kids. I told them I would be back later--- I came back a WEEK later. Luckily they spent most of that time at church camp.
Hope all goes well!!
Re: Gallbladder! At what point do I go to the ER?
Wow, I hope that doesn't happen to me, yikes! I've thrown up twice today but I think I just ate too quickly or too much. I'll see how tomorrow goes. I think I'm just going to do liquids/protein shakes etc from tomorrow until I see the doctor.
Thanks everyone for the responses. I'll keep you guys updated.
Re: Gallbladder! At what point do I go to the ER?
My gall bladder was removed in August 2006. The pain felt like a stabbing pain under my breast and radiated to my back. I would throw up usually and feel better. My last bad attack was it for me!! I knew something serious was wrong and sure enough it was gall stones. They did an ultrasound and confirmed it.
Re: Gallbladder! At what point do I go to the ER?
In the ER waiting for the doctor
Re: Gallbladder! At what point do I go to the ER?
Re: Gallbladder! At what point do I go to the ER?
Good! Let us know how u doing!
Re: Gallbladder! At what point do I go to the ER?
I have a few gallstones now. Got to drink the yucky contrast dye about 20oz. Lol u know how quickly we can drink right! CT scan in about an hour. The ER doc is clueless about the sleeve. He keeps referring to bypass and malabsorption. Ugh! I'll keep u updated.