STORM2K

Last Saturday (10/4), I was invited to go have a big brunch at my best friend's house. Her fiance is a great cook and a nurse. He was planning on fixing a big, fancy feast. I was supposed to be there at 11:00. At 10:15, I began having horrible stomach pain. I remember how in the ER, we would ask patients to rate their pain on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the worst pain they've ever experienced. For me, 10 would be a novocaine needle in my gums. I've never really experienced anything major except in my infancy and I don't remember that too well.

My stomach pain was a 9. It lasted for about 45 minutes. I wasn't doubled over. It felt better to cross my arms in front with my hands wrapped around my belly in sort of a front-hug. The pressure helped or something...not quite sure. The pain radiated up through my back and shoulders as if someone was squeezing my shoulders together. My buddy brought me some Pepto-Bismol and Gas-X (too much info, I know...but it was a possibility). Eventually the pain subsided. But I had another attack at about 6 that night. Lasted for about 30 minutes.

Since then, I've had an almost constant gnawing pain in my gut, usually a 2. After I eat, it climbs to a 4, whether it's fatty food or not. Today after lunch, it went to a 6. If I remained seated, it was 6. If I stood up, it lessened a bit to a 5, as if stretching out helped.

From what I've heard and been told, it sounds like my gallbladder. Gas was obviously ruled out since it's lasted so long. I was scheduled for an appointment next Friday. When I called on Monday after the first attacks, I figured I'd wait a few weeks and see if it got better, worse, or what. I wanted to try to get a feel for what was going on. But with today's onset of pain as well as the constant minor pain that I've been dealing with for the past week and a half, I didn't want to wait anymore.

I went to the doctor and saw a resident who told me before I even got the first sentence out, "Well, that's not gallbladder pain. It's gallbladder pain when....blah blah blah." When I was researching this, I read that not all people experience the same symptoms. Yet for everything I said, he had an argument to refute it. I thought to myself, "Dude, I'm here to rule out gallbladder problems. But give me a chance to give you my full history first." So, when we were done going back and forth, I said, "Okay, if it's not cholelithiasis, what is it?" Well, he didn't know. Said it might be gas or gastritis. Mmmmkay. Yeah, well. I need an answer and a treatment.

So he leaves and goes to talk to the attending. Comes back a few minutes later with a totally different attitude. "We're going to send you for an ultrasound. The radiologist should be able to tell you if he sees stones or if the wall of your gallbladder is thickened." Okay, now we're talking. You can't just rule out something like this with a talk. If over-the-counter remedies don't work, you know it's something more serious. That's why the labels say, "If symptoms persist for longer than X number of days, see your physician." Liver enzymes, bilirubin level, scans...I know the drill.

Soooo...to make a long story short (sorry, guys, I rambled), I have an appointment for my ultrasound in the AM. Please say a little prayer for me. If the radiologist sees stones, I can deal with that. Treatable...possible surgery...no biggie. Gastritis...could be a bigger deal, but still treatable. Gas...okay, you guys can rib me up one end and down the other if that's it, but who really has it for TWO weeks???? If it's not one of those three, then I'm at a loss. Everyone I've talked to and everything I've read points to either stones or Beano time.

With the exception of allergies and an occasional flu bug or upset stomach (spicy Texas food!), I'm in good health, low maintenance, and very carefree. I know that this is sooo minor compared to what so many other people are going through. But it's stressing me nevertheless.

So could you guys say a quick one for me, please? Thanks!

I got you covered Galveston!!!

At first I thought that it sounded like Irritable Bowel Syndrome. I have that and when it flares up, like clockwork at around lunch time I'd feel like I had a rock in my stomach. I'd feel better later but right now I take Zelnorm. Yours does sound different since the pain seem to radiate throughout your body. I hope that they find something that can be treated easily!

I pray everything works out for you!! Just went through the kidney stones last week.

Let us know how the AM appointment turns out.

Whenever I eat cheese or drink milk, I get IBS, and boy does the room smell afterwards. :o I will be thinking of you.

Shawn - of course I'll pray for you! I too thought of IBS as Stephanie did. But let's see what the ultrasound shows first. FYI, while I was waiting for my colon surgery back in 1999, I had many tests beforehand. One was a pelvic cat scan. It confirmed my colon tumor of course but it also showed "hundreds" of gallstones, that's what my doc said. I had been experiencing what I thought was indigestion or heartburn - the pain would rise up and my chest would get tight. Felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest. When I said all of this to my surgeon, he said it was only a matter of time before I would have a gall bladder attack. So while under they took out my gallbladder too. I had laparoscopy surgery for it - 4 small incisions. I've heard recovery is quite minimal for this type of surgery, so that's the good news for you, but I was in horrendous pain from my colon surgery. So I have no point of reference there for you. And oh by the way, all that heartburn? It went away! Be very glad you're having the ultrasound. It will confirm or deny stones. Then you can cross that bridge when we come to it.

Good luck!! Hope you do well with the test.

Mary

Gallbladder pain is a tough one. 8 or 9 on that scale. Been there, done that. Mine was often in my back radiating upward into my shoulders...but also in my stomach.

Kidney stones on the other hand, those are "right now" pains that made me hyperventilate. Those don't go away when you stand or move.

Good idea to have it all checked out as best you can. Keep us posted on what you find out.

Real pain requires a maxi-prayer. That's what you got tonight from here in the desert.

azskyman

Prayers go out to ya GalvestonDuck! Hope all goes well. Just some FYI, if they don't find anything and you are still having symptoms there are other test that they can do to test your gallbladder further. Just because they don't find stones does not mean you don't have a problem with your gallbladder...

We're sending prayers down the Gulf Freeway for ya GD!!!! Praying for nothing major to be wrong and for an easily treatable condition.

Shawn, I wish you luck with your pain situation. I hope all goes well.

As Linda said, please let us know how this morning's appointment turns out.

Prayers on the way Shawn. I hope it all goes ok God Bless

I am praying for you Shawn that all is well.

I had Gastricumbitus(sp) a long time ago it lasted for more than a few days and was very painfull...hopefully you have the same thing. Good Luck!

Thanks, everyone! All your thoughts and prayers are appreciated. I'll check back in a couple of hours with any news.

Shawn - be sure to. We'll be waiting and praying too! Good luck.

M.

I pray all goes well for you Duck!

From what you described (not that I know anything about medicine) your pain sounds something like what my Dad went through. We eventually found out he had a duodenal ulcer as well as a another ulcer (i think it was a peptic) near the other one... I would watch him litteraly lay in a featal position doubled over and roll around in pain...

Let us know how it goes and hope you get better soon

Gotcha covered here in the Florida Panhandle!! I went through almost the same thing. My esophagus was contracting and after the ultrasound, I have a hiatal hernia and reflux. The doctor also said that many of these symptoms can be caused by your body's reaction to stress ........go figure!

Oh Ducky, prayers are definitely coming from the Burgh. I had an ultrasound years ago which showed gallstones. I have occasional pain but none like yours. I hope they find the problem and relieve it.

Shawn - I will say a prayer and hope that this is not something serious.

Prayers and thoughts from this way, too, Shawn.

God Bless You,

Eric

Sending prayers your way as we speak. Hope you're feeling better real soon.