Pain - anyone have an idea?

[Laurie Henderson]

Originally Posted by bbro

Well, there is a supplement called lecithin that I try and take before eating fatty foods or for pain. Also, she suggested a pain releiver for pain in addition. I also use 1 TBSP of castor oil heated in a pan until warm. Use a rag to soak it up, place on right side where gallbladder, etc is located, place a heating pad on top of it. She also gave me digestive enzymes to take before eating fatty foods, but I lost the prescription and the supplements were working so I didn't worry about it.

Seriously, though, if you are having the same pain, you have to go see a doctor. Your gallbladder can burst just like an appendix or have a stone block bile ducts which can lead to pancreatitis and other problems. Not trying to scare you, but it should be looked at.

IT FINALLY HAPPENED!!!! On Memorial Day (5/26), I had the worst heartburn. Of course, being at picnics, and being weak-willed, I ate just about everything despite the heartburn. Woke up the next day with pain across abdomen, shooting up my back, and, everytime I swallowed, I though it would be my last action on earth...

Saw my GP on that day, and she ran a few tests, scheduled me for an ultrasound on 6/9. I told her that I truly believed I would be dead by then. She recommended a liquid diet for one week, then a NO FAT diet for the next. Handled the liquid diet for about 2 days, then began to lose my mind... obsessing about food, watching Food Network, dreaming about food. On day # 5 of the liquid diet, I cracked. Ate a waffle around 10:30 a.m. By 4:00 p.m., I assumed I was free & clear - no problems. Didn't eat the rest of the day (I normally eat only once a day...). Long about 8:00 p.m. - same time son's baseball game started - I began to get deathly ill. Wouldn't you know that the game went into extra innings (we won, so that was okay). Ended up in ER, doped out of my mind (it's a nice place to be!!). Talked with a surgeon the next day & he wanted my "system to settle" - no food. The following day, his PA recommended sending me home, liquid diet for one week, NO FAT diet for the next (SOUND FAMILIAR?!?!?!), and I would probably get my gall bladder out in mid-July. I asked if there was any way I could get it out sooner. She said yes, if I wanted. I told her that if she had a knife on her, I would be willing to get the surgery started IMMEDIATELY! We actually took the more proper route - anesthesia, operating room, etc., and, as soon as I woke up, I felt somewhat better. It's been 2 weeks since my surgery, and I feel physically okay. Still really struggling with the diet, since I have to re-introduce fats into my system. I was always the first to suggest a cheesesteak & fries for lunch. Now it's grilled fish, and I believe if I eat one more no-fat hard pretzel, I may turn into one.

I've lost about 25 pounds, despite already being too thin.

LONG STORY SHORT: I FEEL MUCH BETTER!!!!!!!!! Anyone that is having these symptoms really should get this procedure done. I was told that by waiting as long as I did (about eleven years, but I've been busy!!), I could have put my life in jeopardy, and, my recovery won't be as quick as others.