Gallstones

[WillFlyToDisney]

Has anyone had gallstones before? What were your symptoms and what did you do about them?

What foods do you have to avoid to keep flareups from happening?

I go for tests on Tuesday - my doc thinks I need my gallbladder out. Oh joy.

[Barb-SAN]

Sorry no personal experience, but there are lots of links if you Google "gallstones". Here's one...http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/gallstones/.

I don't like reading that being even moderately overweight increases your risk of getting them. :(

[noflyingfan]

It happened to my dad, and, as I recall it, the symptoms were kind of like Debbie's. He did have his gall bladder out, though.

The one food he avoids is turkey pie, because that's what we had for dinner the night he went to the hospital.

[WillFlyToDisney]

I have had about 7 attacks like those that Debbie described in the past 2 weeks - doubled over in agonizing pain for hours, nausea, vomiting, etc... I had the worst bout yet last nite and put in 3 calls to my doctor's office who finally called me back to tell me that all I could do for now was to stay doped up on muscle relaxers and narcotics until Tuesday when they could do an ultrasound and blood tests.

I can't think of a better way to face my relatives for Christmas than doped up on Lortab. :angel:

It is hard to find foods that aren't on the forbidden lists - I ended up with a dry turkey sandwich, an apple and a small bowl of sherbert for dinner.

The pain is similar to childbirth - but higher up - and doesn't let up at all. At least in childbirth the pain comes in waves so you do get some relief!

[Rebecca]

:( Oh, man! Kelley, that is just dreadful anytime, especially at Christmas. :hug: Hang in there! It sounds like symptoms people have told me about gall bladder. My friend had her out about age 32 and she doesn't avoid any foods, really.

gaaa. Maybe your family will be extra kind and spoil you over the holidays.

[WillFlyToDisney]

Sorry to hear you're feeling bad, Kelley. On the upside, my Dad had his gallbladder out this year and pronounced the surgery "no big deal." He had three little puncture wounds in his abdomen where the surgical tools were and they pulled his gallbladder out through his belly button. It's quick, minimally invasive surgery now.

Good to know but I am supposed to leave for my trip on the 27th... (you guys still coming down to the city?). My sisters are coming to Charleston on the 27th so I will either be in the hospital or on a plane. Works for me!

[Jeff California]

Andrea had them and had her gall bladder removed. Like Sean said, it was easy laproscopic surgery for us.
minor pain for a few days and she has to lay off the fatty foods or she is in the bathroom.

[noflyingfan]

Good to know but I am supposed to leave for my trip on the 27th... (you guys still coming down to the city?). My sisters are coming to Charleston on the 27th so I will either be in the hospital or on a plane. Works for me!

So either way you're not being fed well! :tongue:

[StPeteMark]

Hope you're doing OK today?!?
.

[WillFlyToDisney]

Just a quick update - I had to go for the ultrasound and bloodwork today and I definitely have gallstones. My doctor has referred me to the Chief Surgeon of the big hospital here and I have an appointment on January 3rd with him. My main doctor and my Hematologist will be consulting with the surgeon to see when the surgery needs to happen. I have some underlying issues that make surgery of any type (even something as routine as this) a delicate issue for me so I am glad I have a fab team of doctors on my side.

I got permission to travel this week so I am off to PHL tomorrow armed with my good drugs and a list of foods I am allowed to eat. Try finding food in the South that isn't fried, fatty or sweet. Geez...

Thanks for the well wishes! :)
Kelley

[Jeff California]

Keep us updated Kelley! Happy 2007:D

[mel&ned]

What a great website

Not only do (or did) i have a fear of flying BUT i think i also have gallstones

not good as we're flying out to america in approx 48 hours!

EEK

have had blood tests and am having ultrasound tomorrow morning

does anyone know if i have a hope inhell of flying?

for what it's worth, i just have a dull uncomfy ache not sharp pains on my right hand side

ta in advance and great site!
mel

[Rebecca]

Welcome, Mel!

Just my opinion, but if I had a suspected or incipient condition that could result in an episode of unbearable pain inflight, especially a long, overseas flight from Australia, I'd probably not fly! Your doctor should definitely be told that you're planning to fly ... see what he/she says!

You'll probably get more responses about your flying issues if you post up in the General Discussion board. As you've already discovered, there's great info and support here for FoF! Let us know what your specific concerns are, or ask questions about things that might be bothering you. Captain Ray's forum is great for direct-from-the-pilot information.

Glad you're here!

:thumbsup:

[mel&ned]

hi rebecca

well still have the ache and feeling a bit off (maybe cause i haven't eaten since last night)
here's the report from the u's (haven't been to the doc yet but opened it of course LOL)
The examination was markedly suboptimal due to the patients body habitus (too fat :unsure: ) and obscuring bowel gas. Consequently the pancreas, abdominal aorta, liver and biliary tree have been poorly visualised.
The liver is normal in span...has marked fatty infiltration
The abdominal aorta, spleen and biliary tree appear normal.
There is no cholelithiasis or acute cholecystitis.
kidneys ok
flow in the portal vein is in a hepatopedal direction
comment
there is fatty infiltration of the non enlarged liver. otherwise within the limits of the examination, normal examination.
so i'm guessing that's good news!
a bit worried that they coudn't visualise certain things though
am waiting on blood results and then will see dr this arvo 4.30


god i hope i can fly! (mind you don't want to be in a whole lot of pain either)

fingers crossed

mel

[WillFlyToDisney]

Well the good news is that it is NOT gallstones because THIS phrase "cholecystitis" is the medical term for that and it says you have no sign of it. :)

Hope you get well soon. I meet with the surgeon tomorrow morning to find out what they are going to do with me. I would MUCH rather be getting on a plane then doing THAT! :eek:

[mel&ned]

good luck for tomorrow, i'll be thinking of you as i'm on the loooooooooong trip LOL

the bugger of a thing is, that when i was doing my 'get over my phobia of flying' therapy we mentioned a few times that the reason i had the initial panic attack was because i was so sick on the flight
we reasoned that odds would be very slim that i would be feeling sick on another flight :shakehead wouldn't you know it

anyway i have drugs, mp3 player, games, mags and a very active 6 year old so if i do get on the darn plane i should be ok!

cheers and take care for tomorrow
mel

[WillFlyToDisney]

Thanks, Mel!

Have a great trip. :) You will be fine.

Kelley

[mel&ned]

I Can gooooooooooooooooooooo

whoo hoooo

gotta go and pack!

mel:hyped: :hyped: :hyped: :hyped:

[WillFlyToDisney]

Hope you had a great trip, Mel!

My gall bladder surgery is set for Noon on Thursday 1/11. Because of my risk factors they will keep me overnight. Ugh I dread this!

[StPeteMark]

...My gall bladder surgery is set for Noon on Thursday 1/11. Because of my risk factors they will keep me overnight. Ugh I dread this!I've approached my last two surgeries similar to flying. I concentrate on establishing a calm frame of mind every waking moment during the week prior; this helped me to approach the day of surgery with courage and a positive attitude for a successful procedure. You will have a lot of caring nurses with you before and after; they will take good care of you. Plus, we here at TF will with you from afar! :grouphug:
.

[WillFlyToDisney]

I've approached my last two surgeries similar to flying. I concentrate on establishing a calm frame of mind every waking moment during the week prior; this helped me to approach the day of surgery with courage and a positive attitude for a successful procedure. You will have a lot of caring nurses with you before and after; they will take good care of you. Plus, we here at TF will with you from afar! :grouphug:
.

Thanks, Mark. :) I'm working on it.

Kel

[Rebecca]

:) Kelley, hope you're applying all the calming techniques for Thursday's surgery. I wish you were close by so I could make you chicken broth. :hug:

[Barb-SAN]

Good luck, Kelley. Hope you've had a chance to meet the surgeon and know that you will be in good, competent hands. Sort of like meeting the pilots, you know. :cool:

[WillFlyToDisney]

Thanks everyone. AA is rearing its ugly head big time but I am trying to keep it at bay. I'll check in as soon as I can to let everyone know how it went.

Kelley

[Passenger Mark]

Kelley,

I was thinking of you today, and will for sure tommarrow!

You will be just fine. Please check in with us!!!

BIG HUGS!

[StPeteMark]

...You will have a lot of caring nurses with you before and after; they will take good care of you. Plus, we here at TF will with you from afar! :grouphug: .As we said, we're thinking about you...you'll be fine! :grouphug: SPMark and Susan
.

[Jeff California]

Kelley, we are thinking of you.:grouphug:

Jeff and Andrea

[WillFlyToDisney]

I'm home but very sore. The operation only took about a half hour! I don't remember much of yesterday after they wheeled me back and I am getting ready to take some pain meds so I can rest today.

Thanks for all the well wishes! :)

Kelley

[cshollingsworth]

Here's to a speedy recovery Kelley!!! :hug:

[Lynda]

Get well soon Kel. Thinking about you!:)

[noflyingfan]

I've somehow missed this thread (been too busy trash-talking Kari about her beating my basketball score), but...

Here's the Midwest vote for a speedy recovery and cute doctors. :angel:

[StPeteMark]

I'm home but very sore. The operation only took about a half hour! I don't remember much of yesterday after they wheeled me back and I am getting ready to take some pain meds so I can rest today. Thanks for all the well wishes! :) Kelley Great news!!! Now you have a legit reason to really take it EASY....and feel ahhhh with the meds! :)

We were thinking about you yesterday...guessing when you were in surgery, recovery, waking up, the general wearing off, and the real pain emerging.

Glad you checked in....enjoy the peace in the days to come!

Mark and Susan :) :thumbsup: :)
.

[Barb-SAN]

Hey Kelley. Glad to hear they only got your gallbladder. You really have to watch out for organ thieves. :D

:lol: Now that's a scary thought!

Kelley, I'll bet you are glad to have that operation over with...hope you have a speedy recovery...and are soon pain-free. :)

[mel&ned]

Kelley
Glad to hear the op went well, thinking of you!
Mel