FM & gallbladder surgery question
ttrem posted:
I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia almost 10 years ago and with IBS very shortly after that. I've also had laproscopic removal of endometriosis, fibroids and then a hysterectomy. I have had had for about 15 years a constant dull aching pain in my lower left abdomen. After all that surgery I thought some pain might have been alleviated, but no. If I'm trying to do everyday housework, I'm usually in a fair bit of pain. Now in the last 6 months I've had more constant pain in my rib area on the right side with it radiating around to my back and shoulder blade. I've been living on small meals, rice, mostly gluten free foods, very bland (and beyond boring). I had an ultrasound and MRI showing that I have a 1 inch gallstone. My dr. sent me to a surgeon and finally today was my appointment. He says that even though I have the pain and a gallstone he doesn't think surgery is going to help because I have fibromyalgia and I'm going to have the pain anyway. He said if I start having a fever and vomitting to go to the ER and they'll take it out but otherwise he thinks surgery is a waste of time. So, now I have more abdominal pain. I've been in so much pain that I basically just crawl in bed and lay still hoping that will help. I'm a single mom of 3 kids. I need to take care of them and I can't do it like this. I need some help and I don't know what to do next. Any suggestions?
5 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:FM & gallbladder surgery questionI was diagnosed with fibromyalgia almost 10 years ago and with IBS very shortly after that. I've also had laproscopic removal of endometriosis, fibroids and then a hysterectomy. I have had had for about 15 years a constant dull aching pain in my lower left abdomen. After all that surgery I thought some pain might have been alleviated, but no. If I'm trying to do everyday housework, I'm usually in a fair bit of pain. Now in the last 6 months I've had more constant pain in my rib area on the right side with it radiating around to my back and shoulder blade. I've been living on small meals, rice, mostly gluten free foods, very bland (and beyond boring). I had an ultrasound and MRI showing that I have a 1 inch gallstone. My dr. sent me to a surgeon and finally today was my appointment. He says that even though I have the pain and a gallstone he doesn't think surgery is going to help because I have fibromyalgia and I'm going to have the pain anyway. He said if I start having a fever and vomitting to go to the ER and they'll take it out but otherwise he thinks surgery is a waste of time. So, now I have more abdominal pain. I've been in so much pain that I basically just crawl in bed and lay still hoping that will help. I'm a single mom of 3 kids. I need to take care of them and I can't do it like this. I need some help and I don't know what to do next. Any suggestions?
Caprice_WebMD_Staff responded:
Hi Ttrem,
I don't know what's going on in your lower left abdomen but regarding your gall bladder, I would, personally (and I'm no health expert) seek a second opinion.
I have had FM for decades and started having serious pain due to my gall bladder a couple of years ago. After a year of sometimes debilitating agony due to GB attacks, I finally had surgery. Best thing I ever did. No, it didn't ease my FM pain but it sure eased my GB pain.
I don't know what's going on in your lower left abdomen but regarding your gall bladder, I would, personally (and I'm no health expert) seek a second opinion.
I have had FM for decades and started having serious pain due to my gall bladder a couple of years ago. After a year of sometimes debilitating agony due to GB attacks, I finally had surgery. Best thing I ever did. No, it didn't ease my FM pain but it sure eased my GB pain.
We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us. ~Joseph Campbell
Report This| Share this:FM & gallbladder surgery questionHi Ttrem,<br /><br />I don't know what's going on in your lower left abdomen but regarding your gall bladder, I would, personally (and I'm no health expert) seek a second opinion.<br /><br />I have had FM for decades and started having serious pain due to my gall bladder a couple of years ago. After a year of sometimes debilitating agony due to GB attacks, I finally had surgery. Best thing I ever did. No, it didn't ease my FM pain but it sure eased my GB pain.
fibroinsd responded:
yikes..I can't believe they didn't take out your gallbladder. I am having gallbladder issues and they want to take out my gallbladder..and I keep telling them that I don't think it is that bad..my doc did give me an antibiotic that I do think has helped me..We have insurance issues to deal with, so I am trying to make sure that is worked out before I have any surgery..but yea..sounds like you have more than just fm to deal with...like caprice said..I would seek a second opinion..or go to the ER and see if they agree..My doc said if I start getting bad to go to the ER IMMEDIATELY...
cece
cece
Let's put the fun back in dysfunctional !- Mary Englebright
Report This| Share this:FM & gallbladder surgery questionyikes..I can't believe they didn't take out your gallbladder. I am having gallbladder issues and they want to take out my gallbladder..and I keep telling them that I don't think it is that bad..my doc did give me an antibiotic that I do think has helped me..We have insurance issues to deal with, so I am trying to make sure that is worked out before I have any surgery..but yea..sounds like you have more than just fm to deal with...like caprice said..I would seek a second opinion..or go to the ER and see if they agree..My doc said if I start getting bad to go to the ER IMMEDIATELY...<br /><br />cece
foreversore responded:
I had my gall bladder removed BEFORE I was told I had FM. I was clueless that I even had issues until one night I woke up at 3 am in the most excruciating pain I have ever felt. It was worse than natural child birth. My abdomen, back and shoulders were screaming in agony. I hurt so bad I couldn't even button or zip my pants for the trip to the ER. All i could do was lie on a couch in the waiting room holding my belly and bawling my eyes out. I was treated with morphine and compazine until I could be taken in for surgery. The surgeon told me that my entire gall bladder was nothing but one Huge stone the size of a mans fist and he had to enlarge the incision just to get it out. I have not had abdominal pain since. I would recommend staying away from greasy foods after you have it out because in my case it made my IBS symptoms worse. If I were you I would seek a second opinion. Even if you do have the surgery for me it was fairly easy to recover from. I was up and about within 24 hours after the surgery.
Report This| Share this:FM & gallbladder surgery questionI had my gall bladder removed BEFORE I was told I had FM. I was clueless that I even had issues until one night I woke up at 3 am in the most excruciating pain I have ever felt. It was worse than natural child birth. My abdomen, back and shoulders were screaming in agony. I hurt so bad I couldn't even button or zip my pants for the trip to the ER. All i could do was lie on a couch in the waiting room holding my belly and bawling my eyes out. I was treated with morphine and compazine until I could be taken in for surgery. The surgeon told me that my entire gall bladder was nothing but one Huge stone the size of a mans fist and he had to enlarge the incision just to get it out. I have not had abdominal pain since. I would recommend staying away from greasy foods after you have it out because in my case it made my IBS symptoms worse. If I were you I would seek a second opinion. Even if you do have the surgery for me it was fairly easy to recover from. I was up and about within 24 hours after the surgery.
ttrem responded:
UPDATE: I have requested a referral for a 2nd opinion but haven't heard back from the dr. as yet. Will be calling on Monday (I'm in Canada so holiday was last weekend) to see if I can get things rolling. In pain now but I don't think it's quite ER level yet.
Report This| Share this:FM & gallbladder surgery questionUPDATE: I have requested a referral for a 2nd opinion but haven't heard back from the dr. as yet. Will be calling on Monday (I'm in Canada so holiday was last weekend) to see if I can get things rolling. In pain now but I don't think it's quite ER level yet.
Caprice_WebMD_Staff replied to ttrem's response:
Thanks for the update, Ttrem. Let us know how it goes.
We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us. ~Joseph Campbell
Report This| Share this:FM & gallbladder surgery questionThanks for the update, Ttrem. Let us know how it goes.
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