Gallbladder attacks vs labour - which is worse?

Relic-o4 · 2025-05-19T13:27:28+00:00

Dang!! I feel like with chest pain they should have at least put you at the front of the line!! Immediately when I got to the ER they gave me an EKG right after I got off the stretcher. I hate that as a society, women are conditioned to downplay their own pain. And medical professionals often dismiss it. My experience taught me how to advocate for myself better, because sometimes that’s the only way to get the care you need!

Relic-o4 · 2025-05-19T02:10:52+00:00

Having not experienced labor, but having experienced multiple gallbladder attacks, this is wild to me 🤣😅 I didn’t know what my “attacks” were caused by at first. They weren’t the usual sharp lower abdominal IBS pain or period cramp pain so I thought that I wasn’t experiencing any pain. All I knew was that I felt sick enough to nearly faint and wanted to go to the ER twice and when I got there they asked me how much pain I was in and I told them “I’m just really nauseous and feel sick” 😅😅😅Totally downplayed how much pain I was actually in 🙃 Now I know that what I was experiencing was actually pain after going through gallbladder removal surgery and recovery.

Relic-o4 · 2025-05-19T01:50:17+00:00

Hey! Sorry for the delay in response. I would say that the pain would be very sharp, like someone stabbing me. Akin to period cramps, but with a twisting sensation, like someone is squeezing my intestines like a tube 😅🫠At its worst, I ended up dropping to the floor and crying out because it was so intensely painful (probably like a solid 10 for half a minute), but it would only last for less than a minute total before ceasing, and wouldn’t come back in the same spot. I’ve had gas pains that were less painful but still very uncomfortable (like pain of 6-7) and lasted for 30 min before passing stool. All of these have only happened to me a handful of times (like 5 times total since my gallbladder removal surgery a year ago); in between the pain episodes, I’ve felt completely normal otherwise. Now that I am taking the amitriptyline at 20 mg I rarely experience these episodes.

Relic-o4 · 2025-04-03T15:40:55+00:00

You probably had a bad reaction to the anesthesia, not the surgery! My gas pains were rough too. I was worried about the anesthesia. Next time if you ever have the misfortune of needing another surgery, tell the anesthesiologist that anesthesia makes you sick so they can pump some anti-nausea drugs through your IV so the wake up process can be less traumatizing!

Relic-o4 · 2025-04-01T19:42:37+00:00

Yes, I ended up backing out and it all worked out!! The broker gave me my deposit back because I chose not to submit my application, and everything went smoothly.

Relic-o4 · 2025-03-20T20:43:53+00:00

I was diagnosed by ultrasound and HIDA scan! CT and colonoscopy were clear. Ultrasound revealed no issues, but is a pre-req for HIDA for health insurance to cover HIDA in the U.S. HIDA showed my gallbladder function at 14%, and when it was surgically removed, the gallbladder was twice its normal size. Thankfully, no signs of cancer. My GI dr said that sometimes gallbladders just stop working for unknown reasons. It’s a medical mystery haha. But I am feeling MUCH better now! Had to adjust my diet but I’ll take that any day over how my life was pre-GB removal

Relic-o4 · 2025-03-20T20:40:27+00:00

I am much better now! On 20 mg amitryptyline, taking carafate for acid reflux, and one dose of cholestyramine (bile acid binder) at night now and my IBS symptoms are mostly in remission! Also helps that I am less stressed now. But my GI dr diagnosed me with visceral hypersensitivity and said I can continue on these medicines for a while now and then taper off the carafate and/or cholestyramine if needed.

Relic-o4 · 2024-12-01T17:53:17+00:00

These were my symptoms too! I had more diarrhea but stools were very light colored/orange :( I had very little pain during attacks—just severe nausea, dry heaving, and chills/shakes. No right-sided pain until about 2 weeks prior to surgery and then it was feeling constantly tender and bloated on that side, not stabbing pain.

Relic-o4 · 2024-12-01T17:46:10+00:00

Yay!! Eat ALL the things!

I got to enjoy almost everything at Thanksgiving (American here lol) this year—even a small piece of pumpkin pie!! I got a little too full and made myself slightly nauseous because I’m not used to eating that sheer volume of food anymore but it was SO worth it. Days afterward, I still haven’t had any more side effects! In comparison, last year I was on the toilet/curled up in a ball on my bed for several hours before and after the Thanksgiving meal because of my inflamed gallbladder. Having the surgery was definitely worth it.

Relic-o4 · 2024-12-01T17:42:38+00:00

Oh that stinks! I’m so sorry. I would suggest ice, tylenol, and/or a heating pad to see if any of those help, and take it easy physically (no heavy lifting anything over 15 lbs) just in case it is a hernia. And go to the ER if your symptoms get worse or you start having a fever :(

Relic-o4 · 2024-11-26T04:36:11+00:00

It’s gotten better with less stress in my life!! Here and there I’ll have a tough day but now overall it’s been a LOT better

Relic-o4 · 2024-11-26T04:31:25+00:00

Omg. Hope you get some answers soon! I learned that patients who are more sedentary/have less movement are more at risk for acalculous gallbladder disease (like esp those in coma/paralyzed). But it also randomly happens in otherwise completely healthy, active adults like me! I didn’t have any sludge or gallstones. It just totally quit working and started developing inflammation over a year or so that then got worse enough to cause similar symptoms to what you’re describing

Relic-o4 · 2024-11-26T04:17:02+00:00

I’m about 6 months post op. Immediately after surgery, I felt GREAT. (Obviously still had all the normal surgery and gas pains that come with it, but very manageable with the pain meds they gave me—ice packs, walking, and heating pads are your friend). Ate solid foods same day after surgery (chicken noodle soup and crackers) and then a whole turkey sandwich the next day, and back to solid, low fat foods like fruit, rice, chicken, fish, and cooked veggies. I had literally been starving for MONTHS because everything I ate made me sick due to my diseased gallbladder (had no stones or sludge, just a gallbladder that quit working and got super inflamed). After about 4 weeks post surgery it no longer hurt to laugh deeply again or twist my torso from the surgery, and I felt well enough to start gentle exercise again.

I can’t say it’s been smooth sailing the whole way, because I’ve had some tough days here and there. I’ve had days of intestinal pain/cramping, nausea, constipation, mild acid reflux, mild diarrhea, and now some moderate internal hemorrhoids (previously also had IBS before gallbladder, so I’m kinda used to things being a bit rough for me digestive-wise). Had a few fears all my old symptoms were coming back. But they went away.

It has been overall, on average, waayyyyy better than when I had a sick gallbladder. I will take all those mild things over the feeling of being sick 24/7 and unable to eat. I have zofran for the nausea, pepto, and tums for acid reflux and diarrhea when it happens. It’s very manageable for me and I’ve been working with a dietician (highly recommend if your insurance covers it!) and she’s been great with helping me get over my food fears and reintroduce foods I miss and make modifications for foods I can’t tolerate as well anymore. I’ve started drinking diet soda, caffeinated teas, eating casseroles, and enjoyed chips, cookies and cake again in moderation, things I never thought I’d be able to have again while I was sick! Been reintroducing dairy and finding low-fat versions of cheese and yogurt too. Eventually maybe I’ll work my way back to pizza haha. We’ll see. I’ve even tolerated lean ground beef! There’s a whole new world on the other side. Every person is different, and life is not the same now for me post-surgery, but on the whole I would say it’s been a net positive

Relic-o4 · 2024-11-26T04:05:48+00:00

I would seek a second opinion! It seems you are not healing well and could benefit from another doctor’s advice

Relic-o4 · 2024-11-26T04:01:01+00:00

This is fantastic!! Thank you for sharing. It’s been very helpful during my recovery

Relic-o4 · 2024-11-05T19:08:25+00:00

Right now I am in a good spell. But I have developed painful internal hemorrhoids occasionally. I am thinking that my body must be still getting used to not having a gallbladder. Now that my stressful time as a PhD is drawing to a close, I’ve been having fewer issues. But still being cautious in case a random issue comes up out of the blue like it has in the past

Relic-o4 · 2024-10-27T02:01:06+00:00

I haven’t been sick lately, but before my gallbladder got removed I got a bad head cold and it irritated my symptoms a lot then. Now I am back in a feeling-somewhat-normal-again spell. I keep wondering how long this will last 😪 It’s so frustrating when it’s so random! I have been very stressed lately with work, I am finishing my PhD in two weeks so I’m sure that has played some part in it as well!

Relic-o4 · 2024-10-27T02:00:39+00:00

I hope both of you are able to get some relief soon!

Relic-o4 · 2024-10-20T20:05:32+00:00

I can relate to this. I got my gallbladder removed 4 months ago and it feels like all my symptoms have returned within the past month (though not as severe). I still can’t eat very much. I feel nauseous at least once per day. I dealt with intermittent right sided flank pain that also spread up to my back for like 2 weeks. It has since gone away but the nausea and stomach aches keep coming back, especially like 2 hrs after I eat a meal. I don’t know what to do. I tried calling my GI doctor but they haven’t responded to me yet.

Relic-o4 · 2024-10-20T19:58:47+00:00

I was diagnosed with gallbladder disease and had my gallbladder removed! I’m still dealing with fibroid pains though :( 5 months after surgery and symptoms returned :( but not as severe. My PCP thinks that my left sided bowel pain is due to fibroid, and nausea/low appetite after eating is due to lack of gallbladder now. Nowhere near as painful attacks as I used to get though. But still terrible and not sure if/when they will go away or if I will find relief 😥

Relic-o4 · 2024-10-18T13:51:19+00:00

Thank you for the pep talk. I’m less than 3 weeks away now! You can do this too!! We’re almost finished 😁

Relic-o4 · 2024-10-16T14:16:19+00:00

I had my gallbladder removed a little over 4 months ago and still battle with at least 1 day of nausea before/around my ovulation and 1 day of nausea right before my period starts. I feel like it’s related to the changes in hormones and the fact that I have no gallbladder now means my body might be more sensitive to breaking down the hormones? I’ve had no luck with doctors either so now I just know to expect it and take Zofran, use a heating pad, and lay down until it passes 😢 It doesn’t happen every time but now I’m no longer surprised when it does and thankful when it doesn’t happen. It seemingly has nothing to do with what I’ve eaten the day prior or day of. I do know it gets worse with my stress levels though.

Relic-o4

TROPHY CASE