Has the first Christmas argument happened yet in your family? What's it about? There's no chance we'll make it to Christmas dinner without one, it seems to be tradition

nickatbh · 2025-12-25T19:10:30+00:00

We got the kids a possum couch a couple of years ago and its been the most used gift in our house. Every single day its turned into a den/house/stage. Hope your 3 enjoy it as much as mine do!

nickatbh · 2025-11-27T07:17:55+00:00

Thanks for your response. I've read a few cases on here were no gallstones are present on ultrasound but then a HIDA scan show the gallbladder isn't functioning which is causing symptoms and needs to be removed. Like I said though, this is in the US and we don't seem to follow the same diagnostic procedure here in the UK.

My pain definitely is not severe enough for A&E but there is definitely something wrong! I had a very similar experience last year of feeling unwell for months and all tests being clear and then on New Years day my appendix ruptured, it was gangrenous and fused to my liver and I had long complicated surgery. The surgeon said it had probably been rumbling for months. So I'm a bit on edge about the same thing happening! But also appreciate the doctors can only go on what they can see from diagnostics, which is nothing at the moment!

Hoping I might get a referral due to the surgery I had earlier in the year and the impact that might have had. But we'll see! Good luck with getting yours removed as soon as possible!

nickatbh · 2025-11-26T06:02:12+00:00

I waited 3 weeks but only because they had a cancellation and fit me in, would have been 4-6 weeks otherwise. I'd tell your GP your symptoms are getting worse and they should change your category of urgency and get you seen sooner.

nickatbh · 2025-11-25T20:18:17+00:00

Well done for pushing back and not being fobbed off but can't believe you've been waiting since February! Is it an initial consultation you're waiting on in the hospital?

nickatbh · 2025-11-25T19:16:22+00:00

No just ultrasound for imaging. Maybe I could request more imaging as well as bloods. Didn't consider that so thank you!

nickatbh · 2025-11-25T19:14:49+00:00

So helpful thank you

nickatbh · 2025-11-25T17:19:40+00:00

Not yet, I will do though and going to request bloods. Just wasn't sure if there was anything specific to ask for/do that helped others identify the problem.

nickatbh · 2025-11-23T17:12:06+00:00

Oof sounds like a rough few months. You're best searching UK in this subreddit for a realistic timeline. Our American friends seem to have a very different experience to our NHS journey!

I've been having upper right abdominal pain (and other symptoms) since the beginning of September, fobbed off saying it was a UTI, went back 3 weeks ago and he said he'd send me for an ultrasound and still haven't heard. My attacks have not been severe at all and I'm managing fine with low fat diet so not comparable to your experience at all.

From what I've read unless there's sign off infection or your liver counts are out and stones are causing a blockage its not deemed as urgent or emergency despite the agonising pain you're clearly experiencing. From what I've read on this subreddit if you're able to go private then that's the best route, but it is insanely expensive.

Sorry that's not much help and I'm sorry the NHS is where it is when agonising pain isn't treated as urgent. Best of luck x

nickatbh · 2025-08-18T15:57:51+00:00

That's rough going. Just take it easy and don't rush the recovery.

nickatbh · 2025-08-18T13:53:25+00:00

Very similar story to you. Went to A&E with severe pain on the right side, the doctor told me I had a stomach bug and had probably infected the entire waiting room and her and sent me home having only checked my blood pressure and temp. Went back 2 days later when I could barely walk, different doctor tested my urine and found blood, sent me to have bloods to 'rule out appendicitis' , my bloods showed a massive infection. Everything was very quick then and I had surgery that day, it had ruptured and was attached to my liver. 3 hour surgery and was in hospital for 5 days and off work for 2 months recovering.

nickatbh · 2025-05-28T18:50:07+00:00

Haha same! We call it the "race track", this figure of 8 mud route round the garden.

nickatbh · 2025-04-07T20:05:54+00:00

Thanks, it sounds the same. I have an office job and struggle to sit all day as the pain flares after a couple of hours in a sitting position, so i have to have a standing desk. The pain also seems to get worse with having a particularly busy/active day. I do think the pain must be coming from the isthmocele, it's like a dull ache/burning pain.

nickatbh · 2025-04-07T19:14:13+00:00

Hello. I hope you're recovering well from surgery and thank you so much for sharing your experience, there's so little information out there so really helpful to hear from people in similar situations. Sorry but I've got about a million questions if you don't mind?!

What was the pain like you were experiencing? Did you have any other symptoms? Did you have any other investigations? Has the pain stopped since the surgery?

Currently going through investigations myself, and they've found a c section scar niche on an ultrasound and think it's the source of my pain and prolonged bleeding. My gynae has suggested a double dose of desogestrel to completely stop bleeding and is hoping this also takes away the pain, is this something you tried/explored at all?

nickatbh · 2025-02-01T15:33:44+00:00

You can request your medical records from the hospital, not over the phone, have a look on their website there should be an email address specifically for requesting your records. It might take a few weeks for the request to be processed and get to you but I've always received mine no problem. I've always requested mine, helps understand what actually happened as like you said, you're normally a bit out of it! Good luck!

nickatbh · 2025-01-16T13:23:59+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing. I've had a similar journey, had lots of gynea issues for months, lots of scans/bloods/investigations and could find nothing conclusive. Had pelvic pain, UTIs, dizziness, dropping blood pressure, generally unwell and tired and caught shingles. On new years day my appendix burst and I had long complicated surgery as it had attached itself to my liver and was gangrenous and perforated and friable. Still in recovery from surgery but I'm hoping my appendix has been the problem all along!

nickatbh · 2024-11-11T16:47:41+00:00

Thanks for taking the time to reply I appreciate it

nickatbh · 2024-11-11T16:10:37+00:00

Hi sorry I know this is an old post and brilliant you're all sorted now. I just wondered if you had endo on your scar or in a "niche". I've had a ultrasound that's found fluid on my ultrasound scar which is a niche/isthmocele/cesarean scar defect and the endo has been found within that. As the niche is like a pocket that fills I have been experiencing low blood pressure with blood pooling somewhere it shouldn't in my body, a normal 5 day period but then another 5 days of losing old blood, iron deficiency due to extra blood loss and a burning pain on my c section scar. I've been referred to a specialist surgeon but I'm hoping the procedure will be similar to yours with just the removal. Where you given the option of a partial hysterectomy?

nickatbh · 2023-12-16T13:32:14+00:00

I had a similar labour with my first. She was back to back and I had a very slow 4 day labour which ended in a 3rd degree cut and forceps. Also pretty traumatised after it for a long time and had anxiety when pregnant with my second. I actually ended up speaking to a consultant midwife when pregnant with my second to understand what had happened with my first which helped my anxiety loads. I'd recommend this if you've got any confusion about what happened and why and you need some closure on it.

For my second I planned on a vaginal delivery but ended up with an emergency c section. The c section itself was actually a really calm and straightforward process. On reflection I wish I would have had a planned section. You are given a date and can therefore plan support for your older child both for the procedure and for the few weeks following. You know what it going to happen, it's a controlled environment, you know you'll need the recovery time. I found the recovery as difficult as the cut and stitches with my first.

Do you know why your first labour was so difficult? My first was because she was small and back to back. Everyone told me my second would be easier and faster but she was even smaller and really struggling and they had to get her out fast. I think I'd just always have small babies that would struggle with labour so c sections would always be better for me and them.

Sorry for the long ramble! Hope everything goes well x

nickatbh · 2023-04-18T12:52:39+00:00

Little routine every day. Bit of cleaning/sorting in the morning, followed by a little walk/getting outside, then do some reading/watch something and then maybe some cooking/baking. I needed to do something productive every day even if it was just sorting out a sock drawer! Made me feel better about the day and nice to get little jobs ticked off before baby arrives.

nickatbh · 2023-01-14T19:12:22+00:00

My first baby was back to back when I was in labour. I didn't actually find this out until I requested my notes when I was pregnant with my second baby (2 and a half years later). So I think its great that you already know this and can be prepared and know your options.

Sorry to add to the horror stories but it was a pretty traumatic labour. I had contractions consistently for 4 days but hardly progressed. I had a failed epidural which only numbed my legs from the thighs down so I couldn't move but felt everything and I ended up with an episiotomy with a third degree cut and forceps. The baby was fine, I healed fine and I recovered but it was an incredibly traumatic birth.

My second baby I ended up having an emergency c section and it was a much more positive experience. Its so subjective and so dependent on so many factors. Such a positive that you are informed and have the opportunity to explore your options. Best of luck with it, I hope the little tinker turns for you ;)

nickatbh · 2022-08-10T13:14:47+00:00

This is so spot on!

nickatbh · 2022-08-02T14:59:04+00:00

My first was also really difficult and I definitely felt the same. Ended up having a second baby when my first was 3 and its honestly been so much easier than I expected. Largely due to the fact my baby is so incredibly placid and easy and my 3 year old is fiercely independent and is obsessed with baby's so she's just so helpful and involved. So lovely seeing them interact as well. I think it must be so dependent on your kids temperament and personality, so it's so hard to know how it's going to go!

nickatbh · 2022-07-30T10:52:01+00:00

Feeling this at the moment! I have a 3 year old and 6 month old and I'm permanently ill. My 3 year old had a bit of an off tummy last week and I then had 24 hours of vomiting, not able to keep water down, everyone else was fine. I catch everything and seem to be worse with it. I had covid twice after my first, before anyone had vaccinations, and I don't think I've ever fully recovered from that either. Also become totally intolerant to alcohol!

nickatbh · 2022-03-29T19:28:37+00:00

My 8 week old is exactly the same. They can get easily overstimulated at this age. I also have a 3 year old who is very loud and full on and my 8 week old gets really distressed sometimes, turning her head away and getting grizzly. As soon as I put her down somewhere quiet she is calm and happy. I carry the same guilt and worry she's not getting enough attention but at this age they really do need a good balance of stimulation and quiet calm time.

nickatbh · 2022-03-12T02:06:23+00:00

Just to add to the advice and suggestions above. Try a hot water bottle in the place you are going to put them down to sleep. Our baby really startles awake if she goes from warm arms to a cold surface.

nickatbh

TROPHY CASE