About a week ago I was happily getting ready for work. Handy Man happened to be home because we were having a new refrigerator delivered. I had drank about half my smoothie, went to rouse Dancing Daughter out of bed when the most excruciating stomach pains had me doubling over.
At first I thought it was gas even though the pains were very high, so I laid down on my stomach on the floor (weird I know but that sometimes helps me relieve gas pain). Not one bit of relief. I crawled on to the sofa and told Handy Man there was something very wrong with me. I was doing "labor breathing" (anyone who has given birth knows what I'm talking about) and trying very hard not to moan or cry out in pain. That didn't help either. And I did end up moaning and crying.
It became evident very quickly that I needed to go to the ER. DD found a ride to school and Handy Man took me to the hospital, which is luckily very, very close to our house. They took one look at me, got a wheel chair and took me to a room, triaging me on the way. They hooked me up, asked me a bunch of questions, gave me some pain meds, which did not work, gave me an EKG and had me try to go pee, which I couldn't do.
All this time I felt like I was dying... Oh and Handy Man had to run home so the refrigerator could be delivered.
Finally they brought me this GI "cocktail" which tasted horrible, but I was very thankful for because it took my pain away immediately. My blood work came back and they said everything looked fine, it wasn't my heart, liver, kidneys or gall bladder. Because of how I responeded to the GI cocktail the ER Doc said he suspected an ulcer, prescribed prilosec, told me to go see my Dr asap and I was on my way.
My Dr scheduled me for an ultrasound where they found lots of gall "gunk" and a gallstone. So is it gall bladder disease, an ulcer or both? Gah!
Now I'm scheduled to see a GI Dr next week, meanwhile I'm not eating anything that might bother my gall bladder or an ulcer, which is interesting because aside from nuts and alcohol (mostly just wine on the weekends) I haven't been eating anything that should have made my gall bladder angry. Handy Man and I have still been following the Detox diet.
After doing some research I found out that millions of people have gall bladder disease without knowing it, they never have symptoms or an attack. I also learned that losing weight too fast can trigger an attack. Being that I lost 15 pounds in 3 weeks I'm guessing that if it is my gall bladder, that's what caused it.
I can tell you that I hope I never feel that pain again. It was truly the most pain I've felt since being in labor. Not a good time.
That's really scary, keep us posted on what the doctor says at the next appt.
Posted by: Jen | June 20, 2011 at 06:23 AM
Oh geez! I hope all turns out okay. Sounds like they relieved the pain fairly quickly. Good luck and keep us posted. I'll be thinking of you.
Posted by: Lisa @ Grandma's Briefs | June 20, 2011 at 06:23 AM
Hope you are feeling tip-top soon and that they are able to fine the cause!!
Posted by: The Incredible Woody | June 20, 2011 at 06:58 AM
My mother says gall bladder pain was far worse than delivering a baby without any meds....hope you are okay.....
Posted by: Mental P Mama | June 20, 2011 at 06:09 PM
Man oh man, do I feel for you. I've had IBS most of my life, which has ruined many a good time. I live with those pains constantly. I also have ulcers & have taken Prilosec since the days when it cost $200.00 for a 30 day supply. Uh-huh. I really do hope you're feeling better by now...
Posted by: Liz C. | June 21, 2011 at 09:03 AM
Oh goodness, that sucks! Hopefully they figure it all out.
Posted by: Meg | June 21, 2011 at 09:41 AM
Oh no, I hadn't realized you had taken a trip to the ER as well. Last week was crazy for everyone it sounds like.
Posted by: Julie | June 29, 2011 at 11:23 AM
I have a tremendous fear of this type of sudden onset, sharp pain - so many "what if" diagnostic possibilities, all unhappy. Glad you are well and safe (having read your most recent post).
Posted by: phd in yogurtry | July 28, 2011 at 09:23 PM