Dr appointment, what to do first?

[Bummer Knees]

Thats what my doctor told me, which one first?

I've been having pains on the right side, been trying to ignore it and foundout today I have issues with the gallblader.

And I received the written report of the EMG/NCV
Symptoms: right arm pain and weakness.
Impressions: Mild to moderatre right carpal tunnel syndrome. Mild ulnar motor slowing accross the elbow, probably reflecting a mild entrapment there.

I have an appointment with a surgeon for the CT and entrapment.

I have no experience with gallblader issues, what does surgery involve and how long will I be laid up?

Thank you
Bummer Knees

[Still in Limbo]

My Father had His Done, and only had to Stay Over Night, and I Believe that He Only had to Stay because He had a Quad By-Pass in the Past. He Came Home with just a Couple of Either Staples or Stitches, I can't Remember, but they Actually Insert a Vacuum Type Device and Pull it Out!! He had Very minimal Pain, and I don't Remember it slowing Him down at All! Best of Luck, and Let Us know How Things are going!!

[Tuffy]

Depends on the Dr and how bad the gallbladder is. May be done as out patient with only little tiny holes or you could have a bigger incision. But either way , you are looking at, at least 2 weeks before you feel up to your old self again, If all go's well maybe sooner.

[jayne]

get that gall bladder taken care off you sure dont want it to rupture...good luck

[Bummer Knees]

Thank you everyone!

I didn't know they could rupture! Yuck!

[bodybuilder1958]

Six weeks average for gallbladder done laproscopically.

Most patients spend 20 hrs in the hospital since it's considered an outpatient procedure. The procedure usually takes about 1 1/2 hours, the most discomfort is from the inflation of the abdominal cavity. Three to four incisions (about in inch long each) on your abdomen. Stitched closed covered with either a bandaid or steri-strips. You can shower as soon as you feel up to it. Watch your meals for a few days, light foods, I'd recommend this even though they tell you to resume a regular diet usually the morning after surgery.

You can expect funky stools for the rest of your life, rather slimy.

[capricorn]

Bummer...I had mine removed outpatient. Was home before noon. As Tuffy said 2 weeks is about average. I was out of work for 4 because of my lifting requirements. I felt great when I came home and have had no problems since except if I eat alot of Turkey. Go figure. Two weeks before I felt 100%. Best of luck.

[Lilly]

Bummer....don't go messing around with delaying the gall bladder removal. I had a severe attack...went to ER, they found a gall bladder full of stones. I had NEVER had an attack prior. My md said i could have surgery, OR wait....as possibly they were silent stones , since I'd had no prior attacks.
I wanted to wait...why have surgery if I didn't have to, right? Well, two weeks later, I had the "Mother of all Gall bladder attacks" OMG....I went to ER begging for help! They gave me a shot and sent me home. I was miserable all night as the attack had already been ongoing for 3 days prior to ER visit. In the morning , my hubby took me to a bigger hospital out of town, and I was immediately admitted.
OUT came the gall bladder via Lap surgery, then 2 days later the stones caught in the bile duct were removed via the esophagus . I spent 7 days in hosp...but mainly because I'm a heart patient, and take coumadin...and my enzyme levels were not good as my liver had already began to shut down because of the gall bladder issues.
I really had no problems with the surgery site..it was just a bit sore, and never hurt. I was off work for 2 months though, as they wouldn't have any mercy on me once I returned. What I'm saying is.....gall bladder can and will cause much bigger problems that just the gall bladder...it can be dangerous....so get rid of it , if they offer!

Good Luck, Lilly

[vickinat]

Bummer,
I agree with the others that if you have a chance have the gallblaader removed. When I was in my late 20's, my Dr. found out that I had a lot of gallstones, she said that unless I have problems with it, we could leave it alone. She never did tell me what kind of problems or symptoms to watch for. I went for 7 years with no problems (that I knew of). I became sick and figured it was a very bad case of the flu, I could'nt keep anything down and was constantly on the toilet. I finally went to my Dr.(differant one than before), he gave me pills and sent me home. Lucky for me, my friend stopped by and seen how bad I was, she called my Dr. and took me back in, he gave me a shot and scheduled me to go the next morning to the hospital for a scan of my gallbladder. Next thing I know a surgeon came and informed me that I was being admitted and they needed to do an emergency surgery to remove the gallbladder. I was admitted and blood was drawn, the Dr. came in and said that the the test showed that I had several stones stuck in the bile duct and also that I was septic, had pancreatitis and yellow jaundice. They had to wait while the antibiotics and other meds worked. Four days later the removed my gallbladder. I was told that I should have been in the hospital a few days before I had gotten so bad, if I had waited much longer, I could have died. They released me from the hospital with the IV port still in my hand, every day for a week, a nurse came to my home and gave me IV antibiotics. This was a very scary ordeal for me, I was young and was living alone with my daughter who was only 9 at the time.

I wish you the best with whatever you decide, but if you are having attacks, you should consider the surgery.

Love
Vickie

[Bummer Knees]

Thank you everyone, I will be in the hospital Friday morning for more testing to rule out any other problems. Monday I have an appointment with my doctor and we will look at treatment options.

I have been having problems for sometime (didn't know the cause) but with all the other medical I am dealing with I have tried too ignore the side pains.

After the doctor told me about the galllblader he said I need the CT and ulnar nerve surgery. It was a full day yesterday.

On another note.........
I delivered papers to the attorney that will move the auto accident into the final settlement stage.