Dealing with symptoms after Gallbladder surgery

I just wanted to share this since the last time we chatted up here. I changed to a new primary care physician this past week. I went back to a doctor that I used to see a few years ago that my mom still goes to. When I took her for a check up last week, he was equally as interested in the fact that I did not feel or look well and spent 20 minutes talking to me before we left. I signed release papers from all those I have seen since this started (other primary care office, cardiologist, radiologist, gastroenterology, and surgeon). I also did fasting labs at his office the next day so they would be back in time for my appointment this week. He requested re-checks of the previously performed labs as well as thyroid panel, a hormone panel and a few others that hadn't been checked. When I went this past Wednesday, he sat with my husband and I in a extended blocked off amount of time. We were there discussing my case and all my new labs for over an hour in a room along with a physical exam and vitals. He didn't find anything significant that would have caused the nausea, fatigue, etc that I was experiencing. He did mention that my sedimentation rate (to check for inflammation) had been at 52 a few weeks ago per another doctor and was now at 31. Even though, that is mildly elevated (should be below 20), that could possibly be what is making me feel so badly. The inflammation in my body could be from healing from the surgery or it could be from another diagnosis that I have called mild Occipital Neuralgia from a pulled muscle in my neck from 2013. Mine is considered mild as it does not affect me as adversely as others. I'm not in the constant pain others feel that have this. It's mostly tight neck and shoulder muscles and can be aggravated by poor posture and I have been in the recliner and on the couch a lot for several weeks since I am not working due to the nausea. He is not saying this is definitely the reason, and it could be a combination of healing from the surgery and the O.N. inflammation. Either way, there is no other rhyme or reason for me to feel this way. Even all of my liver enzymes that had been previously slightly elevated are down in the normal ranges now (whoop whoop!). I don't know the real reason, however, last week, I had 3 lousy days and 3 good days (none were really consecutive), but this week from Sunday thru Thursday were good days. I felt good and had a little energy. Today (Fri) has been okay. We are in NC and have a cold front moving through later in the day. It's currently in the 70s and supposed to get close to 80 degrees, then possibly thunderstorms, then cooling in the 50s for the next week. I think that is aggravating my Occipital Neuralgia just a bit. Anyway, while this may or may not help anyone else, but if it will help even one person out there to maybe look into their inflammation rate and see if that is what is causing them to feel poorly in addition to anything else. Micki

@micki733, This is great progress for you! Thanks for your thoughtfulness to share it here in case others might benefit. I hope you9 continue to feel improvement. Will you keep us updated on your progress? Enjoy yourself!

Thank you ! I will do my best. I’m hoping to ease back into work a few half days next week or the week after. I don’t have approval from my boss yet. I’m still waiting on that before I know. I’ll do my best to stay in contact.

KUDOS and "a thank you" to your returning Dr. I wish there were more like him/her. I imagine it can be unfulfilling to be on a restricted time schedule when you are attempting to do quality work on what can affect the quality of life and satisfaction of your patients.

I returned to a Dr I had previously seen...loved her, and she really cared. Shortly after, her 40+ year old son committed suicide and she retired!! I am back with someone new who could give a rip!!! Am desperately ill...in the last 5 months I have lost between 45 and 50 pounds. Cannot get anyone to admit me somewhere for extensive testing. We live in a very rural area, so that makes it difficult. The small local hospital does x-rays, CT Scans, HIDA Scans, etc...but no extensive testing beyond that!! Lately, I have been losing about 1/2 pound a day. Was to be scheduled for a colonoscopy, but my insurance denied it because the hospital (where the Specialist who IS In Network does them) is not in network. I really feel I don't have much longer...but have no idea what to do!!! Am praying for the Lord to take me home...I'm that desperate. Months of nausea and abdominal pain when I try to eat. Anti-nausea meds just make it worse!! Drs just try one med after another with me!! Wanted o go to Cleveland Clinic but the Dr won't give a referral until after I have the colonoscopy! If you are reading this and are a praying person, please pray for me!!!

I returned to a Dr I had previously seen...loved her, and she really cared. Shortly after, her 40+ year old son committed suicide and she retired!! I am back with someone new who could give a rip!!! Am desperately ill...in the last 5 months I have lost between 45 and 50 pounds. Cannot get anyone to admit me somewhere for extensive testing. We live in a very rural area, so that makes it difficult. The small local hospital does x-rays, CT Scans, HIDA Scans, etc...but no extensive testing beyond that!! Lately, I have been losing about 1/2 pound a day. Was to be scheduled for a colonoscopy, but my insurance denied it because the hospital (where the Specialist who IS In Network does them) is not in network. I really feel I don't have much longer...but have no idea what to do!!! Am praying for the Lord to take me home...I'm that desperate. Months of nausea and abdominal pain when I try to eat. Anti-nausea meds just make it worse!! Drs just try one med after another with me!! Wanted o go to Cleveland Clinic but the Dr won't give a referral until after I have the colonoscopy! If you are reading this and are a praying person, please pray for me!!!

At a point where I wish Medicare was all I had! I took a Medicare Advantage plan, thinking I was doing the right thig. Guess not. Had just figured I couldn't afford the 20% that Medicare doesn't cover.