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Dealing with symptoms after Gallbladder surgery
Digestive Health | Last Active: Apr 27 6:42am | Replies (266)Comment receiving replies
@annewoodmayo thank you for your reply. Yesterday the pain was not quite as severe but more persistent throughout the day. Not having the breaks in between flare ups has left me with sore back muscles as well. To add to this, I seem to have picked up a cold with that annoying tickle in the throat making me want to cough! (Which I try to avoid if at all possible lol)
It actually just hit me yesterday that the surgeon mentioned having to cut higher than normal (due to previous abdominal mesh being put in to prevent an abdinal hernia return) so I am assuming that since she had to cut higher, I'm dealing with severe muscular rib injury. Either from the trauma of the two incisions right at the rib, or the rib it's self could have been nicked or something during the procedure, but I'm thinking it's just trauma too close to the rib.
The surgeons office just says "if there's pain go to the ER" which is frustrating. I am speaking with my family Dr. Today, see what she advises. She's been wonderful, so I know she'll help me get comfortable.
I worry about Pneumonia, simply because 60% of my day (generally) and I'd say 80% yesterday, I am shallow breathing and immobile to try and keep the pain minimal. I do try to get up and moving whenever possible, but the pain is quite intense.
Fingers crossed that Today I can get help from my GP to get more comfortable. If I can relax, all the muscles can relax (in theory anyways lol)
Thanks again!
Replies to "@annewoodmayo thank you for your reply. Yesterday the pain was not quite as severe but more..."
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You are very welcome!
Don't you love how the surgeons "mention" stuff, especially when you are on heavy-duty painkillers? How are we supposed to remember that stuff?
Anyway, did they give you a tube-thing to breathe into in order to maintain lung function post-op? If so, be sure to use it. Check to make sure you are using it correctly. I didn't know that I was using mine incorrectly. Probably because I was on pain meds when they gave me instructions on how to use it.
If they didn't give you one of those tube things, ask your doc about breathing exercises. I think they are pretty important for avoiding pneumonia when you are breathing shallowly.
If it takes you awhile to get prescriptions filled (rural area, etc.), then you may want to ask your doc about getting an antibiotic filled and in your home just in case.
I strongly suggest that you ask for and get a written report of the surgery. Your primary might be able to wrangle one out of the surgeons, if you can't get one from them yourself. Most of my doctors use electronic records, which I can access through their patient portal or through my health insurance portal.
Sorry to dump more advice on you...Your situation just reminds me so much of what happened to me. I wish that I had had more guidance back then.
Shoot, I thought of something else...You may want to check with your PCP about when it would be appropriate for you to see a pulmonologist or to get some respiratory therapy in order to make sure that the incisions don't turn into adhesions that interfere with your breathing. I think that is what happened to me and that's why I still get significant discomfort sometimes when I need to breathe deeply.
Again, sorry for the advice dump.
Good luck, and keep us posted!