Gallbladder anyone?

This has been an eventful recovery for me. First, a terrifying hematoma burst my incision at one week post op, which has now decided to leak out the other side of the incision. Then, hours after installing my first estrogen patch, my gallbladder went wild. I left the patch on for 24 hours, but the following evening (4th of July) brought a terrible attack with waves of pain and nausea and a throbbing headache. Heating pad, fetal position, two narcotic pain pills didn't help much. I took off that patch and saw my doc the next day. Now I have put on 1/2 patch, and while I can feel the gallbladder, it hasn't gone off on me thus far. Ultrasound scheduled for tomorrow.
Doc is surprised because while estrogen can bug gallbladders, it's same estrogen I had when I had ovaries... Anyone else have this problem?
Also, if GB has to come out, I hope to do it right away so I have to do nothing for both surgeries at the same time, rather than extend doing nothing for lots more weeks. Doing nothing is getting to be enjoyable. I even took a long movie of my cat.
kelicoop
TAH/BSO, Burch and extensive posterior repairs
6/22/05

Sending your way for a speedy recovery!!!

I didn't have a problem with my gallbladder post TVH----I had already had it removed 7 years ago when my first child was 1 month old. I was told the hormones of pregnancy can get it to acting up (several of my friends had the same problems post-pregnancy). If your doc will let you so soon post-op, I'd have it taken out and combine the recoveries. My gallbladder was removed laproscopically and I couldn't lift more than 10 pounds for 4 weeks post-op (and my son was already 12 pounds!). I wish you well and will be praying for a quick recovery for you!

Thanks, Pednurse. I was also hoping to combine the recoveries, if gallbladder has to come out. Last time it was a problem was during my pregnancies, 20 and 23 years ago! Mine is the last gallbladder standing in my family, and I thought my diet and exercise protected it. It's turning out to be an interesting summer!
kelicoop
TAH/BSO, Burch and extensive posterior repairs
6/22/05

This is going to sound goofy, but have you ever heard of a gall bladder flush? I tried it once, and I really did feel better afterwards. I was thinking of doing it again. It's a pretty easy procedure. It's just olive oil and grapefruit juice. Nothing too toxic. Here's a link: http://www.curezone.com/cleanse/liver/

I'm not saying you shouldn't take your doctor's advice! If he says it's gotta come out, then it's gotta come out. But you could still try the flush if you want to. Good luck.

I too have already had my gall bladder out. Last year. It was done lap and I was back to work 6 days later. The TVH has taken me much longer to get over. I had already given 2 weeks notice before I decided to have the hyst. But I can say that if the doc will let you, absolutely, combine the recoveries.

(I also figure that I will have one more surgery. I have had two in 13 months, don't these things usually come in three's?)


Best of luck and

Sheri

Hi kelicoop

Sorry to hear that you are having additional issues to deal with!!
I haven't heard of the patch HRT causing gallbladder issues, but I have learned that oral HRT can certainly stress the gallbladder, sometimes requiring its removal!
(And my mother is a good example of this, took oral HRT for 30 years and had to have her gallbladder removed, due to the oral HRT, her dr said!)

Hope you get this resolved and .. if it has to go, let it be sooner rather than later!
Shoozie