reply -Everyone

[Guest guest]

Hi Geri,

Given a choice, I wouldn't have anything, organs or

otherwise, removed without provocation. Easy for me to

say? NOT! I do know several people who've had their

gall bladder removed. The removal was preceded by an

acute, painful attack (like Kathy described). One of

my girlfriends had an attack so bad that she passed

out in a mall. Was rushed to the hospital, and her

gall bladder was removed on the spot. There can be

problems for some people due to lack of a gall

bladder, why go there? It couldn't hurt to ask your

doc what the results of your test indicate, and how

the enlargement affects function. I've studied these

people (Docs), and found they never object to

questions, in fact, they seem to enjoy explaining

medical happenings. They do go ballistic when I begin

self diagnosing, or disagreeing with their

explanation. I've also found that unless they're in a

real talky mood, I limit my questions to two or three

at most. If it's a doc I don't see regularly, I go

with my list of questions. I've never understood

medical terminology. For example: Your report says,

" Markedly enlarged gall bladder " . I get a mental

picture of something the size of a watermelon, but we

know it isn't so.

Inquiring minds do need to know.

Good Luck,

Barbara Ann

AIH Transplant Recipient

[Guest guest]

Hi Barbara Ann,

I resisted surgery of any kind most of my life and sure enough, first time

I had it (hysterectomy) it was not only unneccessary but required a second

surgery to repair something that got messed up the first time.

I've been so resistant to seeing doctors lately, I keep rescheduling

appointments and even " forgetting " to reschedule altogether. I figure, why

mess with success? And, right now I'm in remission, take my meds like a

good girl, and try to pay attention to anything that might be

significant. It's so easy to become preoccupied with our bodies when we

know " something " is lurking there. I don't want to be in total denial,

though. That can be dangerous.

I guess I just need assurance from someone that a big fat gallbladder is

something that happens sometimes and means nothing.

I don't have any pain at all in the gallbladder area. My pain is all in

the left side where repeated tests find absolutely nothing. I think my

doctors are beginning to wonder if it's all in my head, though they haven't

reacted that way. The ultrasound results do make it sound like I'm

carrying around a balloon, don't they? I get so sick of all this!

Take care,

Geri

[Guest guest]

Geri,

I'm experiencing an allergic reaction to doctors, too.

Not only do I have to go for a Mammie and Pap, but I'm

supposed to schedule an appt. with Baylor for my five

year checkup, then a C-Scopy. The five year consists

of a liver bx(doesn't phase me), a hideous pee-pee

test, and labs. It's an all day affair beginning at

630a, not my favorite time. I haven't responded to

their letters, regarding an appointment. So, before

long they'll be calling me incessantly. The dreaded

c-scopy will be on a different day altogether, and we

all know what that's about. I'm slowly working myself

into a state of extreme nervousness and fright.

Intellectually, I know there's nothing to be afraid

of, and these tests are solely for my benefit.

Emotionally, is another story. I should be grateful

for the fact that I've survived transplant for five

years, and consider it an honor to be around long

enough to go for a five year checkup. But, that's not

the way things play out in my 'little' mixed up mind.

There's a stupid message in my brain that repeats, " If

they keep looking for something, they'll find it " .

Eventually, I will make the appointments, and keep

them.

I want so much to delete this post, I hate feeling

like an emotional basket case. I've been around long

enough to know better. I do feel better now that I can

see myself in black and white. I think I'll feel even

better if I send it. So, here goes.

Freaking out in Texas,

Barbara Ann

<<<I've been so resistant to seeing doctors lately, I

keep rescheduling appointments and even " forgetting "

to reschedule altogether. I figure, why mess with

success? And, right now I'm in remission, take my

meds like a good girl, and try to pay attention to

anything that might be significant.>>>

[Guest guest]

Barbara Ann,

You poor sweetie, of course you're anxious. You know that there is a chance

of AIH again, and you've already been there. Hang in there, get the tests

over with ASAP, then you will be able to relax... And just because it's been

five years post tx, it doesn't mean you have to be stoic all the time! We

are after all just human...

Hugs,

[Guest guest]

gallbladder pain radiates to the back between the shoulder blades and even

the left sid although the problem is in the right side i had my gallbladder

out ar 16 yrs old ill never forget the pain to this day and im 54 keep having

tests . i had stones that got caught in the common bile duct and wouldnt

pass through or go back in the gallbladder. usually fatty foods will

trigger an episode off. but at the end i couldn`t drink water it was so bad

it took them forever to find the problem[ they kept saying i was too young to

have gallbladder problems!!!!! good luck keep at them peggy

[Guest guest]

Peggy,

It bothers me to have unexplained medical problems. Our bodies are trying

to give a message and we know there's something being said but our doctors

have to be the translators. I just can't believe that I could have an

increasingly enlarged gallbladder for no reason. Nor can I believe that I

have pain on my left side, month after month, for no reason. The comfort

in all this is that my labs are okay and I actually do feel okay, so

whatever it is, it isn't going to wipe me out overnight. I've never had

pain like you and others with gallbladder disease describe. In fact, I

have no pain at all on my right side.

Take care,

Geri