I'm going today for a cat scan....

I am 3 1/2 years out from surgery.  Lately, I've been having these "spells" for a lack of a better term.  My abdominal area swells with gas so badly that as it is happening you can actually watch it grow!  But since I had my gallbladder out in August, they are getting worse and worse to the point that I am in extreme pain in my stomach/gallbladder area.  I can usually feel the pain come on and it doesn't always bloat me with gas.   The final straw came Friday night when the pain was so intense that I passed out.  My husband said ENOUGH!   I had the flu last week (not the stomach kind) and my head was (still is) full of goop.  I went to my PCP (he's an internist also) and was telling him the problems and he thinks it's billary colic.   Not uncommon after gallbladder surgery.  I had a call into Dr. Inman's office also.  Karen (nurse) said this could be several things including a twisted bowel, aka herniated bowel, or the billiary colic or something else which I couldn't remember.  So today they are rushing me in for this CAT scan and I will know something Monday latest Tuesday. 

I'll tell you it is EXTREMELY painful.  These spells are coming more and more frequently having as many as 10 in a day.  They last 10-15 minutes and take my breath away.   I turn pale and people say sit down but I can't because the pain is so great!  So I walk and walk and rub and rub and take Gas X (which doesn't help) and just try to breath. 

This has got to stop.  When I find out what is going on, I'll update you.  First step, CAT scan.  Second step a specialized MRI.    As I am typing another one is coming on!   This is just plain horrible.

Lois K.

Mine was similar.. wow it hurt!!! My Dr ended up doing a Lap and straightened out my intestines.. I thought I was having a heart attack!! The Drs thought I was having one too.. went so far as to do a scope and found out about the little dead pc in the bottom of my heart from a previous heart attack... but what I was having was NOT my heart,

Hopefully they will be able to straighten yours out... or find out what is causing the pain.. For some reason unexplained pain always hurts most..

Linda Kay

Lois, please keep us informed.  I am glad your hubby took the firm stand with it.  You don't want to mess around with that stuff.  Brenda will be the first to tell you! 

I will keep you in my prayers and thanks for letting us know.  I will look for your updates!

Huge soft hugs,
Tracy

Sweetie
Please take care of yourself.
It sounds painful and like they are getting you taken care of.
Hope you feel better soon

oh sweetheart...I am so sorry you are dealing with this pain....i hope they find a quick and painless fix....

can they give you anything for the pain to help you thru it...i will keep you in my thoughts and prayers....take care and keep us posted

hugs
Kim

Lois,

Good luck. I hope it's something that they can diagnose & fix quickly for you. For myself, I guess my insides want to be a little more tougher to figure out. 17 months of going through pretty much what you described...and test after test after test...and now on to Mayo. I sure hope yours doesn't end up being as stubborn as mine...but then, I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

best wishes!
Sherri

So I went in for the cat scan.  They told me to be there at 9:45.  Got there, registered and went to radiology.  After check-in sat for another 15 minutes and 2 radiology guys came out carrying 2 - 12 oz cups of contrast.  Drink one by 11:00 and start the second at 11:00.  It tasted extremely sickenly sweet and they used Crystal Light lemonade as the flavoring.  I got the last of it in at 11:20.    at around 11:45, the tech came out and got me.  By then, my fear level had reached a 12 out of a 10 because my stomach/bowels were beginning to bloat and rumble enough that the guy sitting catty-corner from me ask me if I were hungry!  I was so afraid I was going to have the Big D and not make it to the potty.  Just as I thought I had better go, that's when tech came out.  I told her the whole thing and she asked if I could wait or not.  It would only take around 15 minutes.  The urge had passed so I waited.  She had trouble sticking me for yet another contast injection.  Stuck me 3 different times.  The last time hurt oh so bad!  But I was in and out. 

I was feeling better and decided to go up to the 2nd floor and visit Andrew (HoosierDaddy on WLSIndy).  He looked great.   But then the rumbling began again.  So I started walking and it went away.   So I thought I would get something to eat because I almost felt sick and was extremely shaky. I went to the cafe and ate and then left.  Got only 1/2 mile from the hospital and the pain was EXTREME.   I couldn't bring myself to go back and go to the emergency room even though I had at least a 30 minute drive ahead of me.   The seat belt felt like it was cutting me off.  I didn't think I was going to ever make it home.   Lisaladybug says I should call the oncall surgeon and see if he can read the scan now in case it it something that needs immediate attention.      I left there around 12:15 and I still am having the extreme pain.  My husband will be home around 4:00.  I'll make it til then and let him help me decide what to do. 

I'm at my wit's end.

Lois K.

Lois ,

I am so sorry that you are going through this pain and yet have no reeasoning behind it! I am hoping and praying that results are in your near future as well as some relief! Please keep us posted! Remember to not wait too long, this could be life threatening! We need you here for us, you are a great support and inspiration to many on here as well! We worry about you! We want you well! Hugz Dawn

oh lois,

i am so sorry you are going thru so much pain....please let us know asap what you find out....i would be calling someone thou if the pain is that bad...better safe than sorry...big hugs and rest!

Kim

Dear Lois,
I am just getting online since Friday & missed your post. I am sorry you are having problems.If it continues, have your Hubby get you to the Er. Hopefully the tests will show what is going on, & they can get it straighten up quickly.Call me if you need anything.
((((((Gentle, Loving Hugs)))))))