Medical Question... long-ish story

[SirenSongWoman]

So I'm on my "rest" week between STS Mesocycles 1 and 2 and I did an old Firm Transfirmer workout on Tuesday night (3/17). I sweat buckets (the back of my neck was soaked) but my only ab work that night was a few forward planks. In fact, planks are the only direct ab work I ever do anymore. After the workout, etc. I parked on the couch for awhile. When I got up I felt a pull in my abs on the right side. That's how it started.

By morning, the "pull" was really painful. It wasn't ordinary muscle soreness and was bewildering because I knew I hadn't done anywhere near enough ab work to cause this pain. I was sure I had a major muscle strain that would be gone in a few days so I didn't panic. To make matters worse, I was also coming down with a mild case of indigestion. That was weird because indigestion is very rare for me. Also, I'm doing Precision Nutrition so my diet is very controlled and I knew I hadn't eating anything (or in any way) to bring this on.

When I awoke yesterday morning I felt much better. The muscle strain seemed to be going away so I went to work. If you're familiar with my posts you know I've really cleaned up my diet (A LOT of vegetables and protein), my job is VERY physical and I work 2nd shift. At work, I started out alright but my stomach was a little achy after the first break... After lunch I was really hurting. In fact, I was running my hands over my tight-feeling belly like a pregnant woman and excusing myself a lot to go sit in the bathroom. I felt like I was full of gas but nothing was coming out, except a couple of burps (technical term ). Co-workers were becoming concerned and all I could think of was how it was Friday night, my doctor wouldn't be in until Monday, and there was no way I was going to the Emergency Room for what was probably "just indigestion." But I could feel a really sharp pain just to the right, about 1.5" under my boobs (another technical term ) and was in serious pain, especially when I coughed, laughed, or breathed deeply. Yet, in the cafeteria, sitting down on my last break, I was laughing and chatting animatedly... only dimly aware of any pain (you'd never have guessed) so being seated seemed to relieve the pain. But the pain would come back with a vengeance whenever I stood back up. Right now, parked on the sofa, I can feel a little discomfort but I'm fine until I have to get up and move. So the laundry will have to wait .

While at work, I mentioned what was going on to two co-workers, separately, still thinking I had two unrelated issues (a muscle pull and indigestion). When I touched the tender spot to show them they both said "gallbladder." Then I went home. I was shocked at the appearance of my belly as I changed into my comfy clothes before my full-length mirror. My belly LOOKED as tight as it felt, and appeared quite distended. I googled "gallbladder" and started reading about gallbladder issues. My eyes went WIDE as I read the list of symptoms for gb trouble. ME TO A "T." Thus far, though, I'm not feeling nauseated or pukey...

When I awoke this morning my belly was really sore and knew I couldn't do a bunch of heavy lifting so I called off sick and spoke with a close friend/co-worker by phone. She thinks I should get to the emergency room now but I told her I'm going to try to hang on till Monday morning because I didn't "want some weekend doctor accidentally killing me with emergency surgery (happens A LOT on the weekends and I have a bad feeling I won't be coming home if I go there)." I think I can do it because the pain is barely noticeable if I don't move around. Unless I become nauseated I think I can hang on. My plan is to call my doctor early on Monday (she's one of those rare really great doctors who wants to be in the loop on everything regarding my health) before I head to the ER.

Anyone want to offer up some reassurance (or criticism...)?

 

[dbelden1]

no real advice here, but just wanted to give gentle hugs and prayers that you find out what is causing your pain soon! Is there any minor emergency clinics around your area you could go to in lieu of the ER? most are open on weekends.

either way please keep us posted on how you are feeling!

 

[spyrosmom]

I am not a Dr, but I no longer have a gallbladder, so I am going to say that sounds like it. Can you find an urgent care? Or even call your Dr office and talk to the on call physician. S/he will tell you if you need to go to the ER. My gallbladder issues felt like some major heartburn/indigestion, and also happened after I had lost alot of weight and cleaned up my eating. My surgeon said that for some reason people who lose alot of weight tend to end up with gallbladder issues, regardless of their current diet. She said they don't know why, it just happens.

My dad also had gallbladder issues, I remember him doubled over in pain, puking and all that crud. I never got to the puking part. I did however spend a night doubled over in the ER, and I don't care to ever repeat that pain. I thought I was going to die, and I was terrified, which probably didn't help. Whatever they put in the IV helped, though. Made it so much better.

It was originally misdiagnosed as heartburn by my regular Dr,until it wouldn't clear (and I ender up in the ER) and she ordered an ultrasound which showed gallstones. I was only 25, so gallstones weren't top on the list. I had a laproscopic surgery done in Nov 2005, maybe 2 or 3 weeks before Thanksgiving. I went in the morning and was home after lunch. The only real pain afterwards was that night when I tried to lay down to go to bed, everything just spasmed and kinked up. Other than that, I was just major-DOMS-in-the-abs sore for 3 or 4 days. By about the 3rd day I was stir crazy to get out of the house. I remember going to the mall to look at the Christmas tree display in my jammie pants and a Tshirt bc my belly was so swollen from the air they pump in you that I couldn't get my jeans to button. I looked 6 months pregnant. I ended up off work 3-4 weeks on Dr's orders, but I feel I could have gone back sooner. I recall getting tired out easily the 1st week or 2 after after. I was back to easy workouts in about 2-3 weeks, but no ab work til after the 4th week. My diet was back to normal right away.

So, if it is something that has to be done, I would get it done, bc I don't think it is something that can resolve on its own. That said, it isn't cheap, either. Thankfully, I had good medical ins, and paid about $250 of $15,000 bill. I don't know if gallbladders can rupture like appendixes, but it would seem like they could, and that wouldn't be good. I know when they took my dad's out, as an emergency surgery, the Dr said it was swollen up to the size of a Nerf ball. This was back in the 80's and he still has a huge scar on his belly where they cut him side to side and stapled him back together. I have 1 small scar in my belly button, and 3 small scars along the bottom of my ribs. I'm very pale, so they aren't all that noticible.

So, to make a long post short, call the Dr! Go to an Urgent Care! or get thee to an ER!!!! Better to just have indigestion and look a little silly (and they've seen it all, it doesn't matter) than have something seriously wrong, especially if its getting worse, not better.

Nan

 

[SirenSongWoman]

Thank you guys for responding. Especially, describing what happens. I know it sounds crazy but I really am going to try and hold off until Monday because I just know what's going to go down. I know a doctor who really knows what he's doing ain't hanging around the hospital on Sunday. If I suddenly get nauseated I promise I will head to the ER. I really feel fine right now, given all the crazy stuff going on at my house right now (read my other thread...).