Need some cheering up - long

N

NRGWoman

Cathlete
Here is my sad story...About 3 years I started having troubles that looked like gallstones. It turned out to be the sphincter of odie where the common bile duct and the small intestine meet was spasmed shut. They did an ERCP which is where they go in through your mouth and stomach into your small intestine to cut it open. That was successful but triggered pancreatitis which landed me in the hospital for a week. Fast forward to this February when I started having problems again. This time they decided it was my gallbladder which I had removed laproscopically. The surgery wasn't bad but they did cut my abdominal wall in 3 places. One of my bosses where I teach group fitness frowns strongly on taking time off and I had to return to work 2 weeks later. Unfortunately that did not fix the problem (the gallbladder was healthy) and I was sick all summer even after the incisions had completely healed. In August it flared again leaving me with pancreatitis and constant nausea again. It was 7 weeks after my first trip to the ER before I could get into my GI doctor who promptly did another ERCP. I had asked him how to prevent this from happening again and he said we couldn't because the body would see the cut as a wound and try to heal it. I had a couple of good weeks after the last ERCP, but my wonderful, healthy body immediately healed the wound and I am back to the beginning. I have been called the doctor about 4 weeks ago and he just gave me anti-nausea meds and said he was just about out of options. Are you kidding me???? This is just a plumbing problem. All of my organs are working appropriately there just needs to be a way for the bile to flow to the small intestine. So I have been calling him again for the last 2 weeks, and he has not been returning my call. I finally enlisted the help of a nurse who had a blood test taked and got me an appointment for next Tuesday.

I know I should feel relieved that some action will finally be taken, but once again it is almost a week out. I have called around to other GI doctors and clinics and they are all booking out around 8 weeks for appointments. The doctor I am seeing is one of the best in the area which is why he is so busy.

I am feeling frustrated and frankly I am sick of being sick. I have been nauseated and in pain for 10 months now. I also feel worse after working out so I feel sick after every class I teach, and I love teaching. I am so frustrated I am crying as I sit here.

Thanks for listening to me.

Shayne
 
But you know the pain is going to go away. Imagine waking up after the process and all is well.

It really is the light at the end of the tunnel instead of the oncoming train!

When you have recovered you can plan a night out... eat habeneros and Thai food!
 
I'm so sorry you're experiencing all this frustration, chronic pain and nausea ... it can be a real bugger and zap you of all your strength. If the doc is out of options, ask about a referral to a specialty clinic ... seems like there has to more options. Hang in there! Try some meditation/relaxation exercises to help with the pain and nausea, and, frutstration. Hope you feel better sooner rather than later! Deb
 
Hi Shayne,

I'm so sorry you've been feeling so awful! I hope your doctor finds another avenue to explore when you seen him on Tuesday. I don't mean to upset you or be rude, but have you done any research on the internet re: your symptoms to see what else it could be or what else you might be able to do to help you feel better? It seems many doctors today are so busy with the obvious answers, they don't think outside the box when a patient comes in. Just my experience, but I've gotten a lot more out of doctors, particularly with specialists, when I've done a lot of research beforehand. (Maybe it just makes me feel better, like I'm more in control or something. LOL!)

I hope you feel better soon and I'm sending lots of healing/feel better vibes your way. Take care--and btw I'm sorry your boss was so uncaring. I bet he'd be whistling a different tune if he'd gone through major abdominal surgery like you did.

Jonahnah
Chocolate IS the answer, regardless of the question.
 
I feel for you, doctors can be so frustrating, but if yours isn't what you want or like, get another one. There are doctors out there that really do care and will see that you get the specialists in there or whatever you need!

((((HUGS))) and I am very, very impressed with your spelling!:7

Things will be okay, really they will. Hang in there.
 
Thanks to all of you for your encouragement and ideas. I am planning on going to my appointment on Tuesday armed with information and attitude, I have been way too nice for too long. I am also bringing DH who has completely given in to his testosterone on this situation. He is in fix it and protect my family mode and at this point the doctor hardly stands a chance against him.

I know I will be having surgery again soon, hopefully this year. I have major plans and goals for next year and I am anxious to get started on them and put this year behind me.

On another note...this weekend I am getting trained in Drums Alive. I have been looking forward to this for a long time so I saved some of my best meds so I can feel as good as possible. I figure banging away on that stability ball will help diffuse some of my frustration at this situation.

I really appreciate all of your concern.

Shayne
 
Dear Shayne,

I am so sorry about the terrible time you have been having lately! I really hope that your doctor can come up with a plan to help with your symptoms. I agree you need to go to your appointment well informed and be prepared to ask questions. You are your best health care advocate. Be carefull with how much attitude you and DH bring to the appointment - you don't want the doctor on the defensive, but to spend his enery solving your problem:)!

I will be thinking about you.
 
I hope everything works out for you,im sorry for all the pain/frustration you've had to go through! Good Luck to you and keep us posted:)
 
My appointment went quite well yesterday. I love technology. The doctor was able to pull up the films from my last surgery on the computer so we could get a good view of what was going on. We decided to open up the sphincter again and place a stent in for the next couple of months. A stent can only stay in for a short time since the body sees it as a foreign object and created stones around it. We are doing this to see if having a free flow through the area resolves the symptoms. If it does then I will have abdominal surgery in January or February to construct a new sphincter and attach the common bile duct to it. If the symptoms don't resolve with the stent we know to do more testing.

Conceptually I know this is a good course of action, but I am still bummed about it. I was really, really hoping to have everything resolved this year. I know it is arbitrary, but I really wanted this whole episode to be contained to 2007 so I could really work toward my goals in 2008. I went to a Drums Alive training this weekend (that is a whole different thread) and really wanted to get started with that in January. Now I am facing 2 more surgeries, and I am dreading the pain. And no one other than the people here will understand how upset I am at the continued and massive disruption of my workouts and fitness goals.

I am hoping my pity party is almost over. I am teaching in an hour and I have some really nice students. I should feel much better after that.
 
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