Summary

The author is preparing for gallbladder removal surgery after months of misdiagnosed symptoms and navigating through medical consultations, tests, and unaddressed health concerns.

Abstract

The author recounts a prolonged period of health issues initially misattributed to acid reflux, leading to multiple prescriptions without relief. After a series of events, including a painful gallbladder attack, sonograms, and consultations with dismissive healthcare professionals, the author is finally scheduled for gallbladder surgery. The narrative underscores the importance of advocating for one's own health, questioning medical advice, and not settling for symptomatic treatments when a more significant issue may be at hand. The author also reflects on the challenges of the healthcare system, including long wait times, misdiagnoses, and the necessity of persistence in seeking proper medical care.

Opinions

The author expresses dissatisfaction with the initial medical response to their symptoms, feeling that their concerns were dismissed and that the prescribed medications were merely temporary fixes.
There is a sense of frustration with the healthcare system, particularly with a surgeon who seemed to doubt the author's symptoms and suggested alternative diagnoses without reviewing the author's films.
The author believes in the importance of seeking second opinions, as evidenced by their decision to consult another surgeon after feeling unheard and misdiagnosed.
The author emphasizes the value of personal knowledge about one's own body and the need to persistently advocate for appropriate medical attention when something feels amiss.
The author points out that side pain is not always present in gallbladder issues, which can lead to misdiagnosis, and emphasizes that central abdominal discomfort can also be indicative of gallbladder problems.
The author encourages patients to complete treatment surveys to provide feedback to healthcare providers, highlighting the role of patient input in improving medical care and diagnosis.

Sometimes You Have to Push Back When it Comes to Your Health

For months I knew it wasn’t just indigestion

In two days I’m having my gallbladder removed. This probably should have happened last year.

In May 2023, I began having more frequent discomfort above my solar plexus area. I was told I had acid reflux issues. I was given RXs for that and nausea.

Throughout the summer months, I would wake up feeling nauseous and continue with a mild upset stomach. It would feel better for a while. Then, it would return to how it was before.

On October 5, 2023, I had what I call my first gallbladder attack. It woke me at 1:00 a.m. and for an hour, it was painful. I knew it wasn’t a heart attack. I paced. I took Tums and an over-the-counter acid reflux pill. I sat. I rocked back and forth. After 30 minutes or so, it started to subside enough that I could go back to sleep.

By morning I was concerned I might have another one of those attacks and informed my primary care office. I was scheduled for a sonogram that would scan my kidney area, liver, pancreas, stomach, and gallbladder.

A gallstone was discovered that was about the size of an inch in diameter so I was referred for a surgeon consult. Mind you, I didn’t want surgery. I’ve had major surgery before and was never worried. Now, however, I’m a bit older and I have a little more anxiety about surgery. That said, I want to feel normal again. I don’t want an RX bandaid.

I had the surgeon consult in November. I was asked several questions. I was asked why I was there. I answered his questions and said I was referred to him because of the gallstone. Whether or not he was dismissive, he believed my responses sounded like I could have an ulcer or other related issues. He referred me to a gastroenterologist to have my stomach scoped.

Regardless, I still have that gallstone.

I see the gastroenterologist. There was no bacteria. There was no ulcer. Everything looked fine. I felt this was another insurance co-pay I didn’t need to pay.

I wondered if the surgeon saw the films showing that one-inch gallstone. He didn’t go over my films with me. I felt like he was tolerating me taking up his time. I also thought it was interesting that he drew me a picture of a gallstone and a duct and said it didn’t matter how small a gallstone was — if it got stuck in the duct, it could cause an issue.

I’m thinking my gallstone isn’t small. Why, then, a gastroenterologist?

In early January this year, again, I had issues with my upper stomach area and it was uncomfortable, annoying, and concerning. I’m at the line with this discomfort. How many more days, weeks, or months is this going to last?

I called my primary healthcare office and answered questions. I was advised to go to the Emergency Room. I’m also learning that you do not need to have pain on your side to have a gallbladder problem. While some do, some don’t.

Both of my children had gallbladder surgery and their pain was also in the center above their abdomen. The effects felt like acid reflux.

I arrived at the ER department which had a high occupancy with flu and COVID patients. Some beds are lining the hallways including mine. I had arrived around 3:30 p.m. A nurse scans my stomach and I’m told everything looks fine. They run blood work.

It’s discovered I’m severely dehydrated, so they need to start fluids because my kidney numbers are off. By 9:00 p.m., one bag of fluid is empty.

An hour goes by and I’m asked if I want to be transferred to a smaller community hospital where it’s quiet with fewer people. I agree. The ambulance arrives over three hours later. In those three hours, I wondered why they weren’t giving me a second bag of fluid.

Mind you, it’s freezing temperatures outside because we’re in the throws of winter.

By the time I arrive at the community hospital, it’s nearly 1:00 a.m. It’s a Sunday morning. I’m cold. I’m hungry because the last regular meal I had was Friday. I wasn’t aware there was a heating issue and that my room was one of two rooms with the most heat, so I had several blankets on me. Additionally, when you’re being given fluid intravenously, it tends to make your body colder.

They ran more bloodwork to see if my kidney numbers improved. While they weren’t normal, they did improve. By morning, I was told I could go home if I could tolerate drinking and eating. I had juice and dry toast. I was released by mid-afternoon. I couldn’t wait to get into a warm room.

All the while, I kept thinking my stomach issue wasn’t really addressed. I also realized that because I didn’t have pain on my side, some believed it must just be gastritis or that I had acid reflux problems. Simple explanations or speculations aren’t always the main root of a problem.

I see a doctor at my primary physician’s office and go over everything that has occurred since May 2023. She asked me if I wanted a second surgeon consult and I said yes. I know that acid reflux can also be a symptom of a gallbladder problem because my children suffered from that same symptom for years. One child developed pancreatitis and the subsequent removal of her gallbladder.

During my second surgeon consult, he reviewed my records and tests and went over the films with me. He showed me how big my gallstone was and said my gallbladder needed to be removed. I said, “I know.” I also couldn’t believe how big the gallstone was, right dead center of my gallbladder.

Two weeks later, another gallbladder attack that lasted much longer. After it passed, I just kept counting down the days for my gallbladder to be removed.

In two days, I won’t be worried about any more potential gallbladder attacks. In the back of my mind, I wondered if I had another one, how worse would it become. I also was concerned about any potential occurrence of pancreatitis.

Bottom line

When you know something isn’t right with your body, you have to make a noise sometimes. Don’t allow your concerns to be dismissed. Don’t just settle for a prescription to treat a symptom. After all, you know your body. You know when something isn’t right.

Lastly, when you’re unhappy with one doctor’s advice, see another doctor. Also, when you receive a survey about your treatment, be sure to fill it out because that’s the only way a doctor or facility will know how they can or should improve. Keep pushing back until you get answers.

Thanks for reading.