Literally!
Im going to share an experience I just had that may help you!
I am also going to lecture you all-and myself at the same time! If something is “wrong” with you SEE A DOCTOR! I;m notorious when it comes to health issue of my OWN to avoid them like the plague. However my children, I run at the littlest symptom. Last year I had a lump under my arm for a YEAR before I got ti looked at, (that turned out to be a cyst-but I waited till it grew to seek help-not smart) then here I did it again……….
Last night (or should I say early this morning) I was hit with severe chest pain. Take your breath away, can’t breath, wake you up out of a dead sleep, kind of pain.
It was in the center of my chest, radiated to my back, and down my right shoulder. I couldn’t breath, and of course began having a panic attack over it. Its scary when you can’t breath and when you do it HURTS more.
Sadly I have had a much MILDER version of these symptoms over the last few months-and chose to IGNORE it, because it always went away after a few minutes, and wasn’t severe. They always happened about 10:30 at night, and usually went away in a few minutes. However the last 2 lasted hours-but was bearable.
I was nervous about it-but really didn’ WANT to know WHAT it was. I know, not smart. But I’m a mom and didn’t want to find out if I had something serious. I have a job to do here, and can’t have anything fall apart with ME> Now I see I should GO to the doctor to stay healthy.
OK back to my pain- I then had numbness in my arms and face. It was getting worse by the minute and I knew I had to go to the hospital.
I told Jason to call 911, and I was taken to the hospital via ambulance.
On the ride there I couldn’t even catch my breath to talk the pain was so bad. I had O2 on, got nitroglycerin twice, and baby aspirin immediately.
BOY how embarrassing is this? That is all I could think. I hear people often mistake indigesion for a heart attack! I didn’t want to be that person.
Then after arriving at the hospital -while having an attach my blood pressure was 110/62-which is fabulous, and then after a FULL workup we knew it wasn’t cardiac at all!
WHEW!
My labs and everything were perfect.
Nothing I did (now going on 3 hours of the severe pain) would help of worsen my pain.
UNTIL-he pushed on my right lower quadrant. I felt that pain shoot to my back, up to my shoulder, and down my right arm!
After an ultrasound it was confirmed I was having a Gallbladder attack! Read the bottom set of symptoms-that was ME! No symptoms from the top category.
Basically feels like a heart attack but can last MUCH longer. WOW! Thats scary.
So what does this all mean-basically since eatting better for the last 6 months I have begun to develop stones in my gallbladder, leaving it unable to process FAT very well. My body wasn’t getting the fatty stuff regularly, so it wasn’t flushing it all out anymore. It just sat there.
It was explained like a pan of bacon. You keep the pan on and the grease and fat is liquid. Once you stop cooking it becomes SOLID-YUCK!
So its the same thing with my gallbladder. I was eatting fatty foods, so everything went on its merry way. Then I changed my lifestyle and only eat bad stuff on occasion, and was obviously paying for those occasional treats at night! LOL!
Given the fact I don’t eat hardly any fatty foods anymore, anytime I’d eat anything a little fatty-it would cause me the pain!
Now my mom had some health issues yesterday and I spent the day at the hospital with her. We then had a fried fish dinner after to end the day……………….Like I do when I eat out, I ate 1/2 for lunch, the other 1/2 for dinner. That was the WORST thing I could have eatten!
Well me having virtually NO FAT in my diet, then eatting what later felt like a “heart attack on a plate”, equaled my poor gall bladder to just say” NO WAY am I dealing with that LAUREN!!”
So this leaves me to today. I am resting up, have the nitro headache side effect, and am trying to think of what I CAN eat without another attack.
I still plan on going to Stamp New England (God willing!!) Saturday.
Im terrified to eat anything at this point because I want to avoid another attack so Im living on fruit right now. No coffee-nothing. Plain water here.
I have to have my gall bladder removed, so am seeing a surgeon tomorrow to get that all set. I just want it all over with.
Lets just say its NEVER a dull moment here.
I also have to say I feel blessed that its not anything more serious. I shouldn’t have waited to such an extreme for seeking help. I am terrified to have an attack like that again-especially if Im home alone with the kids. They would be so scared. There is no way to act like everything is OK!
I do have to watch for the slightest fever because that means I am developing an infection and removal would be urgent.
You don’t need your gallbladder to live at all. Nothing changes. It should be a day procedure. Ill find out more tomorrow.
OK so my point is-go to the doctor if you need to, and if YOU have had these same things-its most likely not anything THAT horriffic. Maybe having had my daughter go through so much I feel like I should be OK with it all too.
So that was the start to today.
Maybe this was TOO much info, maybe it helped someone. I dont know.
Im feeling better already. Just very tired from the events.
Thanks for letting me share, and I hope I helped ONE person who may have similar things, feel better about it all.
OK going back to bed now.
My Papertrey Ink newsletter project will go LIVE later tonight! 10pm EST.
So don’t miss that.
132 Responses for "I thought it was a heart attack"
Lauren! OMgoodness… how horrifying for you!
Scared the beejeezes out of me just reading it!
I’m so glad you’re okay and know now what the cause of it was.
Thank you for sharing all of this. I’m so glad you’re okay!
Big “feel better” hugs!
Renee
Lauren, I am glad you are alright keep us posted and you deserve a break… just Rest Debbie
Lauren,
Been there, done that! It is very scarry to have that kind of pain.
Just letting you know that you will be fine. I had mine removed in 1989 and have never had a problem since. Of course back then it was full blown surgery. I have a 12″ scar to prove it. Nowdays it’s a fairly simple lazer procedure. It may even be outpatient now.
I wish you the best of luck and really don’t worry about a thing. It really is only a minor setback and nothing serious.
Lauren, I’m glad that you are feeling better. First know that I’m not a doctor but as I was reading your message I was guessing Gallblader. I too suffered from these attackes but my pain differred to a different location. After 3 attacks, I went to my doctor and told him the symptoms and after he sadi gallbalder, I told him to get it out. Best decission I made. Yes it is still major surgery, you have healing time but you do not have to worry about when you will get an attack next. Also, if there is a family history of them, as in mine, diet is not 100% of the cause (that’s is what I;ve been told) Not sure if it will work for you, but drinking ginerale helped me as the bubbles made me vomit, which dislodged the stone that was causing the attack and it ended quicker. It was nice to know that I could do something to end it quicker. Your message about taking care of “you” as well as other is very important.
Lauren, I’m so glad that you are okay. That must have been so scary. Take care sweetie and I hope everything goes well with the surgeon tomorrow.
Big hugs,
Melissa
i am so glad you share your experience; thank you – it makes a difference and can wake someone up to go see a dr. I hope your surgery goes well and you are back to doing what you love!
WOW!!!! I have to share my experience with you. Well, my husbands. He was really sick for 3 or 4 days with a really high fever. He’s a man and very stubborn. I woke up the next morning and rolled over to look at him. He was sitting up in bed. He hadn’t lied down at all that night because he hurt so bad. He was GREEN! So I took him to the ER to find out he had extreme pneumonia and was septic. His kidneys and liver were shutting down(thus, the green skin), and was probably about 12 hours from dying. He had to be life-flighted to another hospital, and almost died! He spent 9 days in the ICU, then had to go back a month later to have his lung drained with a terribly painful chest tube, because it wouldn’t drain. He drained 2 liters of infection from his one lung!!!! All this because he didn’t go to the doctor when he was sick. He even lost 20% of his lung to scar tissue because the bacteria was so strong it BURNED his lung.
I’m glad you shared your story. I hope someone, at least ONE person learns something from it. Life is very fragile and precious.
I’m so glad you are okay. I hope things go well with the surgery.
Holy cow! I am so glad you are ok and it wasn’t your heart. Scary scary stuff. Gallblader they can fix. I can’t imagine how scared you must of felt. (((((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))))))))))
Take care Lauren and thanks for sharing. I think most women, mums or not, think they are fine and don’t go to the doctors.
As soon as you started describing it I immediately thought gall bladder. I had mine out years ago, such a blessing!! That pain is the worst!!
take care of you!!
I’m really glad you shared your story. I’m just like you and prefer to ignore the pain because I’m scared of what it may be (I have a huge phobia of doctors and hospitals). This just reminds me that sometimes, you just gotta go. 🙂 I hope you feel better soon and all goes well with your surgery.
As soon as I started reading your symptoms, I figured it was your gallbladder. It’s the worst pain!!! I had my gallbladder taken out when DS was 3 months old!!! The pain was awful!!! One of the best surgeries I ever had (the other one was my hysterectomy)!!!! Praying you have no more flare ups before your surgery gets scheduled!!!
I’m so glad you’re ok Lauren!! I hope the surgery goes smoothly and you’re back to 100% asap. What a scary night for you! Glad you shared – now I’ll know what to look for in case something happens to me. Take care – ((((HUGS))))
So sorry for your scary night, glad you are okay and will be even better after the surgery.
Oh my goodness ((((((Lauren))))))… how scary! I’m so glad you’re going to be okay, and pray for a successful surgery. Hugs to you!!
I just recently found your blog and I can really identify with you. I had a similar attack several years ago. My husband took me to the emergency room, and while in ultra sound to comfirm the gallbladder disease, they also found a tumor. Not a small tumor, a 19 pound ovarian tumor. I had my first child a year prior and was curious about why it seemed I was not loosing the baby weight, well duh cause I had a tumor the size of a 1 year old. The gallbladder may have saved my life though. When all was said and done the tests from the tumor came back positive for cancer. Had that tumor been allowed to grow much longer it may have burst and I would have been on treatment for cancer. I am now healthy and I don’t miss that gallbladder, ovary, turmor or appendix. I was 21 years old and now 27 and even had another baby no problem. So yes we should not ignore our bodies signs. When you talk to your surgeon see if he wants to take out your appendix too, its one less thing that can go wrong later, that’s what mine did. Good luck and take care.
I’m so glad it wasn’t cardiac! As I was reading I was wondering if it was gall bladder. Sounded just like what I had, but you didn’t mention the BURNING right through your chest. Thats what I had. At least its pretty easy to take care of (the surgery isn’t bad, but get help the first few days with everything). Take care and I will be praying for you
Glad you got some quick answers and are doing better now. My 18 year old niece had problems like this and had hers removed too. Really had to change her diet before they’d operate though. It can happen to anyone!!!
Okay….it’s official….you’ll do ANYTHING for attention won’t you?! Just kidding Lauren!
My best friend just went through the same thing in January. She was able to have the procedure done laporoscoply (sp?) so her recovery went much quicker.
Take care and get some rest!
Lauren I’m just so glad it wasn’t a heart attach, hope you feel better soon. I agree with you, your better off having it taken out. Take care. I would love to send you a cardwhen you have it removed if you would send me your address. My thoughts & prayers are with you.
Hey Lauren – I understand completely! I came home from work one day (how I drove myself I will never know!) with the worst chest pain…thought I would take a nap and it would go away and within an hour or so, my daughter called the EMTs and off to the hospital I went – yep, gallbladder! Came home, had it removed a week or so later in a one day procedure and had no problems after. Take it easy for a few days and then get the sucker removed!!!
Thank you for sharing your story! I’m so glad you are okay!! I had something similiar and was worried too that it might be indigestion but I’ll watch it more closely. We eat super healthy as well and now usually feel sick after eating out – what a bummer! It’s definately a good lesson to learn because I wait too to go to the doctor…
Stay well!
Sorry to hear about the pain you had and the scariness of it all.:( Take it easy!
Lauren that must have been so scary!!! Thank goodness it is only a malfunctioning gall bladder. Take care and rest your poor husband must have been really scared. Hugs Ann
Never boring!!! Take care of yourself…all your little ones depend on it!
OMG Lauren; I am SO GLAD that you are okay and that it wasn’t your heart. How very scary. When I was 19 my left lung spontaneously collapsed and I remember it like it was yesterday. Not only was it very painful, but I had a hard time breathing and couldn’t catch a deep breath. So, I know that feeling that you are suffocating.
THANK YOU for sharing your experience with us. My Mom and Dad have both had their gallbladder removed and I have been eating VERY healthy and working out, so I myself have not consumed a lot of fat.
Did the Doctor say how you can tell if you are having a gallbladder attack and NOT a heart attack? I’m just curious if there is some sort of symptom or sign that can you have that differs between the two.
Probably a good idea that you get it out and everything will be fine; in and out.
BIG (((HUGS))) !!!!!
You poor thing. You aren’t kidding about alwasy having something going on at your house! I am so glad you got a diagnosis and can get it taken care of soon. Take care of yourself!
Been Ther done that Only I lived with the pain for 10 years as I had no ins. But Finally got insurance had it out. My pain was just like yours. I had 4 kids under the age of 7 and I was 25 years old when my pain hit . Thought I was going to die and the paramedics told me it was indigestion, I told them indigestion did not hurt like that. i was only off of work for a week easy surgery.SUSAN
Oh, Lauren, sounds like you were terrified – with good reason! I am SO glad that it ended up being ONLY your gallblader and not your heart. I am sure you’ll feel like a new woman after the surgery! First and foremost, I know your family depends on you for everything … secondly, your loyal stamping friends depend on you for all your GREAT ideas! Feel better soon, Debbie
Take care Lauren!!! I hope the surgery will go well and that you will be pain-free!
Hope you feel better soon Lauren, Its funny, as I was reading your blog I thought wow that was me last week, I truly thought I was having a heart attack, had my daughter take me to the Drs (as I couldn’t of driven). I couldn’t get into my usual DR & the one I saw didn’t seem to know what it was but thought I had hurt my back. I have had a couple of people say “That sounds like your gall bladder that what I was like ” & now after reading your story its certainly sounds like it so next time I see my own DR I am going to ask her. Thanks Lauren & take care.
Oh Lauren, What a scary thing to have happen. I’m so glad it isn’t something serious. My aunt has suffered from gall bladder problems for years – not sure why they have never removed hers but anyway – sounds like having it removed would be the best thing. Make sure you take care of you and make sure you get help and let yourself recover. I know as a mom it’s hard to sit and watch someone else look after the family and we rush back into the routine too quickly but let your body recover!! Hope you are feeling better real soon !!! I would love to send you a card if you would send your address!! BIG HUGS!!! Jen
So sorry to hear about this. And I know because I also had the attacks and then my gall-bladder was removed in April of last year. The surgery lasted about 2 hours and I was out of the “out-patient” clinic within 6 hours total. I remember I got vicodin to deal with the attacks until my surgery but I didn’t have to use it, thank God! Before surgery I stayed away from fats, and it wasn’t easy =( But I do remember LOVING my non-fat frozen yogurt treats =) After surgery I’ve been able to eat anything without any issues. I’ll keep you in my prayers!
—Jacqui
Hi Lauren, you did the right thing to call 911. I am a nurse on a cardiac floor and the best policy is ALWAYS assume it’s cardiac until proven otherwise!!!
We mother’s are the WORST at taking care of ourselves.
Feel better soon.
Holy Mackrel Lauren!!! How terrifying that had to have been. I am glad it isn’t anything TOO serious but surgery, no matter what kind, can still be scary enough.
I am glad you got to the hospital to find this out. Kinda enough reasons to keep eating the bad stuff, huh?!?!?! 🙂
I will be thinking about you and your family and keeping all of you in my prayers.
Lauren, PLEASE, promise you will go for a second opinion. Surgery may be necessary but before you accept one doctor’s word that you need surgery, please go see another group of specialists. I am so sorry for your health problems . I hope you have some calm in your life.
how scary! I’m glad you’re o.k. my MIL got her gall bladder removed last year, quick recovery! but dang, this may be a sign you should take some much needed REST!! you are always going 100 mph
Oh, I’m glad it’s just your gall bladder. I had mine out years ago. I had eaten a bunch of parker house rolls…yeasty! And bam…pain. But you are in such good shape, the surgery will not slow you down too much. You just won’t be able to exercise so much for a few weeks. It’s so nice that they can do that surgery now without cutting you wide open.
Lauren, how scary! I’m like you. I tend to ignore my own aches and pain, mostly out of the fear of the unknown. Feel better soon!!!
OUCH! I am so glad it is not cardiac and I know how bad the pain can be. Glad it is gall bladder (although, that doesn’t help with the pain, now does it!) Get better soon. Hugs. Janet in NC
Oh Lauren, I’m glad you are ok! My husband had pancreatitis when he was 23 caused by crystals forming in his gall bladder. It was so painful for him. The surgery to remove the gall bladder wasn’t bad at all though! They do it orthoscopically and pull it out your belly button. He was fine is no time!
Hope to see you Saturday!
I was reading your blog and I knew exactly what was happening to you!! I had the same thing in 1973 – bad one and spent a couple of days in the hospital but the stones passed and I was good to go. Had a few mild attacks over the next few years but then in 1980 – BIG, BAD and UGLY came back!! Yep, THAT time was surgery.
So, yes, I know what a heart attack feels like but haven’t had it since the gall bladder left. It was full of stones that trip.
Back then it was a BIG cut. Now it is just two or three little “holes”.
Just don’t overdo yourself MOM!! I know, it won’t be easy but you WILL recuperate much faster!!
I’ll be watching to see how you get along!!
Take care
Jackie in San Antonio
I thought something might be up with you! I’m glad to hear it wasn’t anything “worse,” although my sister has had gallbladder attacks (with stones) and says they’re worse than having a baby. (No gallbladder problems here yet – thank goodness!)
I hope all goes well for you with your time commitments and the surgery. Just remember – if you need to take some time off, we’ll all still be here when you return. 🙂
OH MY GOSH (((HUGS)) well GIRL now you have me thinking.. I was in the ER today from 9am -4 pm today.. I have been having a dull pain on my lower back.. and it hasn’t gone away.. and yesterday was really bad.. I went to the ER cause my hubby made me and they did urine,blood,xray,ultasound and all came back neg. they were going to admit me but I said no cause of the kids.. hmm I have to call my doc tomorrow for a follow up but stayed in the ER for all those hrs. w/out eating and my DH had the kids thats all I could think about I needed to get out hmmm Girl you have me thinking They wanted to admit me to run more tests guess I will be doing more tests to figure out what the heck this is… (((HUGS))) love…
I know how scary that is because I had the same thing! Except I waited so long they had to do emergency surgery because they were afraid it would burst (which is pretty much instant death).
The surgery really is easy and you’ll feel SO much better afterward. I’m glad you finally got it checked out and I wish you a speedy recovery!
Oh my goodness, Lauren! I’m so glad you’re okay!! My Mom had her Gallbladder out a few years back. She says you just need to rest as much as you can afterwards!
Lauren, first of all please know I’ll be praying for you, and I am glad it was NOT a heart attack. I am glad your starting to feel better. But, as moms and women we tend to not take care of ourselves, I am having surgery next week. I let this issue go for 8 years, for many reasons, money, don’t want to take time off work etc..e.tc.. now, I gotta have a two day surgery. ack! see moms, don’t let little things go, get it taken care of and do it before it gets worse!
Oh my goodness! I’m so glad to hear that you are going to be ok. My friend had some similar issues and all he could eat was baked chicken and salad until he could get his surgery.
Good luck sweetie. Please keep us posted.
oh sheesh!! Please get better soon!! I hope all goes well with taking it out and you heal up fast!!!
Thanks for the info dear! And Im gald you are alright.I hope you could recover soon and like you I wish that you would have no more bad days in your place. Just rest dear!HUGS!
I was the same and had dealt with it for years… until I had my son and when he was young and my husband was away, I had an attach through the night and passed out on the bathroom floor, I was like… this thing has gotta go!
One attack I crawled into the hospital from my car… the pain of those is worse than giving birth!
I feel for you!
Gosh… I’m glad that you are ok. That would be terrifying. I still find it amazing that with natural selection and survival of the fittest we still have things in our body that serve no function and often get removed – like gall bladders, appendixes and wisdom teeth. You would think with the amazing human body these things would slowly dissappear over time.
I hope you feel better soon and that your hubbie and kiddies are taking good care of you 🙂
Lauren, I’m so glad it wasn’t a heart attack! I know what you have experienced, cuz I went thru the same thing. I had over 100 stones! Don’t delay having surgery. You will feel so much better later.
I could only eat jello and instant potatoes without being sick.
I had them when I was pregnant with my first child (boy…was I prepared for Pit-induced labor?!) The only things I could eat to avoid them were: fruit, veggies, tuna, and 99% fat-free turkey. Oh, and Hershey’s syrup in skim milk because both of those things are fat-free and I craved chocolate like nobody’s business when I was pregnant! Animal fat is the *killer* and is what you really, really, really want to stay away from.
Also, after you have your GB out – (just in case no one tells you this) eating high fat foods can send you running for the bathroom with diarrhea since your GB is no longer there to help process the fat.
Hugs to you, Lauren!! You poor thing….my mum went through the same thing. She had her gallbladder out and is now just fine. Put cards and templates to the bottom of your agenda and look after yourself girl!! Feel better..Stephanie x
My goodness Lauren, I am so glad you are okay. I am glad you are resting, take care of yourself! everything else can wait 🙂
Feel better soon!
Hi Lauren. I’ve been on a waiting list here in Canada for 3 yrs waiting to get my gallbladder out. I have 5 – 1/2″ stones. I’ve learned to stay away from my husbands cooking (everything is fried and spicy). I just watch what I eat. Everything is baked or grilled, all fat cutoff. I found out I was having gall bladder attacks and not severe back pain when I went in to the ER with kidney stones and they checked the other side while I was getting an ultra sound. Surprise. My husbands cooking was killing me and not him.
Take care and keep healthy.
I’m SO glad you are ok…when I started reading your post – I figured that it was your gallbladder. That’s what happened to my friend Sue as well. Scary stuff. Don’t NOT eat though – that’s not good for you either…have a salad with oil and vinegar…a little olive oil should be ok. SOMETHING. I hope that you get plenty of rest and feel better tomorrow! {{{HUGS}}} good luck at the surgeon.
Oh Lauren–I’m soo sorry that happened to you. I had my gallbladder taken out at age 28 (7 years ago) and I had the same kind of attacks–they’re horrible. I will warn you that for about 6 months to a year you will have attacks–your body has to get used to you not having a gallbladder. So watch your fatty foods & load up on Pepcid–it will help alot! Take care of you—
hugz,
Suzanne
[…] I thought it was a heart attack […]
Hugs Lauren! When I was five and a half months pregnant last year I had a gallbladder attack as well. I went into sudden labour and had to deliver our son immediately via c-section. So not a fun experience. Two months later after recovering from the c-section I went into to have my gallbladder removed. I also had it done laproscopicly (sp?) and was in and out the same day. From someone who panics, I think the worst part was the two months waiting for it to be done and wondering if I would have another attack as well. You’ll feel so much better once it’s done. Physically and mentally! Good luck!
Scary, very scary. So glad that you are feeling better! I know it’s always tempting to put off seeing the doctor, but sharing your experience reminds me to take care of myself. Like so many other people, I have loved ones who want me to be around for as long as possible. It’s selfish not to thing about THEM. Thanks so much for the reminder.
Sorry to hear about this, same symptoms hit my husband – two days before Christmas he had his gallbladder removed as an OP. Recovery wasn’t too bad and no more problems – hang in there and get it done ASAP. You won’t believe the difference!
Wow! Lauren, I’m so glad you’re ok now. What a terrifying ordeal! How awful and scary! I had NO idea gallbladder problems had the same symptoms as a heart attack. I’ve certainly learned something by coming by your blog today. It’s so sad that SO many of us women, risk our health by putting off doctor’s visits. I know I’ve been there. Wishing you a few stress free days of recovery, and a great time in stamp NE!
I had the same thing happen to me, I also called 911 after having the pain several times, I also have a child with special needs so you want to keep going but when that attack comes… Oh boy! I also had the nitro in the ambulance (talk about a HEADACHE!) I was sent home that night to come back for surgery but I waited again! about 2-3 weeks later had the BIG attack and had to be rush into surgery, so my advice schedule it do not wait for the big attack I got so sick I thought that was it and instead of coming home the next day was in the hospital for over a week with pancreatitis and other complications.
Good luck! and take care.
Oh Girlie…I’m so sorry! My mom had an attack like that once and I remember the take-yur-breath-away feeling. You’ll be in my thoughts and prayers!
Hugs,
Sherri
I had mine taken out Aug 2007….I thought it would be the answer. I was fine for three months then woke up one day with an Aweful taste in my mouth. Turns out its Bile reflux…..what probably happened was they somehow touched my “vegas nerve” thats the never that makes your stomach contract…its a very sensitive never and the surgeon has to really stay clear of it while doing surgery. Well now my stomach doesn’t contract normally and I have bile reflux…Not fun!!! If I could go back I would never have the surgery…I would search out other options…I know the percentage of people who have this after gallbladder surgery is low, but I woud never wish this on anyone …I have to eat so strictly and live with this aweful taaste in my mouth daily….The medical term for what I have is callled “Bile Reflux” caused from “Gastroparesis” make sure you tell you surgeon to stay away from your “VEGAS NERVE”……There are risks with all surgery, educate yourself. I truly don’t intend to scare you, just wanted to share with you that not all GB surgeries are a sucess. …..Most are …just not “ALL”….I will be praying for you Lauren….
Definatley, I’ll keep you and your health in prayer,wonderful you are healing. I know how scary that is, I’ve been there just a month ago thinking I was having a heart attack; but mine ended up being an adrenline producing tumor in my neck that needs surgery ASAP. Thanks for letting us know you have a real life too! ((hugs))
PS your hair looks great that length.
Lauren-
I am feeling for you! My oldest was just 7 months old when I was getting what was misdiagnosed as “panic attacks”…it was actually gall bladder attacks and I ended up in the ER and had immediate surgery……PLEASE DON’T LET IT GET TO THAT AND TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF RIGHT AWAY! (((hugs)))
I will be praying for you! It is painful, but it is nicer once it is gone! 🙂 Get some rest…
Hugs and hopes (prayers too)-
Kathy F-Great Falls, MT
Had this and the op (you’re going keyhole, right?) and all fine for a long time since. One tip – get yourself a chair with arms you can push up from after the op. I’m thinking it might be a bit like if one has a C-section – you need to protect the stomach muscles. Other than that, you look after yourself, hear ? xxx
Hello Lauren,
I am glad to read that you are doing better. I had suffered the same thing when my son was 3 days old, the feeling is worse then child birth. I had to have my gall bladder removed 5 days after my son was born and I was never so scared. Please take care of yourself.
I will keep you in my prayers.
Dawn
Lauren! I think you just helped me and my husband out BIG time! He’s had pain like this off and on for a couple years, finally went to the hospital about it because it was so bad he thought he was having a heart attck, but they told him NO and sent him home. He’s had recurring pain off and on still, but he’s worried about going to the doctor for a false alarm again. I’m going to go over those symptoms with him with a fine tooth comb, and hopefully he can be cured of this pain finally! THANK YOU so much!!!
Hi Lauren, I am glad to hear you are okay. I had a similar episode several years ago and had my own gall bladder removed (you’ll be glad you did; no more attacks!). But I wanted to tell you to not feel bad about feeling embarrassed over the ambulance ride and such. The other night I *DID* go to the ER with chest pains that I had been having all day & the night before; I was sure it was indigestion, but when it got worse, I called the 24 hour nurse line. She told me I was having what they call “a medical emergency” and that I needed to call 911. I freaked when she said that, thinking “HOW EMBARRASSING!?” because I was still sure it was indigestion. But rather than take a chance, I went to the ER and guess what. It *WAS* just indigestion!!! Talk about embarrassing!!!!!!!!
OMG Lauren how scary! I had the same problem only I was pregnant!!! In fact my whole gall bladder was full of stones & went into my bio duct. Needless to say I was in the ICU for a week, unconscious for a few of those days. They had actually wanted to take it out while I was preg it was that serious! Imagine 32/33 weeks pregnant and going for this kind of surgery.
I lived on a low sodium diet. You can eat Kraft Mac & Cheese, Roasted chicken, baked fish, only a lil bit of cream cheese (if you use a lot on your bagel). Ummm I am not sure what else because I am a picky eater, so that is what I lived on. Be careful though what you eat, read your ingredients!
I hope you feel better! The surgery is in and out, and laproscope, 4 holes, one under the bra line, 1 in the belly button area, 1 on the side, and there is another but I don’t remember. After the surgery you will have to take it easy.. meaning let your husband and family take care of you. No lifting and a few other things.
Oh and if you have to cough or sneeze for the first few days, put a pillow on your stomach it will help ooh so much!
Keep us posted!
Charna
I forgot that I was going to suggest something to eat in the meantime. When I was waiting to have my surgery, the doctor suggested eating a bland diet – pasta and such. I would cook fettucini noodles and add a *touch* of olive oil and a bit of reduced fat parmesan cheese topping (stinky cheese as my son calls it). It was yummy and seemed to do the trick; I had no more attacks before my surgery.
Wow. I am so sorry that you went through all of this. Thank you for posting. I’ve had many friends have their gall bladders removed and, you’re right, they are just fine, but you take care of you and your family! You’re one special person and we need to keep you around!! 🙂
Thank you so much for all your inspiration and the love you put into this blog and your beautiful creations.
We’ll all be thinking of you.
{{{{HUGS!}}}}
Oh my goodness! I’m so glad you are okay and really this gall bladder removal will be a piece of cake…you are young, healthy and in shape! You’ll be back to yourself in NO time 😉 Hope you don’t have to wait too long to have it out. My sister had to wait 6 months! She found out about her attacks when she was pregnant. She had a C-section and then said they should wait 6 months for THAT to heal up before they cut her open again…ugh. Now she’s good to go!
Take care of yourself, but remember you do need to eat 😉
Hope you have a blast this weekend!
How scary Lauren! I once woke up in the middle of the night with severe chest pain and went to the hospital convinced it was a heart attack. It turned out to be the cartilidge in my breast bone from the way I was sleeping. Had to learn to sleep on my back after that! I’m so glad yours was only your gall bladder. I’ll pray your surgery goes well!
Thank you so much for sharing this! I am glad you are feeling better and that it was nothing more serious. I have been having similar feelings – but nothing I can’t deal with. So when I talked to a few people who suggested a gall bladder attack, I told my husband. He thinks I am crazy, so I haven’t done anything about it. Well, now after hearing your story, I am going to listen to my body and not my husband! LOL!
Thank you Lauren for always letting us in!
I’m so glad that everything will work out and that you got it checked out.
~Lacey
take care of yourself, those kiddos and hubby need you. Mary in Hong Kong…ps loved the little sock cupcake….so creative…or should I say, soooooo Lauren???LOL
As soon as I started reading your story. . .I knew it was your gallbladder because the exact same thing happened to me! I had just had a baby 2 weeks before and woke up in the middle of the night with that pain and I too thought I was having a heart attack. My husband was a wreck hoping he wasn’t losing his wife with a newborn at home! Turned out to be my gallbladder too!
I decided I didn’t really want to have surgery and was stubborn and lived with the pain for a year. . .just being careful with what I was eating. But would still have attacks. Finally decided to get it out and within a month, I was pregnant with my second one! The procedure was so simple. . .we went to Disneyland a week later. So you’ll be up and at em in no time.
Take care!! And thanks for sharing your story!
for anyone who has never had a gall bladder attack, mine is
removed now. It will double you up like you can’t even imagine, even worse then childbirth. But, it is treatable,
thank goodness, maybe surgery, but they have made that
pretty simple if laser. good luck with the future of this dreaded demon
Lauren, that is so scary and makes me so relieved that I had my gallbladder removed early last year. I won’t go into the details attached to this but must tell you I was literally in overnight. I was fortunately to have keyhole surgery and honestly I was up and about in next to no time. Definitely a good move for me (although had little option). Good luck with the op , take care.
H Lauren, I am so glad to hear that you are okay! I had almost the same thing happen to me…except I was 25 and vomiting blood…misdiagnosed as the flu, happened again 6 months later…and then they figured it out…once I was in septic shock. Good News, I am totally fine now and the surgeon I had (definitely go for the Laparoscopic option if you can) was awesome and left me with tiny, tiny scars (I could wear a bikini still). Feel better and if you have any questions don’t hesitate to ASK!
wow- so glad to hear everything is going to be alright. i don’t event know you (in person) but i feel close to you based on reading your blog everyday and going through similar things by being a SAHM and having small children
bless you girl – and take care of yourself and thanks for the reminder that its ok for mom to take care of mom too
sending hugs
Wow! so glad that you are OK. I just wanted to let you know that I had my gallblader removed in February of last year and the procedure is nothing. Very easy. Not to worry.
Hope you feel better.
Nathalie (Montreal)
Oh Dear Lauren! before I even finished reading it I new it. It sounded like a gallbladder to me. I had my removed several years ago. The pain is terrible and it doesn’t go away with anything. I suffered from the pain twice because my doctor told me that I had a reflux problem. It was until the second time that I told him “look I am not a doctor, but this is something more serious”. He sent me to the hospital to have an ultrasound done. Yes! I had three big stones. Don’t worry you will be alright. Just stay away from fatty foods.. the recovery from surgery is very fast and it is not a big deal. My mother had hers removed several years ago, so I did the same problem like her. Thanks God it was not a big problem you had… I wish you well! take care.
I forgot to suggest foods to eat!!! White rice (or brown) with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Parmesan Cheese. Lollipops…get all natural if you can (I’m serious I lived on Lollipops and rice for 30 days…not that I’m suggesting that).
I am so glad it wasn’t your heart. Had my gallbladder outpatient surgery and it is not bad at all. Hope you are able to schedule yours quickly because I know those attacks are Miserable!!! take care.
Yep, it sounded like your gallbladder! Been there, don’t that. I was upstairs sitting in my chair while my DH was sleeping. Thought it was a heart attack but just sat there in pain. It finally went away and I went to bed. I did go to the doctor the next day and was sent to the specialist. His name was Dr. Hacker! He said it was my gallbladder and it needed to come out. I said I’ve only had one incident like that so why the urgency. He said because it will happen again and it may be much worse. I thought, do I want a doctor with the name of Dr. Hacker to operate on me? He was the cutest so I thought what the heck! The gallbladder is gone and it was a breeze. I think I went back to work in less than 7 days. Desk job! I’m so glad you are going to get that thing out. Good luck, it will be a breeze!
Oh my gosh Lauren, how scary! I hoep you get that sucker taken out asap!!
Hugs, Kelly
I will pray that you are well to go tomorrow. I have had the same thing happen to me for the same reason. I have found that If I take Benedrayl it helps the gall bladder to work better. I have no idea why but it does.
Oh, Lauren, I’m so glad you are okay! That had to be so scary! Thanks for all that info about gall bladders. Problems with this run in my family yet I am so uneducated about it and the symptoms. Thank you for the valuable info and what to look for. Again, I am so glad you are going to be okay. Sorry you have to have surgery but once it’s done, you never have to worry about this happening again!
Lauren, how frightening for you and your family! I’m happy that you had a good outcome – gallbladders are easier to fix than hearts! 😀
I had a laparoscopic cholecystectomy (gallbladder excision) several years ago. It was a breeze. In fact I felt TOO good and overdid it, so about 3 or 4 days post-op I hit a slump. It only lasted a few days, but if I had taken better care of myself in the beginning I could have avoided it. I’m telling you this as a WARNING because we know what an energetic go-getter you are! You must take good care of yourself at all times – you are mommy, wife, daughter, sister, friend, and beloved creative blogger. NO ONE can replace you in any of those roles!
I’m sending you a warm sympathetic hug for encouragement.
The second I saw the title of your post and read just a few sentences, I KNEW you were having Gallbladder problems! Why, because the same exact thing happened to me! For the same reasons too! One word of caution though. After I had my gallbladder removed, I was fine for about 10 years, then I developed a gallstone AGAIN and it got stuck in a bile duct and I had to have it removed. Lesson learned: you can still develop gallstones even after having your gallbladder removed.
Glad you’re ok, Lauren. I had my gallbladder removed 1 1/2 years ago. I had several attacks before I went to the ER. When I walked in and told them what was going on they said “gallbladder”. I had an ultrasound to confirm it. The surgery really isn’t that bad. The day after is the worst. Then I felt an improvement every day for about a week. It’s 3 little holes on your right side and a bigger one in your belly button. My belly button was sore for quite a while. I’ve had no problems since surgery and I don’t regret it one bit. Until surgery just stay away from anything fatty. I lived on lots of salad and grilled chicken. If you can have someone keep the kids for about 2 days that would be great. Take care of yourself, Carrie
Lauren, I know exactly how you feel. I am the same way and don’t want to go to the doctor but want to make sure everyone else does. I too had many attacks like you but for awhile it went un diagnosed and then with a routine ultrasound the tech found that I had gallstones. So that is the main reason I don’t go to the doctor they never seem to find the problem until something else happens. That pain is so unbearable, like you said a heartattack pain. The surgery is easy and I had no ill effects afterward. Good Luck and take care.
Oh Lauren what a bummer! Glad they figured it out! Sending warm thoughts and prayers you can eat soon and it will not cause pain!
Lauren, I know what you are going thru. I did not have stones just an inactive bladder. For what it’s worth and If you can drink it, I found that the only releif came from drinking BUTTERMILK. I don’t know why, but I got by without surgery for about 5 yrs. Hope this helps and get better soon.
I’m so glad you’re okay, but good grief, Girl, you are going on my “prayers for boredom” list.
I hope the pain subsides and you can enjoy your time at Stamp NE. (((HUGS)))
OH my Lauren, I’m glad that you figured out what is going on. We’ll be praying that your surgery goes well.
Take care and get some rest.
Alicia
Lauren I am so glad it is only your gallbladder and nothing to do with your heart. That said I think your post will be a great service to the many woman out there who may some day have this very same experience I know I did. My worse attack came on the evening of Mother’s day 1993. Earlier I had had all the foods that can trigger an attack. Of course being a Mom of a 2 year old and it was 2 A.M. when it started I crawled around the bedroom floor for a good two hours until I finall cried UNCLE and allowed my husband to call my FIL & MIL to come and stay with her while we went to the ER.
I like you was told it had to come out. I met with the surgeon and they planned my surgery for two weeks out. So I must tell you I lived on plain baked potatoes and plain oatmeal for two weeks and no I am not kidding. I did not want to have another attack and I have a high tolerance to pain.
I was told that gallbladder issues happen more to women than men and many times after haveing children. I am not sure why.
I just want to tell you that this surgery is very simple and is usually done on an out patient level (basically you are kept a little less than 24 hours afte your doctors approval).
They make tiny incesions for the equipment need to do the removal and they are not even big enough to need stitching and after awhile you can not even see them any more. Even after being released the recovery period was quite simple. My advice to you though is take advantage of this and let your family pamper you a bit it will make you and them feel better. Good luck with your surgery and you will be in my prayers.
Debbie/Phx AZ
I know several people that have had their gall bladder removed, and they were fine after – and some didn’t even change their eating habits! Nowadays they do the button hole surgery most of the time and it is a pretty quick recovery. God bless you! You will be fine.
So glad you are feeling better. I so identify with your comment about not eating anything. When I was having gall bladder issues I did the very same thing. Once I had my gall bladder out I was actually scared to start eating pizza again. That was the one food that always gave me the worst problem. You will be glad when you are feeling better and you will be surprised at how much better you will feel.
Oh my gosh, girl, you’re starting to sound like me! I was in the hospital 3 times in 3 months…& it was something new & different each time! You really have to take care of yourself. Don’t put that off.
My cousin just had her gallbladder out at Christmas. Same thing, but she was getting shoulder pain for months. Nothing horrible, but nagging. She works in a hospital & said one day it just hit her that it could be her gallbladder! Got it checked & got it out. All fine now!
Take care of yourself…really! Rest & feel better!
Oh my – how scary. Having been down that particular road myself I can tell you that you will feel SO SO SO much better once you get that thing out! There’s a couple of bloggers going through the same thing right now so hang in there! ~chris
Oh lauren! I’m so glad that it’s “only” gall bladder but still… You poor thing! I’m so sorry. I hear u on not going to dr’s I don’t either.
Good luck to you my dear! Big hugs
i’m so sorry you’re going thru all this but i’m so happy your being taken care of! I’ll be praying for you!
Lauren
I am so glad that you have nothing serious. I bet you are so relieved too. Thanks for the details and symptoms because my sister-in-law had to have her gall bladder removed and she did not tell me any of this. Thank you.
Glad to hear that all is doing better now Lauren! Take it easy, and don’t worry about your readers- take care of YOU!
Diane
As I am sitting here reading about the pain, the way you feel, the previous attacks, and the way you ignore the issue. The thinking about you losing all that weight, I am screaming at the computer, “I hope they checked your liver enzymes”, “it’s your gallbladder”. I can only tell you, I went through the same ordeal, knowing that I had the most severe pain in my life, taking my own B/P, heart rate, symptoms, and knowing deep down it wasn’t cardiac. Every single time I had a attack (about 6) I ignored it, and finally I woke my hubby up at 3am (cause I couldn’t take it anymore), and went into the ED, fully telling the doc I thought it was my gallbladder. Had mine out 1 1/2 years ago, and don’t miss the little thing a bit. My situation was the same, lost weight, changed my diet for the better. Glad you found out what it was, take care!
Yikes! I’m so glad you’re ok and it’s something easily dealt with. Take it easy!
I sure know what you’re talking about. I had mine removed in2004,my dr. told me it was the worse gallbladder episode he ever encoutered. Don’t want to scare you with all the details,but I had to be cut open and a year later I still had some debris in my bile duct. So I had an ERCP done and now am doing much better.
But those attacks are really bad,hope they take yours out soon so you don’t have anymore bad attacks!
Lauren,
You will feel so much better when your gallbladder is gone. My 17 year old daughter had to have an emergency appendectomy then 3 weeks later had her gall bladder out. She started back to college on Wednesday after having her gallbladder out on the Friday before. She felt so much better! She still stays away from fried food, just because of the before surgery results from eating fried stuff. Of course now, she is majoring in food and nutrition so she eats very healthy. Good luck with the surgery and best wishes for a speedy recovery.
My gallbladder attack was the same…my goodness it was horrible! I had my gallbladder out last year and I feel SO much better! Between that and healing my ulcer I feel like a new woman. Do be sure to talk to the doctor about after effects of removing your gallbladder as there are a couple. Please let me know if you have any questions as I’d be happy to answer them. Finally…I’m SO glad it wasn’t a heart attack!
So glad to hear that it wasn’t your heart. I sooo understand that whole feeling of embarrassment on the ambulance. Good luck with the surgery!
Wow, Lauren, that was scary as all get-out! Sure am glad you are going to be ok, though. Thank goodness it wasn’t a heart attack. Whew! That would be awful. At least we can do fine without our gall bladder! I hope the removal goes well.
You rest up, and take care! Don’t overdo it….(that’s like telling person not to breathe! ha) but anyway, TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF!!! You do so much for others, but YOU are important too!!!
Hugs and Love to you,
Diane
Lauren, So very glad you are ok! Hope the surgery goes well. I would have thought a heart attack also. Glad it was not! You are right we really DO NOT take enough care of ourselves. We always tell ourselves it nothing it will go away and we will be fine. Well you made me think about things that have happened! Thanks so much for sharing and I hope everyone listened!
Be well!
Oh man! my mom did that while I was in HS. She thought the same thing and it was a girls weekend so just me to help! Very scary.
Why do we as mom’s never want to know what is wrong? i am pretty bad about that too. SIlly, silly moms….
Anyway, I’m glad you’re getting this taken care of! Take care of YOU for a little while…!
I know exactly where you are coming from. Take care of the family first and ignore our own symptoms. I too started taking better care of myself and lost 73 pounds when I had my Gallbladder attack. The doctor informed me it happens a lot when people either gain or lose a lot of weight. My OB/Gyn told me the same thing and that it happens quite often to pregnant women during or just after giving birth.
Thanks for getting it taken care of soon. We love your tutorials almost as much as you!
I’m so glad it wasn’t a heart attack! I know the feeling. In 2005 I had the worst headache of my life with a stiff neck & I thought maybe I was having a pinched nerve. Over the counter pain meds didn’t help so I finally gave in & went to the ER. They did a cat scan on my head & found that I had a brain aneurysm that ruptured. I had surgery the next day & spent 12 days in ICU. I’m grateful to have survived it. So, I tell everyone not to wait if they have a sudden “worst headache” -see a doctor right away. Thanks for reminding us that we need to listen to our bodies, our intuition & to get help right away. Speedy recovery on your upcoming gallbladder surgery. Take care!
thanks for the info! a friend sent me here after i was telling her about 5 nightly stomach episodes in this past month. it all sounds just like you but last night i thought i was pinpointing the left side. so i’m not sure. but i made my doctor appointment this morning. thanks for the encouragement! and ALL the details, very helpful. glad you are on the mend.
Had both ovaries removed yesterday, patholigists report will come thursday. Has anyone had this done like a gallblader with three little holes? Bonnie
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gald to know it was only your gallbladder. How are you feeling now ?
I had the exact same experience as you did. Had my gallbladder out 3 yrs ago. It was terrifying waking up that way. One thing to watch out for is that after the surgery it takes your body a bit to figure out what to do with the fat. If you eat anything fatty or greasy, make sure you are close to a bathroom! Just one slice of pizza was enough to send me running.
Hope you are feeling better.
You did the right thing by going to the doctor. Gall blader problems are serious. It needs attention right away. And like the author of this post said, everyone would check their health once they see the slightest of some symptoms, but one should not panic and start hallucinating that they have severest of diseases. So Please treat ur symptoms with care. Hope th author gets better soon too.
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