Gallbladder & Appendix - Interstitial Cystitis Network Support Forum

LynnPG · 01-22-2006, 04:35 PM

I have a story……

This past Tuesday, January 24, 2006 I woke up just like any normal day in my life. I always have a little lower pelvis pain. Well I eat 2 eggs over easy with a butter English muffin about 9am. Then at 10am the pain in my pelvis increased then I started to break out in a cold sweat, and thought I would pass out, and then I started to throw up. I thought I caught salmonella poisoning. Call my husband he’s telling me to call my neighbor and go to the hospital. So I called my neighbor. . Call my Dr. He’s away on a conference until the 31st of Jan. So my neighbor gets to my house and finds me on the floor of my room kissing my carpet. She told me I'm calling an ambulance…. I say no no no not for gas or salmonella. So off in her car to the hospital, make it there with only one pull over up chuck my stomach. So I'm in the hospital at 11am. They keep asking me are you pregnant. No for the thousand times. They finely believe me when the pregnancy test comes back neg. LOVE DEMORAL. So a catscan, and ultrasound later. They know what’s wrong with me Gallstones. My Gallbladder has to come out. I’m Saying but it hurt lower below my belly button, but I have always hurt below my belly button. So next day go to surgery and in the recovery room my husband helping me and tells me I’m down 2 body parts.

They took my appendix too. Well came home Friday night and so far so good.

My surgeon thinks I’ve always had gallstones and my appendix has been on the brink of death. He believes I’ve might never had IC. I’m putting this out there because I’m starting to wonder. Now I would get UTI systems ever 3 months and since I’ve started the Elmiron I’ve had one flair up in the 10 months I’ve been taking it, but my uterus always felt sore. That never went away. I’m so confused now. What do I do? I know I need to talk to my Doctors (Family, IC & the Surgeon), but I’m left with more questions now. I’m so scared. I don’t understand. My husband is so upset. I keep thinking my appendix could have burst, also what if it was gallstones. I just don’t know now.

Lynn

rosesitty · 01-22-2006, 06:07 PM

Lynn - my gall bladder attacks were very different from my IC symptoms. With gall bladder I'd have sudden pain in my chest, similar to a heart attack. It would hit hard, sometimes give me nausea and I'd throw up. I used to have GERD, or what I thought was GERD, but once the gall bladder was gone, no stomach symptoms. I'd talk to your family doctor - gall bladder symptoms are pretty specific and don't mimic IC symptoms, as least for me.

**ICNJess** · 01-23-2006, 04:28 AM

I had my appendix and gallbladder flare up at the exact same time, and almost had them removed the same day together, but the surgeon thought my gallbladder would get better. (I ended up having it removed a few months after my appendix and it was loaded with gallstones)

For me as well, my IC pain is very different than that of a gallstone/appendicital attack. In fact, while I was in the hospital on the IV drip (it was potassium) I was in IC hell. I still am having a tough time with my IC.

My gallstone pain was in the upper right quadrant of my abdomen, and it would be so sharp it would take my breath away. It would hurt after certain foods I ate, plus it would hurt at night when I would lay down. And it would radiate up to my shoulder and into my back.

My IC pain is definitely in my pelvic area and I can definitely feel a difference. I would definitely talk to your doctors about this if you are concerned.

Don't worry about the "what ifs" of your appendix attack--the important thing is that they got it out.

Mine was leaking toxins when I went in and I know it is scary when you realize what could have been, but just take comfort that it is gone and no major harm was done.

***ICNDonna*** · 01-23-2006, 04:37 AM

My gallstones were diagnosed in the intensive care unit, where I was sent because of chest pain, which turned out to be gallstones. By the time they were diagnosed the pain was gone and I didn't have my gall bladder removed until several years later when I developed a chronic problem. My appendix was removed when I had my hysterectomy.

Donna

LynnPG · 01-23-2006, 08:01 AM

Sorry not the 24 of January, but the 17 of January. Pain meds. My son just told me it's not the 30th its the 23rd mom.... I lost a week.

Lynn

LynnPG · 01-23-2006, 08:04 AM

Thank you. The What if's do bring a person down.

JorJor · 02-01-2006, 07:18 AM

Your post is very interesting to me, LynnPG. A year ago, I had "crystals" in my gallbladder. I've had pain under my right rib off and on, and in my back, ever since. My uncle is a GI and said that the crystals will turn into gallstones pretty quickly. Well, my abdominal and pelvic pains/pressure seem to be IC. (Going to the Urologist tomorrow to find out.) But I have been wondering if the pains are related to my gallbladder, because I've been having alot of gallbladder pains, as well as the pelvic and abdominal. It sounds like most people think they are two different conditions, but it's so interesting that you and I had the same thought.