Gallstones-need to Delay Surgery. Any Advice?? Posted: 10-24-07 15:06pm
Hi- I am new to the forums here. I am
hoping that someone might have some advice
on what can be done to help ease pain from
gallstones. For actually a couple of
years I have had what I called "heartburn"
that would come in spurts- I would have it
daily or multiple times a day for a couple
weeks- then go with no pain for a couple
weeks. I have tried SO many medications
for heartburn- none helped at all. Over
the summer it was getting worse in
intensity and frequency- and I also noted
that I feel a "full" feeling more often
then not as well. I went in and had an
ultrasound- was told I have multiple small
gallstones. My common bile duct was
borderline dilated. (??????) I was advised
to have surgery. I went in for a consult
and set it up- unfortunately I lost my job
2 days later. I have no insurance right
now- however just started new job-
insurance will start in January. The
problem is- I am having pain that seems to
be alot more often. It is not always at a
10 out of 10- but regardless it is so bad-
I sweat alot and cant sit still- so I pace
and that does not help but I usually just
keep pacing (crying) until it eases enough
to take the edge off so I can function.
It sometimes happens even when I have not
eaten anything- and I have tried avoiding
foods that might make it worse. Here is
my problem-I really prefer not to have
surgery if I can help it- for 7 years I
was addicted to pain medication- and it
was the worse thing I ever went through
getting off them- took me a few
treatments- and now I have close to 2
years sobriety- and am feeling happier
then I have for as long as I can remember.
I have been on a medication called
suboxone for a year and a half- and taking
that medication ensures I have no
cravings, withdrawals etc. The issue with
it is- if I were to take pain medicine on
suboxone- it would put me into immediate
withdrawal- and I can tell you with 100
percent certainty that I would not be able
to handle it- that is why it took me 7
years to get off- the withdrawals.... I
asked if I could have surgery with NO
opiates during or after. I was told no.
My doctor said I could stop suboxone and
then start taking pain medication prior to
the surgery and then after I have it and
am ok- I have to wait until it is out of
my system - which I believe is 24 or 48
hours before taking the suboxone again- or
will go into precipitated withdrawal. I
just dont think I can handle that. But-
even if I could- I cant do anything until
January with no insurance. So- my
question after that long story
(sorry-wanted to explain my situation
well)- is- what can I do to help with the
"attacks" that I get- or to prevent them
if possible- which I doubt - but at least
once it starts- does anyone know anything
I can possibly do? My doctor who
prescribes suboxone has talked with me and
has expressed concern that one of the
stones I have will get caught in the bile
duct- causing serious problems
potentially- and said to watch for fever
etc. So far I dont believe I have a
fever- but as I said- during the pain
attack- I start sweating profusely and
literally cant do anything but pace and
cry and wait for it to stop. It is awful-
and now that it is happening more often
and the pain level is seemingly higher
which I truly didnt think even
possible..... So- if anyone has any advice
or ideas etc. for me- I would truly
appreciate it from the bottom of my heart.
I have searched the web and all it says
is to have surgery. THanks in advance-
and I am again sorry for how long this is.
Sincerely-
ann