My doctor finally called me back this morning. No actual apology for taking so long, just a mention that he was having issues with certain reports not showing in his inbox or something.
He says because my gallbladder walls are thickened, it’s a sign of chronic cholecystitis, and therefore, as I feared, he wants me to have surgery to remove my gallbladder.
I asked about the possibility that antibiotics might clear up my constant low-grade fever. He said “no.”
No explanation of why, no explanation of what is causing the fever, just “no.”
He said he wanted to make an appointment with a surgeon to get an evaluation. I didn’t know what that meant, so I stupidly just said yes. I was pretty much just crushed mentally by the mention of surgery.
I wanted to ask about alternatives to surgery, but the way he blew off my question about antibiotics, I figured he would just laugh at me.
And that was it. A quick 3-minute call from my doctor. No real answers, just, as I feared, sentencing.
I want to get a second opinion, but I have no idea how.
Basically, I’m fucked.
Yeah, I know, right now, you are probably saying “oh, you’re just being whiny and melodramatic. It’s routine surgery with very low risk. I know several people who had it and they are fine. At least there’s nothing *seriously* wrong with you. Stop being such a baby.”
Which is probably what the doctor would say, since they hide the actual potential downsides. It is true that the surgery itself is fairly minor and usually is outpatient, and with a good surgeon usually has no complications. What they don’t tell you about is what happens the REST of your life, AFTER the surgery.
The truth that they won’t tell you is that around 20% of people that have their gall bladder removed suffer digestive problems the rest of their lives. Some have constant diarrhea so bad they never leave the house. Many can no longer handle any fat, spicy food, alcohol, oils, and certain other foods without severe symptoms like bloating, pain, or uncontrolled diarrhea.
Doctors brush that off as inconsequential, since it’s a non-life-threatening issue, but THOSE ARE THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS CHRONIC CHOLECYSTITIS! The “cure” could basically give the same symptoms as the “disease”, only MORE SO!
Plus some studies show an increased risk of pancreatitis and colon cancer after gallbladder removal.
So yeah, right now I’m feeling pretty doomed.
I’m feeling angry, helpless, and stupid.
No one has really given me ANY info on what is going on, either.
Why did one or two meals with high-fat content cause my gall badder to switch from non-symptomatic to permanently symptomatic? If it was from the fat, wouldn’t it have returned to normal after I returned to my normal fairly low-fat diet?
I am not obese, have a fairly high-fiber, low-fat diet, and have low cholesterol. Yet despite that, I developed gallstones and my gallbladder is apparently failing. Why? What did I do wrong?
I have a constant (or constantly recurring) fever. Why? Why will antibiotics not help?
A lot of people have pointed out that I was stupid for thinking I could be healthy, since death is inevitable and it’s impossible to not have *something* wrong with you. Or that I caused my gallstones by losing weight, or by not eating enough fat. Yeah, way to cheer me up, by telling me that everything I do is wrong, and it doesn’t matter since I will just die pretty soon anyway.
the fever is caused by the infection in your gall bladder.
removing the gall bladder involves two pencil width holes. One in your belly button one slightly above.
You’ll be fine. Trust me.
It sucks that the doctors are being assholes.
Be sure to bring someone to the surgery appointment thing with you, because you’ll only hear half of it.
You didn’t cause your own gall stones. Whoever is saying that is full of shit.
Your gall bladder is what puts the bile in your stomach. Bile is what is needed to dissolve foods, esp fats in your stomach. It hasn’t been used to high fat diets so it got stuck in the on position.
When it gets stuck in the on position, it tries to fix itself by running a messed up diagnostic which makes it spaz a whole lot.
No worries, tev. I know it sucks and hurts ad all that. Yeah. But the surgery will make it all go away. A couple days out of commission and you’ll be fine.
No extra worries, Tevye.
Well, that’s what I don’t understand – if the fever is caused by an infection in the gall bladder, why wouldn’t antibiotics treat it?
That’s an interesting description, of the gall bladder getting stuck in the “on” position… but seems like there ought to be a way to get it back to normal, rather than just lop it out…
I’m actually not in pain or anything. I just tend to get a mild fever in the evening, and some discomfort if I try to sleep on my side. Seems like it’s been lessening over the past week, too. The fever seems to be causing headaches and discomfort less and less, and I haven’t needed painkillers at night in a few days. It’s more just mildly annoying at this point, which is why I was hoping I could get away with just some antibiotics to clear up infection and fever.
I’d prefer to treat surgery as a LAST option. There are other treatments I’d like to try first. If they don’t work, then I can always get the surgery then. I’ve just read a lot of horror stories from the 20% of people who have digestive problems after getting the gall bladder out, so I’d like to not have to take that chance if I don’t have to.
Tev- Ican totally relate to your reaction to the idea of surgery. While it is necessary at times to stay alive, I personally like the idea of keeping all the parts that I came with. Doctors tend to think some are sort of “optional,” but I don’t think doctors know as much as they think they do. I think getting a second opinion is a good idea, preferably from someone who is more knowledgable and/or more open to other options than immediate surgery. An internist would be more of a specialist in this case. I don’t know if your primary care doc would have to make the recommendation or not. You would need to check with your insurance company. This is a pain in the butt and time consuming, but may get you what you want in the long run. There are sites online that rate doctors. You might also see if there is any ongoing research in removing gall stones in the area. Boston may have some kind of research going on and certainly should have a doctor who will listen to you. Go ahead with the appointment with the surgeon if you want (or not)…bring a list of questions with you and a friend. Unless you are in serious pain on this, I would suggest you take your time. If it’s not life-threatening, you have time to consider all options. Of course all this has to happen right before your planned vacation, but that’s usually the case. Sounds like you’re doing all the right things to me.
love J.
I totally agree with your mom! I can help you find an internist. Even if you came over here to Baystate. I could ask around and see who would be good. I know lots of people who know lots of the docs. We could find you an internist who listens! It would be a miracle! 🙂