GB complications...

had to go back to the hospital tonight, thankfully some friends were able to take me, and my son hung out with my boss and her kids until i got home. i had a HIDA scan (woohoo i'm radioactive!) and it turns out that my gall duct is narrowed. some gall is still getting through, but it's getting backed up at my liver and is probably the source of at least part of my continued pain. the dr. filling in for my surgeon said that it looks like there might be a small stone that passed and got lodged in there, or it might just be from where they clamped it during surgery and it may resolve on it's own. they want me to go have a CT scan tomorrow to further evaluate it, and also to make sure that i don't have a hernia or intestinal blockage--he was concerned when i mentioned the lack of BM's and the sharp burning pain around my old RNY incision when i try to move my bowels. (apparently the nurse didn't tell him everything i told her, he would have ordered a CT scan from the start if he'd known!!) he offered to go ahead and admit me to the hospital for pain management and IV fluids tonight, but i was already home by the time he called. (the radiologist couldn't get in touch w/him at first and sent me home) my CBC is ok, and i'm only running a low-grade temp, so he said it was cool to stay home and they'll call me first thing in the morning about the CT. he called in some more pain meds and told me to get ducolax suppositories to try and see if i can get my bowels moving on their own tonight. if it doesn't work, then i may indeed have a blockage. :/ i've been taking peri-colace for several days, and tried regular glycerin suppositories but nothing has helped. anys, i just wanted to post an update. i'll let you know how things turn out.

Ugh. That's not fair. I'm so sorry. You sound like you're pretty high in the risk category. Keep monitoring your temp. If it goes higher, get yourself back to the hospital so they can put you on monitors. Be careful and get help at the slightest twitch! You've come so far. Get an advocate, or someone who knows the lingo to help you make sure you get the best care possible. With both of my surgeries, I had nurses with me (my mom and my sister) and both times they had to intervene for me to get the care I needed. Lack of BM's sounds scarey. While no one wants to go through pain, the pain is there for a reason. Something's wrong. Don't be shy about getting the help you need! I'm worried about you. Please take care of yourself, Heidi

thanks for your concern. i work with nurses and they've been great about helping me. the pain meds have acetaminophen in them, so they've been keeping my temp down. just waiting for the surgeon's office to call (they said to call if they haven't called me by 8:30am) and hopefully the CT scan will tell them what they need to know. thanks again for your thoughts! i will keep everyone posted.

Michelle, you sure have had a hard time with this. Can your husband get emergency leave and come home for a week or so to help you thru this? We're all thinking and praying for you and your quick recovery.

Have you tried a fleet enema or milk of magnesia (cherry flavor)? MOM is quite effective - a little too effective. Keep us posted. Imagine all the weight you are going to lose once your bowels start moving normally again! Woo-hoo!! Hugs, Trisha

Gosh, I hope things are going better for u by now! U are in my thoughts and if u need anything let me know! Bonnie