Re: What My Doctor Didn't Want Me To Know About Gallbladder Surgery

I recently went through the ordeal of having my gallbladder removed. I also have Crohn's disease and was diagnosed in 1993 after many years of trying to figure out what was wrong with me. Through all of these years, I have never been properly treated for pain. When a person has their gallbladder removed, although it is now done laproscopically, there is still alot going on in their, even the ribs are still retracted. Approximately 25% of these surgeries result in a condition called intercostal neuropathy. This is an inflammation in the tissues between the rib bones. I have already had two nerve blocks for this condition and will have at least one, if not two, more. In all of the years that I have been sick and in agonizing pain on a daily basis, the nerve block is the only procedure that has given me any hope for a successful outcome. Of course, I will still have to deal with the Crohn's pain, but the doctor believes that there is something that he can do for my Crohn's pain along the lines of the nerve block. My husband and I are excited to have an appointment next with to discuss the possibilities. The nerve block itself, on the intercostal neuropathy, was a walk in the park! Honestly. I am the biggest baby in the world when it comes to medical procedures and I did just fine. They put in a small needle IV so that the doctor can administer pain, anesthesia and amnesia meds. I'm pretty sure that this whole procedure would be extremely painful, if it weren't for these meds. After it was over, I laid in a recovery room, taking the greatest nap I had taken in years, until they let me go home. The procedure can take 3 or more weeks to fully work, and the pain can get worse before it gets better. And, as I said before, it can take a few procedures to take care of all of the inflammation. But, please believe me, this is the most beneficial medical procedure I have ever undertaken. I would highly recommend it to anyone. I have been sick for so many years, and to have found this wonderful doctor and excellent procedure, it has surely saved my life. I was at the point where I couldn't take the pain any longer and wasn't sure if I could go on. It was that bad. Now, after two nerve blocks, I already notice a tremendous difference. If I could, I'd gladly kiss this doctor's feet! In other words, I highly recommend it. I am the worst sissy when it comes to medical procedures, but I sailed right through it so I believe anyone can. Oh, I forgot to tell you, the meds that they give through your IV, they knock you silly so you don't know what is going on anyway and you won't remember any of it afterwards. Please don't be afraid of this. Just be sure to find a doctor who has done quite a few procedures to be sure that he knows what he is doing. I see a Pain Management Physician/Anethesiologist. Good luck!