I came home from work around 5:30 or so with a feeling of a large "lump" under my rib cage at the left - something I have had several times in the past couple of years. So I laid down on the couch, expecting it to go away. It didn't and started huring, a lot. Then I started having pain in my back, as if the "lump" pain went all the way through. And the pain got worse. I did eat around 6:30, thinking I "should" eat, and the pain kept getting worse. Finally I called my doctor's service, and before the on-call doc could call back, I was telling Scott (my son) I thought I needed to go to the hospital. He looked at me and watched - at which time I had to vomit up what I had eaten for dinner - and called 911. He said later he didn't think he could manage if things got really bad while he was driving me to the hospital. And the pain got worse and started radiating up my back on the left. On a scale of 1-10, the pain was between an 8 and 10.

Of course, Friday night in the ER. So after triage it was close to 10:00 before I saw a doctor. IV fluids and an ultrasound ordered. They were looking for kidney stones, gallbladder problems, hepatitis, or bowel impact. Then they gave me a shot of Dilaudid - wonderful stuff!.

In the end, around 1:30 a.m., no diagnosis, prescription for Percocet to take as needed, rest (which, with the Dilaudid, was easy), and a light diet.

At some point, I think around 10:00, I told Scott to call one of his brothers, my middle, lawyer son, because Gregg has my health care power of attorney, and because I know how worrying it is to be in the waiting room or sitting with your family member just waiting and wondering what is going to happen. Greg came not long before the Dilaudid shot.

All in all, not at all fun. A lot of serious pain, to the point where I was not able to keep from moaning in front of my son. And I have to call my doctor Monday and make an appointment, and wll probably start a series of rule-out tests. I still have some abdominal tenderness, and will definitely eat lightly. I have an 11 a.m. appointment to get my hair cut, will do a bit of grocery shopping for this light diet, and spend the rest of the day on the couch. Which is frustrating, because it looks like it's going to be a nice day, we had a lot of rain yesterday, and I wanted to do some weeding and digging. Oh well.

By Feona on Saturday, July 9, 2005 - 09:21 am:

Sounds like a terrible experience. Hope you feel better. The ER is terrible.

By Happynerdmom on Saturday, July 9, 2005 - 09:24 am:

Oh, Ginny. (((Hugs))) That does not sound like fun. It also sounds like you'll be in for a lot more "fun" with all the testing. Hopefully they'll find the cause soon, and the horrible pain stays away. I'll be keeping you in my prayers. (((more hugs)))

By Jann on Saturday, July 9, 2005 - 09:37 am:

Ginny, the tests at the ER didn't show anything? Are you still in pain without the meds? Hope you feel better soon and get some answers!

By Trina~moderator on Saturday, July 9, 2005 - 09:59 am:

(((((Ginny))))) Hope you're feeling better soon and it's nothing serious. Please keep us posted.

By Vicki on Saturday, July 9, 2005 - 09:59 am:

I agree with what I think Jann is saying. I am very surprised that they sent you home with something to just "mask" the pain without finding out what is causing it. That seems like some pretty strong pain to just be caused by nothing. In any case, I hope that your regular doctor gets to the bottom of it fast and that it doesn't worsen in the mean time. My thoughts and prayers are with you!

By Kernkate on Saturday, July 9, 2005 - 12:20 pm:

{{{Ginny}}} Hope you are feeling better. I hope you can find out whats going on. Keep us posted.

By Bellajoe on Saturday, July 9, 2005 - 12:57 pm:

Ginny I hope you find out what is wrong soon and that they can make it go away for good!

My thoughts are with you.

By Dawnk777 on Saturday, July 9, 2005 - 01:15 pm:

Wow, what a scary experience and then to not come home with some sort of diagnosis. Going through tests isn't very much fun, either. Did they do any bloodwork? That's usually the first thing our docs do, in the walk-in.

By Crystal915 on Saturday, July 9, 2005 - 01:39 pm:

(((Ginny))) How frightening!! I hope you find out what's going on soon, and that you are feeling better today. Keep us posted!!

By Tink on Saturday, July 9, 2005 - 02:40 pm:

Let us know as soon as they find the cause of that pain! Who cares about the weeding and digging, except you, of course. It will still be there when you are given a clean bill of health. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

By Rayanne on Saturday, July 9, 2005 - 02:42 pm:

I hope they find out what the cause of your pain was. I'm so sorry you went through that. I hope you feel better soon. {{{{{HUGS}}}}}

By Kay on Saturday, July 9, 2005 - 03:14 pm:

Ginny, I'm so sorry! I'm keeping healthy thoughts flowing for you!

By Cybermommyx4 on Saturday, July 9, 2005 - 03:51 pm:

Sounds like a gallbladder or diverticulitis (sp?) ....but I'm not a doc ;) I remember my mom's bouts with her gallbladder when I was young (vomiting, moaning, extreme pain, and the feeling of a "bubble"...)she had hers out by the time I was 11, though I still remember it clearly. They used to keep her "for observation" until the attack subsided... I hope you feel better soon!

By Amecmom on Saturday, July 9, 2005 - 03:56 pm:

Ginny, I hope you feel better soon and that you get a diagnosis.
Ame

By Joy~bundles on Saturday, July 9, 2005 - 04:10 pm:

Thinking of you Ginny . . . hope you feel better soon and everything turns out all right. {{{HUGS}}}

By Ginny~moderator on Saturday, July 9, 2005 - 06:26 pm:

Thanks, everyone, for your kind words and good thoughts.

Diverticulitis crossed my mind also, Wendy, or irritiable bowel syndrome. I've already been diagnosed with diverticulosis, which is relatively minor as long as I don't eat nuts or really hard to digest stuff.

Yes, they did blood work, a lot of poking and pressing, and the ultrasound. And, of course, a cardiogram, given a 66 year old smoker with belly pain.

I was pleased to learn that my blood pressure was where it should be. One of the reasons I quit my old job and found a new job last fall was because I learned my blood pressure was up 20 points from dealing with my abusive boss. It is now back down where it has been for most of my life, even when I was under stress and in pain.

Yes, I feel a lot better. Still a little residual pain, though on the other side of my abdomen, which makes me think bowel issues. I did go out for my haircut appointment and to the library, but decided I would have my son take me and my car for groceries and gas, which he has agreed to do. I spent most of the day sleeping. I think I had a bit of a hangover from the Dilaudid, and I felt like I really shouldn't be driving, which is why I cut my planned errands short.

I think the tests in the ER are intended to rule out any emergency situations, which they did. They will be sending a report to my family doc and I will be calling Monday for an appointment. I do expect a lot of referrals to specialists to check for and rule out a whole lot of stuff. I will certainly follow the advice I give so often and "call the doctor".

By Kate on Saturday, July 9, 2005 - 07:38 pm:

Glad you're feeling better, Ginny. I hope you continue to improve and get the answers you need! Take care of yourself!

By Dawnk777 on Sunday, July 10, 2005 - 01:22 am:

Gallbladder pain would be more on the upper right side, and while that can be pretty miserable, Ginny's pain was on the left side.

I can always tell when they are going to order a gallbladder ultrasound, where I work. Those people look miserable.

By Jelygu on Sunday, July 10, 2005 - 10:04 am:

Glad you are feeling better, and I hope you find something out. Take care of yourself!

By Karen~moderator on Sunday, July 10, 2005 - 10:39 am:

((((((((((((GINNY)))))))))))))) I'm so sorry! I hope you get answers from tests!

By Yjja123 on Sunday, July 10, 2005 - 10:51 am:

I hope you are feeling better soon!
(((Ginny)))

By Pamt on Sunday, July 10, 2005 - 02:59 pm:

Hope you're feeling better today!

By Ginny~moderator on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - 06:20 pm:

OK, my doc thinks it is a gastro thing, maybe temporary irritiable bowel. No chocolate, no liquor, more roughage, and take fiber tablets, get an ultrasound, and report back. I'm still a bit uncomfortable, but only minimally and if I am busy I don't notice it.

NO CHOCOLATE!!! That hurts!

By Trina~moderator on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - 08:29 pm:

NO Chocolate?! Yikes! {{{HUGS}}} I have been diagnosed twice with IBS but it actually turned out to be an intolerance to peanuts. As long as I avoid them I'm fine. Wish I had figured that out before all the wonderful tests I went through. LOL! Hope you're back to normal soon!

By Debbie on Wednesday, July 13, 2005 - 09:05 am:

Oh Ginny, the no chocolate stinks!! My youngest ds had to give it up when they diagnosed him with GERD. He still gets upset sometimes when he can't have it.

I am glad you are feeling a little better and I hope they find out soon what is causing it.

By Happynerdmom on Wednesday, July 13, 2005 - 09:11 am:

I agree, not being able to have chocolate hurts...but I'll bet not as bad as you hurt the other night!! I'm sure that memory will keep your cravings at bay!
I'm glad you're feeling better. Still sending up prayers for you.

By Amy~moderator on Wednesday, July 13, 2005 - 12:23 pm:

((((Ginny))))
Praying for you!

By Insaneusmcwife on Sunday, July 17, 2005 - 11:32 am:

(((Ginny))) I'm sorry, how are you feeling now?

By Ginny~moderator on Sunday, July 17, 2005 - 01:20 pm:

Much better, thank you, Kristie. And how very kind of you to notice and ask while you are struggling with your own crises. You certainly had a horrible trip and even though you say things are much improved, recovering from a move is never, never easy.

I've been following the diet instructions from the doctor, and he told me to take Metamucil or Fibercon tablet - at least 8 a day - which I have been doing. I am scheduled for a CT scan the evening of the 25th - with Barium (yuck), and an appointment with my doctor a week later to allow time for the report to reach him. I am experiencing discomfort after eating in an area that my doctor says is where the duodenum exits the stomach.

So, I will keep on with the diet, and observe. I suspect I'll have to be seen by a gastroentrologist - and mine has a dreadful personality, so I think I will go to someone else in his practice. It is one thing to see a doc with terrible bedside manner when it is a colonoscopy every 5-10 years and quite another when there is a possibiiity of more frequent visits.

Part of what I am is anxious. I have resolved to not do any internet research until I have more information to go on.

Kristie - I do hope you get all your unpacking done fairly soon and easily, and that your introduction to Virginia Beach is the worst thing that ever happens to you there.

By Insaneusmcwife on Sunday, July 17, 2005 - 07:09 pm:

I'm glad to hear that you are doing better. I wouldn't do any internet research either until you have more solid info. That might stir up unnecessary worries. Let us know how thigs are going for you.
The unpacking is um....well its going. I haven't been focusing too much on that. We have just been enjoying it being just us and playing with the kids. He goes back to work tomorrow and then I can really focus on the unpacking.

By Heaventree on Monday, July 18, 2005 - 07:15 am:

Ginny,

Sorry to hear you have been unwell. I was diagnosed with IBS years ago. I never agreed with the diagnosis and it turns out that I was right. I was lactose intolerant. Just a suggestion, try to stay off dairy for a week and see what happens. Hope you are feeling better and keep us posted.

By Jann on Monday, July 18, 2005 - 09:28 am:

Sorry to hear you are still having probs. I hope the tests on the 25th bring answers.