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Original poster

Short of breath and pain in my back. Had gallbladder removed last week

55 replies

Starshaker · 04/12/2013 08:41

I'm in pain and feel short of breath/winded. It feels like I have an elephant sitting on my back. Going to the docs isn't exactly an option as I have 2 3 year olds off nursery with D&V and there is no way I can take them with me. Is this normal?

OP posts:
passedgo · 04/12/2013 08:46

Not normal, call the doc and explain about dcs and they will get you in or arrange a home visit. It could be a serious infection.

Shazjack1 · 04/12/2013 08:49

Why don't you give the gp a ring and speak to him over the phone if possible just to put your mind at rest.

Grokette · 04/12/2013 09:09

Not normal. What painkillers are you taking if any? Codeine can cause sphincter of Oddi dysfunction after cholecystectomy, and it hurts like hell and feels very similar to gallbladder stones or inflammation.

ipswichwitch · 04/12/2013 09:14

If you are short of breath and the pain is in your chest it could indicate a pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung) - which can be a complication post surgery.
You do need to get checked, and get it done today so ring the Gp, explain as well about the DC being ill and hopefully they will do a home visit

Jollyb · 04/12/2013 09:14

I think you need to go to A&E . You have had recent surgery and so are at risk of developing a pulmonary embolism (blood clot on lung) which can cause these symptoms

DowntonTrout · 04/12/2013 09:19

I too, would be worried about a blod clot. You must seek urgent medical advice. If you are alone with young children you should call someone to look after them straight away- your GP will want you to go to hospital to get checked.

purplewithred · 04/12/2013 09:29

Urgent advice now.

MingeTheMerciless · 04/12/2013 09:33

I would phone the GP surgery now and explain the situation and ask to be seen today.

I am also thinking blood clot when I hear your symptoms. Hopefully it's nothing but it's really not worth taking the risk.

Original poster
Starshaker · 04/12/2013 09:35

I don't have anybody who can have them. Being sick is something only people with a support network can manage. Will see if I can get to the doctors later. Feeling a bit worried now though

OP posts:
MingeTheMerciless · 04/12/2013 09:47

StarShaker I really think you need to put yourself first here for the sake of your children.

Phone the doctors now and explain the situation. Is there nobody at all you can ask to watch your children for a short while?

It is better to get checked now than to run the risk of becoming seriously unwell.

Phone your GP now.

DowntonTrout · 04/12/2013 10:04

starshaker I don't want to be alarmist, it could be any number of things, trapped wind, an infection, muscle cramps etc, but the worst scenario is a blood clot, and that is very serious. If it were a pulmonary embolism it could be life threatening.

So, for the sake of your DCs and yourself, you must get urgent medical attention now. Leaving it could mean you don't have chance to sort out someone to look after yourvDDs. Why not ring NHS direct if you don't want to go out now? Please do that at least.

MingeTheMerciless · 04/12/2013 14:08

Did you contact your GP StarShaker?

Original poster
Starshaker · 04/12/2013 15:00

I called and was told they couldn't do a house call and if I was feeling unwell I needed to come in to the surgery. I'm feeling a bit better. Still winded but with ought the feeling in my back. If I still feel unwell tomorrow I'll go down cos the twins will be in nursery

OP posts:
NCISaddict · 04/12/2013 18:50

Did you tell them you were short of breath and had chest pain? That would normally trigger a 999 response certainly in my trusts area.

DowntonTrout · 04/12/2013 18:58

Is someone in the house with you now? Do you have a partner/DH?

If so I would still call NHS direct with your symptoms. The breathlessness is worrying.

revivingshower · 04/12/2013 20:16

Its bad they didn't do home visit. Hope you are ok now.

AnyFuckersfrogslegs35 · 05/12/2013 08:54

I'm sadly not Shock at your Gp's response.
It happened to me after my own cholecystectomy.
4 days post op I was very unwell and called my Gp - they knew I'd just had surgery but still forced me attend an appt. I took a taxi, didn't even make it into the examination room before before I collapsed on the floor.
Before I was rushed to hospital I did make sure I angrily asked 'is this severe enough to warrent a bloody house call?'
Anyway - my bile duct was damaged during the op but wasn't noticed and was causing pain, including what like you describe.
It could be similar (especially accompanied with yellow eyes/skin and vomitting bile) but could also be more serious, please get yourself checked asap.

Original poster
Starshaker · 05/12/2013 18:02

I got to the doc today and was told it's not normal but there isn't anything he can treat. Not sure what that means but he said if I start coughing stuff up or it gets worse I've to go back

OP posts:
nightcat · 05/12/2013 18:37

after any surgery there could be a risk of blood clot, it's not worth taking a risk imo

Norem · 05/12/2013 18:49

Starshaker your dr sounds like an idiot sorry.
You are complaining of not insignificant symptoms within a week of surgery. It could be a clot it could be an infection.
It might be something else entirely.
The point is that some of the above can be very serious and even fatal if not treated promptly.
Call the out of hours provision in your area and go tonight and be seen again.
If you can't be seen by them go to a and e.
Good luck.

Original poster
Starshaker · 05/12/2013 20:11

I feel like id be making a fuss. Im not in huge agony and im only breathless when i walk about or stand for a wee bit. The incisions have pretty much healed completely now too. I dont know what to do for the best. If i call out of hours or go to hospital i will need to find somebody to watch the kids which in turn will be putting somebody out. The id feel really bad and stupid for causing drama when there isnt any.

OP posts:
Jollyb · 05/12/2013 21:07

Being breathless is not normal. You are not wasting anyone's time. I really think that you need to be checked out and this should be in a hospital where you can have the necessary tests.

Please call someone in to look after the kids and go to A&E. I'll take the blame.

passedgo · 05/12/2013 21:38

Idiot doctors. Go to A&E - it's probably an infection which means there's some kind of fluid inside you, building up and causing a feeling of pressure. It could have spread to your lungs which explains being short of breath, or your heart is under such stress that you need more oxygen to cope with it.

If this infection gets into your bloodstream it could kill you.

Sorry to be alarmist, but this kind of thing can't wait IMO. I'm absolutely shocked that your GP didn't give you a decent dose of antibiotics. Even if you get them now they take time to take effect.

ChestyNutRoastingOnAnOpenFire · 06/12/2013 00:05

A+E

Shortness of breath and back/chest pain coupled with recent surgery make alarm bells ring for a PE.

Untreated that would be a bigger inconvenience Sad

DowntonTrout · 06/12/2013 00:16

starshaker I have followed and commented on this since you first posted.

There is no easyvway to say this. If you leave this you could die. Who will look after your children then? Of course it could be nothing but do you really want to take hat risk? I mean that in the kindest possible way.