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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:
Leverette · 06/12/2013 00:19

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purplewithred · 06/12/2013 00:49

What's your pulse like?

ipswichwitch · 06/12/2013 09:21

Op please take note of what downtontrout has posted. Your Gp is an idiot - you can't diagnose a PE just by looking at you, and your symptoms plus the fact you are post surgery ring gigantic alarm bells for me - i do the scans that check for pulmonary embolism, you should have a blood test (d-dimer), chest X-ray and if that's clear a lung scan.

Better to inconvenience someone for a few hours to get yourself checked out than the alternative.

ipswichwitch · 06/12/2013 09:25

Also, even if it is "just an infection" it needs treated. Simple infections can develop into something a whole hell of a lot worse.

LittleMissRed · 06/12/2013 09:29

I came on to say exactly what Downtown said. It might sound harsh, but you need to be healthy and get better for your children. Go to A & E and get to the bottom of it.

Ledkr · 06/12/2013 09:35

Op a few months ago another mumsnetter had these symptoms and I (an ex nurse) made her go to the drs where she was found to have a pulmonary embolism (clot in lung) which will definitely kill if left untreated.
After surgery you are susceptible to this so I really would say that you need to go to a and e kids In tow if necessary.
Death from this would be sudden and could be far more traumatic for your kids than a trio to the hospital.
Oh and change GPS too.

DowntonTrout · 06/12/2013 09:46

My DD had her appendix out a few years ago.

A week later she was complaining of pain and couldn't stand up straight. We saw a GP who was quite dismissive, saying that he had been out playing tennis a week after his appendectomy. The wound had healed nicely, her temp was fine and he obviously felt she was swinging the lead.

He grudgingly took a urine sample. We got a call an hour later to go to hospital as there were raised levels of something or other in the sample. DD had infection and an internal abscess and I spent a week in hospital with her on Iv antibiotics. It took weeks and weeks to get over, much worse than the initial surgery. If we had left her much longer she would have developed septaceamia and that doesn't bear thinking about.

caketinrosie · 06/12/2013 09:54

Starshaker ignore all scary posts ring the ward and speak to staff there. On your paperwork there will be a direct dial number. Any post op concerns should be investigated. Arrange a sitter just in case, I wouldn't feel a bit put out if a friend needed me, surely you would feel the same? You are as important as anyone else so give yourself a bit of tlc and get some medical advice. Hugs to you get well soon Thanks

3littlefrogs · 06/12/2013 09:55

As soon as I read your post Op I thought pulmonary embolus.

You need to go to A&E asap. Take the children with you if necessary.

Post operative PE can be fatal.

HansieMom · 06/12/2013 18:55

Downtown, did that doc ever apologize to you and your DD? He certainly had a learning experience that day.

DowntonTrout · 06/12/2013 20:13

No never, we were abroad at the time. Thank goodness for private health insurance- the hospital were fantastic.

Still, shows you can never be too careful, and even doctors get it wrong sometimes.

passedgo · 07/12/2013 18:58

How I wish I never engaged with these medical emergency threads. I am worried about you OP. Please keep us posted.

Original poster
Starshaker · 07/12/2013 20:14

Sorry guys. I'm feeling a bit better. Didn't go back because I really didn't have anybody for the kids. I realised I really need to sort out arrangements in case I need something. I'm not breathless anymore and the pain has gone. Thank you all for the advice even though I couldn't take it

OP posts:
Original poster
Starshaker · 09/12/2013 11:28

Ok felt bad again so went to go this morning. I'm now in a&e waiting on an x-Ray.

OP posts:
notapizzaeater · 09/12/2013 11:31

Hope it's all ok x

caketinrosie · 09/12/2013 11:44

Ah star, Hope you find out the problem today. Get well soon, over here for handholding Thanks

ChestyNutRoastingOnAnOpenFire · 09/12/2013 12:42

Glad You've decided to get checked.

Good luck Thanks

Original poster
Starshaker · 09/12/2013 19:27

They did the d-dimmer test and it came back positive. I'm getting stingy jags and being kept in. It's a good job I went back to the docs

OP posts:
notapizzaeater · 09/12/2013 19:43

Best place for you to be. Hope u get better soon x

lougle · 09/12/2013 19:51

Well done for going in. I hope you get better soon.

AnyFuckersfrogslegs35 · 09/12/2013 20:19

Aww Star, sorry to hear you're still suffering but glad you're in the right place now.
Get well soon x

DowntonTrout · 09/12/2013 20:25

Really glad you went back.

I was worried and kept checking to see if you'd posted again. Hope they manage to sort you out and that you're feeling better soon.

3littlefrogs · 09/12/2013 20:48

Thank goodness you went to be checked.

Another one here who was worried.

Ledkr · 09/12/2013 21:03

told you so!
I'm glad you went and are getting it sorted.
Get well soon

ipswichwitch · 09/12/2013 21:34

Glad you've got sorted - I was concerned about PE given your symptoms. Take it the jabs are anti-coag (enoxaparin/heparin) - you may be on it a while. Hopefully you'll get home soon, and look after yourself (that's an order!)