Computer, can you help me?
By MsTickle
@MsTickle (25180)
Australia
December 14, 2012 11:03am CST
I have GORD disease, which is acid reflux and it's been mostly under control lately with the medication I take.
The other day, I had severe abdominal pain around my tummy and thought it was gas so I took some antacid and lay down and it was gone when I woke an hour later.
I had a big day ahead so I actually went to bed early because I was super tired and found I could not sleep due to some discomfort. I got up and found the pain was back and worse. I got up and naturally went to the computer to check my symptoms. My symptoms strongly pointed to a heart attack so I rang 000 and asked for an ambulance explaining I felt a bit silly and just wanted to talk to someone about my symptoms.
Well, the ambos said they should come and pick me up. It was after midnight and the ambulance is about an hour away.
I was taken to our "local" hospital and the doctor was called in - it's now about 2:30am. My heart was mostly OK but the pain was there to stay and very uncomfortable, around my middle to the back. Doc put me on 2 antibiotics, via canular.
The pain went away quietly the next night and I had an ultra sound the next day showing I had gallstones and I need surgery. Turns out I was right to make that initial call as it's better to be safe than sorry.
How much do you rely on your computer for information and how accurate do you find the info? I was led astray but the outcome was positive because we discovered the root of my problem eventually.
7 people like this
15 responses
@RitterSport (2451)
• Lippstadt, Germany
14 Dec 12
oh MdTickle that was scary for sure....... I dont relay so much on the computer for medical stuff cause one website says this and the other says that.
Like you I would have suspected gas as the reason for the pain. I am really glad you let them check on you in the hospital and now know the reason for your discomfort.
Pleas dont wait too long with the surgery. I dont even have gall stones yet but as I complained about severe pain in the abdomen and other not so nice symptoms for a while now I told my doctor I suspect its the gall bladder. He checked with ultrasound right then and there and said no stones but it doesnt look completely healthy either so next year its going to get out.
3 people like this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
14 Dec 12
We don't get a choice about waiting dear RitterSport. I will have to lose weight before the surgeon will operate and I'm finding that difficult.
It's now about 5am and I've been up for a few hours with another attack. It seems to be gone now, thank goodness.
Good luck with your surgery.
It's now about 5am and I've been up for a few hours with another attack. It seems to be gone now, thank goodness.
Good luck with your surgery.2 people like this
@RitterSport (2451)
• Lippstadt, Germany
14 Dec 12
hmmmmm I am overweight too..... but this gall bladder surgery is minimal invasive today so why do they tell you you got to lose weight first before they do the surgery. How long then shall you still be in pain like you just described?????ß
2 people like this
@deazil (4730)
• United States
14 Dec 12
I had my gallbladder out 5-6 years ago. It was not a big deal of an operation. But my surgeon told me the foods that caused the attacks and that I should stay away from. It was all the GOOD STUFF! Ice cream, mayo, all kinds of creamy, fatty foods. My symptoms were really bad. My stomach hurt so much like nothing I ever had before. I thought I was dying. It felt like I was being poisoned. I really thought I was. But I went to the hospital and they said I had some little gallstones and one big one about the size of my thumbnail.
In the two weeks I waited before the operation I lost 12 pounds because I watched what I ate. I stayed away from the foods the doctor told me were causing the attacks. They didn't tell me to lose weight. I was about 30lbs. overweight. They had to take out the whole gall bladder because they said it was very diseased. Ech. Now I can eat whatever I want but I don't. I eat a lot healthier. And gallstones can be avoided by taking herbal supplements and eating right. Too bad I didn't know that before.
Good luck with losing weight and your operation. It's really nothing to be worried about.
In the two weeks I waited before the operation I lost 12 pounds because I watched what I ate. I stayed away from the foods the doctor told me were causing the attacks. They didn't tell me to lose weight. I was about 30lbs. overweight. They had to take out the whole gall bladder because they said it was very diseased. Ech. Now I can eat whatever I want but I don't. I eat a lot healthier. And gallstones can be avoided by taking herbal supplements and eating right. Too bad I didn't know that before. Good luck with losing weight and your operation. It's really nothing to be worried about. 2 people like this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
14 Dec 12
Thanks for that deazil. Hmm, ice cream you say? I've not ever been a big fan of ice cream but for the last six months or so I've been an ice cream fiend, like I can't get enough of the stuff.
I'm counted as obese (because I am) and I need to lose weight for several reasons all coming under the heading of good health. I've managed to lose 10 kg but need to do more. Maybe this will give me the push I need.
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
16 Dec 12
I cannot abide grapefruit. I don't know how people can eat the stuff.
Now that you mention it, that could possibly be what brings on an attack.
I use skim milk as those dairy creams here are so full of fat it's not funny...not the good fat either.
I appreciate all the help.
@deazil (4730)
• United States
20 Dec 12
Thanks so much for the BR! I do appreciate it. I came back and commented about the grapefruit but mylot ate my response and I got so aggravated that I logged out. Then I forgot to come back. That was about 4-5 days ago. I was saying that I think grapefruit is an acquired taste. I buy the pink already sectioned in a jar, no additives. Yes, that stuff does have a lot of bad fat in it, you're right. But after this discussion (picture me looking very guilty) I went to the store for milk and there it was - half & half. Staring at me from the store shelf. I bought it. Only a small container, though, and I've only used it once. But I have some very good tea, I think Bigelow makes it, it's called "Eggnogg'n". And with the half & half it tastes almost like egg nog, which I love but rarely drink. More bad fats. :-( Anyway, I wish you luck and hope for the best for you. I'm sure everything will work out okay. And once it's all over and done with you can eat whatever you want without going into major pain. And thanks again!
I do appreciate it. I came back and commented about the grapefruit but mylot ate my response and I got so aggravated that I logged out. Then I forgot to come back. That was about 4-5 days ago. I was saying that I think grapefruit is an acquired taste. I buy the pink already sectioned in a jar, no additives. Yes, that stuff does have a lot of bad fat in it, you're right. But after this discussion (picture me looking very guilty) I went to the store for milk and there it was - half & half. Staring at me from the store shelf. I bought it. Only a small container, though, and I've only used it once. But I have some very good tea, I think Bigelow makes it, it's called "Eggnogg'n". And with the half & half it tastes almost like egg nog, which I love but rarely drink. More bad fats. :-( Anyway, I wish you luck and hope for the best for you. I'm sure everything will work out okay. And once it's all over and done with you can eat whatever you want without going into major pain. And thanks again!
@KrauseHome (36445)
• United States
15 Dec 12
Most of the time the computer can be your Best friend in helping tell you things about some of the many different types of pain you might experience from time to time. I know there have been times I have researched something that in time helped a doctor to determine what was really wrong with me, and eventually help get me the Help I need. Problem is with the few I have talked with that said I should not rely on the computer as much with?
2 people like this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
15 Dec 12
yes always good to dial 000 or as here its 901
WHen Ihad pains run from back to front I let it go on for a week thinking it was heartburn hen it got so bad told daughter that she needed to take me tourgent care when we got there I got out to go in and hit the sidewalk lady standing over me kept teling m to to deep breaths then duaghter got urgent care people out there with wheel chir took me right in and thencalled ambulance to take me tothe hospital yupI had a heart atk and they ended up putttin a stent in my heart that was in 2008. SO if something keeps going or gets worse always call you 000 or 901 they are your best friends at that time!
2 people like this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
15 Dec 12
Gosh Lakota, how lucky were you after waiting so long. That's just how my pains were! I'm being woken again at about 3am but this attack is a mild one.
At least I know what to do now if I even imagine I'm in trouble. Thank goodness you are OK now. 
1 person likes this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
15 Dec 12
THank moreto tell
Ihave called the 911 3 times since Sept 22 first time had bloodclots in my right arm that thye took out Icouldme use my right hand owould just fall when I putit up andlet go.
the 2nd time grand daughter said Iwas taling funny daughter looked at me called 911 I had had a stroke gottome fast enough that I got myspeach back in 2 days 3rd time Halloween night I got where Icouldnt walk right leg just wouldnt move spent 9 days in the hospital the ended up putting 3 stents in right leg and I have a funny heart beat took them 3 days to fix me up withthe rightpills.
since I got out of hehospital foot sweld up andhas shooting pains they fianlly gave me a nerve killing pain pill so that i easing and I canrest good.
So pay attention god towhat you feel adn dial your 000 when needed hugsssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
15 Dec 12
Dear MsTickle
I do not rely much on Internet for information when it comes to health and issues. I find many information as contradictory and that does play bad. But yes, I do still trust people. So at Forums, places like MyLot where there is live interaction, I do believe them. I have joined a few health forums for some years now, and have been reading their responses on my ailment - Ulcerative Colitis. I was told here at mylot by one, to take Cranberry Juice. It took me a year or more to get the vendor deliver me my first 10 packs of this juice and I am on the last pack now. Hope they will deliver me more before this one empties.
For your health - GallStones, I have been taking one u.d.hep (that is what they call it here) two tabs a day and it has helped in keeping the pain in control and also the doctors claim that 5-6 months of regular intake would reduce the size of gall stones (mine were 8-12 mm when I did the ultrasound - 2 months ago when I was prescribed this). And then I am also taking a Homeopathy Medicine by the name Chelideon.
The doctors at the hospital said that I should go in for the surgery but I dont have funds for that. Hence I sought some consultation from other doctors, and I hope things would work out better for me - at least on this GallStones one.
How big are your stones? And what has been recommended to you?
I do not rely much on Internet for information when it comes to health and issues. I find many information as contradictory and that does play bad. But yes, I do still trust people. So at Forums, places like MyLot where there is live interaction, I do believe them. I have joined a few health forums for some years now, and have been reading their responses on my ailment - Ulcerative Colitis. I was told here at mylot by one, to take Cranberry Juice. It took me a year or more to get the vendor deliver me my first 10 packs of this juice and I am on the last pack now. Hope they will deliver me more before this one empties.
For your health - GallStones, I have been taking one u.d.hep (that is what they call it here) two tabs a day and it has helped in keeping the pain in control and also the doctors claim that 5-6 months of regular intake would reduce the size of gall stones (mine were 8-12 mm when I did the ultrasound - 2 months ago when I was prescribed this). And then I am also taking a Homeopathy Medicine by the name Chelideon.
The doctors at the hospital said that I should go in for the surgery but I dont have funds for that. Hence I sought some consultation from other doctors, and I hope things would work out better for me - at least on this GallStones one.
How big are your stones? And what has been recommended to you?2 people like this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
15 Dec 12
Hi thesids
I'm so glad you have your condition under control as the pain is really awful.
I have no idea how big my stones are, maybe I will find out later. My doctor stated, "You will have to have surgery." When I asked if there was any alternative, he said there was not.
I'm so glad you have your condition under control as the pain is really awful.
I have no idea how big my stones are, maybe I will find out later. My doctor stated, "You will have to have surgery." When I asked if there was any alternative, he said there was not.@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
15 Dec 12
The doctors here too said almost similar to me and even said, that in case I wont undergo the knife, the Gall Bladder will burst and that would kill me in minutes... I think that this was quite wrong and told only to make some good money on me But then, I think it depends on case to case things.
And wait. Do you have a homeopathy store nearby or if you can arrange someone to get one - Dioscorea Q - this is the pain killer I take (only when there is pain). And my dosage is 15 drops of this in lukewarm water. And unlike many other homeopathy medicines, this works in seconds and the pain starts to lessen in about 30 seconds.
But please find out the size of the stones. It should be mentioned on the images from the Ultrasound. My ultrasound had that. And I had a discussion on this here - http://www.mylot.com/w/discussions/2694476.aspx
And if you dont want to hop on to that, on box #3 my dear suny praaji mentioned some keyhole surgery and Ms. Hatley mentions some laproscopic surgery being done by passing some cables via navel - #3, #4, #13 and #16
But then, I think it depends on case to case things.
And wait. Do you have a homeopathy store nearby or if you can arrange someone to get one - Dioscorea Q - this is the pain killer I take (only when there is pain). And my dosage is 15 drops of this in lukewarm water. And unlike many other homeopathy medicines, this works in seconds and the pain starts to lessen in about 30 seconds.
But please find out the size of the stones. It should be mentioned on the images from the Ultrasound. My ultrasound had that. And I had a discussion on this here - http://www.mylot.com/w/discussions/2694476.aspx
And if you dont want to hop on to that, on box #3 my dear suny praaji mentioned some keyhole surgery and Ms. Hatley mentions some laproscopic surgery being done by passing some cables via navel - #3, #4, #13 and #161 person likes this
@Orson_Kart (8250)
• United Kingdom
14 Dec 12
Hi MsTickle!
I am sorry to hear you are in pain, but at least, due to your diligence, you have found the cause of your problem and are dealing with it. I hope your pain isn't too great and the operation is soon' so your recovery is swift and you can return to mylot in a much happier state. Best wishes xxx
2 people like this
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
21 Dec 12
Wow,I am glad you were able to get to a doctor about this. My mom had to have her gall bladder removed a few months ago and she still has stomach products and can't eat certain foods.I do hope that you get the problem resolved soon.
1 person likes this
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
21 Dec 12
Yes I do search my symptoms. Which helps me talk to my doctor with.
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
21 Dec 12
I've been in touch with the surgeon and cannot see him till March. I'm having attacks fairly often, like at the moment I'm in pain and I have been this way since last night. I can't figure out what is setting me off.
Is your Mum OK now? What happens if she eats the wrong foods?
@BarBaraPrz (51811)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
14 Dec 12
I have GERD, too, and can vouch for it not being any fun. The only good thing about it is that it keeps the tartar down on my teeth. Unfortunately, it wreaks havoc on my gums.
I've checked heart attack symptoms on the computer, too, but because they're all so vague, I felt unsure to call, too. So far, I'm still alive.
Hope you feel better soon.
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
14 Dec 12
Thanks BarBaraPrz, I've been up all night with another attack as I forgot to fill the prescription my doctor gave me. It's morning now and I'm past it but still feeling a little fragile from lack of sleep. Glad to hear you are still alive...
2 people like this
@p1kef1sh (45681)
•
14 Dec 12
I had exactly the same thing happen to me two years ago. Except that I didn't have the gallstones and in fact they think that I have a lateral tear in the cartridge in my rib cage. But whilst I was being scanned for gallstones they discovered a lump on my kidney which subsequently turned out to be kidney cancer. So bizarrely My emergency saved my life. I try very hard not to look at medical things on the computer until they have been diagnosed. If you believe what the computer tells you then a runny nose will kill you in about 48 hours! LOL. I hope that the surgery goes well, I'm sure that it will and that you'll be out very soon and feeling much much better. XXXX
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
15 Dec 12
Your lump was indeed a lucky find. That could have so very easily gone the other way mate.
I find these days when I go to the doctor that I have to have self diagnosed on his behalf to a certain extent. He had no clues the other day until the ultra sound came back.
No idea when I will have the surgery...it's a wait and see situation.
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
19 Dec 12
I was wrong in this instance too but at least it got me where I needed to be. I was surprised to find that my symptoms did not come up with the possibility of gall stones even from my Doc as it is so common here.
I've made an appointment with the surgeon but cannot get to see him till March. Ouch!
@bluerubymoon53 (3286)
• United States
14 Dec 12
Hi MsTickle. I know what you went through with those pains. I had had similar pains for quite a few years. Then in 1999, the pain was so severe that when someone looked at me, he thought I was having a heart attack. I was taken to the hospital, had an ultrasound done and the result was I had gallstones. So the next day I had my gall bladder removed. After that, I haven't had near the heartburn like I used to plus I don't have any more attacks caused by the sick gall bladder. Such a relief that is!!
2 people like this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
14 Dec 12
Gosh bluerubymoon, you almost have me looking forward to the surgery.
It won't happen so quickly here as I have to make an appointment to see the surgeon. He will no doubt tell me to lose weight before he will operate and that is no easy task...been working on that for a couple of years and it's a slow process.
It won't happen so quickly here as I have to make an appointment to see the surgeon. He will no doubt tell me to lose weight before he will operate and that is no easy task...been working on that for a couple of years and it's a slow process.1 person likes this
@bunnybon7 (50970)
• Holiday, Florida
14 Dec 12
[ejust say lets go to the doctor. so im likely going to end up calling a ambulance at any time oh my that is quite scarey. do you have someone to go to the hospital with you for the surgery? when are you having the surgery? ive suspected thats whats wrong with me for a long while. i just dont know if i will ever get to find out what it is. my daughter and son works so much lately and im just to tired to get up and get ready to em]
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
14 Dec 12
Don't know when the surgery is as I have yet to make my appointment to see the surgeon, from there it could take months. I don't have any idea how long I will have to wait.
I'm told it's not a big deal and no, don't have anyone to go with me. I'm used to that and OK with it.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
16 Dec 12
Wow.sounds like you had quite the evening. I usually use the internet to confirm what I have been told by a doctor versus trying to use it to find out what is wrong. There is a ton of information out there that we can use but the points you make about it being reliable is certainly something to consider. Not only reliable but we have to sift through and figure out if it is accurate to what we are feeling if it is a medical thing.
I am glad that you are ok now and it is good that you made the call.
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
16 Dec 12
Fact is hon, I'm not OK till I have the surgery.
I'm in so much pain now it's making me sweaty and clammy and I've been like this for over 24 hours.
I think the kind of sites you use are important. I tend to use a medical site rather than a general forum.
I'm generally looking for relevancy rather than accuracy, I leave that part to the doc.
I'm in so much pain now it's making me sweaty and clammy and I've been like this for over 24 hours.
I think the kind of sites you use are important. I tend to use a medical site rather than a general forum.
I'm generally looking for relevancy rather than accuracy, I leave that part to the doc.@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
19 Dec 12
I have an appointment to see the surgeon on March 20th. Until that time, I just have to grin and bear it. I was OK yesterday after 3 days of pain, OK but feeling fragile. I woke up this morning after sleeping through for the first time in days and felt really refreshed but that was this morning. I'm on the edge of an attack now. Trying to use my brain to get through it...and myLot of course.
Trying to use my brain to get through it...and myLot of course.
@artemeis (4189)
• China
16 Dec 12
I would not rely on the computer completely as far as checking illnesses is concern. For me, I would take them to be some form of reference because relying on them can be equally inaccurate without undergoing conducted tests like blood test, urine tests, scans, MRI, cat scan and many more before one can actually determine accurately.
A lot of illnesses have similar symptoms so I don't think we can ever afford to be on the wrong end. Also, without the doctors and tests we could be letting off some fatal underlying medical conditions which most of the time are symptomless. There are reasons why we have medical doctors and expensive equipments to conduct tests for us when we are sick. We cannot simply rely on our computers no matter how good the site may be.
On this note, I wish you a speedy recovery and happy holidays.
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
16 Dec 12
Of course we wouldn't ever be silly enough to do a self diagnosis from the computer then treat the illness as well.
I'm talking about researching symptoms so when you do go to the doctor you have a bit of an idea as to what could be wrong. Tests and equipment are all well and good if you know what you are testing for but not if you are reaching in the dark.
