Hi- I am new to the forums here. I am hoping that someone might have some advice on what can be done to help ease pain from gallstones. For actually a couple of years I have had what I called "heartburn" that would come in spurts- I would have it daily or multiple times a day for a couple weeks- then go with no pain for a couple weeks. I have tried SO many medications for heartburn- none helped at all. Over the summer it was getting worse in intensity and frequency- and I also noted that I feel a "full" feeling more often then not as well. I went in and had an ultrasound- was told I have multiple small gallstones. My common bile duct was borderline dilated. (??????) I was advised to have surgery. I went in for a consult and set it up- unfortunately I lost my job 2 days later. I have no insurance right now- however just started new job- insurance will start in January. The problem is- I am having pain that seems to be alot more often. It is not always at a 10 out of 10- but regardless it is so bad- I sweat alot and cant sit still- so I pace and that does not help but I usually just keep pacing (crying) until it eases enough to take the edge off so I can function. It sometimes happens even when I have not eaten anything- and I have tried avoiding foods that might make it worse. Here is my problem-I really prefer not to have surgery if I can help it- for 7 years I was addicted to pain medication- and it was the worse thing I ever went through getting off them- took me a few treatments- and now I have close to 2 years sobriety- and am feeling happier then I have for as long as I can remember. I have been on a medication called suboxone for a year and a half- and taking that medication ensures I have no cravings, withdrawals etc. The issue with it is- if I were to take pain medicine on suboxone- it would put me into immediate withdrawal- and I can tell you with 100 percent certainty that I would not be able to handle it- that is why it took me 7 years to get off- the withdrawals.... I asked if I could have surgery with NO opiates during or after. I was told no. My doctor said I could stop suboxone and then start taking pain medication prior to the surgery and then after I have it and am ok- I have to wait until it is out of my system - which I believe is 24 or 48 hours before taking the suboxone again- or will go into precipitated withdrawal. I just dont think I can handle that. But- even if I could- I cant do anything until January with no insurance. So- my question after that long story (sorry-wanted to explain my situation well)- is- what can I do to help with the "attacks" that I get- or to prevent them if possible- which I doubt - but at least once it starts- does anyone know anything I can possibly do? My doctor who prescribes suboxone has talked with me and has expressed concern that one of the stones I have will get caught in the bile duct- causing serious problems potentially- and said to watch for fever etc. So far I dont believe I have a fever- but as I said- during the pain attack- I start sweating profusely and literally cant do anything but pace and cry and wait for it to stop. It is awful- and now that it is happening more often and the pain level is seemingly higher which I truly didnt think even possible..... So- if anyone has any advice or ideas etc. for me- I would truly appreciate it from the bottom of my heart. I have searched the web and all it says is to have surgery. THanks in advance- and I am again sorry for how long this is.
Sincerely-
ann