HI Everyone!

This thread is going to deal with important medical issues such as: Cancer, diabetes, major surgeries, disorders, STD's, Tumors...basically anything uncommon and important.

There are some rules that will need to be followed in the thread. VTM forum rules apply as usual. Keep in mind that some topics discussed in this thread are sensitive in nature and therefore must be treated delicately.

Please be aware of everyone's feelings and respect the feelings of your fellow VTM members.

This is the place to share your own medical issues or those of someone you know. I would like this thread to be informative to everyone, so if you find an article that you would like to discuss, please post a link so everyone can get in on the conversation.

The main point of this thread is for compassion. A place for everyone to give and get advice, or maybe just support.

I'm going to start this off by telling my personal situation.

Last December, I had surgery to have my Gallbladder removed. I went to my doctor who knew exactly what it was when I told him my symptoms, but sent me to get ultrasounds to be sure. And he was right, my gallbladder was imflamed and I had multiple stones. So he reffered me to a surgeon.

Here are my symptoms...watch out for 'em.
After eating...

Sharp pain in the right shoulder, followed by excruciating pain in the middle of the upper abdomen. You'll instantly get very hot and start sweating. You'll become dizzy and nauseated. The pain is so bad that you can't breath. After it passes I got extremely cold and started shaking.

Note: Throwing up does not make the pain go away!

So I've had my surgery and continue to feel the repercussions of having the gallbladder removed. At night and early morning I have sharp pains where my gallbladder use to be and along my left side. I know these pains are primarily gas pains...this is a side effect. But the pain can be debilitating.

Also, another side effect is frequent diarrhea. Pretty much after every time you eat.

I'm not telling you all this to be gross. What I've gone through might help someone else going through it, or help pin point symptoms.

Anyways, I have just recently learned that the birth control YAZ or Yasmin can cause Gallbladder problems. I've been on YAZ for the last 4 to 5 years and I've already seeked legal help. Here's an article about YAZ and Gallbladder issues.

Article

If anyone has anymore info or can find anymore articles, please post them so I can read them.

I look forward to discussing all matters of medical issues. And be assured that this thread is here for everyone. In anyway you need it to be.

Dawn

Galbladder sounds like a really nasty problem. I appreciate this share and think the things to watch out for are good to know. My problem is more of the elderly although it can strike someone in the 50's . Actually I have several issues.. One is mild congitive impairment, which can get worse into Altzheimers, which they thought I had at first. Writing becomes a longer chore, I constanly mess up the letters. I go back when I realize what I have done. I can read something and forget it very quickly. Many of the discussions on line are over my head even though I have a college degree. I took meds for this but they made me violently ill, so I stopped. I'd rather forget than throw up. I also have anxiety disorder, PTSD for a crazy childhood they think maybe Bi Polar, and thank God A recovering alcohlic! I take my meds, try to stay in touch with people, mainly on the internet.. am not good over the phone. All I can say to anyone is If you have any of this stuff, keep your sense of humor, love helping, and what ever you can to relax and enjoy life...I really appreciate the chance to share all this. Don't want it to be a moan and groan type of thing, but it's great to share . I am 65 whatever God gives me I enjoy you young people so much God bless you all.

Brigid, I can't even begin to imagine the things you're going through but I can say that I have seen anxiety disorder. My mom had anxiety and depression when I was growing up. It completely took over her life. I remember her sleeping a lot and always looking depressed. She was on medication for a long time.

When my parents divorced she took herself off the medication and was determined to over come the disorder she had. She's been med free for 13 years now and hasn't had a relapse. So miracles are always possible. It just goes to show how strong will power can be.

My Grandmother on my dad's side had Alzheimer's. But sadly I don't remember meeting her. I'm 26 and she passed when I was 2...of a heart attack.

You're absolutely right...a sense of humor and zest for life are extremely important. I commend you for overcoming addiction. So many people struggle with that. My uncle was an alcoholic all his life.

I'm so glad you think it's helpful to share things like this. I think it's so important to have a support system. And a wonderful place to discuss important issues like these.

Dawn

I have a lot of medical problems! Physically, for one, I am lactose intolerant. The thing is, I didn't start out that way. It only started about two years ago, and I didn't even know I had it--I just knew that I got sick after pretty much everything I ate. I lost almost 30 pounds in less than six months. I also existed pretty much on Popsicles and M&M's for a whole summer! And now that I've figured it out, I take Lactaid pills and try to avoid stuff like milk, yogurt, and cheesecake--cheesecake and milk really make me sick. I haven't even tried to find out about yogurt. Ice cream and cheese I can have in moderation if I take my pills, but even then, my stomach usually gets a little upset. But I love dairy, I can't resist!

I also get headaches every day, all day. Nobody's been able to figure out what causes them. When I was 15 or 16, I even got an MRI, but it didn't show anything abnormal. And I've been on a cornucopia of medications prescribed by my GP and a neurologist I went to see (which was pretty much pointless, because he thought I was faking it. Yeah, I want to make my parents waste that much money just so I can fake it. Yeah, that makes SO much sense). My boyfriend thinks it's a combination of things, and maybe the fluid around my brain should be checked...so I might figure out if that can be done. I'm planning on seeing a better neurologist soon, anyways! One that will hopefully actually believe me. I also get migraines a lot, which is more like a super increase of pain, nausea, weird lights, etc...

And when I was born, I had clubfeet. I had surgery when I was 10 months old, but they're still not the best they could be, and I have to wear ankle braces all the time. It's annoying because if I wear shorts/skirt/dress, people stare at my ankle braces. And I hate that it makes it so I can't walk or stand for a long period of time (especially standing, it can make me faint if I stand still too long), and I can't really run very well. I remember one time a couple of years ago, I was trying to help my chorus make pumpkin rolls as a fundraiser and it was going to take all day. I had to walk to the place we were making them (about a mile), and then stand around and walk very little while making them. I didn't want to stop for lunch because I knew if I sat down, I wouldn't be able to stand back up. Everyone thought I was joking...I wasn't. I couldn't stand up at all for over three hours. And when I could, I had to be helped around everywhere. My friends Karen and Carrie had to help me to my front door even! It was awful.

Mentally speaking, I think I've only been officially diagnosed with depression and social anxiety, so far. But I also exhibit ADD, OCD, EDNOS, complex PTSD, and dissociative symptoms (I had an awful childhood ). So...it's all tangled up in one big mess, and I'm sure the mental problems exacerbate the physical, but...*sighs*

Anyways, that's my medical history in a nutshell.

Eisa, I'm sorry you've had to go through a bunch a hurdles so soon in life.

Are you on any meds for the anxiety and depression? My mom was a long time ago and they helped. I mean she slept a lot but it definitely helped in others ways. And my brother-in-law has ADD and we think he might even be bi-polar, when he's on his meds he is a totally different person.

My uncle had to wear leg braces when he was growing up. He had polio when he was a kid. I don't know if this would help for you or not, but the doctors told my grandparents to move to a warm climate, near a beach. The resistance walking in the sand built up the muscles in his legs. He doesn't wear braces anymore, but one leg is significantly smaller than the other. A side effect from polio.

I know it's hard to think on the bright side of things. But I would try and look at your ankle braces as a sign of character.

I share a disorder that you have. I haven't been diagnosed or anything, but I'm not stupid. I can tell when someone has OCD or doesn't. For me, it's not as bad as when I was younger. I have an obsession with the number 4. If I tapped my pencil on my desk I had to do it 4 times or else I didn't feel quite right.

I still do little things similar to that. Like I have to set the alarm on my vehicles 4 times before going in the house or in a store.

Just hang in there! If you ever need to talk about anything, I'm here!
Dawn

Hey Hermione17 / Dawn

I've just been reading the topic and the postings. I noticed that you started the topic and it looks like you picked something that is allowing a great forum to help other members tell their (often difficult it seems) stories, as well as your own.

So I just wanted to log in to say "well done", it appears that you may also have some skills as an on-line counsellor!!! It would appear that this site is lucky to have you! To Eisa and Brigid too - chin up, it looks like you guys are on top of your "issues" , best of luck to you all.

with love, Grant

Thank you so much for the compliment Grant! My main purpose for this thread was to help anyone that needs help. Whether by looking for articles, needing someone to talk to or sharing my own medical history.

I love to listen to people and help in anyway I can. So no one be shy!

Anyways, Eisa I was looking something up with you in mind. When my mom had anxiety and depression I remember that she also had headaches a lot. So I wondered if there was a connection and...I found one! Here's the article

Anxiety and Depression Headaches

And here's an article on Migraine Disease

I don't know how bad your headaches are. Only you know...but the last article has five common features of a migraine. I hope this information helps you in one way or the other.

Dawn

Hey, Hermione17!

Hmm, thanks for the articles. They can get pretty bad, and I know I have migraines (you wouldn't think a headache that hurts more would make THAT much of a difference, but it does, it oh so does!). I've been wondering about that myself, if my headaches are at least partly because of anxiety and depression issues...I think that they are.

I'm not on any meds for the anxiety and the depression--yet! I just started therapy again fairly recently, so we'll see. :-) I do think that with OCD, you can definitely tell...especially if it's not just "mild." And it probably won't help, but I have to say 4's a good number. I am obsessed with even numbers and symmetry, if you couldn't tell.

Hmm, I think I like looking at them that way! They don't mean something's wrong with me, they're a sign of character...yeah, I like that.