Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Cholangitis? Update.

I recently received my second lab results and they were worse than the first. After crunching the numbers I did an online search.
Usually, I avoid this but elevated liver enzymes don't have any minor causes, or, to be more accurate, all the causes can result in death or severe damage.

Anyhow, I recently had the symptoms of Cholangitis, but without the jaundice. It can be caused by a bacterial infection or hiv itself (I ruled out an overseas parasite since I haven't been overseas for over 25 years).
I could be wrong, of course, but like I said, it fits the symptoms more than anything else I have read thus far.
Just asked Doc about it but I think he's gone until tomorrow.

An ultrasound is something that would confirm or rule it out but that's not until Aug. 19th.
Thing is, this stuff can move pretty fast from what I gather. If the symptoms worsen again I may go to Madigan or a civilian hospital, but right now the worst symptoms have subsided somewhat to more tolerable levels.

And this appears to be the least problematic thing I can have, unless I'm missing something. Hopefully, I'll hear from Doc tomorrow and go from there. In the event I hafta get it taken care of soon, I'm gonna see who will look after the dogs in the event I need to stay for surgery.

I know you guys have been prayin' for me and for thatI am most gratefull.

Update:
Finally got a few hours of sleep. Sorry for getting so neurotic.
Checked my e-mail and I saw that Doc had replied. He advised me to go to the nearest ER if any of my symptoms get worse again.
He suspects a gall-able culprit but I must get the ultrasound to find out for sure.
Therefor, I'll either get on on Aug. 19th, or if I go to the local ER, in the event I get really sick again.

Yeesh! I'll refrain from thinking about that drive, if it comes to it. No, I would call an ambulance. No way I can safely drive in that condition.

Thank God I'm now at peace.
Now at peace and ready to fight!

13 comments:

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

I know, I shouldn't speculate. Funny thing is I don't usually worry about crap like this.
Reckon I oughtta pray more.

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

Hmm...apparently gallstones can cause all these symptoms too, and gallstones aren't nearly as bad as cholangitis.
So here's hoping it's only gallstones.

I know, i really gotta stop doing this.

julie said...

Yes, you do. Looking things up can be a little helpful, but when you don't have much to go on, it can just worry you even more, which is probably the last thing you need.

I hope you're getting some rest; as always, you're in our prayers.

That's the trouble with a scattered diaspora - we can send prayers and moola, but we can't dogsit. If you don't have anyone specific, you might try a search for people who board dogs in a "homelike" setting. We did that for our pooch when we had to travel this summer. It worked out really nicely, and was less expensive than I was expecting.

John Lien said...

I'll keep praying for you and hoping it is gallstones -which is a bit of an odd thing to pray for, but you know what I mean.

mushroom said...

We'll be praying for you, too.

The world is getting weirder by the day. Isaiah 57:1 says righteous people are taken away and no one seems to realize what it means.

Some who have been there for us and held us up have finished their course and the Lord has spared them the suffering that lies ahead. Some of the rest of us aren't done yet. I'm thinking we still need you around, Ben.

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

Thanks, Julie,
I asked our neighbor's mom if she would feed the fogs and let 'em go outside every 4-6 hrs. during the day and she said she would if I hafta get hospitalized.
So that's a relief!

You're right! Worryin' is worse than useless, it can do some damage too if I don't let it go.
So I let it go. :)

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

Thanks John,
I had a gallstone around, I ferget, 20 somethin' years ago or so.
It wasn't any fun passing it, but compared to everything else I have been through it's easy peasy, so yes, much preferrable to the alternatives.
.
May cause shrinkage though, lol.

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

Thanks Mushroom,
That means a lot! The fact I'm still here, when, according to medical science I shoulda died three times now is a miracle and miracles don't happen without a reason.
The least I can do is keep on fightin' and keep on thanking Him for this opportunity to do some good.

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

Oh, and I almost forgot, Doc says to stay away from fatty foods.

That doesn't include bacon, does it? What if I pat the bacon down with paper towels? oh c'mon!
This better be temporary. Grrr!

Anonymous said...

Prayers for you from Cambridge, England - Get well soon.

julie said...

Thanks for the update, Ben - I was just about to ask.

Having been on the gall bladder rollercoaster, I do hope that's all it is because it is usually an easy fix. Relatively speaking. When I had mine out, it was causing pancreatitis, not liver problems, but either way I'm glad to be rid of the troublemaker. Oddly enough, the day it finally broke I was snacking on Mystic Monk coffee beans, and I'm pretty sure those were what put me over the edge. It actually turned out to be a blessing.

And you probably don't have to worry - I waited a couple of weeks before eating anything too fatty, but bacon has never been a problem. Or anything else, for that matter :)

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

Anon in Cambridge,
Thank you mate! God bless you!

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

Thanks Julie!
Knowing there ain't a permanent bacon ban will keep me going.
It's interesting, in a bad way all the stuff the gall bladder can do.
Funny thing is, I still have my appendix. I wonder if I can get a twofer if it is the gall bladder? :)