Gall Bladder Diary: shortness of breath

I am keeping a diary of food I consume and any symptoms as a record for other sufferers of gall bladder attacks and those who have had theirs removed. After suffering a very long gallbladder attack which lasted 9 days with continuous pain, I was fortunate enough to have surgery recently. I had laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery which leaves you with 4 incisions in your abdomen and your body has no way of processing fat thereafter. Hence this diary/blog for other sufferers.

This diary goes hand-in-hand with my Food Blog which I will still keep up to date with gall bladder friendly meals. Feel free to check out my Food Blog. Also feel free to comment here and ask any questions you like. Follow me for my gall bladder ride.

Now about wind - well this is a blog about gall bladders and digestion problems, after all! With any digestion problems comes the dreaded subject of flatulence. Let's put it out there: farts, fluffs, trumps, firing off, letting off, ripping off, gas, stinkies and passing wind - we all do it. It's nothing to be ashamed about because it's a natural bodily function just like breathing. Now I admit I've always been a farter. I guess that is because I never burp. That's right - I can't burp! So I guess the gas has no other escape except down. Therefore this blog will need to include this smelly topic. If you're offended I am not going to apologise because it's a natural part of life.

When I've recorded my symptoms I've included flatulence in this manor: Mild flatulence = 1-5 farts; Medium flatulence = 5-10 farts; Excessive flatulence = more than 10 farts. So there you have it. It's out there for the world to see. I'm not ashamed of farting and you shouldn't be either *barf* O

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Countdown to surgery : Day 9

Breakfast:

1 and half weet bix
1/4 cup light milk
Light sprinkle brown sugar
2 cups tea with light milk
Vitamins

Symptoms:

Nil

Morning Tea:

Small tub yoghurt with dried fruit, nuts & seeds
1 cup fruit/vegetable juice
Espresso with light milk

Symptoms:

Nil

Lunch:

Smoked light ham, carrot, cucumber, tomato, ricotta cheese wrap (Mountain Bread Rice Bread)
1 cup fruit & veg juice

Symptoms:

Bloating and mild shortness of breath

Afternoon Tea:

Apple
5 salted cashews
3/4 cup light milk

Symptoms:

Mild flatulence

Dinner:

Chicken, Shallot & Snow Pea Stir Fry
Cup ginger & honey tea
Cup of tea with light milk before bed

Symptoms:
Felt very full. Must have eaten too much.

Note: Woke up feeling great again with no pain in abdomen or back. I used to have a glass of wine while making dinner, now I have a cup of tea. I'm very happy that espressos don't have negative affects. If I can't drink alcohol anymore, at least I don't have to drink coffee too :) No bowel movement for 3 days though so took 3 Coloxyl tonight.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Countdown to surgery : Day 4

Breakfast:

1 and half weetbix
1/4 cup light milk
1/4 tsp brown sugar
1 cup diluted apple juice with freshly grated ginger
Cup tea with light milk
Vitamins

Symptoms:

Nil

Lunch:

3 cups of steamed cauliflower, broccoli, and zucchini sprinkled lightly with salt & pepper

Symptoms:
Bloating, mild flatulence and back ache returned requiring laying down with heat pack.

Afternoon tea:

Small tub yoghurt with 1 tablespoon dried fruit & nuts

Symptoms:

Nil

Dinner:

Steamed Chicken & Warm Pasta Salad

Symptoms:
Mild flatulence

Note: This morning I awoke with back pain so after a long hot shower I took 2 Panadol and laid down with the heat pack on my back. I also felt short of breath and needed 2 puffs of Ventolin. I needed another lay down, 2 panadol with heat pack in the afternoon. No bowel movement today (for the 2nd consecutive day) so I took 2 Coloxyl tablets before bed. Today I sipped diluted apple juice with grated ginger for a detox affect.