Resolved question:
I had a bad fall three weeks ago, with whiplash, back and lower back injuries with shooting pains. I also suffered a confusion. I was not treated at a hospital. I thought I was okay. But here's the real problem: The fall caused my hernia (between ribcage and belly button--URQ) to tear open (it's 20+ years old patientold.) I had so much pain from the fall--headaches, upper and lower back aches, that I thought that the fact that my right abdomen was hard, solid pain was due to this. i couldn't examine myself there because it was so extremely painful. I have a very high tolerance for pain--but this was the type of acute pain where it's too painful to touch. Gradually I have been healing except the pain over my gallbladder area. Two days ago the muscles had relaxed enough that I could push the tight painful bits back inside me. That's when I finally realized my hernia was trapping something inside me.
I saw my GP today and he ordered some bloodwork. But he didn't really listen to my symptoms and I think just letting this situation go for another five days could be deadly. A few days after the fall I began having strange cravings for sugar--just straight sugar. Then a few days later I began having huge cravings for protein. these cravings went on the whole time my hernia was entrapping something. I could feel a lumpy surface on the parts sticking out. I got the feeling that something which controlled my blood sugar was not working. I also had a lot of nausea, and alternating constipation (I'm never constipated) and soupy yellow diarrhea. Now I am having an increase in pain in this area. It's very deep. I don't think it is from the exam today, that was very superficial. I don't want to go to the ER. My neighborhood ER is very bad. But I will go somewhere if it seems necessary. So here is my question: For 20 days something was entrapped in my hernia. I had severe pain and sugar and protein cravings. I don't know what type of hernia this is. I have just been pushing the stuff back in for years. No doctor would take me seriously even though I am an athlete. So what are the signs I should be looking for that would send me to the ER? I'm nauseous, no appetite, but not vomiting. I'm physically weak--maybe from a lot of things. The pain is worse, and deep. Slowly it is getting harder to sit and breathe. My abdomen seems bloated, though my bowels are working--if very irregularly. I'm hoping whatever was trapped--gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas, whatever--will heal on it's on. If it was a bowel obstruction my symptoms and the location would be totally different.
So what symptoms should send me to the ER? I have to say I am all alone with a very sick service dog. I fear if I leave her she will die and I need her. I have no one to care for her--so this is why I haven't gone to the ER sooner.
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Gastroenterologist, Surgical
Hello.
Thank you for your query at DoctorSpring.com.
Your condition requires a thorough evaluation and you have already neglected it for a long time.
You need an urgent consultation with a surgeon.
After a physical examination, you may need a CAT Scan to look for the internal injuries and status of your hernia as well.
Symptoms which require immediate medical attention and a need to go to the ER are: vomiting, distension of abdomen, not passing flatus and stools, blood in vomiting or stools, fever and jaundice.
Please consult a surgeon, either a general surgeon or a surgical gastroenterologist as quickly as possible. You can even consider walking into an urgent care clinic.
Please make alternate arrangements for taking care of your dog as your medical needs too cannot be ignored.
I hope this was helpful. Feel free to ask queries.
Thank you.