A few months ago I had to go to the hospital. I was having severe back pain that was all encompassing and horrible. This last time was the third time it happened. One time my mom and I went into the hospital, the second time the pain passed before we got to the hospital, and the third time was the last time. My dad and I were there for hours. I had thought it was gas( that’s what they said the first time) and I was just praying they would give me strong antacids or stomach soothers. And they did. And it didn’t help. In fact, the pain got worse. They took blood and found that my liver enzymes were high and my white blood cell count was high, which made the PA think it was my gallbladder. She sent me for an ultrasound and it revealed my gallbladder was full of stones and that I was having gallbladder attacks (extremely painful movement of gallstones within the gallbladder typically brought on by fatty food). She said she was going to call a surgical team and the surgical team agreed that I needed surgery and that I would likely have it that day. I was admitted. I was there all night (we had gone at around 11:40 the previous night and i was told about surgery around 6am) and all day and I had the surgery around 6ish. Ever since, my health anxiety has been rampant. Every time my back hurts I get nervous, if my stomach feels strange (hurts, gas, etc.) I get nervous. I’m terrified of throwing up and I’m terrified of back pain. I see a therapist and an acupuncturist but it’s always there in the back of my mind.

Any advice? Similar stories? #Health anxiety #panic attacks #GallbladderDisease #cholecystectomy