7. Nausea and Vomiting: The Unwelcome Guests of PCS
The gastrointestinal tract can sometimes turn into a rebellious tide with postcholecystectomy syndrome, bringing nausea and vomiting into the mix. Nausea – that queasy, uneasy feeling – sets the stage, often without warning. It’s as if your stomach is a tempest-tossed ship, caught in a squall that churns with discontent.
Then there’s vomiting, the crescendo of this distressing symphony, an involuntary reflex that turns the body against itself. It’s not merely a physical response; it’s an ordeal that can leave you feeling washed out and weary. Vomiting is the body’s last resort, a dramatic way of hitting the reset button when it feels overwhelmed.
These symptoms aren’t just a passing inconvenience; they’re a loud protest from the digestive system, which now lacks the rhythmic release of bile to calm the seas. They can strike like a sudden cloudburst, turning an ordinary day into a struggle to stay afloat. Yet, in the midst of this turmoil, the body is trying to right itself, to find a way to cope with the new normal post-surgery.
Nausea and vomiting in PCS can be episodic, acting as a barometer of sorts, measuring the body’s internal atmospheric pressure. Each bout is a reminder of the delicate balance that the gallbladder once helped maintain, and without it, the body must navigate these choppy waters with caution and care. (7)
