Chronic pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

[sgs]

My mother had laparoscopic cholecystectomy in 1998 after suffering a couple severe bought with gallstones.  Since then, she has had chronic pain located under the lower right rib cage.  She has seen several doctors but with no success in finding a cause or cure for the pain. She was recently given a tins-unit and sent to a pain management clinic where she was prescribed addictive pain pills and anti-depressants.  Bare in mind, she wouldn't be depressed if someone would help her with the chronic pain.  Anyway, this past weekend she was rushed to the emergency room for severe abdominal pain.  One doctor at the hospital diagnosed pancreatitus and put her on morphine for the pain said she wasn't to eat for 3-4 days.  The technician who read her ultrasound and x-rays said her pancreas did not appear abnormal or swollen and that he didn't believe she has pancreatitus.  This going around in circles is getting frustrating!!  Is there anyone out there who knows what to do for chronic pain following gallbladder removal and pancreatits symptoms?  Any help, suggestions or information would be greatly appreciated.

[Linnie386]

A related discussion, having severe abdominal and back pain, can not eat was started.

[Malayna]

I have a cousin that is having the same problems after removal of her gallbladder several years ago.  They have not found the source of her problem yet either.  Her doc did suggest that there may be a stone lurking, just as the other poster suggested.  If they find the source for her pain, I'll let you know.  I hope your mother gets well soon!

Malayna

[msd]

Hi, I has Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in 1998, 3 days after the operation I suffered a severe attack on my left side to my back, the pain was so bad I had to go back to hospital, my doctor did some blood tests and a scan, the scan showed a small floating stone in the common bile duct, the stone escaped during the Laparoscopy Cholecystectomy, the doctor said I had over 400 small stones in my gallblader and he couldn't removal the gallblader while is was full as it wouldn't come out of the small laparoscopy hole, so he had to empty it first and that how the stone or stones escaped, he adviced me to have ERCP. Iwent to another doctor for second oppinion and scan did not show a stone it showed narrowing of the common bile duct, he also suggested ERCP. Up to this date I am scares of having ERCP as it is a complicated procedure and the doctor must have a lot of experience, and I can't find this experienced doctor in the country where I live.

[TazLady]

Hi,
I can't tell you any specific names.  I remember reading through all of these postings.  And many of the letters would sound like what I have, but the people would say their dr. diagnosed them with something different.  You said something about your mom being diagnosed, or suspected of having, pancreatitis.  It's my bet that is her problem.  But I am not an expert, nor am I a doctor.  Just keep looking for a specialist who cares enough to keep pushing to find the answer for her problem.
Good Luck!
TazLady

[sgs]

Thanks for the feedback TazLady.  My mother was released from the hospital yesterday and I am trying to locate an internal specialist for her to see so that we can get this pain resolved.

Until then we will keep praying and dealing with situations as they arise.

You mentioned other illnesses that mimic pancreatitus.  Do you know the names of any?  As I said before, any help or suggestions provided would be greatly appreciated.

[TazLady]

Hi,
I am someone who has Chronic Pancreatitis.  And I can tell you that just because your pancreas doesn't appear plump or inflamed on a CT scan, doesn't mean there isn't anything wrong with it.
I will bet you dollars to donuts that I got my pancreatitis during my Gallbladder operation.  It was botched up.  And the doctors didn't catch this for 3 years.  I am now EXTREMLY sick and I am having small operations every 2 weeks for the next 10 weeks to help manage the pain.  Also to help me live a better life.
Go to a GI specialist and start getting some testing done to detect this.  It is SO important that this caught early.  Just from what you said, it sounds like it might be pancreatitis.  But there could be other illnesses that mimic pancreatitis.  Do not listen to a technition who isn't a specialist.  Please listen to the doctor who is on the path of detecting this.
Good luck to you and your mom.
TazLady