Post Lap Chole. Recurring Pain - SOD?

[macgyver86]

I am a 38 year old male who had a lap chole. 5 months ago.  I have since had recurring pain in URQ (1-4 scale) that radiates to my mid-back and right flank.  I believe removing my GB (and large stone) was the right choice, but my docs never mentioned potential SOD/linger pain.  Episodes of pain don't seem to follow any pattern whether I eat, fast or what I eat.  I went about 5 weeks recently with NO symptoms at all and then suddenly last week it popped up again mid-morning.  Reclining, lying down bring some relief - no problems sleeping.  Sometimes hurts in my back when I jog or take a deep breath.  During surgery they didn't find any other stones in ducts.  No sign of infection. Endoscope was normal, SO looked normal my GI said but he didn't do an ECRP. Liver enzymes were normal so was complete panel. PCP said I have to "live with it".  Surgeon was no help. OTC pain meds don't help.

Questions - (I'm getting frustrated)
Is this typically in the short term for post- lap-chole symptoms?
Does SOD manifest in this way?
Could I still be experiencing delayed post-surgery healing?
What other 'conditions' should I be concerned/asking my doctor about?
Does any of this sound 'typical' for post lap-chole or SOD?
Do you think I should ask for an ECRP given my symptoms?
Do I just need to 'give it more time' to heal?

Thank you!
macgyver86

[PoisonIvyleaf]

A related discussion, Post operative gallbladder pain was started.

[in_this_together]

A related discussion, GREAT INFORMATION AVAILABLE--Check out these groups!! was started.

[sweetlou79]

I had my gallbladder removed in march and ever since i have been still having the same pain as I was experiencing before i had it removed. I recently went to the emergency room and they did a ct scan and it was normal. I am still experiencing the pain along with pain just above my navel and to the right of my naval. Has anyone experiences this?

[reallysickofbeingsick]

I feel all of your pain...literally. For 10 months I had labor type pain but I passed all the tests -- the Hidascan, the ultrasound, the catscans and bloodwork... 12 doctors in my town thought I was just a "stressed out mom" while their heads were cocked sideways...but they had no problems taking my copays...well,the 13th Doctor (friend who knew I was having a hard time but wasn't sure why since I hadn't revealed details) listened and in 5 minutes knew what wrong with me. He referred me to a friend (Doc) who referred me to a surgeon and I had the lap chole done, as you call it.  Only when he took it out did he see how diseased it was.  Life was great after I had it out -- until almost a year later when the pain returned.  I am having an ERCP w/ manometry done this Friday and possibly fix this SOD problem. Think good thoughts and I'll let you know what happens. I'm scared but can't live with this pain any more. As they say, it takes one to know one. :)

[divakim4]

I have had similar health issues. pain all the time. i had my lap chole on feb 12, 2007. and i have not felt better yet. i feel worse. i wish i never had it done. i do not know what the problem is though. pain in my back and sides of my
ribs all the time. i wish i knew. i'm getting a second opinion though and started with a new dr. to see if they can figure it out. my surgeon is an *** too. he told me he was helping me only because he liked me. in a sarcastic tone of voice. it made me cry. at this point i'm ready to drive to the mayo clinic. if you find out anything please let me know. i'm afraid it might be one of these things that because i am so run down it has sparked some other health issues off in my body. if you read and web search you will find that no one has any answers.

[divakim4]

I have had similar health issues. pain all the time. i had my lap chole on feb 12, 2007. and i have not felt better yet. i feel worse. i wish i never had it done. i do not know what the problem is though. pain in my back and sides of my
ribs all the time. i wish i knew. i'm getting a second opinion though and started with a new dr. to see if they can figure it out. my surgeon is an *** too. he told me he was helping me only because he liked me. in a sarcastic tone of voice. it made me cry. at this point i'm ready to drive to the mayo clinic. if you find out anything please let me know. i'm afraid it might be one of these things that because i am so run down it has sparked some other health issues off in my body. if you read and web search you will find that no one has any answers.

[southbell]

I had my gallbladder removed in 2003.I still sometimes have recurrent episodes of the same kind of horrible attacks before my gallbladder was removed.The gallbladder was diseased and not functioning properly.The pain was in upper back,chest.I thought I would die every time.I have dealt with these episodes still from time to time.One doctor said,well it could be worse.They gave me levisin to try during episodes of attacks.Does'nt do much.It is rare I find anyone who understands.Anyone with information or comments,please respond.

[mysurgeonisanass]

I am having trouble after my lap chol. which was done on 3/30/07. I first had an ERCP done to remove a large stone from my bile duct, two days later I had my lap. chol., the surgeon was an *** before he even did the procedure. He is known for being a great surgeon, so he has a HUGE head, although my neighbor at the hospital had her esophagus (SP?) punctured while having surgery from him, just three days before my surgery.Immediately after waking up from my surgery I was in the worst pain of my life, I seriously wouldnt have minded someone putting a gun to my head and shooting me, that is how much pain I was in. I could not stand to get up and walk the first night. They insisted I did, so I did, It felt like my stomach was just going to rip apart. Anyways to make a long story short, I left the hospital 2 days after my surgery, reluctantly. I have been to my doctors twice, the ER 3 times, and My surgeons office twice. I have not yet released the gas that they put in me during surgery, I weigh the same as when I went in the hospital, yet cannot wear the same clothes I wore to the hospital. I lost 40 pounds last year and have kept the weight off, yet am currently wearing the pants I wore at 40 pounds heavier. I have pain in my RUQ as well as in the mid stomach area between my bellybutton and my middle incision. I started feeling better for a couple of days and then all of a sudden, my top 3 incisions started bothering me again as well as the URQ pain and the mid stomach pain. My incisions have red blotches around them and the are painful, I cannot sit up straight because it puts too much pressure on the incisions! I called my sugeon and he says it is not normal, but he doesnt know what it could be? He is such an ***, I feel like he does not beleive a word I say, he thinks I am some drug chaser, when in all actuality I have a prescription from 1 1/2 weeks ago ( my last hospital visit) for Norco that I have not filles because I do not want to mask the pain of an underlying problem. I was told that I would feel better within 1 week of this surgery and here it is more than a month later, and I completely regret getting it. I havent felt like myself since, I cannot sleep, I cant wear my clothes, there is constant dull pain, unless I just lay still like a vegetable, cant bend over, cant pick things up, cant push for a bowel movement, all of these things are painful to do. I feel more and more depressed each day, I am full of frustration, and I do not know what to do. Please help. Any suggestions??

[Suejohn]

Hi,
     I am a 43 year old mother of 2 that just like you  had a lap chole done mine was 4 months ago and am having RUQ pain and nausea.  It is like I never had the surgery.  I was having nausea after eating and ruq pain that radiated to my back and r flank as well prior to the lap chole.  I had a sonogram which showed my gall bladder was contracted and my bile duct dilated.  The HIDA scan showed that my gallbladder was only functioning at 3% and needed to come out.  My surgeon told me that my gallbladder was the worst that he has ever seen such a horrible gallbladder in his 30 years of practice.  It was layer upon layer of scar tissue and adhesions.
     I saw on the internet afterwards that if a gallbladder is full of adhesions and scar tissue that is should be taken out by a complete cholecystectomy instead of lap chole nice huh.  Now of course I'm having post-op problems.  My GI has referred me to a well known gi disorder center to have an ercp with mamometry.  I also am suspected of having SOD. I ended up in the hospital for 2 days earlier this week because I was vomiting up straight bile every 15 minutes.  I had an endoscopy which showed hiatal hernia and mild gastritis.  I was told I probably had a 24hr virus (my foot)  I never vomited so violently in my life. I actually broke capillaries in my face.  
     You are not alone.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Recurring RUQ pain is not a common complication of gallbladder surgery.  Yes, SOD can manifest this way, and an ERCP with SO manometry can be considered if this is suspected.

You may want to consider an MRCP first to look at the biliary ducts, as this is the less invasive test.  An ERCP can be considered if there continues to be suspicion of the biliary ducts, or if SOD is suspected.  

If the tests remain negative, another surgical opinion can be considered.  

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_