Post gallbladder surgery stomach discomfort

[mattieman]

I had my gallbladder removed about 7 years ago and immediately afterwards experienced severe cramping, dull burning and general stomach discomfort when I would eat cheese (but not milk or milk products).  The "attack" seemed to subside after taking alka selzer but not other products such as mylanta. This condition lasted for several weeks and then disappeared.  The problem is that I've recently begun to experience this condition again.  I began to notice slight discomfort after eating cheesy products, but nothing too severe.  However, an hour or so after ingesting a couple slices of pizza I had a severe "attack" that included diahrea, severe gas (with burping), pain in the upper abdomimal region, sweating, and right before it seemed like I would pass out, vomitting (which relieved the pain).  I've also had diahrea on and off for about one week.  Anyone have similar problem?

[krisg]

I had the lap. chol. (through the belly button).  My problems got worse after my surgery.  Took me 5 years to come to a final conclusion.  Anyway, there are many people who have this surgery and are fine the rest of their lives.  Probably a small percentage of us end up with worse pain than before the surgery.
Which is why we go on posts like this to help us vent and also help us try to find answers and comfort from those who understand our pain.  Good luck.

[ginger78]

I am going to have gallbladder surgery soon.  Did all of you who had problems or complications have the laproscopic surgery or the open surgery?  Please reply...  I am very nervous about my surgery.

[ginger78]

I am going to have gallbladder surgery soon.  Did all of you who had problems or complications have the laproscopic surgery or the open surgery?  Please reply...  I am very nervous about my surgery.

[Moya]

I had my gallbladder removed in 1995 and in 1997 I had an attack about 100 times worse then a gallbladder attack.  I had to see a surgeon to have an ERCP done which resulted in pancreatitis.  Then had to see another specialist who perfomed another ERCP and stated that the muscle was bulbous somewhere inside me and he cut away part of it.
Since this happened I have continual pain in my abdomin and still have gallbladder attacks a couple of times a year.  My abdominal pain is daily and generally happens after eating.  I have lost 20 pounds and try to eat only small portions at a time.
I also have constant diarhea which my doctor says is irritable bowel (yeah right!).  I am going for a colonoscopy in 2 months but the surgeon suggests that my liver is backed up with bile and it flushes into my intestines causing the pain and has prescribed medication which soaks up the bile.  This medication is also prescribed for people with high cholestral.
Any thoughts or insights!

[JanJan]

I have a gallbladder attack and ended up having it removed back in November 2003.  Since I have had it removed, my stomach cramps constantly and usually ends up running to restroom with diarrhea or loose stools (usually like baby poop).  I know that fried foods seem to do this to me and real fatty foods so I try to eliminate these as much as possible.  But there are times that I don't eat anything and these stomach cramps will startup.  I have notice if I wear slightly tight pants around my waist, the same thing happens.  This is really getting bad when you can't go out to dinner without running to restroom in the beginning, middle or end of your dinner.  I take Imodium all the time and Mylanta, but this may or may not keep it from happening.  I also had a colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy done within the past year and every thing checked out.  I don't know what to do about this, but hope that someone can suggest a slotion to my problem.  I was going back to my gastroenterology doctor, but wanted to see if I found anyone else who was having these same problems.

[Mommie]

I had my Gallbladder removed due to stones in March 2002 and it seems that I have difficulty with some foods all the time and with others part of the time.  I can eat dairy some times with no problems and yet other times I have severe diarrhea, stomach aches and burping.  If I eat alot of rich foods I seem to have the problems too.  This has been going on since I had the surgery, is this associated with the gall bladder or is it something more.

[krisg]

good luck getting a doctor to look further into your pain.  For almost 2 years I was given a diagnose of either irritable bowel or acid reflux.( they were so far off base!) Finally I was hospitalized, after driving home from the grocery store and this horrible pain started again. All tests came back normal except my liver enzymes were elevated.  They suggested Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction and sent me to a specialist.  The "specialist" did an ERCP with manometry and said everything was fine.  He sent me home with Levsin and Elavil to try and keep my bowels and whole system calm. I didn't believe him one bit but I took the meds and went on with my life expecting it would go away forever.  Well July 2002, (2 years later), I had another attack and went to the ER room.  and 4 days after that I had another attack and was in the ER for a couple of hours.  The only thing they could do was pump me full of demoral or morphine until I passed out.  Well, here I am almost 5 years later and still not "cured".  I have gotten my butt to a new gastro doc. and he ran more testing and says that all signs point to SOD.  Every time I was hospitalized or in the ER room my liver enzymes were elevated.  It took me months to put together my medical records and show someone the similarities.  If you do a search on the internet under sphincter of oddi or sphincterotomy you can get alot of information and you can usually figure out if you fit the description or not.  Sometimes it takes going to alot of doctors until you find one that is willing to really listen to what you are saying.  Also look up retained stones in the ducts after gallbladder surgery.  That could be your problem too.  Keep trying!  Just a note:  I don't drive alone anymore "anywhere"!

[monipuppy]

I had Gallbladder surgery in September 2002.  Ever since then I have these attack of a sharp pain in the upper ab and usually resulting in vomiting. After that I am usually very tired and sore.  I have gone to the doctor I have had a sonogram, a egd, (waiting for a result on that)  they said there was some irriatation in the stomach and they took a bio.  I am taking Protonix, ( have taken Levid, blurred my vision very badly.)  Does anyone have any any answers to this because i would love to have some.  I am scared to go out with friends because i have had these attacks at least 4 times while out since september.  

HELP

[Meg111]

I had gallbladder surgery 4 months ago.  There were complications and I had to have open surgery with a couple of tubes and bags for about 6 weeks.  Last month (3 months after surgery) I started getting severe stomache pain that felt exactly like my gallbladder attacks.  They are in my sternum area and radiate thru my back near my right shoulder.  I also sweat ALOT and feel very hot.  I don't vomit but feel as if I did it might help.  Taking TUMS usually makes it go away immediately...but once or twice it has taken up to 20 minutes.  I started trying to connect it to certain foods and found that spicy food triggered it...but also some non-spicy foods triggered it.  These same non-spicy foods cause no problems at other meals.  My pains also start late at night, usually about 4 hours after I've eaten.  But sometimes 1 hour after I've eaten.  Ulcers or biliary duct problem at incision location???

[krisg]

check out "Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction" either under yahoo.com or google.com.  Your symptoms sound like it.  I had my gallbladder out almost 5 years ago.  Within hours I was having a severe attack of stomach pain, nausau, vomiting, and profuse sweating.  And yes, just as I thought I would pass out from lack of breath and pain, it would let up for a few minutes so I could catch my breath.  I went on with this happening on and off for 2 years until I was hospitalized with it one day.  They kept me for 3 days on pain meds and my liver enzymes were elevated. (around 260's).  Since then I have had numerous tests done and everything comes out normal except when I have these severe attacks and go to the er room, my liver enzymes are elevated.  My current dr. thinks it is SOD and it sure does sound like your symptoms too.  You might want to check it out.
good luck

[CHADDY]

I had mine out about 9 months ago and except for the puking and sweating, yes, i too have experienced these things.  I have heard that sometimes after GB surgery that some can't eat certain things.  I heard that eating lettuce etc. would cause these things also.  I've really found no foods that cause me to have those kinds of reactions in particular.  they just seem to come and go whenever they want.  If you haven't already I would recommend going to the dr. again.  I hope that everything improves for you.  Best wishes!  Chad