anybody suffering with this? please help.

[rockhound]

March 2002 went to er with chest pains feeling as pricking needles in the center of my sternum, belching(though nothing would come),nausea, vomiting, and yellowish stools. The whites of my eyes also had a slight tinge and were not as clear, tongue developed grooved fissures. Tests said heart was fine, diagnosis gerd. Started nexium 40mg(killed my appetite and made chest pain worse and feeling as though I needed to constantly belch). Then put on famotidine 20mg 2xdaily(still having the chest pain and belching). Saw GI doc and had upper gi series, throat endo, sonogram, ct scan abdomen and chest, and hida scan. Test were negative except they discovered type B gastritis due to h pylori + . Liver was excellent except elevated alkaline phosphate.  Took triple cocktail 14days and that eliminated the h pylori.  Gallbladder ejection 19% with no stones or sludge. Had lap gallb surgery July 02 to remove it and then my health improved. Never had reflux ever in my life and am only 32. I get pressure center right of my sternum(constant day in and out with little relief feeling like I need to belch and the lumpy throat feeling). Have chest pain whether on meds or not. Sometimes get the phantom gallbladder pain. Tried nitro thinking it is esophageal spasms but no relief. Doc says its gerd and keep taking meds then opt for lap fundo if no improvement in a year. I don't want another surgery until conclusive proof of what is really wrong! If anyone has any thoughts, comments, or suggestions please post. Anybody with similiar sypmtoms?  Sorry for the long post. Just tired of feeling lousy.

[l_markham1]

I am 37 now. I had my gallbladder removed in 1999. Since then I have developed many problems. severe allergies (mostly sinus related), headaches, body aches and pains, female problems including irregular periods, heavy bleeding, cyst on my ovary. The cyst was finally discovered in 2001 and after seeing that GYN doc I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism also ( July 2001). From mid 2001 til now I have gained about 40 pounds. I had surgery in October 2001 to remove the cyst and he also did D&C. The last year or so I have had constipation, hot flashes, pain in my feet (feels like feet are on fire) and now for the last few months I am having itching fits on the top part of my hands, inner arms, and lower part of my legs (near my ankles)and pain in my right side. I believe its my liver.

My question is... Can the liver function properly without the gallbladder and can all these health problems I have developed be ralated to the gallbladder/liver function? What can I do to improve liver function without the gallbladder. I am currently looking for a new Dr. since mine seems to think Im just making most of it up since my blood test come out normal. PLEASE PLEASE tell me Im not insane. Are there others that have had similar symptoms???

[magda]

I am 28 yrs old and had my GB removed in Oct. Ever since then I have had this pain that is in the middle of the sternum and spreads through my ribs and into my heart. I have always had IBS s/s. But now I have these attacks, that are crippling. I see a GI doctor who really is working hard. He has come to the conclusoin that it is SO Dysfunction. Only thing is all my LFT's are always normal. I had a normal abd US and I have a HIDA Scan scheduled in the next week. I have been placed on Cardizem and take Nitro at the time of the attacks. Which helps but in really bad cases the pain returns in the next 30 mins. And Nitro comes with a headache. I am concerned that if this is not SO Dysfunction then I may be having a procedure with a lot of side effects for no reason. ERCP with sphincterotomy is no picnic from what I hear. Does anyone have similar pain? I have read a lot about right sided pain, but mine is not always on the right side, and it creates a lot of pressure at the base of my espohagus so that it is hard to breathe, then comes the pain, his crampy, stabbing pain that spreds areound my middle. This pain was never present prior to cholecystectomy. Also the nausea that was there before is back. And a lot of bloating in the abdomen. I am very healthy I excercise, I am not over weight, I am at a total loss about this pain. It has definetly changed my lifestyle. I dont sleep because they come at night, and I miss work because Nitro is the only thing that stops the pain, but it causes light headedness and headache. If anyone is a fellow sufferer who has found relief please let me know...I would love the feedback. Good Luck to all who have postings I know that it is frustrating, especially when our drs. are at a loss...Thank You

[magda]

I am 28 yrs old and had my GB removed in Oct. Ever since then I have had this pain that is in the middle of the sternum and spreads through my ribs and into my heart. I have always had IBS s/s. But now I have these attacks, that are crippling. I see a GI doctor who really is working hard. He has come to the conclusoin that it is SO Dysfunction. Only thing is all my LFT's are always normal. I had a normal abd US and I have a HIDA Scan scheduled in the next week. I have been placed on Cardizem and take Nitro at the time of the attacks. Which helps but in really bad cases the pain returns in the next 30 mins. And Nitro comes with a headache. I am concerned that if this is not SO Dysfunction then I may be having a procedure with a lot of side effects for no reason. ERCP with sphincterotomy is no picnic from what I hear. Does anyone have similar pain? I have read a lot about right sided pain, but mine is not always on the right side, and it creates a lot of pressure at the base of my espohagus so that it is hard to breathe, then comes the pain, his crampy, stabbing pain that spreds areound my middle. This pain was never present prior to cholecystectomy. Also the nausea that was there before is back. And a lot of bloating in the abdomen. I am very healthy I excercise, I am not over weight, I am at a total loss about this pain. It has definetly changed my lifestyle. I dont sleep because they come at night, and I miss work because Nitro is the only thing that stops the pain, but it causes light headedness and headache. If anyone is a fellow sufferer who has found relief please let me know...I would love the feedback. Good Luck to all who have postings I know that it is frustrating, especially when our drs. are at a loss...Thank You

[magda]

I am 28 yrs old and had my GB removed in Oct. Ever since then I have had this pain that is in the middle of the sternum and spreads through my ribs and into my heart. I have always had IBS s/s. But now I have these attacks, that are crippling. I see a GI doctor who really is working hard. He has come to the conclusoin that it is SO Dysfunction. Only thing is all my LFT's are always normal. I had a normal abd US and I have a HIDA Scan scheduled in the next week. I have been placed on Cardizem and take Nitro at the time of the attacks. Which helps but in really bad cases the pain returns in the next 30 mins. And Nitro comes with a headache. I am concerned that if this is not SO Dysfunction then I may be having a procedure with a lot of side effects for no reason. ERCP with sphincterotomy is no picnic from what I hear. Does anyone have similar pain? I have read a lot about right sided pain, but mine is not always on the right side, and it creates a lot of pressure at the base of my espohagus so that it is hard to breathe, then comes the pain, his crampy, stabbing pain that spreds areound my middle. This pain was never present prior to cholecystectomy. Also the nausea that was there before is back. And a lot of bloating in the abdomen. I am very healthy I excercise, I am not over weight, I am at a total loss about this pain. It has definetly changed my lifestyle. I dont sleep because they come at night, and I miss work because Nitro is the only thing that stops the pain, but it causes light headedness and headache. If anyone is a fellow sufferer who has found relief please let me know...I would love the feedback. Good Luck to all who have postings I know that it is frustrating, especially when our drs. are at a loss...Thank You

[magda]

I am 28 yrs old and had my GB removed in Oct. Ever since then I have had this pain that is in the middle of the sternum and spreads through my ribs and into my heart. I have always had IBS s/s. But now I have these attacks, that are crippling. I see a GI doctor who really is working hard. He has come to the conclusoin that it is SO Dysfunction. Only thing is all my LFT's are always normal. I had a normal abd US and I have a HIDA Scan scheduled in the next week. I have been placed on Cardizem and take Nitro at the time of the attacks. Which helps but in really bad cases the pain returns in the next 30 mins. And Nitro comes with a headache. I am concerned that if this is not SO Dysfunction then I may be having a procedure with a lot of side effects for no reason. ERCP with sphincterotomy is no picnic from what I hear. Does anyone have similar pain? I have read a lot about right sided pain, but mine is not always on the right side, and it creates a lot of pressure at the base of my espohagus so that it is hard to breathe, then comes the pain, his crampy, stabbing pain that spreds areound my middle. This pain was never present prior to cholecystectomy. Also the nausea that was there before is back. And a lot of bloating in the abdomen. I am very healthy I excercise, I am not over weight, I am at a total loss about this pain. It has definetly changed my lifestyle. I dont sleep because they come at night, and I miss work because Nitro is the only thing that stops the pain, but it causes light headedness and headache. If anyone is a fellow sufferer who has found relief please let me know...I would love the feedback. Good Luck to all who have postings I know that it is frustrating, especially when our drs. are at a loss...Thank You

[stina9]

i dont get the tehroat thing but ive been having pain in my right side and sometimes the pain goes from the rt side to the left and down the rt side to the hip bone im gassy,bulch alot and stay very nauseaed,im taking librax,celexa,vicodenand phenergean for nausea. the only thing the have diagnosed me with is IBS and they are still trying ti figure out the rest I have a appiontment with a GI dr next month but the waiting is killing me and this is so interferring with my normal like.its kinda like the doctors are playing a guessing game i have come to the conclustion i should have never got my gallbladder removed because then at least i didnt hurt all the time.

[stina9]

i dont get the tehroat thing but ive been having pain in my right side and sometimes the pain goes from the rt side to the left and down the rt side to the hip bone im gassy,bulch alot and stay very nauseaed,im taking librax,celexa,vicodenand phenergean for nausea. the only thing the have diagnosed me with is IBS and they are still trying ti figure out the rest I have a appiontment with a GI dr next month but the waiting is killing me and this is so interferring with my normal like.its kinda like the doctors are playing a guessing game i have come to the conclustion i should have never got my gallbladder removed because then at least i didnt hurt all the time.

[Tinka2]

The belching and constant chest pain definitely sounds like you might have a hiatal hernia.  Try and get that checked out.

[lilbit_ch]

Hello fello sufferers, I too had my gallbladder taken out back in 1989. For 2 or 3 years before, I was diagnosed with ulcers and was taking 80 to 90 dollars worth of medicine a month. About 9 months before getting it taken out, I was constantly at E.R. with one infection after the other. (bladder, kidney, cervical etc.) A nurse was the one that figured out it was gallstones. I was ok after that (exception of a pulling dull hurting feeling around the area ) (Was told that was the incision pulling) for about 5 years then started having extreme pain in the right side of stomach (area where gallbladder used to be) that felt like being stabbed with a red hot poker and it went straight thru to my back.  Went to a gastro doctor who thought it was a stone in the bile duct(supposeably common 5 to 6 years after having GB removed). He did a scope down the throat but found no stone.  Began doing blood work, found bile and amalase levels extremely elevated.  He suspected Sphincter of Odie was not opening up like it should. Went back in and put a plastic stint in to hold the sphincter open.  For a month he left it in and what a difference.  He went in one more time removed the stint and cauterized it open.  I was ok for a few years then started having pain again.  He scoped me again, thinking the sphincter had closed up with scar tissue but it wasn't.  I now take librax three times a day because the part of the bile duct that used to connect with the gallbladder tries to spasm (that is how it would cause bile to come out of the gallbladder) and when it does, it hurts bad!  If I miss one dosage I pay dearly for it.  This could be what is happening to some of you.  Glad to know there are others like me. Not that it is a good thing, no one should have to hurt like this, but it is conforting to know your not alone.  Hope this is helpful to you.

[Lillibet]

One thing I would like to know is what is your diet like? and what was it like before? What types of foods did you typically eat?

[rockhound]

Thank you all for posting.  It is comforting to know that we are not suffering alone.  I tried a self test of going off the meds for several days to see what would happen.
While on the meds, I get reduced acid and chest pain but experience the lumpy throat feeling and lots of belching.
Off the meds, I get acid and terrible chest pain but very little belching and lumpy throat.
Hopefully I can find another doc that will have better answers that my current one!

[22yearsandcounting]

Right there with you. My stomach ailments began when I was 11 years old. I'm getting ready to turn 33 this month..and guess what...not one single doctor has helped.  My gallbladder was taken out at 25, I had a full hysterectomy last april..and just last week I was in the hospital again.  This past bout I've had has lasted 3 months now, and is at the worst ever.  Was in the hospital,and was diagnosed with Gastritis and Esphogitus ( for the second time)....I feel like ****, I hurt to the point I take vicodin, nausea lives with me, and that over all unwell feeling is constant.  I guess since I'm not the first lady, or since I don't have my own TV show, or that my bank account doesn't have at least 6 zero's I'm nothing to the medical world.  Scientists are more concerned with coming up with drugs that can give a guy a freakin hard on..or clone freakin sheep...meanwhile we all search for answers on the internet only to find one another that has the same problems.  They say in heaven there's no pain or suffering...well gee...maybe I'd rather be there than in this hell whole.

[kykatfan]

I had my Gall Blatter out 5 years ago, and have the same pain on my right side as I did before the surgery. It is worst after eating and I have found if I get up and move around after a meal I feel better. I suffer from Acid Reflux, bloating and nausea. I take Previcid but really hate the side effects, headaches, dry throat, and stomach pains. I was treated for H Pylori last year and felt wonderful for awhile. Does H Pylori come back?
Appreciate any comments. Thanks

[cmita]

I also had my GB out last year, I have experienced pain where my GB was ever since. I am now experiencing dull aching chest and back pain and a tight feeling in my throat, it comes and goes almost daily. I do not feel any of the typical symptoms of heartburn such as burining acid coming back into my throat but I am always aware of the dull sensation in my upper stomach just below breat bone on the right side and into my chest, back and throat (the throat is what really drives me crazy). I have just started to take some over the counter antacids and zantac. It is too soon to tell if it is working, however, I did find much relief by accident the other day. I was experiencing a great amount of this pain in my chest and throat just before I went to play raquet ball, I did not think I would be able to play with this pain but began to play anyway. Within minutes the pain went away and I felt great. I do not know if this was coincidence or not, but maybe exercise might be the key.

[MTV]

I have all the exact same symptoms that you do.  I too, have had the "wierd, tight" feeling in my throat.  That concerns me alot also.  There is sometimes a slight burning in my throat, not uncomfortable, just weird, when I drink anything carbonated.  I have had multiple tests and no results.  Nothing shows up.  I exercise, even though this causes my pain on the right side to become worse.  I don't know what to think anymore, so I just go on with life and try to "deal" with the symptoms on a day to day basis.

[MTV]

I am having similar problems too everyone.  Had my gallbladder out in April 2002.  Was fine for a few months.  Now, have almost constant pain in my right quadrant where gallbladder was and goes straight through to my back.  Almost constant nausea and pain in and behind my sternum.  My gastros did extensive bloodwork to check liver, pancreatic, etc. functions.  Everything normal.  Had CT scan done to check pain in back.  Nothing.  Seems like we are destined to be miserable.  I am on Nexium, Pepcid for my gerd.  I have hiatal hernia too.  I am going to try to modify my diet, cutting out lactose, fatty foods.  Also am exercising (walking, yoga) and I hope that my change in lifestyle will help with the pain since the docs can't seem to find anything.  It is very frustrating and I share everyone's concern.

[AH1966]

I had ny gallbladder taken out in October(did fine on the recovery)It January now and yesterday I started to have pain in the sternum area. It comes and goes. I burp alot and I am very tired. I am making an appt. to see the doctor tomorrow hope its nothing bad. Its uncomfortable not severe pain. If I lay on my side the pain goes away. (confused). If anybody has any idea please shout and let me know.

ah

[nadia]

I was diagnosed with gastritis in 2000, I was 38 at the time.  Within a couple of weeks I also developed chest pain.  At first it was off and on and now it is pretty constant. I had my gallbladder removed in 2002 and am still having pain behind and below the sternum, back and chest pain.  My last episode of chest pain had me in the ER with elevated troponin levels of .9. The doctors are baffled, they believe my epigastric pain is causing my BP and HR to rise.  I am scheduled for another gastroscopy in Feb. When you were admitted to the hospital, did they recommend a stress test? You also might want to look into sphincter of oddi dysfunction.