Gallbladder post op complaints

[Bobbi339]

I had a routine (?) lap gall bladder removal on March 12, 2003.  Five days later I was readmitted to the hospital with considerable pain and jaundice. Tests showed that a surgical clip was blocking the common bile duct.  Surgery was performed to correct this by choledocojejunostomy (sp?).
I am now six weeks post op and have noted the following problems:
1) clay colored stools
2) pain under right shoulder blade after eating
3) nausea after eating
4) intense pain under right side rib cage upon deep breath or yawning.
Do you have any comments or suggestions?

[krisg]

I can relate to your story.  I would suggest getting another dr.  There are anti-spasm meds. that you can take as maintenance that will help ALOT with the bathroom problem.  Another thing, elevated liver enzymes are nothing that should be taken lightly! I have elevated liver enzymes only when I have an attack of biliary pain.  (I have a history of Sphincter of Oddi and bile duct problems since my gallbladder surgery 5 years ago). The sphincter clams shut and doesn't open, therefore the bile backs up into the liver and spills over into the blood stream.  That is only one reason for elevated liver enzymes.  There are many other reasons for elevated liver enzymes too.  Get a new doctor who is willing to work with you to find out your problem.  Good Luck.

[bets1101]

My friend just had her gallbladder removed...by lap...this is her second day since surgery and she has not been able to eat yet...wondering if this is normal

[marlow]

Also, approximately 6 months ago I started vomitting frequently.  No warning, I just do it! Any ideas, could it be related to the rest of my symptons, bearing in mind it has really only just started.  I had blood tests for the sickness including Hepatitis screening and my Dr told me everything was fine except that my liver enzymes were high.  I had a repeat test a week later and although the enzyme level had dropped, it was still relatively high.  He said, in view of the tests being mainly OK, there was basically nothing wrong and had the attitude of 'go away now, you're OK'.  I now feel stupid going back as I feel he knows best & if he says I'm OK, then he must be right.  Any suggestions??????????

[jay c]

My wife had her gallbladder removed in 1994. She has had infrequent pains on her right side since then, and Soma has controlled it fairly well. But last year she was in a car accident. Since then flair-ups have become an almost every-day occurrence. Pain medications don't do anything except at such high doses that she becomes incapacitated. Soma still works, but she has a tendency to take too much if the pain is severe,  I'm not comfortable with the idea of her being dependent on this (or any) medication for the rest of her life. I looked at levsin, but the side effects sound worse even than most pain medications. From what I've gathered by reading this forum and other web sites, there is medically nothing that can be done. Just eat a low-fat, high-fiber diet, drink lots of water, and learn to live with it. Is that really the only answer?

[krisg]

I drink only water and have so my whole life.  I still get the biliary colic even after having a generous biliary sphincterotomy done.  The glass of water does nothing for me when the pain hits.  Usually it hits so hard and fast that I barely have time to think.  I do take Donnatal for spasms.  Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.  I took Levsin faithfully for 2 years until I had 2 attacks within one week and landed in the hospital on demoral.  I feel that the sphincterotomy did help somewhat because my attacks now are alittle less painful and the duration is only maximum 2 hours.  My bile duct has a high grade of stenosis.  Just found that out when I had the sphincterotomy in 2/03.  When I had my gallbladder out in 1998, I was diagnosed with stones. The gallbladder attacks I had then don't even compare to the attacks I have now.  On the good side, both my mother and best friend had their gallbladders taken out and have been fine for years.  It is a chance you take, as with any surgery.

[schaeff]

Your comment about water is interesting. I had the lap choly 4 years ago, and every day since, I get excruciating, disabling epigastric pain 2-3 hours after every meal. Examined by three separate gastro specialists. Had every scope,scan and blood test, including an MRCP, except the ERCP - all normal. PPIs and H2 blockers had no effect. I therefore have a presumptive diagnosis of sphincter of oddi dysfunction, type III (biliary side). What is really weird, and what I've never heard anyone else mention, is that I can completely and nearly immediately eliminate the pain by drinking a glass of water and it works every time without fail!!!