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Avatar universal

Extreme post op pain

I had my Gallbladder removed on 28th Nov 2011, due to having Gallstones. Surgery went as planned with no complications. I was sent home the following day, but I was only sent home with paracetamol! After three days at home with my mother looking after me I was in lots of pain, unable to wash, dress or do anything that would pull my tummy muscles (flushing the toilet etc). I got a call from the hospital saying they should have sent me home with Codine so I was wondering why I was in so much pain. Hospital was too far so doctor advised I use my presrcripted Tramadol which I already had in the house. So started taking that 4 times a day with paracetamol but after another another week I felt the same bad pains and i was not progressing. I called the surgeon who advised to speak to my GP to discuess alternative pain killers, so i made an appointment on the 9th December. This would be the first time I have left my house. I took a very slow walk with my mother to the doctors and then to the chemist to get my new medication (Morphine). As soon as I stepped in the door when I got home I felt like I was going to be sick then minutes later I was struck with the most horrendous pain all over my stomach and sides and lower back, it felt like a Gallbladder attack but all over! Obviously no Gallbladder there but that is the only way I could discribe the pain. I was screaming the neighbourhood down and out if hours doctor advised my mother to call for an ambulance. I was in A+E for 8 hours, had X-ray of my liver areas, blood and urine tests and they couldn't find anything serious so sent me home after the pain was under control. The Monday after (12th December) I called my surgeon to inform her about my pain attack and she said that I will need to come in for more tests. Two days later it was arranged for me to go into hospital for the tests. I had an altrasound scan, MRI and more blood tests, the doctors were able to rule out anything potentially serious and what might of happened was a tiny fragment of one if the stones she removed might have been missed and is being passed naturally but very hard to see on the scans. I'm in the hospital still 5 days later (today) waiting for doctor to discharge me so I can continue to recover at home. The doctor said that I shouldn't have gone out to the doctors, which probably didn't help and also I have a low pain threshold and I am a slow healer so pain is more and recovery time is longer then the average person. Prior to my Op my blood tests came back with an abnornal Liver, my liver was in the same condition as soneone who is an alcholic or someone who is addicted to pain killers. This was a result if my Gallstones as i do not drink or take lots of pain killers. Post surgery (now) my blood results for my liver are still are high but i have a followup appointment after the new year. I hope i get back to normal as I feel helpless :(
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Avatar universal
That'll be great...... Good luck :)
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Avatar universal
Many thanks I will. I am actually in UK. I've contacted my Gastrologist and Surgeon's secretaries and waiting for a reply. I'll let you know what happens x
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Avatar universal
I am glad that you are home and I hope you are feeling better :)

If you are on facebook at all, look up the group sphincter of oddi dysfunction....it is a closed group where people with this condition and post cholecystectomy syndrome and post gallbladder issues meet and support each other and share advice and experiences.....a lot of the girls are in the US (I'm guessing you are) and might even be able to recommend good doctors to see..... :)

I hope that you have a pain and symptom free Christmas
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Avatar universal
Thank you for your reply, I have been discharged from hospital. I will contact my surgeon and my Gastrologist to see if they haven't already considered this. It would explain the pain I got, I'll let you know what happens. thanks again x
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Avatar universal
Oh, and I forgot to mention.....don't be freaked out when all the tests show "normal" mine always did too......

except slightly high blood results and inflammation......

This is to be expected, as unless you have a blockage in your ducts somewhere or a physical abnormality......there is nothing to see as it is a motility issue!!!!

Good luck :)
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Avatar universal
I am so sorry to hear that you have been suffering so badly!

I have a condition called sphincter of oddi dysfunction and from what you have described it sounds like a sod attack!

A lot of people with sod can not have morphine or even codeine as it causes this sphincter muscle to go into spasm and cause extreme pain!

I too had my gallbladder removed without complications, but still continue to have urq pain like the gallbladder is still there.......

I would research sphincter of oddi dysfunction and ask your doctors about it! I personally think that for me, my gallbladder was only a symptom and not the cause of my issues!

I wish you well and that you improve quickly

Regards
Sarsi
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