itching under the skin after gall bladder remval

Question

my mother had her gall bladder removed in oct.07, and with in 2 weeks she started having this "itch" under her skin. she has been to the dr. 11 times since and the only thing they are doing is giving her benadryl. the "itch" started in her torso area, now it is all over, even in her head. she is goin insane trying to stop it.
the itch is not on the epidermis, it is under her skin, there is no visable signs except for the scaring she is leaving when she scratches thru her clothing.
I am wondering if it is some kind of parasite that she picked up in the hospital. she has not been out of the country recently. Her dr. sent her to another dr. to help figure this out and so far they have nothing.

This discussion is related to Severe Itching after Gallbladder Surgery.

stubob · Answer

If your bilirubin levels are normal, I have an unproven theory that post-surgical neuropathy is the cause, and that it presents itself as itch instead of the more typical pins and needles or numbness most would experience. Itch is essentially mild pain.

CWattersMD · Answer

Elevated bilirubin levels after gallbladder surgery need to be evaluated right away. Although it is common for patients with high bilirubin levels to experience pruritis (itching), it is actually the deposition of bile salts in the skin that is thought to cause the problem. In cases of bile duct obstruction both the bilirubin and the levelsof circulating bile salts are elevated. Following removal of the gallbladder elevated bilirubin levels may be caused by a stone in the common bile duct blocking it, a narrowing of the bile duct due to  technical complication, or sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. One must also rule out reasons unrelated to the surgery such as tumors, sclerosing cholangitis, hepatitis, etc. I have also seen profound jaundice caused by reactions to medications.

naret7 · Answer

Hi Im going through the same situation and I'm DESPERATE!!! alot of itching, bilirubin levels are high... did you found any solution for the itching???? please h
HELP!!!!!

vickiem47 · Answer

I read your info about your mother's gallbladder removal and the itching she experienced.  Since it was three yrs ago, I wonder if your mom ever found a solution to the itching.  I'm experiencing the same thing she did and am about to go crazy.  Please help if you can.  Thank you!

CalGal · Answer

Are her palms red and itchy? Is she displaying any form of a rash? And, as an outlier, is there any history of gluten-intolerance in her family anywhere?

kjohnsonnkids · Answer

bilirubin level is at 4, within normal range. so far this is about all we have.

Jaybay · Answer

I agree with CalGal.  Problems with the liver are often accompanied by itchy skin.  Definitely time to have her bilirubin levels checked.

CalGal · Answer

Is there any possibility that she could have high levels of bilirubin in her system? Has her doc measured her liver enzyme levels lately? It's possible she might have continuing problems with 'processing' the bile she's making.