Nausea with no vomiting after gallbladder remvoal

I had my Gallbladder last monday after being diagnosed with a 6% ejectin fraction.  My symptoms were pain after eating in the middle area of my stomach, and nausea.  During the HIDA scan, the CCK infusion made the pain intense, however I was had just a small amount of nausea that lasted a few seconds.  Anyways, my surgeon said it need to come out.  So after 3 months of tests including: endoscopy, colonoscopy, ultra-sounds, various blood tests, CT scan, fecal smears..etc.  

Its been about 7 days since the surgery. I have no pain when I eat.  However, I feel like I have Heart burn, and I have a funny taste in my mouth.  Then after eating meals other than soup and toast, i get nausea about 20 minutes to an hour later.  I don't vomit, its just annoying.  

I know there is the SOD, but is that usually associated with pain or can nausea be a complicatation?  

Is it possible to have too little acid in the stomach that can casue nausea?

I am hoping to find an answer...this has been going on since june and its getting in the way of life.....thanks for your input, kevin

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Nausea and pain can certainly be caused by Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction.  I am not sure if too little acid in the stomach can cause nausea, but I suppose it may be possible.  To determine this you may want to consider a 24-hr pH study.

I would say rule out inflammation or ulcers, but with a negative upper endoscopy - this would make it less likely.

To fully evaluate for SOD, you may want to consider an ERCP with Sphincter of Oddi manometry - it is suggested that you discuss this option with your personal physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b

[hollyd28]

I also have a low ejection fraction and suffer from a lot of nausea.  I haven't had my gallbladder removed yet, but was told by the surgeon I met with that it would take at least a month after the surgery for the nausea to go away.  You just had surgery and your body is trying to adjust.  Try to be patient.  I also just spoke to someone with the same condition.  She had surgery 3 weeks ago and still has nausea.  It takes time.

[renee1952]

I had my GB out about a year and a half ago. I DIDNOT have nausea to any degree for any amt. of time. I returned to work full time at 5 days post op so I don't think nausea for a month after GB removal is necessarily the normal.

[seal98]

I had a good lenghty dicussion with my Surgeon.  He explained to me the what he called "Opie" syndrome or SOD.  He stated the SOD would be sharp pains in the URQ along with nausea and vomiting, not just nausea.  He also stated since the HIDA scan showed the emptying of the material, so he feltSOD would be unlikely.  (he added he has done a number of ERCP and is aware of the symptoms that he's associated with a diagnosis of SOD, and that i didn't show to have)  He also included that the body needs to readjust itself, since my condition could have been present for a long time before it was corrected.  I also may have gastritis due to the low ejection fraction, and the surgery can cause reflux into the esophogus.  I was given Pamine and Zofran and so far so good.  I've only been post op for a week and two days.  I started the above meds Tuesday night and i've been, "knock on wood" nausea free all day, today.  He also explained the mechanism of nausea and how sensative the stomach is to its surroundings.  He also said the SO can spasm after the removal of a gallbladder and it, at times, will return to normal. I will go back in three weeks for a re-eval, but hopefully thats the last i see of him....HA..  He also showed me the scope picture of my Gallbladder and said it was diseased, and show signifgant reason for remvoal...So with that being said...just feeling better and hopefully staying this way...and if anyone in chicago needs a surgical referal...leave a message and i'd be glad to give you my surgeon.