Back ache and nausea following gall bladder removal.

[SusieMo]

Hi.  I was diagnosed with gall stones earlier this year.  Had several bad bouts of extreme pain.  Ended up suffering from severe jaundice (yellow skin/eyes and bile itching) and had two ERCP procedures in two days to try and clear the blockage prior to surgery.  On second ERCP procedure the surgeon cut the bile dust to remove the stone causing the blockage. Then had gall bladder removal by key hole method 8 weeks ago.  Surgeon confessed that it was "complicated" owing to the amount of inflammation.  Have had repeated blood tests since leaving hospital.  Most functions have returned to normal with the exception of ALT (Alanine Transaminase) and Alkaline Phosphatase.  Both continue to be higher than recommended.  Continue to have mild backache on right hand side of body, slightly lower than right shoulder blade.  Also have strong feeling of nausea but am never sick.  Stools are still fairly pale and somewhat loose but improved on how they where when I was very unwell.  Have had an MRCP scan on bile duct to check for obstruction but none is evident.  The dull back ache and feeling of sickness is starting to get me down.  Specialist has referred me back for further blood tests - I am sure that they will be inconclusive again - just elevated levels of ALT and Alk Phos.  Have you come across a post-operative case such as mine before?  What should I ask my GP to check for please?  Thanks.  Susie.

[Forum-M.D.-]

There are certainly cases where possible complications from surgery may lead to your symptoms.  I agree with the MRCP you obtained.  An ultrasound can also be done to look for biliary duct damage.  Discussing this option with your surgeon should be considered.

I would also consider upper GI diseases like GERD, an ulcer or inflammation of the  upper digestive tract.  An upper endoscopy can evaluate these options.  

These options can be discussed with your personal physician or GI specialist.

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.
kevinmd_

[breezey30]

I woke up December 18, 2005 in major pain, rushed to the emergency room, diagnosed with gall stone...scheduled and had gallbladder removed February 1, 2006.  I had increaseing bouts of heartburn prior to being diagnosed... So when diagnosed I say oh maybe thats why I have had the heartburn...prior to the attack in December I started having upper back pain in November 2005.  I thought it was my postier(sp.)  or leaning over my desk at work...So when I was going to have surgery. I had mentioned the pain to my doctors and they said sometimes that is related to gallstones..So I thought maybe when I gallbladder was removed the pain would subside...Low and behold since my surgery. I have had serious bouts of diaherra and nausea and vomitting..My primary doctor ordered test in which my sed rate was elevated and he stated with all I was going through it was expected. I saw a Gastroenterologist in which he placed me on meds for diaherra.  Did a endoscopy which was normal.. Referred me back to my primary with instructions, if there is anything else he wants me to do I will, but I dont know what is wrong with you... I have severe attacks...sometimes I feel like I am very hungry and then wam I have an attack..pain in the upper back which by the way is always present (just sometimes more severe) and pain in the upper right side of my stomach (rib area) so bad that I have my husband beat my back until they subside.. I am so tired and frustrated I just want to know what is wrong with me...