What else could it be? Pre-post Gallbladder Pain

[taylee]

This is my first post here.I have had RUQ pain over 1 year, then had Lap Chole in Feb. Pathology revealed chronic acalculous cholecystitis (without stones) of the gallbladder and scarring so much that it had adhered to the liver and bowel.
Since the surgery, I still have the same pain as before. After eating, I get the sharp pinchy cramping that goes around or into the back.
I have been to every doctor in the state, pre and post surgery to find out the cause of this pain. I have had almost every diagnostic test known to medicine except ERCP. (MRCP was negative) all liver functions have been normal within the past year and a half. I am on a proton pump inhibitor for gastritis, and nausea but that isn't doing anything.
I saw another DR. the other day to talk about ERCP and in essence she and my GI doc feel that they will find nothing on ERCP and it would be a high risk to have it done of course.
I didn't have stones in the gallbladder or any ultrasounds etc.
What could this sharp pain be? I have been given almost a psyche diagnosis, (in the head) because they can't find an answer. I have been to the large teaching hospital in town, and they have no clue either. Can't get any Dr. to really want to help and I am losing my life and mind. HELP!!!!!!
Thanks in advance for any ideas.

[Lor]

I have this same problem. I just got back from seeing my 5th Dr trying to figure it all out. All my tests too have come back negative - yes I did have an ERCP.  I have had this pain now since November of 2000 - I have been on every reflux medicine out there with no help. This Dr said he thought I had Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. I've read about it before and have questioned previous Drs about it. The test needed is the ERCP with Menometry. He said there are not many Drs in the Country who preform it. Look at their website see if it can help you.
Borland-groover.com

[Zoie68]

You are not alone!  I have had the same symptoms as you and Lor since December 1998, immediately following the lap gallbladder surgery.  The pain is on a daily basis and very severe at times.  I did have an ERCP but with no menometry last year and it showed normal.  I am too beginning to believe mine is the Sphincter of Oddi Disorder but I am a little afraid to go through the ERCP procedure again, because I was so deathly sick after the last one.  There is a risk of pancreatitis involved with an ERCP and your GI specialist will talk with you about that.  Fortunately, I did make it through the first ERCP with no problems (other than nausea and vomiting for a few days) but like I said before, there is that risk!  I wish you all of the luck in the world in your search for the problem.  Keep us posted on how you are doing.
Susan

[taylee]

Thanks for your responses. My GI doctor did mention Sphincter of Oddi also, and when I went to see the ERCP doctor, she scared me so much by being so stern, and telling me the risk of pancreatitis could be mild to life threatening.
If one did have it, they then have to cut the sphincter right?
Then I heard that the problems just keep getting worse after that?
Is there any hope for us? I am so afraid,and am wondering if those of you who just posted have this every day, sporadically, after some meals or what. Do either of you plan to have the manometry? Thanks for that website. The scary doctor here performs the ERCP but she had such a freezing cold bedside manner that I walked out of her office almost in tears because she just didn't want to help.
Oh, also, the GI dr. said there are certain criteria for sphincter of oddi, and I didn't meet them, like elevated enzymes etc. Just have the sharp pain going around to the right flank, and one more thing: I know this sounds very strange, but during the attack the pain actually radiates into the right leg badly.
I told the Dr's about it and they inevitably look dazed and confused.
There just has to be an explanation. I am not crazy, but beginning to think I may end up in the West Wing at Bellevue weaving baskets if I don't get some relief or answers.
I really thank any and all of you who replied.
Taylee

[Lor]

I've learned that you don't want to tell the Dr too many symptoms, because it does stump them. My pain is very severe and seems to be getting worse as the day's go on. I not only have pain with an empty stomach, but also after eating. I haven't slept a full night since my surgery. My pain is daily and because of the pain with an empty stomach I've put on 28lbs. I never had elevated liver enzymes until one year after my surgery. My Dr is the only one of all I've seen who acually believed I had pain - said the risk of pancreatitis is about 5 - 10 % and the attack isn't major. He said he'd been doing this for years and never lost anyone. However he did say if you have this done have it done by a Dr who has done alot of these. I too had a very painful ERCP and feel this is my only hope of getting rid of this pain

[Zoie68]

OK none of this "basket weaving" talk, LOL. We will find an answer!  My pain is basically always when my stomach is empty.  You know, like 4:00am!  I usually grab something really quick to eat and the pain starts to subside.......then goes away completely.  Thus, a weight gain for my part too.  Probably more than I would even like to know.  And too, I can't ever sleep all night or even plan to sleep late in the mornings.  I have had some instances when the pain would come immediately after eating a meal, but I have noticed that it only happens if I have eaten too much.  I have noticed that my pain radiates to the right shoulder a lot of times and if the pain lasts very long, I just feel totally "drained" the rest of the day.  I am not really sure if I will do another ERCP right away.  I did get so very frustrated with all the physicians that I completely quit making appointments.  My liver function tests were always normal and like you I have just confused every doctor that I went to.  So, for now, I am living with the pain and listening to others as they go through the same stuff.  I have researched the Sphincter Of Oddi dysfunction but can not seem to convince my GI that maybe it is my problem.  Again, much luck to you!
Susan

[TOOTINA]

I have also had the same symptoms as you are describing. I went through a MRCP,ULtra-sonic sycope(that said a stoe was present)..then a ERCP that found nothing but very enlarged ducts. Yes, a ERCP can be dangerous...my sister suffered  severe pancreasitis after hers. So, my Gastro Doc the said I had IBS and Fibromyglia (the back Pain)...so, I then went back to my GP and she was so upset that he would throw out those diagnosis with the symptoms I was having. So, she put me on Questran Light a cholestrol lowering drug that has worked in patient s with partial bile duct obstruction because it decreases the bile flow to the small intestine since the gallbladder is gone to hold the bile. Guess what it worked. Yes, I still have some apin only after eating something that is high in fat. I have to drink this Questran Light after breakfast and dinner. She thinks that eventually the stone will rear its ugly head but, at least I can function without chronic pain...I hope this information is helpful...good-luck...just remember there are good Doctors...you just have to find one that listens.

[groupmaster]

If you take a look at this page:
<h4><a href=http://www.curezone.com/forums/forum.asp?ForumID=73>LiverCleanse FAQ</a></h4> You will find many stories from people who experienced those symptoms.

These are the symptoms of intrahepatic stones, stones inside liver bile ducts.

All people who have or have had gallstones, usually have some stones inside liver.

There is a maze of bile ducts inside liver.

Stones inside can be up to 3 cm across.
There could be thousands od stones inside liver. It is suggested that the only real cure is liver cleanse. You can read a lot about liver cleanse on that web site ...

You can read hundreds of stories on that web site ...

Good luck
Liza~