pain like gallbladder attack after gallbladder surgery

[hilarymck]

I had my gallbladder removed 5 days ago...it was full of stones and sludge, done via laparascope. Yesterday I had a 3 hour episode of pain that was exactly like the gallbladder attack before the surgery...pain across entire area of gallbladder, and completely around diaphragm...unable to drive, walk, finally decided I had to get some help,got almost to ER, and it began to let up.  Had residual discomfort for 2 more hours...then it was gone.  Called surgeon who said it was likely "residual inflammation"....been a nurse for 30 years, and I do not buy that.  Could I have a stone somewhere, and if so, where could it be?  And who do I go see now...do I wait for another attack and go to the ER, or back to the surgeon, or to a Gastroenterologist?  I am a wreck to go anywhere and be caught in this condition. It was totally debilitating. And yes, I have been eating a LOW LOW fat diet, have little appetite anyway.  I am otherwise in good health, other than I have been recovering from a total knee replacement 3 months ago.  I lost 30 lbs, which the surgeon says may have contributed to my stone formation, although my gallbladder had been giving me trouble on and off for the last three years.  I just need to know what to do next.  Thanks.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Post-op pain can last several days to weeks after the operation.  A complication like bile duct perforation can also lead to pain.

Repeating the ultrasound should be done to rule out any perforation or free air.

If the pain persists, you can rule out a bile duct stone.  An MRCP can be considered if this is suspected.  

If the pain continues, another surgical opinion could be sought.

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_

[hilarymck]

This was no help at all......your answer did not address the possibility of a gallstone still in the duct, and what are the ramifications of that.
This was not post op pain.....that pain is easily differentiated from the pain of a "gallbladder attack" or biliary colic.  I am still sore from surgery, but I am referring to an episode of intense pain for hours that leaves one unable to function normally.  I want to know if it is possible for this pain to occur without a stone, and if it could be a stone, what might happen to it now.  Could it stay there, and keep giving me attacks....could it pass into the intestine...the pancreas.....could it be found by ultrasound,..and if so how can it be removed.
I know that I have to follow up with my own doctor, but I was hoping for a little more information than what you gave me.

[Lynn T]

Had similar problem...but didn't surface for nine years after surgery...
had a non-emptying sphincter of Oddi.  A sphincteroplasty was successfully
performed at Tampa General Hospital in November 2006.  Good luck..
the symptoms are unbelieveable if you've never had them.  

[BELLY__BELLY]

i had my gallbladder out two years ago and after being sent home from the hospital i got some rest and when i went to the pharmacy i felt slight pains similar to the gall stones but within a short time they got stronger and i went to the er and when i got there i was passing out from shock and the nurse took my temp and the normal routine and told me since my blood pressure and temp and everything were normal that i would have to wait my turn because it wasnt an emergency despite the fact that i told her i thought it was complications from just having my gallbladder out and a few hours later they started running tests and a couple days later they finally figured out that one of my ducts was leaking bile through my body and by this time i was in the worst pain i cant even describe it and needless to say they tried to drain it by shoving a tube through my ribs in a very precise spot which they couldnt get and as i am screaming from pain they inject more meds in my iv and try again and still screaming they decided i got back to my room and would have to have an ERCP to place a stent in my stomach and divert the bile and finally after that was put off  on the third day hours before the nurse needed to put a new iv in because i was on self medicated demeril every ten minutes and morphine every two hours and still did nothing for the pain and the nurse forgot to put one in so when it was finally time to go they finally seen that i have been laying there for hours and no meds to help with the pain i hadnt eaten i days due to the postponment of the surgery and was starving i hadnt bathed because i couldnt move and the sutures were fresh so i smelled awful (spongebathing can only do so much) i woke up from surgery vomitting and they had to give me something to stop becasue i was vomitting blood and to top that off i was covered in diarrhea because i was unable to control my bowels and unable to move from the pain and now i am terrified of hospitals i have acid reflux and have to snack on something every two or so hours or else the acids come right up my throught and i have nausea and diarrhea after every meal i am running to the bathroom usually before i am even finished eating i have ulcers and now i dont have a social life because i am afraid to go anywhere and i am only 23 this experience which almost killed me and gave me a stack of bills totaling to an amount i will probably never see throughout my entire life has had such an impact on me that sometimes the stomach pains are so bad i would rather die but i changed the diet and tried the meds but unfortunately i am sorry to say has not help and i cant help to think do i really have to spend the rest of my life going through this everyday and isnt there something that can help.

[Tbutler89]

wow that's the longest sentence I've ever read!