post cholecystectomy syndrome

[bluebird65]

I have moderate pain in same right abdominal quadrant that is pretty much constant though sometimes it seems to be milder.  My legs seem to be tingly and strange feeling, cold feet, general malaise though blood studies seem normal, no elevated enzymes of liver symptoms.  I have had gallbladder surgery in September and this pain may have started a month or two later.  Oddly have sub-cold symptoms constant as well, no fever.  Have gone for MRI but could not tolerate and endoscopy planned next.  Is there any thoughts about this that would be helpful?

Gayle Bluebird

[bluebird65]

Your post was very helpful and will be happy to check out the webgroup you mention.  My next step will be to have an endoscopy and from what I am reading they can usually solve problems, post cholecystectomy 95 % of the time?

I do find some things helpful like abdominal exercises, keeping active, sometimes diverting myself from the problem, not sure about dietary, though alcohol and chocolate could be factors.  I also drink a spinach drink in the AM with spinach, olive oil, banana, ginger, garlic and apple juice.  Tastes good. Use lots of oils and take flax seed oil, cod liver oil and fish oil capsules.  Anyway, will check out your website as you suggested and yes I do keep a journal though not detailed as you suggest.  more tracking how I feel on a given day as some days the painis a lot less or leaves entirely.  Thanks again, Bluebird

[Banned1]

Hi Gayle:

Welcome to this crappy club.  There are many of us who have gallbladder surgery and then suffer from "post-cholecystectomy syndrome".  I had my gallbladder removed in May 2008 but my pain and nausea continue.  I now have excellent pain and nausea relief from medication but I'm still looking for answers.  I've learned that there are many things that can cause these symptoms including Post-Cholecystectomy Syndrome, Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction and Pancreatitis, among other things.

Here are a couple of things that I've found helpful.  

Research!  Read old posts in this forum.  There is a fantastic research resource that I've found very helpful called "The First Principles of Gastroenterology": http***gastroresource.com/GITextbook/en/Default.htm.  

Log!  Keep a journal.  It helps identify patterns in your symptoms, foods, medications and pain level.  You're welcome to read mine but I write a lot (can you tell?).  :)  www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/12546?personal_page_id=8912

Reach Out!  You are not alone!  Try to stay positive.  

I belong to a Yahoo! group called Sphincterofoddi_pancreatitis which deals with Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction, Pancreatitis and Undiagnosed Symptoms, among other things.  Please write Michele at  Sphincterofoddi_pancreatitis [at-symbol] yahoo groups dot/com and ask to join.  Medhelp usually removes these addresses.  Email me if you can't figure it out.  There is no charge.  Michele is a Registered Nurse and has suffered for many years.  In spite of that, she is the owner and moderator of this webgroup.  She is a phenomenal person; kind, understanding, empathetic and incredibly smart.  Since you are undiagnosed, I'm sure you would be welcome.  The members of this forum are dealing with or have dealt with similar situations and can provide good practical advice.  Please feel free to mention my name, Sam (not short for anything), in your email.  There is some great practical information there as well.

When you do find answers,please post to let everyone know what you found and how you got rid of your symptoms.  It gives people on this site hope to hear success stories.

All the best,

Sam