post gall bladder removal symptoms

[lizzielogan_123]

I would like to know if anyone has had any of these symptoms.  I am 40 yr old female and had my gall bladder out a year ago, due to having 3 small polyps in it. symptoms persisted on and off. Then I had several months without pain but then it all came back, under my upper right rib cage, behind my stomach and in my back. It feels like someone is squizing my insides. The pain is always worse around menstration. It is effecting my life. Its too painful to sleep, I can't enjoy a day out and don't want to eat incase the pain gets worse. I cant imagine living my life with this pain always there. Has this happened to anyone else? I have tried several things from my doctor but nothing has worked so far.


This discussion is related to After Gallbladder Removal Problems.

[Shana9601]

Thank you!  I really got the run around before my surgery.  The Gastro doc actually tried to say that he thought my bile ducts were spasming after my endoscopy & colonoscopy.  He put me on a few meds to reduce secretions in my body.  I was so miserable.  I couldn't swallow or blink!  I felt so much better after the gallbladder removal & now here we go again.  It is very upsetting.  I just want to be pain free & oh my goodness if I could sleep!  Ugh!  

Thanks again!  

[CalGal]

Shauna, you start by finding a specialist who works with the biliary system and really understands problems associated with GB removal. Many find after GB surgery that they develop a condition called SOD - sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. It can be extremely debilitating and can only be evaluated via a test called an ERCP with manometry. The regular 'GI' person will know very little about this condition unfortunately. Check the John Hopkins website for information on SOD.

[Shana9601]

I am so glad I found a current post about this.  I find & read comments from years ago.  I had my GB removed this past January 2010.  I was having some different pains after surgery & my surgeon said it was from the healing & scar tissue.  He said my GB was covered in scar tissue & he thought I was having a little more pain due to the trouble they had getting it out.  I stayed on the pain meds up until a few weeks ago due to intense pain.  I'm now off of the pain meds & I'm in agony.  I'm falling into a depression & I don't know where to even start as far as a doctor's visit.  I went through so much & was so relieved to be having the surgery & to be done with the problems...yet here I am back in the same pain & hating life.  I don't eat, I don't sleep.  I feel like such a burden & I want this to be over with.  My husbands patience is growing thin with me being in pain & sleeping in the recliner instead of our bed.  I'm sorry for rambling...does anyone have any suggestions?  Where do I start?  I am at my wits end.

Thanks,
Shana

[islandgurl]

I have a similar situation. Have had blood work, ct, mri, mrcp, everything normal.  After having my gb out, I found out that this happens it a lot of cases.  I actually have more pain now, than when I had my gall stone!  I wish I never would have had the surgery.  
Good Luck and keep up posted on your case.

[lizzielogan_123]

Thanks for advice. It's nice to know someone understands. Had Hpylori test done and its not that but I will be asking about my binary system. Thanks lots.
lizzielogan_123

[jaimib]

I had the exact same thing happen to me! I had my gallbladder removed at the end of '03, and was pain free for a while (6 mo's to 1 year, can't remember). Then I started having sharp stabbing pains in the exact same area under the right ribs that would shoot to the middle of my back. It would hurt to breathe and move and would only last 1-2 minutes. It began to happen more frequent so I saw a GI in March and had an endoscopy done. I was diagnosed with gastritis and had a positive H-pylori. My symptoms have seemed to get better with treatment, so I'm crossing my fingers that is what was causing it.
If you haven't already, make an appt with a gastro dr for a consult.
Good luck, hope you feel better soon!!

[CalGal]

Lizzie, you need to go to your doc and be evaluated. There are problems that can occur after gallbladder removal that are directly related to the 'gone' gallbladder and the biliary system. In the meantime, try following a low fat diet and see if that is of help. In many, they're not able to digest fats the way they did before the surgery and it can produce a number of problems.

You may want to ask the doc to start with an MRCP - it's a test that will look at the 'state' of the biliary system. It's non-invasive and may give them an idea of what's going on. Make sure you also get your liver and pancreatic enzyme levels checked.

Don't let the doc brush you off by saying your system will 'adjust.' Not so.

[selmaS]

HI...sorry u r going thru all this pain and confusion as I am sure u felt the surgery would leave u feeling better. My dad had GB removal last yr and had a recurrence of symptoms similar to what u describe...it took several months to find out he contracted H.Pylori .....ask ur dr if u were tested for this and know, that iti sipossible to be tested several times b4 it is found.

Good luck
"selma"