similar issues

[jenjen108]

I had my gallbladder removed on 4/9, I have been struggling with right side abdominal pain for about a year and a half which escalated into upper abdominal and back pain.  Test, after test, after test finally  a hida scan with a 30% ejection fraction was determinant enough to suggest removal of my gallbladder was indicated. The surgeon stated the path lab was positive for chronic inflammation with no stones. A couple of weeks out and I am having upper abdominal pain, back pain and right side abdominal pain all similar to the last month prior to removal.  It is debilitating, seems relieved by lying down at times.  I know I only just had the surgery 2 weeks ago, but I am unsure if this pain should be like this and will subside 4-6 weeks after the surgery.  It still seems to me as though something is wrong, I have nausea occassionally, but it is difficult to determine what is what now with the pain meds, etc.  I tried giving them up for about 4 days and am not sure if I just went back to work too soon or what.  Is is possible my bile ducts are clogged or something?  I feel confused and frustrated. I expected a recovery period, but I don't seem to be feeling all that much better over time.  Should I call the surgeon?  Is a detox indicated??  Feeling a bit crazy.


This discussion is related to After Gallbladder Removal Problems.

[CalGal]

It's not too soon to call your doc although you may not get a warm reception. You may be told your still in the recovery period, or 'these things take time,' etc., but please be pushy. Make sure your doc does liver and pancreatic enzyme level blood tests and really listens to what you're say. It is possible for you biliary tract to spasm, or for the sphincter to spasm, or for you to have had sludge which could cause problems is the CBD.

In the meantime, please follow a low fat diet - as low as you can handle. Hopefully, it will give you a hand.

[jenjen108]

CBD???

[CalGal]

Sorry. CBD is the common bile duct. Sludge can irritate and cause problems in the CBD.

[sugarcatmom]

Any improvement?

[jenjen108]

Had a long weekend, waves of nausea, chills, occasional sharp pain in chest and upper back, pretty consistent low back pain and overall fatigue.  Have a call into the surgeon, something is definitely not right.  Watching my diet super carefully.  Feels scary to eat at this point.  My primary prescribed Bentyl before I had my surgery, I started taking it again on Saturday, seems to provide temporary relief of the shooting pains.  Trying not to get too anxious about the whole thing, which is definitely hard.

[jenjen108]

Thank you for all your comments, they are greatly appreciated. So frustrated.
Wouldn't sludge show up on an ultrasound or MRI, I had each of those prior to the surgery.  Is this the reason some people have to have a drain after surgery?
Do I need an ERCP?

[CalGal]

Sludge can be VERY difficult to see, and it might need a very experienced radiologist to find it, unfortunately, since it may only be in small amounts. It would be seen in the u/s, when it is seen. Only your doc can tell you whether or not you need an ERCP, so you need to discuss the whole situation with him/her.

[sugarcatmom]

How are you feeling now?

[jenjen108]

Just returned from surgeons office, ordered blood work and an MRI, should I have brought up the ERCP, concerned about the pancreatitis.  All I know is my sternum is so tight right now I am having trouble breathing.  He also said, I just might be having a hard time recovering and I need to relax, I am not buying that. Thoughts?

[jenjen108]

ust returned from surgeons office, ordered blood work and an MRI, should I have brought up the ERCP, concerned about the pancreatitis.  All I know is my sternum is so tight right now I am having trouble breathing.  He also said, I just might be having a hard time recovering and I need to relax, I am not buying that. Thoughts?