Nutrition Health Chat: Tuesday, Dec. 8th, 5-6 PM Eastern. Learn how vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients affect your health. Free live Q&A. Join us!
Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum.  ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Gastroenterology  (Expert Forum)
 | 
upper right quadrant pain after gallbladder removal
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
KevinMD.com
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.

upper right quadrant pain after gallbladder removal

by fragmidas, Oct 21, 2004 12:00AM
heres my question.  im 41 years old and last december i had my gallbladder removed because of horrible upper right quadrant pain and severe neausea.  After the surgery i started getting severe pain in my stomach and upper right quadrant which would double me over atleast three times a week.  since the surgery it was lessened but its just like the pain from the gallbladder.  They said I had sludge.  Is it possible that i could have sludge still in the bile ducts?  i even get the pains in my right shoulder.  there doesnt seem to be anything i eat or drink or stress that brings it on but i do get warning.  i feel like im very hungry but if i do eat something it usually gets worse. they have done test for lipase and that is always negative.  They have done xrays and cat scans and have seen nothing.

by Kevin Pho, MD, Oct 21, 2004 12:00AM
Yes, it is possible to continue to have sludge in the bile ducts.  Another consideration would be Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction - which can replicate gallbladder pain in those who have had the surgery.  

Tests to consider would be an MRCP, to evaluate the bile ducts, or an ERCP with Sphincter of Oddi manometry to evaluate for sphincter dysfunction.

These tests can be discussed with your personal physician.

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.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b
Member Comments

by charchar, Nov 18, 2004 12:00AM
Hi ,I have sphincter of oddi dysfunction and I had a normal lipase at the time that they found out .Prior to that I did have pancreatitis with a lipase of 10,000. And still in pain all the time. The dr. tells me there is no easy answer to help me. I'm on tons of meds. mostly pancreatic enzymes. About 25 pills a day on just enzymes. and prevacid, beta blockers and elavil and lortabs on top of all that. I'm miserable most of the time.And in and out of the ER all the time. Anyone with advice???

by 4646, May 03, 2008 07:31PM
A related discussion, sphincter of oddi was started.

by astraealegal, May 17, 2008 03:36PM
Continue discussion
RSS Expert Activity
What You Can Learn From Tiger Woods...
22 hrs ago by Steven Y Park, MD
When the Mexican Drug Trade Hits th...
Dec 03 by Arnold L Goldman, D.V.M.
In the ER: Coffee, anyone?
Dec 02 by Jon Geller, D.V.M.