Aa
Post Gallbladder surgery pain.
I had my gall bladder removed in early December VIA the laproscopy method. My recovery has been relatively uneventful with the exception to the fact that I cannot lay on my left side. This position causes me to have a burning, crampy pain in my chest cavity as well and in and around the area of my right shoulder and up the right side of my neck. The pain is so intense that it actually causes me to be unable to breathe and I need to change position immediately.
Should I be concerned or is this a common symptom after this type of surgery and if so, how long until it goes away?
Thank you very much for any help that you may offer.
Lisa
Should I be concerned or is this a common symptom after this type of surgery and if so, how long until it goes away?
Thank you very much for any help that you may offer.
Lisa
A related discussion, Still in pain was started.
A related discussion, Pain in right arm and back after lap cholecystectomy was started.
Well i have my gallbladder remove did have some pain after the surgery but with the help of some pain pills am doing fine but my worry now its five days the surgery but still if i go to use the number 2 nothing comes I've been eating a lot of fruits, drinking a lot of water and juice with cereals, what may be causing that.
Musa
Musa
A related discussion, Is this normal or the exception was started.
A related discussion, post gallstone surger pain was started.
A related discussion, post op cholectomey problems was started.
Hello everyone, (this story has a happy ending) my girlfriend was suffering from the exact same symptoms as all of you, sharp pain in right shoulder, burning pain under rib, numbness whole right side, the worst of the worst. I stayed by her the whole time and was like many of you who suffered by seeing our loved ones suffer. So I started to research, this was just before her first hida scan and after ct scans, blood work a milloion times, everyone saying she's crazy. I figured out that this was something with her gallbladder. 2 days later doc says she has 3% bile pass. Before she can even see the surgeon and a little while after a plate of wheat pancacks, I have to take her to the e.r. After alot of crying and morphine, they take out her gallbladder. They released her that day and after eating some crackers, she goes right bAck into the same pain. So I did more reasearch and found the "ciliac" syndrome, it may be listed above, thank you very much if it is. Anyway, while she said eveything was throbbing I touched her gland under her right jaw and she cried even harder, that's when I realized that she was having an alergic reaction. (I saw someone have a reaction to peanuts) I gave her 2 benadryl and after a few minutes she said the throbbing and dizziness has gone down. I Researched some more and found out about how glutens can over time, make your gallbladder shut down or get stones. I looked at the cracker box and sure enough, wheat. What happens is kids go to the doctor with all these symptoms and the doctors just come up with something and let you wither in pain for ages, while they go on eating food you would never know had gluten and no one makes a connection. After a while, the gallbladder goes and nothing happens. If you want to test yourself, then the next time you have an attack, feel your glands, if they're swelled, then that's probably your problem. I asked the surgeon about ciliac and he had no idea. once you put two and two together you'll realize that many doctors and surgeons need a slap. I also realized that this affects women alot more than men. I hope this helps you because my reasearch saved my girlfriend from alot of heartache. Oh, we also talked to a girl who went through this and she gave us alot of advice, she said reading lables and just knowing what to look for will save your life.
hi everyone. I had open gallbladder surgery on July 19, 2000. Its been 5 weeks since my surgery. I was just wondering if anyone else had the open surgery and can tell me what I should expect in the near future as far as healing and pain management. My doctor tells me I will have pain for at least 2 weeks following surgery, but I am still having trouble laying on either side. Sometimes I also have a burning sensation in my abdomen area that I cannot seem to pinpoint. It seems to radiate to different parts of my incision line. I have a 9 1/2 inch incision on below my last rib and another 5 inch incision starting below my umbilicus and continuing above. My doctor tried using the scope for my surgery, but couldn't see, therefore I had to have open surgery. I would just like to hear from those that have had the open surgery and give me your thoughts about pain and incisional pain. Thanks
I had my gallbladder removed laproscopically in early May this year and have had a horrible time since then. The first 3 weeks following surgery where the worst with extreme pain in the right upper quadrant especially when I would take a deep breath. I even went to the ER 2 weeks post-op due to severe pain, which they did a Cat Scan of the abdomen which revealed a small amount of inflammation around the surgical site which they said was probably expected. My diagnoses pre-op was acalculus choleycystitis(no stones just a dysfunctional gallbladder with ejection fraction of 23%). So my continued pain post-op could not be due to any remaining stones in the duct. I was put on Naprosyn an anti-inflammatory med after my visit to the er which has helped but if I don't take it I get extreme pain in the right abdomen under the right ribs. My doctor order liver function blood tests which where all normal and He did do a sed rate which measures inflammation and mine is almost double what it should be. So, my guess is that I still 11 weeks post-op have inflammation which is not normal. Does any out there have this type of problem? I am wondering if it could be my body's reaction to the titanium clips that where left in to clamp the cysic duct. Any ideas? This is crazy to still be having this much pain. Any insight would be great.
To Jim in Pittsburgh Feb.22,2000
I to went in for a severe gallbladder attack and they had to do old fashioned 8" incision which was performed Jan. 18,2000. I to have no feeling below my incision but also experiencing pain, burning, itching that I can't scratch because it causes terrible pain. I seem to have more discomfort from where the drainage tube was ripped out and across my stomach inside where the tube was. I also can't were a belt from where they tried to do the scope. I hope you feel better soon. I have been told by different people I should have recovered in 3 to 6 months, surgeon office said a year wonder what the truth is and if they know. I also was told to eat anything I want how can that be when you have a part of you that helped digest your fat. I also have bouts of horrible painful diarrea.
Does the medical profession really know or are we all guinea pigs for their research?
In conclusion my surgeon refuses to see me unless my primary doctor refers me. Who refuses to do a liver enzyme test doesn't feel its necessary.
I to went in for a severe gallbladder attack and they had to do old fashioned 8" incision which was performed Jan. 18,2000. I to have no feeling below my incision but also experiencing pain, burning, itching that I can't scratch because it causes terrible pain. I seem to have more discomfort from where the drainage tube was ripped out and across my stomach inside where the tube was. I also can't were a belt from where they tried to do the scope. I hope you feel better soon. I have been told by different people I should have recovered in 3 to 6 months, surgeon office said a year wonder what the truth is and if they know. I also was told to eat anything I want how can that be when you have a part of you that helped digest your fat. I also have bouts of horrible painful diarrea.
Does the medical profession really know or are we all guinea pigs for their research?
In conclusion my surgeon refuses to see me unless my primary doctor refers me. Who refuses to do a liver enzyme test doesn't feel its necessary.
Hello, everyone! I need your FEEDBACK!
I had what I would consider after reading this messajes, a mild attack a year ago, July '99. I would say that it was mild because it dissapeared after 30 minutes, and it was more an uncomfortable feeling of being nauseus, feeling like a presure in the bottom of my chest box and weekness.
A catscan, showed a gall bladder stone of about 3.5 cm in diametre. I was received by a surgeon in September of '99 and schduled for an operation on June 2000. Since my first attack, I have had only 3 other similar attacks, and since January of this year, I have been feeling well and I have not have any other attack. (I was taking some homeopatic medication for a while back in January and February).
However, I do have a back pain between my shoulder blades that I never really thought could be related to my gall bladder (and the doctors never told me) until reading many of these comments, but even that pain is not intolerable. With massajes and muscle relaxants I could handle it well.
However, today, I got a call from the hospital, to tell me that due to a cancellation I can have my surgery done next MONDAY, JULY 24, 2000. Today is Thursday, July 13. That does not give me much time to really find out what other alternatives or post-operatory side effects I could expect or experience.
If I don't do the surgery next Monday, another 8 months could go by. I called the surgeon because it seems unusual and I feel uncomfortable, that I should go directly to surgery without some pre-operatory consultation. After all, it has been almost 9 months since I last saw the specialist.
On the one hand, I heard some people telling me that is better to have now the surgery than to wait until I get really sick and an emergency operation is needed. But I am also afraid that if I go through the surgery at this time, I might end up with more pain than what I have now. I am a woman in her 40's and generally, I am in good health.
And then I wonder if there is people out there that have known to have gall bladder stones for years and have managed to live what it could be a "normal" life...
I will appreciate hearing some of your suggestions and experiences, from ALL sides, those who have had a negative experience, as well as those who have had a positive post-surgery experience... but I will LOVE to hear from those who have learned to live... with their stones!
I NEED TO HEAR SOME OF YOUR VOICES! SOON!.... Please e-mail me your comments to ***@****
THANK YOU SO MUCH!
I had what I would consider after reading this messajes, a mild attack a year ago, July '99. I would say that it was mild because it dissapeared after 30 minutes, and it was more an uncomfortable feeling of being nauseus, feeling like a presure in the bottom of my chest box and weekness.
A catscan, showed a gall bladder stone of about 3.5 cm in diametre. I was received by a surgeon in September of '99 and schduled for an operation on June 2000. Since my first attack, I have had only 3 other similar attacks, and since January of this year, I have been feeling well and I have not have any other attack. (I was taking some homeopatic medication for a while back in January and February).
However, I do have a back pain between my shoulder blades that I never really thought could be related to my gall bladder (and the doctors never told me) until reading many of these comments, but even that pain is not intolerable. With massajes and muscle relaxants I could handle it well.
However, today, I got a call from the hospital, to tell me that due to a cancellation I can have my surgery done next MONDAY, JULY 24, 2000. Today is Thursday, July 13. That does not give me much time to really find out what other alternatives or post-operatory side effects I could expect or experience.
If I don't do the surgery next Monday, another 8 months could go by. I called the surgeon because it seems unusual and I feel uncomfortable, that I should go directly to surgery without some pre-operatory consultation. After all, it has been almost 9 months since I last saw the specialist.
On the one hand, I heard some people telling me that is better to have now the surgery than to wait until I get really sick and an emergency operation is needed. But I am also afraid that if I go through the surgery at this time, I might end up with more pain than what I have now. I am a woman in her 40's and generally, I am in good health.
And then I wonder if there is people out there that have known to have gall bladder stones for years and have managed to live what it could be a "normal" life...
I will appreciate hearing some of your suggestions and experiences, from ALL sides, those who have had a negative experience, as well as those who have had a positive post-surgery experience... but I will LOVE to hear from those who have learned to live... with their stones!
I NEED TO HEAR SOME OF YOUR VOICES! SOON!.... Please e-mail me your comments to ***@****
THANK YOU SO MUCH!
I am suprised at how many people are suffering like me.
The initial pain which forced me to the ER was so bad I was wishing to pass out. After a number of scans; my Gallbladder was removed two days later. (stones? maybe, I didn't see any). I was home after a long weekend.
Two weeks later I was back in the hospital with exactly the same excruciating pain. I was given an ERCP. Just before I was administered the anaesthetic one of the nurses said, "I hope this one goes well?" I should have got up and walked out then... Immediately after this procedure, I developed severe acute Pancreatitis. I nearly died. Now, I am out of Hospital but still in pain. It is only a couple of months since my release, so I thought it would only be a matter of time before I would return to normal...normal? I suppose, without an organ...our bodies will not be the same.
I was told, just prior to surgery, that the Gallbladder was as necessary as the appendix? What is the reality? Right now My body feels like it is missing something. Right now I am in pain. I have an appointment coming up but. . .
I am glad to be alive, but don't like the uncertainty of this 'condition'. Good luck...
The initial pain which forced me to the ER was so bad I was wishing to pass out. After a number of scans; my Gallbladder was removed two days later. (stones? maybe, I didn't see any). I was home after a long weekend.
Two weeks later I was back in the hospital with exactly the same excruciating pain. I was given an ERCP. Just before I was administered the anaesthetic one of the nurses said, "I hope this one goes well?" I should have got up and walked out then... Immediately after this procedure, I developed severe acute Pancreatitis. I nearly died. Now, I am out of Hospital but still in pain. It is only a couple of months since my release, so I thought it would only be a matter of time before I would return to normal...normal? I suppose, without an organ...our bodies will not be the same.
I was told, just prior to surgery, that the Gallbladder was as necessary as the appendix? What is the reality? Right now My body feels like it is missing something. Right now I am in pain. I have an appointment coming up but. . .
I am glad to be alive, but don't like the uncertainty of this 'condition'. Good luck...
How can SO many people have post lap surgery pain with no answers from the doctors? I had my gall bladder removed in 1991 and continued to experience pressure under my right rib and pain from there radiating around to my back. The pain (or more like "discomfort") was more frequent during the first 3 years until today. I had what felt exactly like a gall bladder attack. Ultrasound showed no stones; liver and pancreas were fine. My mother had the same surgery 3 years ago and continues to have trouble with discomfort. Not having the surgery wasn't an option -- the pain was so severe, but we would certainly like to understand why we continue to have pain and discomfort.
I had my gallbladder removed in August of 99. Still have alot of pain at the incision site and also alot of itching. I have went back to the Dr. quite a few times complaining abut this to no avail, he says everything looks great. I also would just like to say if I had it to do over I probably would not. My problem was it was not functioning properly. I still have the same type pain and the nasuea I had prior to surgery.
Ruth, Sounds to me like you have a bile duct injury from your laproscopy procedure. Why don't you suggest this to your doctor as they are not very likely to mention that it could be a possibility, from my experience. Louise, this could be your problem also, it happens 1 in 300 operations.
i had a lap chole oct 97 at age 25. very healthy male.
pains continued several months later. i've had several
doctors since then. The latest explanation are stones
that originate elsewhere and are stopping in tubes that
connect my liver and stomach (forgive me for not knowing
the techincal terms). Doctor performed procedure where
he sent a tube down throat into stomach, found the hole,
found stones, removed stones, made hole larger. He told
me this may have to be done again in the future. I've
also been on a drug called actigall which supposedly
breaks down stones making them easier to "pass" or go
wherever they need to go.
Certainly possible that my gall bladder did not need to
be removed...
Beware.
Also, when stones cause blockage, it's not clear to me
what exactly happens. An "attack" for me is a pain
originating in the upper right quadrant of my stomach
and then spreading across chest -- exactly where the liver
is -- hence an attack on the liver. It is always
accompanied by pains in my lower back which i always
thought were muscle pains, but my doctor said it is
most likely my pancreas yelling about something. When
i have an "attack" i can take pain killers but vicodin
or percocet doesn't always make everything better. As
silly as it sounds, the best thing for me is drinking
some form of simple sugars -- gatorade for example.
i think the sugars help the liver deal with the attack
and makes the pain go away for me -- of course this
does nothing for the stones wherever they are...
When i have repeated attacks then i get really sick
for several days and try to eat as little as possible.
My attacks only happen about once very 4 months or so.
pains continued several months later. i've had several
doctors since then. The latest explanation are stones
that originate elsewhere and are stopping in tubes that
connect my liver and stomach (forgive me for not knowing
the techincal terms). Doctor performed procedure where
he sent a tube down throat into stomach, found the hole,
found stones, removed stones, made hole larger. He told
me this may have to be done again in the future. I've
also been on a drug called actigall which supposedly
breaks down stones making them easier to "pass" or go
wherever they need to go.
Certainly possible that my gall bladder did not need to
be removed...
Beware.
Also, when stones cause blockage, it's not clear to me
what exactly happens. An "attack" for me is a pain
originating in the upper right quadrant of my stomach
and then spreading across chest -- exactly where the liver
is -- hence an attack on the liver. It is always
accompanied by pains in my lower back which i always
thought were muscle pains, but my doctor said it is
most likely my pancreas yelling about something. When
i have an "attack" i can take pain killers but vicodin
or percocet doesn't always make everything better. As
silly as it sounds, the best thing for me is drinking
some form of simple sugars -- gatorade for example.
i think the sugars help the liver deal with the attack
and makes the pain go away for me -- of course this
does nothing for the stones wherever they are...
When i have repeated attacks then i get really sick
for several days and try to eat as little as possible.
My attacks only happen about once very 4 months or so.
I had my gallbladder removed two weeks ago- post operative recovery normal.
But, I am increasingly getting severe upper abdominal pain along with pain in my back under both ribs and between shoulder blades. Doctors dont know why- all my tests are normal.
Why is this happening? Sometimes the pain is so bad it feels like the gallstones reappearing!
Please advise - do I need another scope?
Louise
But, I am increasingly getting severe upper abdominal pain along with pain in my back under both ribs and between shoulder blades. Doctors dont know why- all my tests are normal.
Why is this happening? Sometimes the pain is so bad it feels like the gallstones reappearing!
Please advise - do I need another scope?
Louise
Where are all the pictures? I want to see some pictures. I am a visuall person. I think that it would be a cooler site if you put soem pictures on it.
I had my gallbladder removed around about 2 months ago. It was diseased no stones or anything though. I found this out because I was always sick to my stomach, I mean almost all the time. Anyways since my surgery I thought I would have a little relief. NO SUCH LUCK!! I am still nauseaed all the time, no appetite, etc.... Well just hoping someone can relate and give me some advice? I am at this point despirate.
I HAD MY GALL BLADDER REMOVED IN DECEMBER,99. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD SEVERE CHEST PAIN JUST LIKE WHEN I HAD THE BAD GALL BLADDER.
MY SURGEN RAN A BLOOD TEST TO SEE IF IT WAS PANCREATITAS, BUT IT CAME BACK NORMAL. I WENT TO MY REGULAR DR. TODAY AND HE IS STUMPED, I AM STARTING TO THINK HE DOUBTS MY PAIN.
THE PAIN IS IN MY CHEST AND GOES UP MY NECK WHERE SOMETIMES ITS HARD TO BREATH.
DOES ANYONE HAVE A SUGGESTION?
THANKS,
RUTH
MY SURGEN RAN A BLOOD TEST TO SEE IF IT WAS PANCREATITAS, BUT IT CAME BACK NORMAL. I WENT TO MY REGULAR DR. TODAY AND HE IS STUMPED, I AM STARTING TO THINK HE DOUBTS MY PAIN.
THE PAIN IS IN MY CHEST AND GOES UP MY NECK WHERE SOMETIMES ITS HARD TO BREATH.
DOES ANYONE HAVE A SUGGESTION?
THANKS,
RUTH
Hi there,
Has anyone ever heard of stones lodged in the liver ? After many months of pain, ultrasound ,ERCP and removal of gall bladder my poor husband continued to experience pain,fever chills,sweats etc until a team at Montreal's St. Luc hospital discovered stones lodged in the left lobe of the liver and subsequently 2 segments were surgically removed(all this in summer 95 ). Recovery went well and all was well until a month ago-same symptoms-same problem in the remaining left lobe. Once again surgery is suggested . Can anyone suggest where alternative treatment is available. ERCP cannot go in the duct where the stnes are lodged. Surgery seems extreme at this point for now there will be nothing left of the left lobe .COULD SOMEONE PLEASE HELP! WE ARE RUNNING OUT OF TIME AND OPTIONS-NEW SURGERY DATED MID-JUNE AND WE WOULD PREFER ALTERNATIVES .WRITE AT ABOVE ADDRESS.Apparently this ailment is very rare in Caucasian but predominant in Asiatics. Any comments?
Michele
Has anyone ever heard of stones lodged in the liver ? After many months of pain, ultrasound ,ERCP and removal of gall bladder my poor husband continued to experience pain,fever chills,sweats etc until a team at Montreal's St. Luc hospital discovered stones lodged in the left lobe of the liver and subsequently 2 segments were surgically removed(all this in summer 95 ). Recovery went well and all was well until a month ago-same symptoms-same problem in the remaining left lobe. Once again surgery is suggested . Can anyone suggest where alternative treatment is available. ERCP cannot go in the duct where the stnes are lodged. Surgery seems extreme at this point for now there will be nothing left of the left lobe .COULD SOMEONE PLEASE HELP! WE ARE RUNNING OUT OF TIME AND OPTIONS-NEW SURGERY DATED MID-JUNE AND WE WOULD PREFER ALTERNATIVES .WRITE AT ABOVE ADDRESS.Apparently this ailment is very rare in Caucasian but predominant in Asiatics. Any comments?
Michele
Think twice about Laparocopic surgery. I had this surgery and awoke to severe pain, to which the nurses said was caused by the gas they inject during the surgery. After insisting that I be admitted to the hospital, 30 hours later it was found that the surgeon had remove part of my bile duct. I was 10 days in the hospital and 3 months off of work. I still have complications that will last the rest of my life.
I wanted to let everyone know that my surgery went very well. It has been four days now without all the pain I had before the surgery. Eating anything I want with no problems.
You are reading content posted in the Digestive Disorders / Gastroenterology Forum
Learn which OTC medications can help relieve your digestive troubles.
Is a gluten-free diet right for you?
Discover common causes of and remedies for heartburn.
This common yet mysterious bowel condition plagues millions of Americans
Don't get burned again. Banish nighttime heartburn with these quick tips
Get answers to your top questions about this pervasive digestive problem
