Right Abdominal Pain Since Gallbladder removal (worsening by day)

[warb]

My wife had her gallbladder removed approx. 10 months ago after family phys. found gallbladder function at 15%.  3 days after the lap. surgery  she was admitted into a local ICU for severe right side upper area pain, which has been there ever since, (no radiant travel of pain accross or down the abdominal area). The pain is located under/behind the first lower rib on her right side about 6-8 inchs from the center breast plate.  On site doctors claimed that this pain was post surgical swelling and it would go away. She was given demeral drip and released after 1 1/2 days.  She regularly complained of sharp pains in that area after performing physical task requiring lifting/stretching of the right side or right arm. 4 months ago the pain reached a level that required a visit to the local E.R. After X-rays and blood work, the ER physician said the pain was due to "slightly" packed bowls.  A pain shot was given for pain and E.R. Dr said to take a natural laxative, she was back in the E.R. the next night for severe dehydration and original pain of right side. Since that time she has had 7 trips to the emergancy room, 8 visits to the family Dr.. There have been 6 X-rays done to the area of pain, an upper scope, a Spirral C/T scan with contrast at 3mm.  An MRI of the upper and lower back area's. Numerous numbers of blood test, all of which showed nothing that the Physicians could even remotely claim to cause this pain.  The only common demoniator is that the last 4 sets of X-rays showed full bowels and these 2 metal clip things attached to the area where the gallbladder was before removal.  I have seen these X-rays many times and one of these clips are sticking up at approx a 20-25 degree angle. (center/0 deg angle being the right inner shoulder).  The other clip (left one, if you are face to face with my wife) is lying down at a left tilt angle of aprox 45-55 deg center/0 deg being the same reference point as stated above.  She has been prescribed (excuse the spelling on these) Loritab, Talwin, Oxycodon, and several other local IV's at the ER to help with the pain.  This pain has really really gotten worse in the last 5 to 7 weeks.  She almost cries herself to sleep everynight now due to the sharp pain in her right side.  Sometimes she said its a sharp stabbing pain that turns into a burning stabbing pain.  Non of which are superficial, all the pain felt can best be described as deep and under the ribs.  Our physician which we changed too approx. 4 weeks ago referred us to another surgeon but warned us that surgeons dont like going back in behind other surgeons to do any additional mending/repairs. After several trips to this new family Dr. and numerous NON-returned phone messages I accidently found this web-site and figured "what the hell". So if any of you medical professionals out there reading this post has some idea's let us know.  My 9 year old daughter and I will be right here by the computer watching mommy float around the room on her new drugs

[sunny79]

Hey there,I've had this really bad pain under my right rib cage for a while, probably 5 years. I've gone to the doctor and he told me that it could be my gallbladder. Well, after they've tested me, they said that it doesn't function as it should anymore, but they didn't find any stones.
The doctor told me to have it removed. But I didn't do that until I've had the same attack last August again. But this time I've had it so bad that I couldn't eat for several months right anymore. All I ate was oatmeal and light meals. It was misserable.I've felt like my food was constantly stuck in my throat. I got almost every single night for months this really bad pain in my right shoulder plate and the pain ran from my shoulder plate under my right rip cage. I constantly thought it was heartburn. I've had so bad pain that I cried and couldn't sleep. The doctor told me that I had to have my gallbladder removed, that this was the reason. To make the story short, I got my gallbladder removed last November. BIG MISTAKE!!! I wish I could have it back!!! Since ever then it has gotten worse. I have still those really bad attacks. The pain always starts in my right shoulder blade and then it connects with the pain under the right rib cage. It feels like stabbing unbearable pain. It also feels like it is burning in there. That's why I thought it was heartburn. But I am not sure about that anymore, since the pain is so strong. I am on acid medication since last August, which has been 10 months now. Nothing helps. I have a weird feeling in my throat, like something is stuck. It got worse after my surgery. A really weird feeling appeared in my throat, like a feeling that there is a hook on my inside gallbladder scar that is hooked up with my throat and it pulls down. it sounds weird, but that is the only way how to discribe it. I am in deep pain when the attack with the shoulder pain and rip cage pain are present. Which are right now there too. I've had to get up from sleep again because I can't lay when this happens, to much pain. I am only 27 years old and I am so scared that I will have to live the rest of my life with this now. The cronic pain is there during the day, but the attacks happen ever now and then.
I need help but the doctors are without results. I have had so many things done. They looked down my throat, into my stomach, they've done an colonoscopy and all kinds of other things, they couldn't find anything! Is there any doctor who has any Idea what this could be?? I NEED HELP! I am so depressed with this and frustrated. I want my life back as it was. HAPPY AND HEALTY! I have trouble being active in sports or walking! My life has changed because I am constantly in pain.
I would appreciate help.
Thanks!

[thirstydragon]

If you have pain under your right ribs and all tests come back normal then you are not alone. I am putting together a support group. If you want to call me I will take your name and number and your conditions. I will let you know if someone else with the same symptoms finds any answers. You can email me at ***@**** or call me, Ricky, at 601-657-4587. We can get through this if we work together.

[aspenmarie]

My story sounds exactly the same.  Gallbladder out July '05, pain, getting worse.  Have had all the tests for bile ducts, etc.  Finally dr. did a biopsy of my small intesine, guess what...finally diagnosis... Celiac disease.  I have been reading alot about it (as most Dr's dont know a whole alot about it) and have been on a gluten/wheat free diet since - makes a huge difference in the pain.  Now I am almost pain free, but if I mistakenly eat something with gluten/wheat - the pain returns.  Please read up on Celiac - it is definately worth a try, a very good book is "Dangerous Grains".  Good luck.
apsenmarie

[mychl]

Has anyone uncovered a link between the post op pain and the usage of the metal clips to close the ducts?

How many people with this problem have reactions to metals.... ears getting irritated if earrings aren't gold etc....

My wife is 3 weeks out from the surgery and the pain is bad. She found these posts and started to cry... this is me she said....

She has a severely painful reaction to a metal stent during a kidney operation a few years ago... as soon as the stent was removed she felt better....

Now that we've read more on the surgical procedure and see that they use either metal clips, disolvable clips, or string to tie the  ducts closed; we believe the problem may be a reaction to the metal...

Anyone else?

[JonProp]

I'm a 20/M I recently had my gallbladder removed and am having pain also. Around the same place i originally had the pain before i got it removed. It's been about 10 days since and i'm noticing not only the occasional pain, but also nausea, dark yellow urine in the mornings but light yellow during the day, and green stools. Anyone else relate to this? or should be of concern

[CalGal]

I hesitate mentioning other sites, but there are some people on the WebMd IBS board (it's used for more than IBS) who have had problems following GB surgery with many of the same symptoms you're describing and have had to search for answers, too. You might want to take a look through the posts or possibly post yourself and see if someone might be able to at least reassure you that you're not alone. It's very difficult when you know you're in pain but the docs your working with can't seem to help, or find a cause. Also take a look on eMedicine (sign in) and look up postcholecystectomy syndrome in the articles section. Take the time to wade through the jargon, as the information may reinforce you knowing that you're not 'nuts,' that something is going on, and that you have to push to get to the cause of the problem.