Aa
Mom, 37, sever chest pains off & on since gallbladder removal in May
I am a 37 yr old female, who had always been healthy, until I had my appendix removed in January of this year, then my gallbladder was taken out in May.
Since May, I have had problems with nausea, abdominal pains, diarrhea, throwing up (most of the time dry heaving), and extreme fatigue. I have however gotten better since they have taken me off certain medications. BUT the worst part is these severe chest pains I have had off and on!!!! I was taken by ambulance 5 days after surgery to the ER, thinking I was having a heart attack. The paramedics agreed after using their EKG machine. However, after several tests done, liver enzymes were raised, the Doctor only came back with reflux. My Doctors thought it was also due to my surgery that week. But I have had about 6 attacks since. The chest pains start in the late afternoon and last for hours. i am in extreme pain. My PCP along with my GI did some more blood work this past week but everything comes back normal, except my liver enzymes were slightly rasied again. I had a chest attack the night before. Anyways, I am a mother of 2, one is a toddler and I am sooo tired of being sick and the Doctors having no answers!!! I am too young to feel terriable all the time and I want to enjoy my kids. I was wondering if anyone out there has had any chest pains after their surgery??? As I type this, I have moderate chest pain in the upper right side of my chest and midddle, coming from my esophagous. Just wondering if anyone might have any answers??? Thank you and God bless. :)
Since May, I have had problems with nausea, abdominal pains, diarrhea, throwing up (most of the time dry heaving), and extreme fatigue. I have however gotten better since they have taken me off certain medications. BUT the worst part is these severe chest pains I have had off and on!!!! I was taken by ambulance 5 days after surgery to the ER, thinking I was having a heart attack. The paramedics agreed after using their EKG machine. However, after several tests done, liver enzymes were raised, the Doctor only came back with reflux. My Doctors thought it was also due to my surgery that week. But I have had about 6 attacks since. The chest pains start in the late afternoon and last for hours. i am in extreme pain. My PCP along with my GI did some more blood work this past week but everything comes back normal, except my liver enzymes were slightly rasied again. I had a chest attack the night before. Anyways, I am a mother of 2, one is a toddler and I am sooo tired of being sick and the Doctors having no answers!!! I am too young to feel terriable all the time and I want to enjoy my kids. I was wondering if anyone out there has had any chest pains after their surgery??? As I type this, I have moderate chest pain in the upper right side of my chest and midddle, coming from my esophagous. Just wondering if anyone might have any answers??? Thank you and God bless. :)
I am around your age and have the same pains you described after having my gallbladder removed. These “attacks” actually feel like I am having a gallbladder attack but I no longer have a gallbladder. My liver enzymes and cholesterol are slightly elevated but CT scan with contrast came back normal. I am 138lbs, eat healthy, exercise, and have no other health problems, so I don’t understand what could be causing these episodes. I hope you get some answers and feel better soon!
Female 38, had laparoscopic gallbladder removal Dec 2016. Woke up in recovery with chest pain, shortness of breath, intense sweating, etc. was given pain meds and sent home. Continued to happen frequently. Went for 2 wk follow up with surgeon. Was just told to come back if it continued to be a problem. Consulted PCP/Internal medicine - no cardiac issues. He diagnosed it as esophageal spasms. I now wear a nitroglycerin patch 24/7 and use sublingual nitro tablets for acute attacks. I did research and nitro is an accepted treatment for this. It keeps me pain/attack free most days but I do still have them and it’s been over a year. Never had issue prior to surgery.
Hi there ive been having the exact same problems as you everything u tiped is me. I dont have any advice as ive read the blog and all my doctors says all these same things. Have you found any awnsers after this post im also in desprate need of awnsers.
Hey there. Im only 17 and I had my gallbladder removed the 24th of March. That was 7 days ago...so a week. Right now Im experiencing the same chest pain you describe, also at a moderate level. I went to the ER 2 days after surgery because of the chest pain. They told me its most likely my bowel movements and the after effects of also the tube being down my throat in surgery. My tip if it continues, put a pillow on your chest and lean forward. Hold your breath and count to 3 and left go gently. Also, pick up and good cosmo magazine and hit the stool! It wont hurt to try. Ive had attacks like this since june of 2016 so Im kinda use to the pain like ts a routine. :) Good luck and I hope you feel better.
Ive been having the same issues. Chest pain. Tried drinking water and I literally couldnt swallow it down. I started panicking, I felt so scared! Called my surgeon and he side its the side effects of having a tube down your throats during the surgery and it should go away in about 1-2 weeks. ( my surgery was 2 weeks ago) and I started having this pains 3 days ago. Im to the point if I should drive myself to the ER.
i too had my gallbladder out on DECEMBER 28, 2016. FIRST FEW DAYS OK, BUT NOW I HAVE SHARP PAIN IN MY CHEST UPPER RIGHT AND IT HURTS TO TAKE A DEEP BREATHE OR LAYDOWN. I called my Surgeons office and they said it could be the air trapped in my chest cavity from the surgery. Sounds plausible but the pain has caused me so much anxiety that i cant sleep a wink!!
I have an appointment Thursday Jan 5th to get checked out. Hopefully they are right its just the air and soreness from the surgery.
I have an appointment Thursday Jan 5th to get checked out. Hopefully they are right its just the air and soreness from the surgery.
I had my surgery on the 15th. Im having very painful chest pains it only happends when I'm laying down early morning. It hurts so much burning and sharp. I'm 24 years old please help
hello,
am a 35 year old woman and had gallbladder and hernia repair all in one surgery, its been three weeks and I've had 4 chest pain attacks to the point were I cant breath. Went to ER and said I was normal. I have questioned my PCP and he doesn't have answers for me. Am on my 4th week after surgery and highly concern if am going to continue to get these pains.
Any advise?
am a 35 year old woman and had gallbladder and hernia repair all in one surgery, its been three weeks and I've had 4 chest pain attacks to the point were I cant breath. Went to ER and said I was normal. I have questioned my PCP and he doesn't have answers for me. Am on my 4th week after surgery and highly concern if am going to continue to get these pains.
Any advise?
1 Comments
My 18 year old son had his gallbladder out 3 weeks ago and the chest pain is unbearable. Been to the ER on several occasions. Seen a cardiologist, pulmonologist, gastroenterologist and am still stumped. His most recent ekg was asked to be read by an electro physiologist and he found an irregularity right away. My son will wear a holter heart monitor for 30 days and we are getting a cardiac MRI. Hoping for some relief very soon. He has been medically withdrawn from his freshman 1st semester in college and red shirted for his first basketball season! We pray constantly. I miss work to stay home because it's so scary to think of him being home alone with this chest pain.
I'm 28 yo, just had my gallbladder taken out 3 days ago, been experiencing same kind of stabbing chest and shoulder pains and when I try to lay down to sleep I simply can't, the stabbing pain becomes unbearable and travels all over my abdomen once I am horizontal to the ground. It's ridiculous how uninterested the surgeons become once they are done chopping you up and at this rate I'm convinced my surgeon botched a simple laparoscopic cholecystectomie. You're suppose to be all healed and better within a week after surgery they say, but so far I see no improvements from when I got discharged. I feel hopeless and the chest pain has nothing to do with acid reflux. Some say it might be the air they pump your abdomen full of, that it travels up to your chest and that it takes a while for your body to get rid of. Anyone else having similar issues as me?
Hello,
I may not understand what you all are going through, but my dear brother does. On October 15 of 2013, at the age of 17 my baby brother got surgery to remove his gal badder, and the instant he came out of surgery he got this severe chest pain in the middle and sides of his rib cage, like all of you are describing. His liver enzymes are high and no other studies show no abnormalities, everything comes back normal. He has tried all kinds of studies from MRIs, to CT scans, to endoscopes, to the capsule endoscope, and none of these found anything, until he got a double balloon endoscope where they found the source of his bleeding in his small intestine. He had a vascular malformation in his small intestine, which he previously never had. We think it was caused by the instruments being used by the surgeons. However, the pain was relieved for one week, and then it came back with a vengeance. The doctors say they don't know what's wrong with him, but me and my family and my brother believe it's because of the bile reflecting to his chest, because now, he only poops white stools. My brother doesn't eat, doesn't sleep and has lost 70 pounds, plus more this past year, and every time he eats the pain increases, but the chest pain never leaves. It's always there. Please. If someone has a solution we as his family are willing to hear you out.:'(
I may not understand what you all are going through, but my dear brother does. On October 15 of 2013, at the age of 17 my baby brother got surgery to remove his gal badder, and the instant he came out of surgery he got this severe chest pain in the middle and sides of his rib cage, like all of you are describing. His liver enzymes are high and no other studies show no abnormalities, everything comes back normal. He has tried all kinds of studies from MRIs, to CT scans, to endoscopes, to the capsule endoscope, and none of these found anything, until he got a double balloon endoscope where they found the source of his bleeding in his small intestine. He had a vascular malformation in his small intestine, which he previously never had. We think it was caused by the instruments being used by the surgeons. However, the pain was relieved for one week, and then it came back with a vengeance. The doctors say they don't know what's wrong with him, but me and my family and my brother believe it's because of the bile reflecting to his chest, because now, he only poops white stools. My brother doesn't eat, doesn't sleep and has lost 70 pounds, plus more this past year, and every time he eats the pain increases, but the chest pain never leaves. It's always there. Please. If someone has a solution we as his family are willing to hear you out.:'(
Hello,
I may not understand what you all are going through, but my dear brother does. On October 15 of 2013, at the age of 17 my baby brother got surgery to remove his gal badder, and the instant he came out of surgery he got this severe chest pain in the middle and sides of his rib cage, like all of you are describing. His liver enzymes are high and no other studies show no abnormalities, everything comes back normal. He has tried all kinds of studies from MRIs, to CT scans, to endoscopes, to the capsule endoscope, and none of these found anything, until he got a double balloon endoscope where they found the source of his bleeding in his small intestine. He had a vascular malformation in his small intestine, which he previously never had. We think it was caused by the instruments being used by the surgeons. However, the pain was relieved for one week, and then it came back with a vengeance. The doctors say they don't know what's wrong with him, but me and my family and my brother believe it's because of the bile reflecting to his chest, because now, he only poops white stools. My brother doesn't eat, doesn't sleep and has lost 70 pounds, plus more this past year, and every time he eats the pain increases, but the chest pain never leaves. It's always there. Please. If someone has a solution we as his family are willing to hear you out.:'(
I may not understand what you all are going through, but my dear brother does. On October 15 of 2013, at the age of 17 my baby brother got surgery to remove his gal badder, and the instant he came out of surgery he got this severe chest pain in the middle and sides of his rib cage, like all of you are describing. His liver enzymes are high and no other studies show no abnormalities, everything comes back normal. He has tried all kinds of studies from MRIs, to CT scans, to endoscopes, to the capsule endoscope, and none of these found anything, until he got a double balloon endoscope where they found the source of his bleeding in his small intestine. He had a vascular malformation in his small intestine, which he previously never had. We think it was caused by the instruments being used by the surgeons. However, the pain was relieved for one week, and then it came back with a vengeance. The doctors say they don't know what's wrong with him, but me and my family and my brother believe it's because of the bile reflecting to his chest, because now, he only poops white stools. My brother doesn't eat, doesn't sleep and has lost 70 pounds, plus more this past year, and every time he eats the pain increases, but the chest pain never leaves. It's always there. Please. If someone has a solution we as his family are willing to hear you out.:'(
I had my gallbladder removed March 2014. Have had severe chest pains and feeling of fainting. Have been on Pepcid AC but not helping. Heading to gastro dr tomorrow. Pain comes on suddenly and is a 10 out of 10 range, feels like I am being stabbed in the middle of my chest. Pain does not radiate and last about 30 minutes and then goes away until the next time. Have had 4 bad episodes in 2 weeks. Endoscopy was previously done and was told i have gastritis and esophagitis but I don't have the symptoms of those listed. Not sure what is going on. Hope you get well soon.
I had mine removed over a year ago...sometimes I get pain, NOT what I would describe as acid reflux.....this feels like an honest to goodness heart attack. If I didn't know this pain to be linked to "gall bladder" I would think seriously heart problems (as I did when I had serious issues with my gall bladder) I have looed all over, and all searches say acid reflux and "sudden" complications (within a few days/weeks) but I am finding a hard time finding or figuring out why I am feeling like this....at first it was a lot, now maybe, once or twice a moth, sometimes lasting hours, sometimes days....I just want to know if this is normal or should I be worried something went wrong or wasn't done right.
Hi Mominpain2008. Did you ever find out anything more about this? I am 21 years old and just had my gallbladder out a week ago. I had the severe chest pain like you described. It radiated to my back and was achy. It was as severe as a gallbladder attack but just a different type of pain, like I would imagine a heart attack would feel like. However, given my age and health status, I would highly doubt it's a heart attack. Also, I have had GERD, and this is nothing like GERD pain I have experienced in the past. I got it after drinking a lot of lemonade. I first started having severe gallbladder attacks when I would have grapefruit juice because, I learned after, citrus juice (especially grapefruit juice) is used as a gallbladder cleanse. Now that I don't have my gallbladder anymore, I don't know why the lemonade would cause a problem (if it is indeed the cause).
Hi this is tasia579.
Thanks for the suggestion for the bile reflux. When i went to the e.r. a month ago they did a ultrasound and they said that the bile duct was working correctly, so hopefully they were right! When i did the endoscope the doctor told my husband that all he saw was a little redness in my esophagus and a little bump in my stomach lining and they did a byopsy to check it. But other than that he said everything looked really good. He said that the bump looked like a little ulcer that had healed over. I am gonna see my surgen on Tuesday to go over everything and that is when i will mention the bile reflux. thank you so much for your help and advice!
Thanks for the suggestion for the bile reflux. When i went to the e.r. a month ago they did a ultrasound and they said that the bile duct was working correctly, so hopefully they were right! When i did the endoscope the doctor told my husband that all he saw was a little redness in my esophagus and a little bump in my stomach lining and they did a byopsy to check it. But other than that he said everything looked really good. He said that the bump looked like a little ulcer that had healed over. I am gonna see my surgen on Tuesday to go over everything and that is when i will mention the bile reflux. thank you so much for your help and advice!
Tasia, bile reflux can be difficult to handle, but you may want to ask your doc about using a bile-binding resin along the lines of questran. You've got to be careful because any bile-binding resin can 'sop up' the fat-soluble vitamins that you need. And it can also cause constipation as well.
Morningpain, try gicare.com for a representative diet for GERD. Alcohol is on the completely avoid side of the 'diet list.'
Hi this is tasia579. Sorry to hear about all the stuff you are going through. It is even harder when you have kids, i know i have four. I had my gallbladder removed over three months ago and i am still dealing with stuff! About a month ago something nasty hit me in my stomach. I dont know if it was the surgery or a virus but i got so sick i couldn't eat. All i wanted to do was cry and try to sleep. I started having panic attacks from the pain and it just went down hill from there! I went to the e.r. and in and out of the doctors office. I took five different acid reflux meds, three of the meds made me worse! Now i am taking aciphex for acid reflux and klonopin for anxiety. I did an endoscope to see if there was any thing else going on, I am gonna see the surgen on Tuesday to go over the results. Hopefully everything will go well! I am so tired of feeling blah and my tummy hurting. I have a little chest pain but the doctor said mine is from anxiety. The doctor told me that basicly i had my surgery for my gallbladder and then freaked out, because of whatever happened a month ago. I just hope to get off the meds soon, taking medication on a daily basis can cause problems as well. I hope that things get better for you and you feel better soon!
Hi this is tasia579 again.
I was thinking the same thing about the bile reflux. I go to see the surgen on Tuesday to go over the results on my endoscope. Hopefully i get some good news but i will ask him about the bile reflux, do they have to do another test for that? If you have bile reflux what do you take for that? I am taking aciphex right now and it helps but i am also taking klonopin for anxiety as well. I wish I could go herbal but not at this time i already tried that. I still felt sick and was exhausted! This all started when i had my gallbladder removed and now i wish i would have researched more about the after effects! I have lost fifty pounds and i needed to loose the weight but not so quickly! I am feeling better and now maybe it is just a matter of waiting to heal from every thing. It just scares me sometimes because the doctor's didn't really tell me any thing or symptoms to watch out for after the surgery. Thank you so much for your advice and if you have any more to give i really appreciate it!
I was thinking the same thing about the bile reflux. I go to see the surgen on Tuesday to go over the results on my endoscope. Hopefully i get some good news but i will ask him about the bile reflux, do they have to do another test for that? If you have bile reflux what do you take for that? I am taking aciphex right now and it helps but i am also taking klonopin for anxiety as well. I wish I could go herbal but not at this time i already tried that. I still felt sick and was exhausted! This all started when i had my gallbladder removed and now i wish i would have researched more about the after effects! I have lost fifty pounds and i needed to loose the weight but not so quickly! I am feeling better and now maybe it is just a matter of waiting to heal from every thing. It just scares me sometimes because the doctor's didn't really tell me any thing or symptoms to watch out for after the surgery. Thank you so much for your advice and if you have any more to give i really appreciate it!
They did have me on nexium for a while, and it seemed to help. But it tore my stomach up. I guess I need to watch what i eat. Also, I have noticed if I have wine it causes the pain. Do u know if wine does cause severe acid reflux? And, do u know a good website for gerd diet?
Also, I did have an endoscope too like Tasia. That was before the gallbaldder surgery. He did mention I have a heiatial hernia (not spelled right). So I am not sure if that has anything to do with the chest pains???
Also, I did have an endoscope too like Tasia. That was before the gallbaldder surgery. He did mention I have a heiatial hernia (not spelled right). So I am not sure if that has anything to do with the chest pains???
Tasia, if you are suffering from acid reflux, then medications may not be the only thing you need to do to try to bring your stomach back to normal. Take a look at a good GERD diet. I know it can be boring, but a combination of meds and diet may change things around for the better faster than just using the meds alone. Many foods can provoke acid production. If you can limit their intake you may be able to tamp down the problem.
Make sure you ask if the redness was due to acid reflux or bile reflux. If acid, the pills and diet will help. If the problems is due to bile your doc needs to take another look at what's going on.
Make sure you ask if the redness was due to acid reflux or bile reflux. If acid, the pills and diet will help. If the problems is due to bile your doc needs to take another look at what's going on.
Morningpain, here is a link to a good site for information about SOD: http://hopkins-gi.nts.jhu.edu/pages/latin/templates/index.cfm?pg=disease1&organ=3&disease=12&lang_id=1
Hi this is tasia579
I am currently taking medication for acid reflux which i was diagnosed with after my gallbladder surgery. The medication has helped a little but i dont want to be stuck on pills forever. I had an endoscope done a week ago and the surgen said that every thing looked good. my throat was a little red but that i was healing nicely from every thing. I wish i could take comfort in what they tell me but after my surgery i dont! I was just wondering if you knew of any thing else that might help with my stomach. I was diagnosed with anxiety also because of everything i have been through since the surgery which was almost three months ago. please help with any advice if you can i would greatly appreciate it!
I am currently taking medication for acid reflux which i was diagnosed with after my gallbladder surgery. The medication has helped a little but i dont want to be stuck on pills forever. I had an endoscope done a week ago and the surgen said that every thing looked good. my throat was a little red but that i was healing nicely from every thing. I wish i could take comfort in what they tell me but after my surgery i dont! I was just wondering if you knew of any thing else that might help with my stomach. I was diagnosed with anxiety also because of everything i have been through since the surgery which was almost three months ago. please help with any advice if you can i would greatly appreciate it!
Thank you! My Dr. did mention Sphincter of Oddi last week at the appt. My gallbladder did contain sludge, that is why it was taken out. I have a call into my PCP right now to have them refer me to another GI for a second opinion. Because my current Dr. has not seemed to be to concerned.
Thank you again for your message. I think I will also put a call into my surgeon. To ask him if he has any ideas.
Thank you again for your message. I think I will also put a call into my surgeon. To ask him if he has any ideas.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Gastroenterology Community
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
