undearable pain post gallbladder removal

Question

Hello. My name is Christina. I am soon to be 30 years of age, I am 5'1 and now weigh maybe between 100 and 105 lbs and appear sickly (anorexic, which I am not, and I am very pale). I had both my gallbladder and appendix removed November 19th 2015. Since the surgery I have had nothing but problems. Unbearable excruciating pain, nausea, vomiting and bouts of diarrhea. The bouts of diarrhea occur at least three to four times per week. Before I had the surgery I weighed approximately 125lbs (give or take). With the constant nausea, vomiting and bouts of diarrhea I've been losing weight like crazy. I have no pain what so ever in my pelvic abdominal area where my appendix used to be. The pain is where my gallbladder used to be, and only there. I do have some radiating pain into my back, but that's it. I've had to pay multiple visits to the local ER and since the surgery, I've been admitted to the hospital three times due to severe pain, persistent nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The doctors in my area have no idea for cause of the pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The doctors have done multiple tests; a repeat HIDA scan, an ultra sound, a CT scan, an X-Ray and all kinds of blood work. The only things that have come up have been some dehydration due to the vomiting and diarrhea and a bit of low glucose level also due to vomiting and diarrhea. It has become nearly impossible to eat as I used to prior to the surgery. I have had to resort to drinking ensure and soft foods (such as cream of wheat and oatmeal depending of how bad the nausea may be). I have to keep some sort of nutrition in my body so that I can take my daily medications and keep at least some level of energy in me. The doctors in my area have referred me to see a Dr. Parkman located at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, because the doctors in my area have no idea what else to do being that all of the testing is coming up normal. It is extremely frustrating to deal with this on a day to day basis. Now that I am seeing Dr. Parkman at Temple he wants to perform multiple tests. I have read the other posts by other people that are going through the same identical issues or very similar symptoms. As of right now, I am just grateful to have the support and help of my family and wonderful boyfriend. If ANYONE has any suggestions or could be of potential help to me, I would greatly appreciate it. As a matter of fact, here is my email address, ***@****
Thank you for your time and consideration.

-Christina

This discussion is related to Right Abdominal Pain Since Gallbladder removal (worsening by day).

Pattishka · Answer

My 12 yr old daughter is going thru the same symptoms. 5 months after she had her gallbladder removed, not as severe, thank God. She called me from school telling me she had pain on her right side and it goes to her back, sometimes she felt like a gallgladder attack. After each pain flare her liver enzymes were extremely elevated.  Gastroenterologyst suggested an ERCP, but it was risky. No stones were found in her bile duct. So he suggested she nay have ODI. After the ERCP she contracted pneumonia and was in the hospital for 8 days. She has missed so much school and now that she is back, sometimes she calls me and tells me she still gets pain on her right side. In the forums I found out she may have postcholecystectomy syndrome, so following the natural path, I found people taking "Jarrow Bile Acid Factors" and the reviews are very positive from people suffering this chronic illness. I will try the bile acid factor and see if this finally helps her feel less miserable. I wish you the best.

Dee1956 · Answer

Hello, I am so sorry to hear you are suffering so much.  My husband had his gallbladder removed the end of September.  At the time, luckily, the surgeon noticed some stones in his common bile duct and other areas.  He called in a specialist and my husband had a second surgery the next day.  From everything I have read only a gastroenterologist or endocrinoligist should remove those stones.  He was also advised to avoid fat for at least 6 months until his body became used to the way it now worked, without the gall bladder.  I don't know if any of this will help you.  I hope that you can find a doctor who specializes in the gallbladder who can help you.  My husband tried to eat a little peanut butter on an apple and got very sick.  From what I have read, it is trial and error as to what you can now eat with no problems.
Good luck to you, Dee