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Gallbladder is gone so where is this pain from?

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happyalien
happyalien

HI

Had the dreaded gallbladder removed last June after only 7 months of pain (so I'm pretty lucky).

Everything went well, home the same day - took a good 4 weeks to feel totally better after the op but eating was ok and I don't seem to be affected by bowel issues like some people.

Only problem is I have dull ache in exactly the same place I used to get the gallbladder pain. It's not intense pain but it's in the front RUQ under my ribs and moves round the side and to my back.

It doesn't seem to appear after anything in particular and most of the time it's there constantly. Suppose it's more of an annoyance than anything else because I'm always aware of this ache. I'm quite reluctant to go to my GP because after spending about 7 months constantly in the surgery last year updating painkillers and nausea pills I don't want them to think I'm addicted to medical attention.

Just wondered if anyone had anything similar or if it's just a by-product of surgery that I'll have to get on with?

Thanks

34 likes, 1357 replies

1357 Replies

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  • jane40765
    jane40765

    Posted

    Hi Maxine

    Good luck for tomorrow.Yes please let me know how you got on.

  • BeBe1988
    BeBe1988

    Posted

    Jane....I talked to a friend in the medical field....she said the surgery for SOD treatment was extremely dangerous and difficult....complications more common than not and a very limited improvement prognosis...that's why it'snot offered or even discussed very much by doctors....they risk making you even worse off...

    many times people grasp at whatever possibility is out there and that's not always a good thing.

    Now it's time to figure out what I can do to make the best of a bad situation...I have several other conditons that complicate things even further (arthritis, degenerative disc and fibromyalgia) but I have to keep trying...and I've got to make taking care of myself a priority....I think that's the most difficult part of it all! >_<

    >

    >

  • jane40765
    jane40765

    Posted

    Hi Bebe

    I agree with you.I have read some real horror stories on a different forum from people who had it done. I have got so used to the pain now and I just try and live with it. My problem is that it frightens me , I worry if its doing damage to liver and pancreas because it stops bile juices being released properly, my consultant didnt seem to know much when I asked her.I have oesphagitis and diverticular disease of bowel as well, and as you say other things complicate this condition. What pain med do you take as I have found that these make pain worse.Sometimes Tramadol is okay but another time it makes it worse.So much is down to food as well, that I find really difficult. It must be really hard for you as you must need a lot of pain meds.

    I often regret finding out now as before I knew about sod, I was able to dismiss it and not worry about it, but now that pain reminds me everyday that I have an untreatable painful condition.

    You are right, wehave to try and make taking care of ourselves a prority, hard as it is.

    Take care

    • cathy_94688
      cathy_94688 jane40765

      Posted

      Hi Jane40765

      I was reading your comment and your situation and fears were exactly like mine.

      I had my gallbladder removed 3 yrs ago and since then I was in pain in the same spot until now that it got very sever. I did most of the tests and everything came back normal. I even asked them about SOD but doctors don't even think about it. Like you Jane I have fear of its damaging other organssad I wish I have never learned about this pain and problem I would live more in peace than now. There is something that area that is constantly pinching and sepersding the pain to my back of my stomach and to the front and to my chest.

      I don't know how much and how long I can tolerate this pain and condition. I wish I would never had galbladder surgery. sad

  • maxine44700
    maxine44700

    Posted

    Hi,

    Well as expected nothing! Said rare to have bile stone, wouldn't discuss sod, gonna refer for ultrasound and had bloods taken. Said may need referral to gastrology for endoscopy. So no further forward 😟

  • jane40765
    jane40765

    Posted

    Typical, I get so cross with these gastro drs, a lot of them refuse to accept that sod is a physical condition, so why is it in medical journals etc!! Bile stone may be rare but it happened to my sister in law and she ended up seriously ill in hospital for 6 weeks because dr wouldnt listen.( dont mean to scare you) scan will show if ther is. I had an endoscopy and it showed oesphagitis , so its worth getting that checked.
  • maxine44700
    maxine44700

    Posted

    I will look at symptoms for my acid reflux, I maybe GERD I'm having.
  • Evonn
    Evonn

    Posted

    Hi had my gallbladder removed April 2013 everything fine till August 2013 then had what felt like a gallbladder attack.went to see my g p and was given antacid tablets and sent for ultrasound scan.scan showed no stones in duct,but revealed I had a fatty liver.since this 1st attack,I have had constant pain in mid back,which is really bad at night,can't lie down or lean on right side. can only sleep when pain meds have kicked in,but still only get about 3 hours sleep a night.im due to go for ct scan end of feb,as anybody else had these pains,also have had blood tests done ,which showed I'm very aneamic,and have b12 defiency as well
    • marcenebt99
      marcenebt99 Evonn

      Posted

      Fatty Liver can be helped ... google fatty liver.  It takes a good while and some dietary changes (reduce sugar and dairy intake) but the liver will get better if given a chance and alot of time.  I've been working on it for a couple of months now.  My last Cat Scan showed improved liver condition I guess because Fatty liver was not in the chart this time.  I do still have daily discomfort where my GB used to be and boy oh boy am I hoping I don't have what I've been reading about here ( sphincter of oddi dysfunction ).

      but maybe the Fatty Liver is worth investigating

    • KDH
      KDH marcenebt99

      Posted

      Thanks for the info; just had another attack...nothing as bad as prior to surgery but soooo uncomfortable. I'm exhausted now. I have my followup with the surgeon next week, will definitely mention your comments.

       

  • jane40765
    jane40765

    Posted

    Hi Evonn

    Sounds like a condition called sphincter oddi dysfunction, which can occur after GB removal.Google it and see. Acid suppressants can cause b12 defiency and if you take iron tablets they can cause gastro problems.

  • Evonn
    Evonn

    Posted

    Thanks Jane will google it ,and read up
  • lizzylou
    lizzylou

    Posted

    Having just found this web site I have nearly burst into tears to find that all my pain is not in mind!!

    Had my GB removed October 2011 and since then have had nothing but problems but have as they say been grinning and bearing it. Have recently had a scan and they have now found kidney stones but I to have a pain right where my scar is its like a stitch but throbs sometimes. Will be going straight back to the Dr's to tell him my findings - lets see if something can be done. Am already on omprezola and have been since having a perforated ucler (you thought gallbladder was painful!!). Thanks to all comments and lets hope everybody gets well soon

  • maxine44700
    maxine44700

    Posted

    Well, after reading all of this and googling stuff I think I've got myself in a right state! All of the shared issues plus increased risk of cancers etc . I wasn't told any of this before the operation to remove the gb or in appointments following. Not good eh? Too late to have it put back in??!! Lol

  • jane40765
    jane40765

    Posted

    Hi Lizzylou

    no its not all in your mind.They try and make you think that,because a lot of them don't believe in sphincter of oddi , even though its well documented. I still have my gallbladder as they think i passed a stone, but three years on and i still have problems.I have lost total faith in drs now.

    Maxine

    I've got in to a right state too with it all, I get terrible panic attacks now because of it all and just don't know where to turn anymore.

    • judy13495
      judy13495 jane40765

      Posted

      Jane, I don't know if you have had any relief as this is an old post, but I am 73 and learned today that there is a tube that is connected to your gallbladder that they leave in and it acts the same as your diseased gallbladder did.   Have seen 10 gastro doctors and none of them helped.   My PCP today wrote prescription for Cholestyramine for Oral Suspension and told me to mix the powder in water and drink it 2 or 3 times a day FOREVER.   This is a drug I have used from time to time but nobody ever told me to use if every day.   I will report back but I believe this will help you.

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