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Feeling awful mentally after Gallbladder surgery!

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tara80
tara80

What no one tells you about gallbladder surgery..

My name is Tara. I am a Registered Nurse. I would like to tell you my recent story.

I began having debilitating anxiety attacks in 2000. I would say prior to the attacks, I would be classified as a "worrier", but this was very different. Fight or flight at its finest. I, as so many are, was placed on SSRI's and managed the best I could. I also developed acid reflux around this time and noticed that the two went hand and hand in regards to the severity of my attacks.  I led a relatively normal life, getting married, having two children, and achieving an Administrative role in a large Cardiology practice. In October of 2016, the bottom fell out.

In October of 2016 I had one isolated, extremely high blood pressure (210/120). I had eaten high fat foods for the two days prior to the HTN episode.  I had no previous history of HTN. I was treated with IV Labetalol and started on a  PO Beta Blocker. I failed approximately 5 beta blockers, as I did not have any further instances of HTN. For months I underwent cardiac testing, blood work, CT's, Event and Holter monitors, etc. No significant findings. My only symptoms post the hypertensive crisis was a vibration under my right breast. It was present almost immediately after the one episode of HTN and did not cease. I finally asked for a HIDA scan and found that the EF of my gallbladder was 2%. I thought I had finally found out what had been causing all my trouble. It was approximately 5 months after the initial episode of HTN. I never had a gallbladder attack or any other GI symptoms out of the usually IBS like symptoms I have had for as long as I can remember. Over the years, my fight or flight response became more and more sensitive and I could not explain why.

This is when it all fell apart. At the time of my surgery, I was taking Trintellix 10mg for Generalized Anxiety Disorder. It seemed to work up until October of 2016, when my anxiety, once again, became out of control. I underwent a lap choley on 3/24/17 and did fine surgically. About 3 weeks post op, I entered into a CONSTANT state of anxiety. It was debilitating and I was very seriously contemplating an inpatient stay somewhere. I had NEVER had feelings like this and was starting to believe it was my new station in life. I was depressed, extremely anxious, detached, became a hypochondriac regarding what could be wrong with me, and truly believed I was going insane. All for having my gallbladder removed. I often wish I would have never had it removed. I still have some physical response to certain foods: headache, bloating, RUQ pain, right arm pain etc... Despite the physical symptoms, the mental changes have been the most overwhelming and devastating.

I sought advice from my PCP (almost weekly) about my condition. She increased my Trintellix and it made all symptoms exponentially worse. I underwent a Head CT, MRI of the Brain, CT of the abdomen-all negative. I was living on Ativan and wondering if I would make it. I was then taken off Trintellix and placed back on Effexor XR which I had taken for 8yrs and only asked to change because of unwanted side effects. I was very hopeful this would help me. The exact opposite happened. It was as if my body was rejecting this medication which I had depended on for so many years. Severe feelings of detachment, feeling like i was going to lose control, constant anxiety and extreme fear. Absolutely  no help and certainly no symptoms I had ever experienced before. I asked my Doctor if I could stop the medication and see what happened as I was unbearably miserable. Very very slowly, the symptoms have started to lift. I would not say I am even 70%, but I feel more hopeful than I have in the 10 weeks since my surgery. I have begun taking Prilosec OTC and that has helped, but is not a long-term fix. It is hard to describe, but I feel more intact to my life and much less anxious about things that would have always been a trigger for me.

I have some questions, but am trying desperately to be at peace that there may be no answer. Just that time passes and some of these things resolve.

My gallbladder did not get to 2% overnight. Could this have been the source of my anxiety all these years?

Does feeling so awful now on SSRI's/SNRI's mean my gut could be healing and keep Serotonin regulated as it should be?

What can I continue to do to help my gut heal and restore my neurotransmitters to the appropriate function? I stay hydrated, take a high quality organic multivitamin, try to get enough sleep, practice relaxation and have been working with a counselor using EMDR therapy. I don't know what is helping, but I certainly know it started in my gut.

I am convinced that we are going about this backwards and I feel the past 10 weeks of my life are proof. Your gut has a brain! I am not looking for a diagnosis. I just want my life back

Tara

2 likes, 44 replies

44 Replies

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  • trisha68782
    trisha68782 tara80

    Posted

    I know it’s been a while. How are you doing now? I just had my gallbladder removed 3 weeks ago and am nauseous all the time, difficulty eating, constipated. High anxiety and depression for the passed 2 weeks. I can’t sleep much. In constant anxious feeling and feel sad and unmotivated to do anything. I shake non stop. Have chest pain that feels like acid I’m my esophagus. Stomach pain. I have to basically force myself to eat a little and I’m very weak. I’ve become disconnected with my normal life. Not participating at my kids function. Not cooking meals for my family. I just feel so depressed and anxious all the time with no end since my gb surgery. Has your symptoms improved since? I don’t know if my depression and anxiety is due to feeling sick, nauseous and not eating properly or something else. Before getting sick I was very happy with everything in my life and had no issues what so ever. Then wham, I was hit by dizziness, nausea, appetite totally gone then rapid weight loss. In and out of doctors then took them a month they found gallstones then removed my gall bladder. Doc said I’ll feel good afterwards. Not the case! I actually still have the nausea, lack of appetite, difficulty eating, stomach pain and acid reflux. Now on top of it anxiety and depression which I did not have before surgery. Anxiety and depression seems to be getting worse as I go along. Can’t stand shaking all darn day for weeks on end anymore. Makes my muscles sore and tired. Don’t know what to do. I went to my pc and she does not want to put me on meds yet. Wants me to do therapy. Has 2 sessions so far. Still feel horrible and as if I need to admit myself as an inpatient for a while. Not sure if that would help or not. 

    Also  working with a gi specialist. They did a Hida scan yesterday. Will know results in a few days I suppose. They’re doing an upper gi endoscopy next week. Guess we’ll see what they find but I’m probably being overly paranoid since gb surgery. Hopefully someone can help me! I just want my life back! Hopefully someone out there can give me some good news with their recovery story. Anyone out there have the same issues I’m having? Hope there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. 

    • pam76595
      pam76595 trisha68782

      Posted

      How did they do a hida scan if you have no gallbladder? How are you doing now?
    • trisha68782
      trisha68782 pam76595

      Posted

      They do Hida scans after the gallbladder removal on quite a lot of people. My GI doc said they’ve done quite a few lately. Anyway, with no gallbladder they still can check for bile leaks and blockages in your ducts. A friend of mine actually ended up with a bile leak after gallbladder removal. Yikes! But they said everything looked fine. Had an upper GI endoscopy yesterday. They found I have a few spots of erosion in my stomach lining that can turn into ulcers if I’m not careful. Erosive gastritis isn’t fun! Causes a lot of the same symptoms as gallstones which now that I know, not so sure I actually needed my gallbladder out but can’t take it back. The erosive gastritis still mimics the symptoms with nausea, weight loss, loss of appetite and stomach pain which I have all that. Only thing now after the endoscopy yesterday I have a lot of chest pain. My esophagus hurts like heck, a lot worse than it did! And my doc says to take Prilosec which I’ve already explained to him doesn’t work well for me and gives me heart racing and palpitations. Also makes me even more nauseous. I can’t believe he couldn’t try another antacid since I’m not doing well in the one I have now. And if I don’t take anything for my erosions they can turn into ulcers. Don’t know what to do now. I’m really careful what I eat, when I can eat. Only low fat low carb and eating 5 small meals a day. Still no relief and I’ve been at all of this crap for 2 whole months now. Going on 2.5 months. Makes me so stressed not feeling any better for this long. 
    • shannon72303
      shannon72303 trisha68782

      Posted

      Hi Trisha

      I know its been awhile since your post 7 months ago, but i was wondering how you are doing now? Do you feel any better?

      I am 6 weeks post op, and i have almost the same exact symptoms as you did. I had to have emergency GB surgery, and i am having a rough go of it afterwards. I had gallstones and one of the walls had started to thicken. I had constant nausea, and couldnt hold anything down before the surgery. After the surgery i still have the constant nausea, hardly any appetite, going back and forth between consipation and diarhera, and last week i developed horrible anxiety. its worse in the morning. i just sit and shake, have a racing heart on and off all day. the anti nausea meds arent helping. the prilosec stopped working so i switched to Nexium but i dont know if its working.

      i just feel hopeless. i lay in bed and watch tv. im not interested in anything my kids or my husband is doing. my husband has been perfect. hes right by my side when hes not working. ive only worked one week in the past 6 weeks. im supposed to start a new job in 5 days but with this nausea i dont know how im gonna do it.

      i have a GI appointment in 10 days so hopefully i will get answers to why im still sick. Please tell me you started feeling better. Its been 6 weeks for me and i just want this nightmare to be over with.

      Shannon

    • trisha68782
      trisha68782 shannon72303

      Posted

      Hi there,

      Sorry to hear you are having these issues. They sound identical to all my symptoms to the T. My anxiety hit me a week after and still remains. I Would wake early in the morning and shake horribly. The shaking finally went away about 3 months or so and i was able to finally eat normally about then too. Three long months of hell. But I did make myself eat like jello, applesauce, crackers and salads plus lots and lots of water for those horrible months of not being able to eat. I also started weekly sessions with talk therapy foe my anxiety. It helped somewhat. I still go bi-weekly and have tried a handful of anxiety meds. On a third one now. Although my anxiety is not as bad as it was it's still a bit of a struggle and still sticking around. Keeping myself occupied and working actually helps my anxiety a good deal as well as doing things with my family. Sitting around by yourself makes it worse. I've been there done that.

      Oh, just thought, I drank and still do boost and ensure to get my nutrients from not eating right. Not the tastiest but I learned to like them. I'm a vanilla person.

      Gall bladder removal is definately no picnic but you will get back to normal. It just takes time and lots of it. Took me at lest 4 months or so and still dealing with moderate anxiety but keeping busy and talk therapy and possible medication helps. After 7 months I feel about 75% normal again but with the help of keeping myself busy and the therapy it takes some work to get better. Best of luck to you and hope you feel little better soon. I gained much comfort hearing stories of others in the same situation. There's hope! You'll get there soon.

    • shannon72303
      shannon72303 trisha68782

      Posted

      Thank you for responding to me. Im glad you are feeling better. Having nausea and all the other problems is no fun. Did you ever find a antacid that helped your gastritis? I think if i can stop the nausea, then maybe everything else will feel better. Ive had a little anxiety before surgery, but not like im currently experiencing.

      im mostly eating turkey sandwiches with low fat mayo, tuna, applesauce, crackers, protein shakes, pretzels, water, pedialite.

      I wonder if the anxiety and shaking is due to our systems being overwhelmed after surgery? I dont know.

      It gives me hope though that you started feeling better. I pray that i dont have that much longer to go. I also pray that both of our anxiety problems will get better.

  • mary71670
    mary71670 tara80

    Posted

    I have my gallbladder removed on augest 28 2018 don't know feel it was worth.

    I had some symptoms of anxiety and depression but mine now is way worse 

    Instead of getting better they added a problem that is worse than what I had before 

    I want my life back and the Doctor can not find what is going on. 

  • brenda48300
    brenda48300 tara80

    Posted

    i realise this post is a long time ago but I too have had horrendous depression & anxiety since having my gallbladder removed 8 weeks ago. Does anybody have any updates to share. thanks Brenda

    • nicole2821
      nicole2821 brenda48300

      Posted

      i am currently 8 weeks post op from gallbladder removal i was fine the 1st week after but then second week i started getting horrible pains in my upper back , er said i had myofacial pain syndrome with doing any tests after that and surgery i have suffered from anxiety/panic now for 6 weeks 2 weeks ago i started getting dizzy/lightheaded and that lasts forever, i feel so much worse mentally than before i tell my husband daily i feel like im dying or something is really wrong and on top of it all i ended up with the 4 week long cold and have now been on antibiotics twice and medrol currently i just feel scared and nervous all the time and feels like im shaking on the inside and out constantly i think i need to seriously go back and see the doc and see what can be done i have not caught a break since surgery

    • brenda48300
      brenda48300 nicole2821

      Posted

      Good luck speaking with your doctor, unfortunately doctors I have seen (I'm in Australia) have virtually scoffed at me when I try to convince them that my depression/anxiety is connected with the surgery. My anxiety also set in one week post surgery. I have had to resort to taking ativan to get through the day. something I've never had to do before. Please be assured that you're not dying. I'm sorry I have no answers for you but I do have loads of empathy and understanding. I would definitely recommend going back to the doc to try and get something to help with the anxiety at least. Good luck and I hope we both feel better soon.

    • nicole2821
      nicole2821 brenda48300

      Posted

      my family pcp did listen yesterday, told him im going crazy he ran some bloodwork and is having me get an ekg and wear a heart moniter for 24hours im constantly dizzy and have ringing in my ears now to so he is sending me to see a ent so we shall see how this all turns out i hope you feel alot better soon and really hopenyou get the answers and help

    • jac91734
      jac91734 nicole2821

      Posted

      i just had my gallbladder out beginning of June ans i am feeling this way exactly! dizzy anxiety ringing in my ears all day long for weeks. did you ever get answers and/or feel better?! this is making me mental

    • jjdownunder
      jjdownunder jac91734

      Posted

      I see this was 7 months ago - Are you feeling any better yet?

  • MadwomaninAttik
    MadwomaninAttik tara80

    Edited

    I dont know when you wrote this but i had my gallbladder out last Wednesday night. I have suffered with debilitating anxiety and panic disorder for 13 years. I've been on zoloft for 12 of those years.

    The night I had my gallbladder removed my legs started to shake uncontrollably and I was freezing. I wasnt sure if I was dying or if I was having a panic attack. It finally went away hours later but I really had to focus mentally, otherwise I would have completely lost it.

    My anxiety has been pretty stable for the past 8 months. I still have panic attacks but they don't last long and I'm usually good at not exacerbating them.

    the night of my surgery, it seemed like I couldn't calm myself down. My legs wanted to continue shaking and I called the nurse because like I said, I literally thought I was dying from post op complications.

    fast forward to tonight, Saturday. I fall asleep and wake up with leg shaking again and feeling freezing. I'm pretty sure now that this is my panic disorder but why exactly have the physical symptoms changed?? it's like the adrenaline in my body isnt digested right and just goes right through me.

    • nicole2821
      nicole2821 MadwomaninAttik

      Posted

      That is how i feel, it feels like all my anxiety and panic is way different from before i have went to my doctor since surgery and have had blood work and i have seen a heart doctor. everything has checked out good i even went to a ENT for the dizziness he was the only one to explain that it takes a while for your body to adjust to not having that organ and also that anesthesia can stay in the brain for months, which is what im thinking is going on with me my body is just taking longer than others to adjust and get back to normalone other thing i noticed is my acid reflux is way worse now and it seems im always feeling sick to my stomach

    • brenda48300
      brenda48300 nicole2821

      Edited

      Thanks for sharing your latest update Nicole. I'm now 12 weeks post surgery and have just started lexapro 20mgs for depression and anxiety. Prior to the surgery I had my anxiety and depression under control and causing no problems with effexor 150mgs a day. After surgery my whole flight/fight system went haywire and the effexor just wasn't helping at all. I had to wean off the effexor before going on the lexapro which wasn't too bad but not great either. I'm so glad your ENT gave you (and me) some answers. I have never experienced anything like the panic and anxiety of the past 12 weeks it's been horrific. Also problems with concentrating and brain fog. I am hopeful that the lexapro will give me some relief. i think the absence of the gallbladder upsets the gut-brain connection but nobody tells you anything of the possible consequences before the surgery. Thanks again.

    • jjdownunder
      jjdownunder MadwomaninAttik

      Posted

      I am so sorry you are experiencing this - see it was recent - 2 days ago. I had GB removed about 10 weeks ago and feel similarly - the emotions are not processing the way they did. Cannot know if this is because the gallbladder is more than a bile receptacle and possibly is, like the heart, an emotion carrying organ as well. There are neurons in the gut and the heart...perhaps we lost part of our gut brain and have to give it time to adjust. the question is how to we cope while that is happening?

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