Gallbladder is gone so where is this pain from?

I had gallbladder issues since I was very little. I finally bit the bullet and had it out in 2003 when it go so bad I couldn't walk upright. It was working at 16%. I was feeling so bad that 6 months after surgery they did an endoscopy which showed nothing. Gradually I developed this weird thing, that took me 5 years to pinpoint the trigger, where if I ate fruit on an empty stomach I would collapse on the floor in pain, screaming for someone to shoot me. I only know that from the people who witnessed these attacks. I was incoherent. 911 was called on a few occasions. It would start out where my gallbladder was, move down to my stomach and that would be the end of me. I know that I had the sensation that something was going to rupture inside. I can eat fruit when I have a full stomach so that is how I handle it now. I have read that people can develop fructose intolerance after gb surgery. True?

So the reason I'm on this forum now is this pain for about 4 years now that is in my upper right back, right where my bra band is located. If I reach back there and press I can make it hurt worse. You know how you can tell the difference between muscle pain and an organ hurting? This is not muscle pain. It will come and go, sometimes eating will make it start, other times eating will make the pain go away. Even the blandest diet doesn't seem to matter. It used to be that I would have episodes of this pain. Here and there, months of nothing. It came back in mid June and it will not go away. I mean I have short periods of time during the day that it eases up but this is the longest stretch I've ever had. I sleep fine. 99% of the time that I get up in the morning I feel great. Once in a while it will be there waiting for me when I wake. I've had ct scans in the last few years, ultrasounds. The only thing that shows is very small cysts on my liver and kidneys which is normal for my age. I eat fairly well. I'm thin by nature. Another thing is that for quite some time I have a pain right under the breastbone. And here's the weird part, I don't feel it and it does not bother me, it's only when I'm standing up in a relaxed position....like a bad posture position...that's when I notice it hurts...if I press there it hurts worse. If I stand up straight and press I cant feel it. Crazy, right? I was put on ulcer meds a few months ago...they work for a week or so and then they stop working, so I have to switch to another kind until that stops working. I tested negative for h.pylori. So does anyone else here have this weird back pain? And I have no idea if the two pains are connected. I have no idea if the ulcer meds have irritated the pain in my back now. It's been 2 weeks now that I am on 2 zantac 75s per day and I'm starting to feel nauseated the last few days. I stopped taking them as of this evening to see what happens. I just wish someone could find out what the heck this pain in the RUQ of my back is coming from.

Have you thought maybe it mimics rib pain related to infection in the tissue around the ribs. As one breaths or moves it's a drop down on the floor cannot move pain. It's called Plurisy. I get it from time to time. A course of antibiotics helps a lot. 

Next time ask you doc about Plurisy and Google the symptoms and see this site for further info.

 

The severe pain that drops me to the floor no longer occurs since I stopped eating fruit on an empty stomach. And THAT only started after I had my gallbladder out. My main issue now is this off and on pain in the RUQ of the back. It is definitely related to eating but no specific food triggers, just eating in general. I have kept a very detailed food journal for over a year now and there is no rhyme or reason to WHAT I eat, but the pain will usually start after eating. I can eat the spiciest chili or fire hot sausage and be fine. 2 days later I can eat a plain cracker and BAM, there it is. This has been ongoing for 12 years now, off and on. Sometimes I go 5 or 6 months with no pain at all. The difference now is that at most it will go away for about 3 days. I have a GI appointment on the 27th of this month. I know a lot of people who have had their gallbladder out and there is only 1 person that does NOT have problems since the surgery. I can say that since I've been on Protonix (july 24th) I'm a bit better, but still the pain bothers me off and on. I can have it for 5 minutes after I eat all the way up to the rest of the day. Sometimes it comes and goes all day long. Then I will have 2 or 3 days where I am completely fine. I read comments on many boards where people are just accepting it and living with it because every test in the book for years shows nothing wrong. I'm about at that point.

pat,

I seem to be having the same issues like yourself. I am currently 1 month post op. I know i am still in recovery stage. But still have discomfort. I like the journal idea. I plan to do the same.

This may sound weird but i read about Acupuncture to help relieve the pain from the nerves that could be acting up. Not sure if it is proven or not. But I plan to make an appointment to find out.

Hey!

Aww no, Im sorry to hear!

Its more often that I hear about people having their gallbladder removed compared to when I had mine removed.

Do you mean your having problems with the docs not finding anything?

Hope to hear from you soon

X

Hiya Smoo, 

Yes I suppose I am really, I know it's not in my head as if I try and ignore the pain and carry on it will still have its Finale!   You know the story,  in your side, back shoulder takes your breath away,  feels like something needs to get out,  and finally it finds away out by vomiting non stop.  Then apart from feeling drained it's all manageable again.   

I really like your idea of the Tens machine,  after taking so many tablets and feeling like a spaceman it's well worth a try.

i had a letter from the hospital to stay the the MRI this January showed no stones or sludge so on my next appointment we will look at discharging you!

hahahahahah

Hey boyzmummy,

No of course its not in your head! Docs tried telling me that it was in my head but the only person who knows its not in your head and thats you.

I dont always vomit but it has made me vomit a few times. (Dont like vomitting either).

Yeah thats what ive been told to try so I can only pass on to others that could have the same problem. I need to get in touch with my GP and ask if they have one I could try, but I know exactly what you mean when you said feel like a spaceman cos of all the tablets.

Im taking diyhydrocodeine, what about you?

Hope to hear something back

X

Docs told me it was all in my head. This pain was like having a heart attack could not breathe. Even the ER CHECKED for a heart attack. 

Finally a a gastro showed me my exays and said its not all in your head its in your gallbladder!

had both GB & bile duct removed. All better!

Itching could be caused from medication. Look up side effects of what you are taking. Also itching is a allergic response. See your doc this is a separate issue from gallbladder.

 Also I had both gallbladder and bile duct removed and no more annoying pain. The surgery is nothing compared to the dibilatating pain a of a stone stuck inside the bile duct. I suffered needlessly for years because docs never thought it was gallbladder because I was only 17 years old. 

Take care I hope you can get this resolved soon. 

HI, I can say i was pretty well but just a dull pain and one acute pain that lasted 3 seconds, I went for an ultrasound and I saw three gallstones. My doc says I could stay like that but there would always be that risk of the stone going into the bile duct which would create more problem and much worse. He also said that 1 in 10 person have some complications however most people recover and lead a normal life.

My first advice to you is to immediately see your doctor and do your tests or ultrasound and get professional advice, your doctor would be the best person to listen, He will will explain everything.

Dont let the discussions here affect your decision, it does not reflect the statistics.

Be brave and get immediate medical attention!