Gallbladder is gone so where is this pain from?

Posted , 555 users are following.

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

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  • Posted

    Hi just joined the forum and am experiencing similar problems to you , although I was told that eating anything was fine that sadly isnt the case, anything thats fatty doesnt stay in for very long so after years of dieting Ive joined a slimming group and have discovered a low fat diet really is helping with the pain but doesnt stop the bowel problems altogether,My main problem is that I feel tired most of the time like with no energy and not sure why , do you feel the same 
  • Posted

    I have have been reading your story's and i am in a simular position,after 6mths of constant pain being sick / sweats and being taken to hospital and having stays in diagnosed with blocked gall bladder sad on morphine and tramadol and gabbapentien for another six months as they said i could wait for op sad sad anyway finaly had op in april 2015 and they said all pain waould be gone once removed but as the bladder had got infected and started leaking they had to put me on other meds sad as said had op but from waking from the op i told the nurse i still had constant pain ?? to be told it was the op pain so thought ok so 4 weeks down the line still in constant pain and having same attacks but not being sick ?? im on tramadol gabapentine and lidocaine + much more just to keep pain at bay they have done so many tests and state they cant find any thing wrong to be told its in my head sad ?? anyway its now a year and a half of living with constant pain and back and fowards to doctor and surgeon who now state they have damaged my nervs during op ??? but they cannot state 110 if this is whats causing 24/7 pain and attacks every thing i do from eating to moving etc just sets it of worse now i have to wait another 6 months to see pain management to see if they can give me stronger drugs to try and fix nervs or kill them off sad i am so fed up i hope you lady recoever xxxx

     

  • Posted

    Me too, so glad to search online and find this forum.  I had my gallbladder out 9/2014 and just now beginning to have the pain in my left upper ribcage 4/2016 more and more often.  I agree with the person that reminded us that if we avoid fat rich food and drink lots of water, that will help tremendously because when I started having the pain I realized what bad food choices I had made the last several days.  When I am able to get out in the fresh air and have walks several times a week for about 45 minutes and avoid rich salad dressings, cheeses, and fats, even the good fats like olive oil and coconut oil can be an overload if you get too much at a time. Sorry so many of you have spent time and money trying to find out what is causing this only to come up empty.  Because of you sharing this, I am not going to take that avenue but instead take better care of myself.  I do hope those of you suffering more than I am find your personal way to get back to pain free or pain less often and with less intensity.  

     

  • Posted

    Hi everyone just posting results of multi vitaminns Ive mentioned before ,2 weeks on am feeling much better fatigue wise ,but am also suufering now a bit when eating anything with fat in it . It makes eating out very difficult but on the whole not too bad after op . I dont quite know why the doctors seem to think you can eat anything and will be ok , so many people are suffering with vomiting and pain and reflux
    • Posted

      How it was described to me when I had my gallbladder out was to introduce fats slowly into the diet over a period of 3 to 6 months.  Which is what I did.  Now I can eat anything in moderation.  And I find eating little and often works for me.  I can't go for over 3 hours without eating something.  It can be scary eating when you think it's going to have an adverse effect, but it's getting over that and realising that not eating is what does the damage!  Good luck
    • Posted

      Hi miss dolly can I just ask when you say little and often what are you eating Im suffering at the moment with pains when eating anything fatty and bread also is a nono Im eating a low fat diet but occasionally you just fancy something a bit naughty and the pain is so bad , I am guilty of just not eating .Also if i have abig meal that seems to start the pain off and then it lasts for days ,would love some advice 
    • Posted

      I found that too.

      I used to eat water biscuits, bagels, ham, cottage cheese, apples, yogurts, eggs, low fat cheese, turkey, boiled eggs, rice, pasta, berries, green veg, cucumber, tomatoes, olives, homous.  Ooh and haribos!  Anything I ate was low fat, and white.  Some people say to stay off dairy but I found low fat worked for me.  I drank water and peppermint tea. 

      I literally ate every 2 to 3 hours.  It was hard getting over the fear of eating but it will be worth it in the end! 

    • Posted

      Recently I duscovered that bran is no good and wholemeal bread is not good either Ill try what you had and see how that works. I can have a few days when Im ok and then all of a sudden it just starts up again , just got up today and feel fine after thee days of agony , but will be going for a family gathering friday and am struggling what to eat ,this is becoming a nightmare dont want to one of those people who always complain Ooo cant eat this and that, but sadly looks like we dont have much choice .If we are honest with ourselves poor diet is often the cause of our issues and really our bodies are making us look after ourselves a abit better but it sucks lol    Thanks for your advice and will give it a go xx
    • Posted

      Yeah, keep off the roughage for a bit! 

      It will get better.  Trust me!

      Good luck xx

    • Posted

      yes, it seems wrong, but a lot of the things that should be really good are not.  I can't eat oatmeal at all now.  :-(
    • Posted

      Hi took your advice today and have to say I havent had any pain under my ribs Did have a few funny looks when I started eating dry crackers every two minutes lol ,but this is the first day I can remember since op that theres no discomfort Thanks miss dolly xx

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