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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

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  • callista96890
    callista96890 happyalien

    Posted

    I had my gallbladder removed about 3 months ago, and there has been the same severe pain as I was experiencing before. What may help any one with the constant pain is drinking apple juice. Whenever I feel the pain coming I chug apple juice and it help it go away. Also find what causes the pain. I use to think it was random but I payed attention more closely and it was when I ate fried foods or any non healthy food. Not sure if this is everyone else's reason for the pain, but I hope I was useful to someone

  • narrell
    narrell happyalien

    Posted

    I HAVE THE ANSWER!!!

    I also had this dull ache for about 6 years after gall removal,

    After I asked a few different doctors what it was and how I could stop it.

    I finally got an answer from the local doctor after I moved to a smaller

    town.

    He explained that during the surgery the surgeon cuts the tendon

    between the lower ribs and then uses a spreader to allow access for the

    instruments used in the surgery, eg..the suction apperatus.

    This more often then not causes brusing to the ribs and also

    leaves the tendons unsecured and able to move and because of this

    movement they can rub on the ribs causing slight inflammation.

    He suggest I take a common anti inflammatory like ibprofen/ neurophen if

    it got to painful and eventually the tendon "scraps" would wear down and

    cease rubbing on the ribs.

    I believe he was right as I no longer get the ache.

    I hope this helps all those that who have the ache,and now you can all

    look forward to a pain free future. 😊

    • OrangePoppy
      OrangePoppy narrell

      Posted

      Very cool! I wish this were the case with me. My right side pain has been there for 8 years. I think by now things would have rubbed off?

      It's so good to hear, though, when someone is doing better!

    • narrell
      narrell OrangePoppy

      Posted

      Sorry to hear that you are still getting pain so long after your OP, my Dr did not give me a time frame of when the pain would cease, but I do wish you well and hope your pain will end very soon.
    • catherine88829
      catherine88829 OrangePoppy

      Posted

      Hi, I had my gallbladder out 2008 and I now live with chronic pain. I have seen several Dr.s and they all think something different and have no answer for the pain. Sounds like you have a similar situation. My pain rt side under ribs and in middle area, gets worse with food. Doesn't matter what type of food just the contractions of digesting. Anyone have a reason for your pain?

    • trish74375
      trish74375 catherine88829

      Posted

      I know this is going to sound strange but stay with me. Try taking a Tennis ball and using just a little pressure roll it around on the top of the rib where the pain is. Then do the same on your back in the same area. Also try a hand held messager, both seem to work, especially if caught when pain first starts up. Hope this helps.
  • peggy47712
    peggy47712 happyalien

    Posted

    I had too start taking bile supplement because the gall bladder is gone and this helped and HCL for acid in my stomach helps with digestion bile is like dish soap it dissolves the fat and stops the pain I take 1 with every meal.
    • brenda50140914
      brenda50140914 peggy47712

      Posted

      What kind of bile supplement? Was it prescribed to you or is it over the counter?
  • catherine88829
    catherine88829 happyalien

    Posted

    Hi, I had my gallbladder out 2008. Pain continues constant, rt under rib area. Finally had to accept I have to take pain medication. The pain increases after eating. I feel very alone and disappointed with the surgery.
    • peggy47712
      peggy47712 catherine88829

      Posted

      Catherine I was having pain too I had mine out in the Spring so I did my own research and I have a Naturapathic Dr she put me on bile and Spiralina (Pure Hawaiian) and the pain stopped I take 2 tabs 3 times a day after meals and these 2 helped me so much.
  • benwa714
    benwa714 happyalien

    Posted

    My mother just had open surgery for her gull bladder and ulcer erupted!So when she was out of the surgery she was able to talk to me ,that next day ,my grandmother was there and then my Aunt they moved her out of DSU to another level to recover ,later that evening I arrived ,my mother wasn't coherent and I kept trying to talk to her,I went out talk to the nurses and they finally went back in and found the issue they have been giving her a dose of 5 instead of .5 so they gave her a shot of get me up and within 20 min she woke up,now she has oxygen and we'll she has been in pain couldn't breath short breath and pain in stomach ,6 days go by and now they want to transfer her to a rehabilitation ,there was no way she could go and do such so my Aunt and I have been on them about a chess scan,guess what her lungs are filled with fluids ,so I will keep u up to date ,any one wants to help me on what I should or could do from here on out please advise me THANK YOU FOR READING THIS!

    • catherine88829
      catherine88829 benwa714

      Posted

      The pain and anguish you are experiencing is terrible. I hope your mom improves with time. I stay spiritual and keep hope for a better day, that's all we can do. I hope you have some friends you can reach out to, my girlfriends are great to talk with. Take care and stay strong.

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