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Gallbladder surgery not worked?

Posted , 8 users are following.

Miss_Marie
Miss_Marie

Please someone help me, I'm terrified! To cut it short, I was in and out of a&e via an ambulance with severe abdo pain and sickness over a period of 2 years. No-one knew what was wrong. Anyway, one time when I got back home from the hospital, pain come back and I was diagnosed with pancreatitis. I spent 5 days in hospital and 2 weeks later, I had my gallbladder removed. This pain used to come every 4-6 months and sure enough, 6 months later, 2 weeks ago, I was rushed into hospital with the same pain. They've booked me for a scan on the 16th December but this last 4 days, I have the same pain, same area etc but it's not as severe. I've been told my op probably didn't work and I could have a stone and/or sludge. But the pain is mainly the left side across ribs and abdo but gallbladder is on the right side. Although I don't have one, this is very weird. I'm scared of getting pancreatitis again. What would your advice be? I'm desperate here!

2 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • laura001
    laura001

    Posted

    Hey, it sounds like you're suffering with what I do. its called 'Sphincter Of Oddi'. Basically its the bile duct tightening and creates inflammation in the biliary tree.

    I was diagnosed with pancreatitis numerous times before I was finally diagnosed correctly.

    If it is what I have then things like morphine and codeine will MAKE IT WORSE. This is because opium based meds tighten the duct and create a spasm.

    I have created a blog on my condition. its a bit easier to understand than the medical jargon, as its a personal experience. feel free to check it out. It is linked here https://patient.info/forums/discuss/gallbladder-removal-41738

    minimise fat and spicy foods, stop drinking. see if you can get some buscopan and lanzoprozole prescribed. I take ibuprofen to reduce the inflammation- tho diclafenac works just as well.

    hope this helps marie! xxx

    • sandra1983
      sandra1983 laura001

      Posted

      Do you know what pain relief can be take if you can't take opiates? Something strong for like after surgery etc as obviously can't have morphine.
  • isabel71472
    isabel71472

    Posted

    Try taking two alka seltzers. It is the only thing that works for me. Doc thinks I also have the sphincter of odd. He will be running some invasive tests next month sine I already had the gallbladder removed and pain is

    Back. The alka seltzer knocks the pain out within 20 minutes or so. Good luck.

  • Miss_Marie
    Miss_Marie

    Posted

    Thanks for your replies. I've had another scan today which doesn't show anything so I've been referred back to my surgeon and will more than likely have to have another endoscopy (eugh!) I've never had a problem with fatty foods and the docs did say if that was an issue, the pain would start pretty much after eating a fatty meal. He said if it was sphincter of oddi, then opiates flare it up but mainly pethedene. He said Codeine shouldn't be a problem as I've taken it on and off for a long time. I also don't drink. I'll try the Alka Seltzer, thanks again! Hope you have a good Christmas and New Year.
  • laura241091
    laura241091

    Posted

    I had my gallbladder removed because of gallstones when I was 18 I am now 22 but still suffer the pain every now and again, I've been to my doctors but they just give me acid tablets that don't seem to work. So when I get the pain I just have to deal with it I haven't been to doctors for a while now about my pain as I don't seem to be getting anywhere and I thought it was just me suffering after having the gallbladder removed. At the moment I have food poisoning where I have been sick a lot and I have suffered a really bad attack so I am thinking of going back to my doctors and putting my foot down and make sure some tests are done as for I can not deal with the pain. I usually have the attacks every few months and they last roughly 15mins but the one that I had today lasted around an hour. I just wondered if I'm doing the right thing going back to doctors or is they nothing that can be done?
  • jane40765
    jane40765

    Posted

    Hi Missmarie

    I agree with laura, sphincter of oddi dysfunction. I have this, it does not show on scans etc it is diagnosed by process of elimination. In very rare cases they diagnose through endoscopy in to the bile ducts, but this is a very risky procedure and most drs wont do it unless you're on deaths door.

  • camille0924
    camille0924 Miss_Marie

    Posted

    I have this problem and have had the the surgery for it. EVERYTIME I am given pain medication for my colitis I know that 20 minutes later I will be in much worse pain. I spoke to my gastroenterologist and he said that it is definitely sphincter oddi and in fact that is how they test for it if someone still has their gall bladder .

     I still wonder why if they surgical cut mine to fix the spasms 7 years ago,why it would still be an issue ?

    • debra1711
      debra1711 camille0924

      Posted

      I was just diagnosed with sphincter of oddi dysfunction during my ercp..they did do a sphincterectomy where they cut the sphincter. .I have only had 1 attack since..I see a hepatobiliary specialist surgeon this week at the University of chicago. Going in for a choledochojejunostomy sometime..hopefully soon...I know how scary it is..the not having a diagnosis. I am awaiting a pathology report to see if I have a malignancy in my bile ducts. ...the waiting is crazy..good luck. .
  • bev5555
    bev5555 Miss_Marie

    Posted

    Hi I've just read your post and really interested to know what your outcome was! I'm in hospital right now. Had my gallbladder out 2 weeks ago was fine for 3 days then the off the scale pain started. Eventually after a few days ended up being admitted to hospital. They've done loads of scans but everything has come back clear except my liver function test is raised. So now they're wondering if a stone is in my bile duct and are going to go through my scans again tomorrow to see if something has been missed. If it has I'll have to have an ERCP done which terrifies me because of the risks! I'd love to know what happened with you in the end as everything you describe is so similar to me. Thanks very much

    Bev5555

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