Post gallbladder pain

So sorry to hear you are in pain. I hope it gets better soon.  

I had my gallbladder removed, and before the operation the consultant told me that if after the operation I still had the same pain he would diagnose IBS as it would be unlikely to be anything else.

Sending positive vibes to you.

Are you constipated as well ?

Hi there.  I too have the same thing.  8 month post gallbladder removal.  I take PPIs max strength 40 mg morning and night.   Now have acid problems and IBS too.  Burning amnomina in nose and throat. Still trying to figure out a combo of good food and med to stop the pains.    I can't believe I have so much pain now and there is now one that has the answer.   I keep doing more tests and they keep coming back at the high end of the normal ranges.   I am trying on the advice of my GI peppermint oil drops. Just got it and trying it this weekend.  I don't wish this pain and feeling on anyone.  

After taking Nexium for gosh 15+ years, I have gone off them.  Mostly because I've been reading some of the studies they've been doing on PPI's.  the withdrawal has been absolutely the worst.  some days I don't think I'm going to make it, it's that bad.  As for your hyperacidity, I went online and got "Stops Acid Reflux" and it helps, a little.  I've also gotten some stuff to coat my stomach, a little stronger than Mylantin.  That helps some.  Went to Chinese dr and she gave me some herbs that i take once a day and that helps too.  but you know, what settled my stomach, quite a bit?  I had a piece of candy, Starburst candy.  I know, sugar.  But let me tell you, just one piece, really helped.  Good luck to you.

Hi Queence,

I had my gallbladder removed 8 years ago, and immediately had the same problems that you are having. It took a year to completely settle down, after trying Welchol to bind bile in stomach (this happens sometimes after gb removal), Carafate, and many proton pump inhibitors. Things settled down after a year, but I needed to stay on the ppi. I took it for 6 years, tried to get off of it a few times, and was finally successful two years ago. I had random flare ups, but Zantac usually took care of it. 6 weeks ago, I woke up with a resurgence of chest pain, nausea, and burning in the stomach. I am back on a ppi, but it is not working so far.

I think there are a few of us who have problems after gb removal. Some have bile going into their intestines which gives them D, and others get stomach irritation and reflux. I was very hesitant to go back on the ppi because of all of the bad press regarding long term health consequences, but I am so miserable right now that I don't care, if only it would work again.

If the ppi works for you, I would suggest you stay on it, and try to get off of it in a few months. It is something that you have to wean off of slowly over a period of weeks. If you can't do without it, try to find the lowest dose that controls your symptoms. It is better than suffering. Hopefully your body will adjust to the gb removal and all will be well in a few more months. 

Hang in there and let us know how you're doing.

Thank you so much for sharing your post surgery experienced. I hope that soon we will get back to normal by God's help. I'de taken Proton for 2 weeks after that Im taking every other day but the pain is come back so now Im decided to take it everyday. Im scared for the side effects that might happen if I used it long term.

How you take your PPI? What is your dosage? For me Im just taking it once a day 40mg and the rest Im managing it with chamomile tea since the proton will just take few hours to me then the symptoms come back again.

Looking for your response.

Thank you

Hi Queence,

It sounds like we are in the same boat. I take 40 mg. of Protonix first thing in the morning. It is important to take it 30 minutes before breakfast, since ppi's are activated by food. I am only getting mild symptom relief, and it wears off by afternoon. I am using Gaviscon, but I know I can't do this forever. 

I am thinking of trying a different proton pump inhibitor to see if I get any better relief. I am so frustrated that this happened so many years after the gallbladder removal. I feel the same as I did right after the surgery. I never had any of these problems before the surgery. I only had a pain in my side, an ultrasound to confirm I was filled with stones, then surgery. It was supposed to be routine, and no one told me there are many people who have major problems afterwards.

I'll keep my fingers crossed that it all resolves for you soon. You are still within the time frame that the body is getting used to dealing without a gallbladder, and it takes time to settle down. 

But I would take the medicine if it helps. You might not have to take it forever, and you can try to go off of it later.

My thoughts are with you.

I'm so sorry to hear of your troubles. It seems that when most people have complications from this surgery, it is usually D, and that can be cleared up with a simple medication. 

I understand completely about affecting your quality of life. When you feel miserable, it is all you can think about. It seems like it will never end, and every morning when you wake up, you wonder how bad of a day it will be. It is hard to work, be with friends, or do anything except worry about your health.

Yes, I did lose a lot of weight, but I needed to anyway. But when the problem resolved while on the ppi, I actually gained weight and felt great. Now I'm back to square one. I haven't found anything that really helps, and if it doesnt clear up soon, I guess I'll go for more extensive testing. They can do a test to see what is refluxing and if you have a week esophageal sphincter. I've avoided these tests because they are not pleasant, and going on a ppi is what they try first anyway.

That is great that your abdominal ultrasound was normal. Hopefully you just need a few more months to heal. Hang in there. There seems to be a lot of us, and at least we can help each other.