Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction / Post cholecystectomy syndrome

Hi Scottie, just remind me how long its been since surgery? 

I had surgery as my gallbladder wasn't functioning properly but both my consultant and surgeon both thought initially that I probably had SOD which is why I had an appointment to see my surgeon a month after surgery.

After about 2 weeks I started to get pain again which started to get increasingly worse. My surgeon suggested that I ask my gp to refer to the pain clinic and he would refer me back to my gastro. After 2 1/2 months the pain increased and so I arranged for a private consultation as one with my gastro was going to be July and it was only May. The private consultant didn't think I had the right symptoms for SOD but he thought it was possible that I have abdominal nerve entrapment which alot of doctors don't recognise or don't know about it. This causes pain under the right rib which goes through to the side and back and then upto my shoulder blade again. 

The pain clinic deal with this and after having nerve block treatment, this worked for a couple of weeks before the symptoms came back again. Unfortunately they never know if it'll work or how long it will work for. As it did work for a while then I'm hoping that a second treatment will work better. When reading up on this procedure many do need a 2nd or 3rd treatment.

My appetite didn't come back for about 6 months and I'm only now starting to put some of the weight on that I lost.. Its been 8 months since surgery. My gastro did do a test to make sure that my stomach was emptying properly as that can cause problems but is only treated by diet.

How is your pain? Don't forget you have had major surgery and it does take alot longer than most people think to recover. Don't rush it but if you're still having pain then you should go back to your doctor. 

Have you got any further appointments with your gastro?

Keep me updated. Take care x

Hi Scottie.. gold standard for sphincter of oddi dysfunction is Sphincter of oddi Manometry. However i feel you are thinking very early on this as i would suggest to wait for some more time .What symptoms you had earlier before gallbladder removal ?

I’m now 10-11 weeks I think. The pain is still there both under the ribs and in the middle, so epigastric pain. Sometimes it can get really bad. Have had heat patches on and still taking strong painkillers. The nausea has come back as well so now back taking medication for this so I can work!

Can’t eat anywhere near as much as I used to either. Although I do eat little and often as have always done this.  Keep getting fevers as well with no causes for them. Will go and see my GP in the next week or so when I’m not working. I know they always warn you about side effects, just never want to be in the percentage that has them! Just thought I’d feel better than I do right now I suppose xx

Hi Scottie, don't worry too much about the food, little and often is fine. Your appetite will come back but don't rush it. I still have problems with fatty and spicy food but I can eat more than I did at the beginning. What do you do at work? does that aggravate everything? If it does then don't forget that it means that its going to take you a while longer. I still find it difficult when reaching up high and I've only just started doing some of the things I did before all this started as it took along time to get my energy back.

If your pain is increasing then please go and see your gp. but it is still early days so don't loose hope. Some people just take a bit longer to heal than others.

Take care and let me know how it goes with your gp. x