Stabbing pain after eating / gallbladder removed?
Posted , 30 users are following.
Hello,
About 15 years ago, I had my gallbladder removed due to large cholesterol stones that blocked the gallbladder. I didn't have much trouble, actually, except occasional nausea, but I had a severe attack of vomiting with dehydration that landed me in the emergency room, and it was found that I had stones, so my gallbladder was removed with laparoscopic surgery. I had complications afterwards, with paralytic ileus that involved having to have my stomach pumped. It took a bit to recover.
After that, I had the predictable severe diarrhea after eating and didn't worry too much about that since all of the women in my family had their gallbladders removed, and they all had the same issue. But then the problem progressed, perhaps within a year or two? And now it's completely out of control, and I don't know who to turn to or what to make of my symptoms which I assumed were usual, but now, I wonder and I wonder if they are curable too? If anyone knows, please let me know.
For around fifteen years, sometimes after I eat, I have excruciating, knife-like, exploding, makes-me-sweat, stabbing pain where my gallbladder used to be. It feels like labor pains in terms of intensity. It's completely incapacitating and is resolved by going to the bathroom, where I pass yellow, burning bile diarrhea (sorry to be disgusting; I'm a very private person normally). Sometimes the pain has caused me to faint with pain. I no longer eat near people and really, I avoid eating. Once one of these episodes have happened, I seem to be more prone to them and they repeat in cycles. They seem to be triggered by either not eating for too long or else eating certain types of fat. I've had thousands of these episodes since they occur every few days and, at most, might let up for a month. But then something else triggers them. I've learned to take strong digestive enzymes to prevent them, although I'm not sure if this truly works or not. When it begins, there's little stopping it for weeks on end. I don't think a painkiller would help in these episodes since they are sudden and extraordinarily bad.
The other thing is that I have times where I vomit tons of yellow bile, which is the most horrible tasting thing in the world. Sometimes, this will keep me up all night, although it's more common to happen in the morning.
During the rest of the time, I always have aching in the area as well as pain with applied pressure. No doctor has ever been concerned about it. I also cannot take cholesterol binding medication, which was recommended, because it interferes with another medication I take (thyroid replacement), which is necessary. HOWEVER, the diarrhea is so bad that I have also had trouble absorbing my medication and other nutrients, and I've had problems with various vitamin imbalances.
So, I found this forum. I've posted to other forums that aren't as vibrant as this one, and I realized recently that my situation was probably not usual. I'm a teacher, so I have a terrible time because I cannot eat lunch at school out of fear of this coming on and causing me to miss class. I literally just drink skim milk or eat broth-based soup for lunch (and even that can absolutely set it off at times). Every single day when working. I cannot afford to have an attack while teaching since I teach high school aged kids.
What on earth could this be? Should I bother to talk with a doctor about it? Does anyone else relate to stabbing pains after eating after your gallbladder is out? Thanks for your help.
2 likes, 38 replies
grasshopper46 clarissa1975
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Skippette clarissa1975
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Oh gurly, I feel the pain, I had my gaul bladder out in 1998. Been having the same stuff you have every since. Sometimes after I eat, I have excruciating, knife-like, exploding, servere cramping in my lower stomach. It feels like labor pains. I even do the breathing, moaning, etc. So I head to the potty where sometime I am in there for 10 to 30 minutes. At first it is like normal then at the end where I pass yellow, burning bile diarrhea. Baby wipes help when that starts. I said the last time I had it for like 3 days 2 times a day that I was going to the Gastro Doctor, but I have not made that appointment yet. I have other issues with my left knee locking up that I need to take care of first. I have had this since 1998 so I can wait a bit longer.
Let me know how this turnes out for you Clarissa and when I finally going I will let you know.
Prayers.
rhian89549 clarissa1975
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I had my gall blabber removed 2 years ago.
After the surgery, no one gave me information or what to expect after. I was still suffering from Attacks and pain.
After doing a lot of research, I take ox bile and on a gluten free diet. I make sure I drink 2 litres of water a day and try to exercise 4 times a week.
I have no problems now and even thou people put on weight after their surgery, I have lost it.
joeball clarissa1975
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woocat88 clarissa1975
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jamie12408 clarissa1975
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Usually the pain will come after I eat if I haven't ate for awhile..if I eat every2 hrs something small the pain doesn't seem to come.. If I let my stomach go empty and then eat the pain comes on quick. About once every3months I get the bad diariah..
The doctors don't know what it is..
Except someone just told me to look into post gallbladder and bentyl?
I'm still researching..
heather071106 clarissa1975
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Hi Clarissa!
I have had the exact thing you describe (minus the vomiting) and it's horrible. I had my gallbladder out 6 years ago and since then very periodically I have had what you describe. Generally speaking, I was able to tolerate fatty foods with the occasional bout of bile-filled diarrhea shortly after eating but without much pain or event. Every now and then, though, I would get these horrendous attacks. I break out in an intense cold sweat, my hands and feet get tingly and I feel like I coudl pass out, and the pain is almost unbearable. It comes in waves, as you described, and I feel like I could throw up. When I feel it coming on, I take Tums and grab a piece of gum and just hold on for the ride. I go sit on the toilet and just let myself go to the bathroom until it feels like it's over. When it's over I feel weak and tired and I generally go sit in a shower and try to collect myself. I usually feel back to normal after just a little while and mine doesn't continue to trigger again and again thankfully. I can't even imagine. It's been several months since I had an attack but in the last month now every time I eat anything with fat I get pain in my right side right at the bottom of my rib cage and occasionally bile-filled diarrhea. When I eat low fat (no fat) this is mostly not an issue but if I slip and eat over, say, 10 grams of fat in one sitting I have lingering nagging pain in that area for 1-3 days. Also, when I've eaten a lot of fat and get that bile-filled diarrhea I occasionally feel just a little bit mentally "off" until I go to the bathroom. Once I get that bile out I feel normal again. Does anyone else experience this? I'm starting to wonder about sphincter of Oddi dysfunction and if that could be what's happening. I'm curious to see what the doctor says to you and will be following along.
john91622 clarissa1975
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Hi Clarissa,
I'm wondering how your situation has progressed. My sister had her gall bladder out 7 weeks ago and still cannot eat anything solid without suffering as you described. She subsides on Ensure and broth and has lost over 20 pounds. We're all researching to find answers for her. Anything you might share would be appreciated. Thanks.
lori72785 clarissa1975
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I had my gallbladder out 10 years ago and still get the horrible pain where my gallbladder should be I've scope and colon surgery Dr said everything is fine why am I still having this horrible pain it comes after I eat
jessmine19 clarissa1975
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Hello
After reading about your experience I am convinced that my gallbladder is what has been causing the excruciating pain I've had recently.
Yesterday while at work I had the worst pain in my life I became faint and literally almost passed out. I started to sweat and became light headed and nauseated, I could barely walk and the room was spinning it was almost like an outer body experience the only resolve was getting to the bathroom. When these episodes happen I am completely wiped out afterward, all I can do is lay in bed until it passes and it takes even longer to eat again. I have become a recluse when conversation come up about eating out which I absolutely can not do. I have talked with my doctor about these episodes that happen about every month or so and are becoming more intense. She prescribed bentyl. I am now in process of changing diet if that will help at this point I DO NOT WANT TO EVER EXPERIENCE THAT PAIN AGAIN.
strtmnstrwhthd clarissa1975
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Greetings. I had my gb removed in September 2016 so just a bit over 6 months ago and this pain you have described has began with me just a couple of days ago and hasn't let up. Sleeping at night seems almost impossible, and this pain is starting to affect the bedroom status with my wife. I take Bayer Body & Back pain meds and Dollar General stool softners to help ease the pain but when it wears off I'm right back feeling miserable. Can I eventually die from this pain as it progresses? Well thank you for your time and sorry to hear your situation. Street Minister Whitehead of Facebook signing off.
david5859 clarissa1975
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Yes, I have these parts too. My gall bladder has been removed over 20 years ago. Recently I had 40 gall stones removed. 4 ERCP's within 21 days. Everytime I drink or eat, then about 20 minutes or so, the most sever pains happen. They last from 2 hours to several days afterwards. What do I do, please give me some advice.
Mrsoscared david5859
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That's interesting has this pain been their for 20 year duration David. ?
MKai22 clarissa1975
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Clarissa, I've only been dealing with this for a couple months but I wouldn't recommend putting it off as it impedes your quality of life. Suggest seeing a GI.
My GB out three months ago. It was Hypertensive and excreted 96% bile. This resolved most of my pain, however I've continued to have horrific stabbing pains. I can eat almost anything though I steer clear of deep fried foods. My episodes of pain always land me in the ER and I have a high pain tolerance so it's really bad. Once it starts it doesn't stop for hours and I'm left drained for days. No connection on time or type of food that kicks it off. A drink of water, sip of protein shake or two bites of yogurt have all landed me in the ER. All tests are good (except low calcium). I'm seeing GI Specialist on Monday to consult for ERCP to look at my valves and specifically sphincter of oddi. Although last ER visit (turned to admitted stay) I was given a shot of a med that should have stopped the spasm if that's what I was having. It didn't. My episodes don't end in bathroom visits of diarrhea. I did however vomit a considerable amount of bile and nothing moved in my stomach for over six hours which I thought was odd. I'm hoping my consult on Monday sheds light because there's no common denominator that I can seem to avoid these episodes.
stangclassic66 MKai22
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