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Struggling almost 5 months post-op

Posted , 5 users are following.

Scottie13
Scottie13

Had my gallbladder out almost 5 months ago but really been struggling with the pain under my ribs and in my back for the past week. Been taking pretty strong painkillers as well as buscopan which normally helps a little but hasn’t been having any effect either. Waiting to go back to see surgeon as doc thinks there may be an infection somewhere in stomach. Have been having fevers pretty much since getting a wound infection 3 weeks post-op. Bloods are ok though! Guess I just thought I’d be feeling better by now instead of struggling to get through the day. 

So i guess I’m wondering if anyone ended up with an abscess or infection after getting their gallbladder removed? Or any other idea why I still feel so rough so long after the surgery? 

I am still glad it got removed though despite all this as wasn’t working properly 

2 likes, 17 replies

17 Replies

  • Mrsoscared
    Mrsoscared Scottie13

    Posted

    Scottie

    hi scottie.

    sorry to hear yr still struggling,it’ is a worry is ant it !!

    im also 4 and half months post and same as you really.

    still getting pain intermittently throughout the day every day more on than off under right ribs.

    some mid upper back aches here and their especially if I’m stood leaning forward for more than 5 mins.

    and still having on and off peanut butter coloured stools.

    still constipated most if not all of the time ,only going twice a week most weeks.

    however eating pretty much what I want ?

    all be it gingerly lol.

    waiting on an appointment to see ? God knows who at kings college hospital .

    its apparently an urgent appointment that was made back in October,and it’s in February!!

    thats urgent ,you couldn’t make it up could you.

    i don’t know what can we do ah.

    are you still back at work .

    hope things improve for you.

    i feel like I’ve had enough of all this I do.

    all the best.

  • Nichola3107
    Nichola3107 Scottie13

    Posted

    Hi

    So I'm in the same situation Im 8 months post-op and I'm still having regular attacks I've had several scans and appointments to see if there is stones stuck or any infections but everything is clear and the doctors and hospital are now unsure on what else they can do for me I've cut out all red meat and high fatty foods and living on a basic bland diet which is so frustrating but isn't worth having something I know sets me off and triggers a attack .. I've been prescribed codeine phosphate 30mg and also have oromorph 5mg on stand by for when I really need it ... Over the last few weeks I've been having some back issues sciatica related and have been taking more codeine that my usual amount as only take them when I have an attack for the after pains and I've been having more attacks than usual I read up on any side affects on both codeine phosphate and oromorph last night around 3am due to an attack keeping me up and I read something very interesting that both medications can cause contractions of the bilary duct which says to me that the medication that the doctors and hospitals have prescribed me could actually be causing the attacks to happen in the first place . You said you was taking strong painkillers what are you taking ?? I'm booking an appointment with my GP tomorrow to discuss this as I'm in desperate need of pain relief for my sciatica but can't cope with having more attacks due to taking them !! Hope you get sorted soon x

    • Scottie13
      Scottie13 Nichola3107

      Posted

      Wondering if you’ve been investigated for sphincter of oddi dysfunction? Have you been having any fevers or diarrhoea?

      Yep same I’m watching what I eat and haven’t gone back to eating anything high in fat. I tried a couple of things and ended up with severe stomach cramps and diarrhoea so not risking it again just now! 

      I take tramadol and paracetamol. Have been on tramadol for years due to another condition and was starting to wean off it but now back up to almost the maximum because of the pain. Have ibuprofen there too but I try not to take that as they give me stomach pains too. Although I have lansoprazole there I can take first to protect the stomach if need be. Just feel like a walking chemist just now haha. 

      I’m wondering if you could maybe get something non-opiate based for your sciatica if it’s causing you these painful attacks. Like naproxen? It’s stronger than ibuprofen. Or maybe needing a muscle relaxant? Definitely see your GP as I know what chronic pain is like and there’s lots of things they can try to help. If you’ve been on cocodamol for a wee while though think you need to wean off it. Says on the box to take for max 3 days as can cause addiction. But obviously lots of people have to take it long term.

      Let me know how you get on tomorrow 😘. Fingers crossed you get some relief! xx 

    • Scottie13
      Scottie13

      Posted

      Hey Nichola, just wondering how things went today? xx
    • Nichola3107
      Nichola3107 Scottie13

      Posted

      Hi scottie13

      As per usual at 08:03 at my doctors there was no appointments left so got to try again today but not touched and pain medication and had 0 attacks

      Will update on here when I have been seen x

  • matt57085
    matt57085 Scottie13

    Posted

    Good luck with finding some answers Scottie. Keep us posted pls xx
    • Scottie13
      Scottie13 matt57085

      Posted

      Thanks Matt. Hoping my GP has sorted it so I get seen as soon as. I’d place a bet though that it won’t be as simple as it being an infection that can be treated with antibiotics. Things just don’t go that smoothly for me haha. Have surgical team been back in touch with you yet? xx
    • matt57085
      matt57085 Scottie13

      Posted

      Yes lets hope you get sorted and don't have to wait long.

      Yes i've heard from the surgical team . I got the appt letter, then the next day a letter canceling it, then the next day another letter with a new appt the same day as the first letter just a different time. PLONKERS! Sorry i never got back to you on my thread.

      And oh yes i've now also been referred to the surgical team as i have developed an inguinal hernia. One thing after another eh! xx

    • Scottie13
      Scottie13 matt57085

      Posted

      You wouldn’t have known if you were coming or going!! Wonder if they could fix the hernia at same time as the gallbladder removal? Would definitely make sense! Instead of having 2 abdominal surgeries. Know that feeling so well lol. It doesn’t rain but it pours lol. Let me know when you’ve got a date sorted. So happy that you’re now close to getting fixed 👌🏽👌🏽 xx

    • matt57085
      matt57085 Scottie13

      Posted

      Thanks Scottie. Yes i'm going to ask and hope they are willing. I can't see why not.

      Take care Scottie xx

      Keep us updated.

  • judy13495
    judy13495 Scottie13

    Posted

    I have had the pain you describe for the past 15 years, since my gallbladder was removed.   Just learned of a drug that I am hopeful will help: GEMFIBROZIL TAB, 600 ML.   Also, CHOLESTYRAMINE FOR ORAL SUSPENSION will help.   I have had 10 scopes, numerous MRI's over the past 15 years and they never found any cause for the pain.   Recently, an acupuncturist explained that they leave a tube inside you when they remove the gallbladder and it can behave the same as the gallbladder.   I don't know if that is true, but I do know that strong pain meds (hydrocodeine) has no effect on the pain.   I am hopeful this medicine will stop at least some of the pain.   Can't hurt to try.

    • Scottie13
      Scottie13 judy13495

      Posted

      Normally I can cope when it’s just a niggling pain, but when you’re trying to concentrate at work and look after other patients it’s not easy. Don’t want to be stuck on painkillers forever more. I knew there was always going to be a chance there would still be some pain but honestly didn’t think it would be this bad. 

      Have you started taking those medications? I’ll need to wait and see surgeons first (hopefully it’s a gastrointestinal related surgeon) so they can do investigations and see if there’s a simple solution. If they can’t find anything though then will definitely look into the above medications! Hope they work for you 😘 xx

  • judy13495
    judy13495 Scottie13

    Posted

    All the physicians I saw over the past 15 years were gastro specialists.   None of them were able to help me.   I am delighted to find out about these medicines and yes, I have begun to take them.   I have been in extreme pain for the past 3 weeks, I think it is going to take a while for them to work but will keep you informed.   Best wishes.
  • matt57085
    matt57085 Scottie13

    Posted

    How you getting on Scottie?

    xx

    • Scottie13
      Scottie13 matt57085

      Posted

      Got appt to see surgeon on Tuesday. Hopefully he actually investigates and actually listens as it’s the surgeon who said it wasn’t my gallbladder haha. You got date for surgery? xx
    • matt57085
      matt57085 Scottie13

      Posted

      Good luck! No date yet meeting the surgery team 28/2 but i phoned up to get more details and my appt is with a registrar which i'm not overly happy about!

      xx

    • Scottie13
      Scottie13 matt57085

      Posted

      Saw him today and he remembered me! Said I’m the only patient whose job he will ever remember haha. 

      So I said my GP referred me due to the constant fevers since getting wound infection. He said he doesn’t know what’s causing them but bloods my GP did were ok. And had lots of tests done before the gallbladder came out (which if I hadn’t already had done he would have done at this point). So basically got more bloods done today and if they’re ok then he’s not concerned! He’s all about the blood tests this doc! He said if they're ok then he doesn’t need to see me again but will if my GP asks him to. I’m going to see my GP tomorrow anyway as kinda feel I got nowhere with him. You don’t get fevers for nothing. Think she expected him to at least request an ultrasound. Don’t think she’s going to be impressed by him lol. So that’s where I’m at just now - stuck again with surgeons who don’t listen 🤦🏼???🤦🏼??? Xx

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