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Suffering post op

Posted , 4 users are following.

sjl1978
sjl1978

Oh god! I had my lap choley done 19th June finally after almost 5 months. Op was ''uneventful'' according to my notes. Not that I would know anything more as I didn't see my surgeon post op. So was home 5 hours after the surgery,felt groggy and had a lot of discomfort as to be expected. Got through the week OK very bruised tummy very tired but toward the weekend started to feel a bit more normal, then-BANG! Saturday pm-''gallbladder'' attack! Gallbladder? I thought it had gone! Jeez it passed after 2hours and 2x 30/500mg codeine and a diclofenic. This has been the continuous pattern right up til last night. Codeine 2 tabs 3-4x a day and diclofenic 3x a day. Went to my prime care at my local Hosp as I just couldn't bare it any longer. Saw a nice male nurse who called through to a surgeon and asked if it could be a stone in the bile duct? Surgeon obviously thought not as he asked the nurse if I was yellow or if my OBS were off. Wee OK so I was sent away with tramadol and diclofenac to take and if I am no better in 2days to return. I just can't believe that I am having the same symptoms as to what I was having before I had the op. I am disheartened and feel down. The pain in the area where my gallbladder should be is horrendous and my back by the ribs . I can't be the only one who has had/having this. Any advice? Ideas on what it is?Oh and my shoulder blade is killing me off also. Thanks for reading x

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • Beenthruit
    Beenthruit sjl1978

    Posted

    Speak to GP and ask for a referral. You shouldn't be getting these pains. It needs to be properly investigated and not dismissed out of hand like that. Just because there aren't any obvious symptoms of jaundice doesn't mean there aren't stones in your bile duct. Could even be sludge in bile duct. Could be pancreatitis due to a migrated stone or even a stone in the liver itself. Could even be duodenal ulcer. You need to be scanned to rule out these things.

  • katherine42413
    katherine42413 sjl1978

    Posted

    Hi, sorry that you're suffering post op. You can have pain afterwards and pain upto your shoulder as everything in that area will be pressing on the main nerve that goes upto your shoulder. Don't forget you have had major surgery and it does take alot longer to recover than most people think. Obviously if the pain continues to get worse then go back to a&e or make an appointment to see your gp. 

    Was your gallbladder removed because of gallstones or a non working gallbladder? As someone has said if it was taken out due to gallstones there could be a gallstone left in one of the ducts but generally any problems with your organs should show up in your bloods or uring.

    I had mine out in March and I'm still having problems but they're not sure if its due to the operation or not as everything has healed well from surgery but took a while. I'm still having pain under the ribs, back and upto the shoulders which looks like I have anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome which I'm going to have treatment for next week they did think I had sphincter of oddy dysfunction before and after surgery but a private doctor who I saw didn't believe so hence this current diagnosis. This condition does get overlooked.

    If they find out that you haven't got a loose gallstone and all your tests come back as normal then ask to be referred to the pain clinic, this is usually done through your gp.

    You should be getting better each day but you must  get help if your pain gets worse.

    Unfortunately it isn't always plain sailing after surgery and it does take time. Be careful you don't rush the healing process as when we start to feel better we try and do normal things and that does knock us backwards.

    Take care and let me know how you're getting on. x

  • sjl1978
    sjl1978

    Posted

    Thanks for both replies. Two very different outlooks both with great points. I have decided to give it until Thursday and go somewhere!Whether that is a&e, primecare or my doctors I am not sure at this stage. My gallbladder was taken out because of gallstones but was not functioning at the end either.I also had acute cholecystitis. I had to wait quite a long time unfortunately due to various mistakes made by my old doctors. My first attack was back at the beginning of November 2016 so I think I have gone into this op thinking yey the gallbladder is out all with be hunky dory. Not so much. I do believe there is an issue somewhere but what I don't know. The pain which was intermittent has now become more permanent which tells me it's increasingly becoming worse although maybe it has to get worse to become better? I had a total abdominal hysterectomy a few years back and I have to say I have found this worse.

    • katherine42413
      katherine42413 sjl1978

      Posted

      Unfortunately there is alot of waiting, mine started last May and I believe the pain from nerve entrapment is far worse than the pain I had before. They also believe that my stomach may not be emptying properly so I've had to have a test for that too which I'm waiting for the results. 

      Whatever happens if the pain is severe that you can't cope go and get help straight away. I did get to see my surgeon a month after surgery who suggested the pain clinic. Yes I thought the same, that having my gallbladder our would solve all my problems and that it would be time but unfortunately not in my case but I have heard of others that have had pain afterwards but its just taken alot longer to heal on the inside than expected. She's must now be ok as she isn't on this site anymore.

      Please keep me updated with how things are and what you decide to do.

      I really hope that things subside for you and you start to get better. x

    • sjl1978
      sjl1978 katherine42413

      Posted

      Thank you for your support, I will come back with an update. Wishing you the best also with your ongoing issues! x
    • Beenthruit
      Beenthruit sjl1978

      Posted

      I also had a total hysterectomy a number of years ago. I agree the cholecystectomy was worse. I was discharged home after three days after hysterectomy, but it took a week to be discharged following my open cholecystectomy.

      I also had a liver resection five weeks later through the same incision and was in intensive care for three days and hospitalised for eight days. It has taken me quite a few weeks to recover. I'm now twenty weeks post op and doing well.

      I find I can eat most things (fats in moderation still) and I'm back to doing housework, though still not lifting anything heavy. My right side is still tender and I do get tired easily, but otherwise I'm feeling better than I have in years having lost almost four stones due to eating a low fat diet, suffering from lack of appetite before surgery and being nil by mouth quite a lot. That's why I feel you should not be having so much pain. Maybe it is down to a trapped nerve as someone suggested but do not make assumptions and have it checked out. It does seem to be worsening.

      Please let us know how you get on.

  • sjl1978
    sjl1978

    Posted

    Wanted to give an update. After two weeks I am feeling much more myself. After a week of tramadol and diclofenic the pain subsided. I am still what I can only describe as "heavy" inside and still looking 8 months pregnant! I will need to visit the doctor tomorrow though because my stitches are still sticking out loads and catching on my clothes and two of the incision areas are red and have pus stuff coming out. May be a small infection. I do see light at the end of the tunnel though. Heck I even shaved my legs yesterday!

    • katherine42413
      katherine42413 sjl1978

      Posted

      Hi, I'm glad that you're starting to feel better but I would definately see your doctor about your stitches. I know with mine I ended up putting a dressing back on them to protect them until they'd healed better. I put a bit  of antiseptic cream on them too which seemed to help as they itched like mad.

      Let me know how you get on tomorrow. x

    • Beenthruit
      Beenthruit sjl1978

      Posted

      Glad you're starting to feel better. You need antibiotics as it sounds like a wound infection so glad you're seeing your doctor. Try cool boiled water to clean wound. One wipe with cotton wool ball, then discard it. Drink lots of water. Are you running a temperature?

    • sjl1978
      sjl1978 katherine42413

      Posted

      Thanks Katherine I a going to see if I can see a nurse get them checked. My hubby thinks they look fine but I am not so sure. I will be back with an update. Hope you are well also x
    • sjl1978
      sjl1978 Beenthruit

      Posted

      Thanks for the advice sick of waiting. I do feel hot but no temp thank goodness. I will do the cotton wool thing and see how I go. Thanks smile
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