Rt Upper Quadrant Pains

[Jagtara]

My gall bladder was removed Jan. 1 of 2005 after an ultrasound showed two large stones.  I had no complications from the surgery other than an extended time of pain after surgery.  My surgeon informed me after surgery that my GB was one of the most diseased he had ever seen.  

For the last month (starting Sept.

[boo boo tum]

Hi,I too have had my gallbladder out(10 yrs ago) I also experience these attacks you mentioned. Mine are similar to a gallbladder attack but right in the middle, below the breast bone in that soft spot. I am guaranteed to have an attack after taking ibuprofen!!! Within 15 min I'm on the floor. I have not touched any pain meds for 4 years, no pain is worth that attack. I am currently getting my liver tested for liver disease. Years ago, I had a bad cold, so I took 2 advil cold and sinus( not thinking it was the same thing) I was at work and within 10-15 min I was dying on the floor in pain! Please consider this as a possibility,I know you get headaches but maybe you can find a alternative relief. Good luck!!

[boo boo tum]

Hi,I too have had my gallbladder out(10 yrs ago) I also experience these attacks you mentioned. Mine are similar to a gallbladder attack but right in the middle, below the breast bone in that soft spot. I am guaranteed to have an attack after taking ibuprofen!!! Within 15 min I'm on the floor. I have not touched any pain meds for 4 years, no pain is worth that attack. I am currently getting my liver tested for liver disease. Years ago, I had a bad cold, so I took 2 advil cold and sinus( not thinking it was the same thing) I was at work and within 10-15 min I was dying on the floor in pain! Please consider this as a possibility,I know you get headaches but maybe you can find a alternative relief. Good luck!!

[Jagtara]

Did some more reading last night and I think I am going to talk to my GI about an upper GI series.  

Why?  For years I have been a near daily ibuprofen user (at least 2 a day) because I suffer from headaches on a regular basis and am stricken with migraines that avg 1 a month.  I am a little concerned after reading all this information on NSAIDs and their complications.  I wish I had read about them a long time ago because I wouldn't have carried them around in my pocket!!

[Kevin Pho, MD]

I agree with the workup of sphincter problems - specifically Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction.  This condition can lead to gallbladder symptoms even after the gallbladder is removed.  

Further evaluation with an ERCP, including a Sphincter of Oddi manometry, can be considered for further evaluation.

An ultrasound evaluating the hepatic artery can also be considered.  

This seems like a reasonable approach.  Another GI opinion can be considered if the workup remains non-revealing.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
http://www.straightfromthedoc.com

[schaeff]

Along with the workup you have described and are anticipating, you should mention "sphincter of oddi dysfunction" to your specialist as something to be considered as part of the differential diagnosis.

Read this and see if it sounds familiar:

http://www.joplink.net/prev/200111/04.html

[Jagtara]

I should also add, I am a 36 year old male, positive family history of GB problems.

Stool samples show no blood etc.  Was diagnosed with high blood pressure and am taking Diovan 80mg, and Aciphex 20mg, once daily for GERD symptoms.

[Jagtara]

Thank you for the information schaeff.  I do exhibit a lot of the symptoms noted in the paper; its certainly something I am going to do some reading up on and mention to my GI when I go back in two weeks.

I have noticed some things the last few days, the pain seems to shift from a stabbing pain to somewhat of a burning/itching.  I spoke to the ER doc about the burning/itching feeling and he suggested that it may still simply be the pain recepters sending a different warning signal.  I don't know how true that may be but it made sense to me.  

Also, once in a while, I get pains in my right shoulder.  The shoulder pains can be quite severe but I had never attempted to piece the two together.  I had just chocked it up to poor posture from sitting in front of a PC all day/night. I still lean more toward muscular just because of the symptoms associated with the shoulder pain.

I am starting to notice some discomfort in other areas of my abdomen now.  Constant pressure, like snugger fitting clothes, aggravate my pain and tend to make the burning pains increase.  Standing actually helps instead of making the pain worse.

We will see what comes out of the ultrasound, and I am waiting as patiently as possible.  I worry about the whole deal pretty much on a daily basis although I am getting more used to it.  I just want to find out what's really wrong so I can seek treatment and get on with my life, even it is altered somehow.