Right Abdominal Pain Since Gallbladder removal (worsening by day)

[warb]

My wife had her gallbladder removed approx. 10 months ago after family phys. found gallbladder function at 15%.  3 days after the lap. surgery  she was admitted into a local ICU for severe right side upper area pain, which has been there ever since, (no radiant travel of pain accross or down the abdominal area). The pain is located under/behind the first lower rib on her right side about 6-8 inchs from the center breast plate.  On site doctors claimed that this pain was post surgical swelling and it would go away. She was given demeral drip and released after 1 1/2 days.  She regularly complained of sharp pains in that area after performing physical task requiring lifting/stretching of the right side or right arm. 4 months ago the pain reached a level that required a visit to the local E.R. After X-rays and blood work, the ER physician said the pain was due to "slightly" packed bowls.  A pain shot was given for pain and E.R. Dr said to take a natural laxative, she was back in the E.R. the next night for severe dehydration and original pain of right side. Since that time she has had 7 trips to the emergancy room, 8 visits to the family Dr.. There have been 6 X-rays done to the area of pain, an upper scope, a Spirral C/T scan with contrast at 3mm.  An MRI of the upper and lower back area's. Numerous numbers of blood test, all of which showed nothing that the Physicians could even remotely claim to cause this pain.  The only common demoniator is that the last 4 sets of X-rays showed full bowels and these 2 metal clip things attached to the area where the gallbladder was before removal.  I have seen these X-rays many times and one of these clips are sticking up at approx a 20-25 degree angle. (center/0 deg angle being the right inner shoulder).  The other clip (left one, if you are face to face with my wife) is lying down at a left tilt angle of aprox 45-55 deg center/0 deg being the same reference point as stated above.  She has been prescribed (excuse the spelling on these) Loritab, Talwin, Oxycodon, and several other local IV's at the ER to help with the pain.  This pain has really really gotten worse in the last 5 to 7 weeks.  She almost cries herself to sleep everynight now due to the sharp pain in her right side.  Sometimes she said its a sharp stabbing pain that turns into a burning stabbing pain.  Non of which are superficial, all the pain felt can best be described as deep and under the ribs.  Our physician which we changed too approx. 4 weeks ago referred us to another surgeon but warned us that surgeons dont like going back in behind other surgeons to do any additional mending/repairs. After several trips to this new family Dr. and numerous NON-returned phone messages I accidently found this web-site and figured "what the hell". So if any of you medical professionals out there reading this post has some idea's let us know.  My 9 year old daughter and I will be right here by the computer watching mommy float around the room on her new drugs

[NickyIsHere123]

If this pain started after the surgery, then it sounds like it could be several things. I would get her off all pain meds if possible and start trying to heal her naturally. Go buy a juicer. Go buy some beets, radishes, and cucumbers, along with carrots. The cucumber juice has an anti-inflammatory component in it. The beets and radishes with thin the bile( if tube is narrowed) Also, there are a thousand other unknown components in these that HEAL... Think "healing". The body needs a missing X...It is in these foods! Good Luck

[cole750]

I had my gallbladder removed in 2002 and wish everyday that there were a way to put it back in. since i had it removed, the pains are unbearable. i have the same pains as i did when i had gallstones. the pain under my rib and shoulder blade is still there. when i sit i actually have to lean to my left, i cant sit straight up or i feel like something is jabbing at my rib (almost like when i was pregnant and the baby was kicking my ribs) when i lean forward to pick something up off the ground it also feels like something is stuck there at my ribs. i have constant heartburn now which i never had before the surgery ,so now i have GERD. before the surgery i only had 1 attack a year. i would prefer that 1 attack to the everyday chronic pains.i am only 30, i dont wish to feel these pains for the rest of my life. they did a ultrasound and said they didnt see any reason for the pains. they said it was probably just scar tissue, but this is ridiculous. surgeon said i would feel like a brand new person after having it removed. yeah a brand new person is right.one in pain everyday instead of once a year. plus since i had the gallbladder removed i have steadily put on weight , about 40 pounds. that there is no reason for. i am an active person, was a gymanst. excercise, eat pretty good. i never liked junk food so that isnt an issue.the dr said something about fat and cholesterol not breaking down correctly after removal of GB. what do i do? does anyone else have this problem. is there a way to rid myself of these pains, since putting it back in isnt an option.

[VERO/DALLAS]

I am 31 year old female and my husband and 13 year old son are going through the same situation they watch me roll around im my bed in pain. When I read your story it was a relief to know that Im not going crazy. I had my gallbladder removed in August of 2005 3 days after my surgery I was in the ER and since then I returned at least 5 times they dx me with contapation or unknown abdominal pain.I was even admitted just recently. I have seen 4 diffrent Doctors they keep putting me on diffrent medications.I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone. I have a Doctors appointment on 3/23/06 hopefully I can get the answers I need. I hope your Wife gets better and let her know she is not alone I understand the pain she is going through.

Veronica

[VERO/DALLAS]

The only thing I can suggest is frozen drinks or ice cream really sets my pain off stay away from that. I also get pains daily and Im only 31 my life has changed for the worse. I spend most of my time at home because Im scared that I will have these attacks out. Are you getting any help.

[CalGal]

I hesitate mentioning other sites, but there are some people on the WebMd IBS board (it's used for more than IBS) who have had problems following GB surgery with many of the same symptoms you're describing and have had to search for answers, too. You might want to take a look through the posts or possibly post yourself and see if someone might be able to at least reassure you that you're not alone. It's very difficult when you know you're in pain but the docs your working with can't seem to help, or find a cause. Also take a look on eMedicine (sign in) and look up postcholecystectomy syndrome in the articles section. Take the time to wade through the jargon, as the information may reinforce you knowing that you're not 'nuts,' that something is going on, and that you have to push to get to the cause of the problem.

[rogerismylove]

I understand exactly what everyone is going through, I too just resently had my gallbadder removed about 4 weeks ago. I did not have any pain for two weeks and then just this past sat morning 1am woke up with stabbing pain under right ribcage where gallbladder was. Called the Dr and he ordered some labs and a Hida Scan. Had that done today and they told me that everything looked good. I went to the ER with a gallbadder attack and they sent me to a gastrologist and he said it sounded like gallbladder problems but wanted to run a scope down my throat first to rule out ulcers then if nothing was found they would do a ultrasound, well the scope found nothing and then they did the ultrasound and found stones. I was really upset about this unnecessary scope test. Anyhow now the surgen wants me to go back to this gastrologist, I told them I would just suffer with the pain. I am really wishing that I had kept my gallbladder now that I know that there are so many out there that have the same problems and the Dr's do not know what is causing the pain. Makes me wonder how they came to be Dr's. I am so upset that I do not know what to do now. I can not afford to be out of work and the pain radiates into the middle of my back as I do physical labor. (Dishes in a resteraunt). I am glad to have read that I am not the only one with this kind of problems.