Abdominal pain after taking codeine post cholecystectomy

[BELLEJC1]

Hi there, I'm 39, I'm 5ft 10", and have not had weight problems and have enjoyed a balanced diet all my life.  In 1999 after the birth of my first child, I began to experience terrible pain after ingestion of fatty foods when people came to visit me in the weeks following the birth- I was diagnosed cholecystitis (which I was told developed in pregnancy) and had a laparoscopic removal of gravel from my gall bladder.   When my baby was 4 months old I had a severe headache and took paracetamol with codeine (16mg codeine) which I had taken episodically during my life with no adverse effect. Within 30 mins of ingestion I began to experience symptoms the same as when i had a gall-bladder attack and I went to the ED thinking I still had a bile stone trapped somewhere - the ultrasound of my liver was normal. I have take codeine at random times for severe pain  over 12 years since then, and every time I take codeine the same thing occurs - sudden severe abdominal pain that feels exactly the same as with cholecystitis-excruciating!  Milk helps a little but not much.   I've read a few things on the net and I now know there is a relation to Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction after gall bladder removal that may be triggered after ingestion of codeine, and there may even be a link to pancreatic cancer in later life.  I'd like to contact others experiencing similar problems.  Obviously I no longer take codeine and have not experienced an episode since.  Why don't doctors warn us post cholecystectomy of this possible occurrence?  A warning may have saved me one trip to hospital.  I'd like others who have had their gallbladder removed to know that this is quite a common occurrence and there is more documented evidence of this occurrence than there ever was in 1999. It may even be very bad for you.  

[cyndi54]

Had my gall bladder removed in 1990. Went to hospital last week to have neck surgery. Was giving a shot of morphine. 10 mins later I had crushing chest pain clammy, sweaty, painful. I was rushed to the ER my surgery was canceled. Stayed in ER 6 Hrs then into hospital. Everyone said heart attack. Then I was cleared no heart attack. They said it was because I got a shot of morphine and no gall bladder. I lucky to be writing this...

[LCB68]

I see this  is an old post but I'm so happy to find it.  I have thought I was having a heart attack after taking codeine post gallbladder surgery.  It is so excruciating and no doc has ever been able to say why.  Did not know relationship between morphine and codeine and had the same reaction with morphine.  Now I know to avoid both like the plague.  

[chrissycollects]

Such a relief to know why I felt so awful after a normal dose of tylenol 3 a few months after gallbladder removal.  It felt very similar--pain when taking a breath that goes from mid-belly to the back.  I will never again take codeine/morphine based painkillers.  I have had tramadol for pain and it is a wonderful alternative with absolutely no nausea or abdominal pain.  I'm so glad that there is still a good option out there!

[owltogether88]

Hi there. I'm not sure anyone will see this because the threat seems quite old now but I had an episode today that was insane and when I looked it up, I found this threat. I recently had my gallbladder out and took a couple t3s and Just like everyone on here has said. The minute it starts to kick in boom! I could not believe how much pain I was in. It felt JUST like a GB attack. Crazy. I was convinced I would have to go to the ER but it died down.. then started again. It was really tough to decide if I should go bUT after throwing up I felt better. It was a good 4 hours before I started to feel normal again. That was the worst pain I have ever felt. Horrible. I know for sure it was the T3s. Thank you to everyone who posted their stories. Without people sharing their experiences you will never know half the info out there

[dwalter64]

I had my gall bladder out 22 yrs ago at six months pregnant. Last night I took a Tylenol/Codeine for a toothache. Within 30 minutes my stomach was in excruciating pain which caused my blood pressure to plummet and I eventually blacked out (my poor 7 yr old ran in the bedroom and told his 10 yr old sibling he thought I was dead.) It took two hours of horrible pain and fading in and out before the codeine passed far enough. Trust me, I will be more than careful of what I take from now on! I appreciate all that have responded to this board, I feel like I am not crazy! And, like others, I would like to know why this is NOT a warning on the medicine!

[JeannieCr]

I had my gallbladder removed 35 years ago. I used to be able to take codeine, as long I ate something with it. Over the years it seemed like the pain got worse every time I'd take it. Granted I'd only take codeine once every few years as prescribed for root canals, etc. The last time I took it was for back pain that was keeping me awake, but the pain from the codeine was SO much worse! I swore then that I'd never take it again. I was in the hospital last year for diverticulitis & they gave me morphine. I told them I cannot take codeine, that it gives me terrible stomach pain. They acted like they've never heard that before, but said no problem, we'll give you morphine. Also, it was by IV not a pill, so I thought maybe I won't get stomach pain if I don't swallow a pill? Boy, was I wrong! That was the most excruciating pain I've EVER had! I'm glad that I was already in a hospital at the time, but it was extremely frustrating that everyone there kept saying it couldn't be the morphine causing the pain, it must be the diverticulitis. No, it was definitely the morphine. It is a very distinctive pain, nothing like it. The diverticulitis pain was much, much lower, and very mild by comparison. I've talked to my GP since then about it & he doesn't seem to understand why I have this pain either. I'm so glad to have found this site, I finally understand why! My GP said if codeine and morphine both cause pain, there are other pain drugs you can take, but I can't remember what they were. I think they started with a "d"? Is there any pain medication you all can take without getting this awful stomach pain? I've got shoulder surgery in a month & I'm afraid I won't be able to take anything for the pain.

[cooolio]

phethidine is a great strong pain killer but very addictive