Post Gallbladder Surgery Complications – First 150 Testimonies

[DataCurator]

I just read your post from 2010. I sat here and cried. I have been “fighting” the same thing for almost 3 years now. Gallbladder out, blood tests come back “normal”, the gastro treats my “heartburn” (which I don’t have) … and I am the crazy one according to them. My family tries to staying supportive (God Bless my mother) and my partner has his moments. I am tired of the doctors caling ME crazy because THEY can’t find anything. I have never had anything like this …. maybe we should start a coup of the medical profession and make them understand we are not crazy … WE HURT!!!!

[DataCurator]

“Although I feel like ending my misrable life, my hope will die last.

I miss my normal life, my kids, my husband, my work, my frieds, my food

The chronic pain I’ve been having everyday for 22 months now came on one day into my entire upper body. Back then, I couldn’t even tell where exactly it was coming from, it felt in the entire upper body. Something flared up and stays there ever after although it’s more defined now.

I am 40 years old female, never smoked, drink no alcohol, no coffee (since the problem came).

My symptoms are:
1. The Pain with very annoying pulsating sensation is mostly in the pit of my stomach and right across in my middle back (in the middle just under the shoulder blades). Sometimes it can be felt more in the left side of my back.
2. It feels like there is some organ inside had enlarged and creating a pressure on my diaphragm from underneath, hence causing pressure feeling in the pit of my stomach and in my throat, difficulty breathing.
3. Bending forward and taking deep breaths because more pressure and pain.
4. Pain and pulsation gets worse after I eat or drink no matter what even little portions.
5. I belch a lot specially soon after I eat.
6. Running low grade fever every day, especially after food.
7. While sleeping at night, the pain subsides. The pain builds up throughout the day starting soon after breakfast. By the end of a day I am in bed in a lot of pain and fever. I’ve got a fear of eating by now because I know every time I eat I’ll end up in more pain.

What’s been done:
1. Ultrasound – normal
2. CT scan – normal
3. MRI of abdomen – normal, apart from a cyst in one of my kidneys which doctor said not to worry about.
4. 2 MRIs of my spine – no major issues found
5. 3 gastroscopies – first one found nothing, second – found gastritis which was cleared up by the time of the third one.
6. My gastroenterologist said that he checked my pancreas (I guess thru blood test) and it was normal, although I never saw those results.

7. All blood tests were normal.
8. Yoga, acupuncture, 3 physios, 2 chiropractors, hydrotherapy – no improvement.
9. Tried 3 antidepressants – no relieve
10. Currently on Norspan 5ml patches (10ml cause too much side effects) – gives a little pain relief, but doesn’t fix the problem.
11. I don’t know if I would have diarrhea but due to being on norspan I’m mostly constipated. Sorry about the details, but my stool smells abnormal, not like before.
12. Listen to this!!! The only thing that was found abnormal was my gallbladder. HIDA scan showed GB function at 19%, no gallstones. I thought – FINALLY FOUND THE PROBLEM! I didn’t even think twice about the surgery, I wanted it so much with hope. GB’s been removed 10 days ago. Three days after surgery – the PAIN CAME BACK MORE INTENCE THEN EVER!!! WHY??!!! Interesting fact: while I stayed in hospital, they had me on a drip in my arm to keep me hydrated. While on the drip and during the next three days I didn’t have the PAIN, I only felt the pain from the cuts which was different. I started getting exited until on the fourth day the PAIN started to come back. I’m wondering if it was the liquid they put through the drip or anesthetics that kept my PAIN down? Not sure, but something made the difference for 3 days. So, my GB is gone for nothing!!!

Can somebody tell me if my PAIN sounds like chronic PANCREATITIS? I read somewhere that if this drip in the arm makes difference for pain, it could be PANCREATITIS. Does anybody know anything about this relation? What other tests would help to diagnose PANCREATITIS? It’s not that I want it to be, but better be something.

I haven’t been found any gallstones in my GB, liver of bile ducts. Is it possible for those to be missed? I also want to do a liver flush although very scared of it. I can’t afford to make it worse. I am desperate; I hope it won’t make it worse than it is already. I probably have nothing to lose…
Do you think it’s too early after the surgery (10 days since) to do a liver flush? On the other hand why wait – I’m not getting any better and my body’s already tired and exhausted by the illness. Did anybody have success with liver flush for their PANCREATITIS?

I don’t see any hope, even if it’s PANCREATITIS, I read it’s not fixable, I would have to live with it for the rest of my life which is no more longer. Is there any help/hope for PANCREATITIS if that’s what I have? PLEASE GIVE ME HOPE!!!!! I NEED TRULY SACCESS STORIES!!! ANYBODY KNOWS GOOD SPECIALIST IN MELBOURNE???!!!WHAT ELSE CAN IT BE???!!!

Can anybody share their success stories to give me some faith?

I WANT TO LIVE BUT NOT LIKE THS!!! GIVE ME SOME HOPE AND HELP PLEASE!!!”

[DataCurator]

“I had my gallbladder removed in July 1997 (lap chole). Ever since then I have had horrible stomach problems. Right now I am suffering a bout of bad upper right abdominal pain that extends to my back and shoulder blade. I’ve had this pain off and on since two months after the lap chole. I have had two upper endoscopies, one colonoscopy, two barium swallows, two CT scans, several ultrasounds and countless visits to GI docs. I recently was diagnosed with celiac disease – which explains the pain/bloating/diarrhea on the left side. But no one can tell me what the recurrent bouts of pain are on the upper right. I suspect it is Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction – GI docs never mentioned this. They always look at me like I’m crazy or making it up. For years was told I have IBS (this is the celiac). My upper rt. abd pain does not seem to relate to a fatty meal (don’t eat fat or gluten). In fact this last bout started during the fast last week before my EGD/colonoscopy – when I hadn’t eaten ANYTHING for 24 hours.
I always freak out and worry that it’s my liver or pancreas (I’ve had slightly elevated bilirubin levels) but after ready numerous accounts of others with upper right pain post lap chole, I think this is a common outcome that should be addressed by the surgeon or GI doc pre-surgery. No blame to docs but would be nice to know what to expect post surgery. At least I wouldn’t have spent 11 years worrying!

Going to start on prilosec next week. Having another ultrasound next week. Will discuss SOD with GI doc”

[DataCurator]

Hello, I am new to the forum thing here and have never been diagnosed w/ GERD but have been having heartburn more of late. This morn I awoke w/ a headache. Once I drank my coffee and it went away some, I started have a pain on the right side of my chest where I had to lay down. After I layed down for awhile, it kinda went away but still have it some. Now I kinda feel a lil sick to my stomach. Any help would be great! Kota PS I had my gallbladder out three years ago ant it wasn’t until after that that I started to have more heartburn.

[DataCurator]

Hello, I am new to the forum thing here and have never been diagnosed w/ GERD but have been having heartburn more of late. This morn I awoke w/ a headache. Once I drank my coffee and it went away some, I started have a pain on the right side of my chest where I had to lay down. After I layed down for awhile, it kinda went away but still have it some. Now I kinda feel a lil sick to my stomach. Any help would be great! Kota PS I had my gallbladder out three years ago ant it wasn’t until after that that I started to have more heartburn.

[DataCurator]

I had my gallbladder out in 2004 and have had stomach trouble since then. I just wanted to share that when I had mine out I was 27 and skinny and my doctor said when he sees young girls come in he’s pretty sure its a side effect of birth control pills. For some women taking birth control pills=gall stones. Craziness! I was never told to eat differently, but have been having severe pelvic pain and diarrhea and fatigue for years so I’ve recently gone off gluten (the bloating has improved) and I will go low fat starting today, oh I hope it helps! I’m so sick of this. I look 6 months pregnant if I eat a whole meal, I just have to snack and barely eat just to look normal.

[DataCurator]

HI THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I AM POSTING AND I AM READING SOME VERY SIMILAR THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED TO ME AFTER GALLBLADDER REMOVAL. I DO HAVE DIAHRREA MOST OFTEN, ALTHOUGH I ALWAYS HAD A SLOW SYSTEM SO THIS IS BETTER FOR ME. WHEN I GOT MY GB OUT I WAS PRE MENOPAUSAL GOING THROUGH IT. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN OVERWEIGHT, HOWEVER I HAVE BEEN GOING TO THE GYM AND I WAS DOING QUITE WELL, HOWEVER NOW 3 YEARS AFTER THE SURGERY MY BODY SHAPE CHANGED FOR THE WORSE. I DO NOT WEIGH MYSELF BECAUSE IT IS DEPRESSING TO ME AND I WILL NOT CONTINUE THE GYM; I FOUND THOUGH THAT I GAINED UPPER WEIGHT AROUND MY STOMACH AREA THAT I DID NOT HAVE AND I HAVE A BEHIND SO NOW IT IS BIG IN FRONT AND THE BACK LIKE A DUCK!! IT IS SO DISCOURAGING. MY SIDES – THE MUSCLES HAVE GONE IN AND I HAVE LOST IN WIDTH BUT THE DEPTH IS HORRIBLE. HAS THIS HAPPENED TO ANYONE ELSE. I DO NOT HAVE THE BEST DIET, BUT IT IS RIDICULOUS. CAN ANYONE SHARE? THANKS . :'(

[DataCurator]

“I had my lap chole done about 2 years ago. Everyone told me the recovery is so quick! HA, it took forever. I had daily pain at the gallbladder site for almost a year after they removed it. Still two years later, I get what I call my fake gall bladder attacks. About once a month or so, I get that stabbing pain on right under ribs that just takes my breath away, and there is an ache that never goes away and I just ignore.
I’ve had many tests, xray, sono, EGD, everything is “”normal, just a fatty liver””. MD’s say fatty liver will not cause these symptoms, but I have spoken with other people who report the same problems.
Also I just found out that the guy that did my surgery left something inside my friend when he did hers. He dropped a stone and it’s been sitting inside of her for a year, she’s been very fatigued and crampy and now has to have another surgery to get it out!”

[DataCurator]

I just had my gall bladder removed on 3/24/0http://lifewithnogallbladder.com/forums/topic/operation-complications/ it was completely unexpected surgery. I have never had a surgery before this. I went in to the hospital after a week of chest and back pain that couldnt be dealt with. Then after a few tests my surgery was done that night. Without warning I did not know what this meant for me. The hospital did not even let me recover for up to 24 hrs. before throwing me out. (No Insurance) therefore I am at home in excrutiating pain through out my entire body. Even my teeth hurt. I was only sent home with Vicodin that doesn’t have any affect on me at all!!!!! I am pretty pissed off right now. I am not one to handle this much pain at one time. I thought I was goping to be paralyzed this morning after attempting to move. I cannot believe they sent me home with no information at all and some stinking vicodin. These flipping Dr.’s need to start being held accountable for the way they treat people. If anyone has any information besides stay away from dairy and fried foods I would really appreciate it. I hardly heard anyone metion pain on here at all. Is this sort of pain normal after this type od surgery? Or is it just so expected that no one mentions it? Although I cannot believe that anyone could experience what I’m going through and not mention it. My God!!! I am only praying that I can move one muscle at a time without screaming bloody freaking murder!!!! Someone Please help?????????????????????????

[DataCurator]

“WELL AFTER READING ALOT OF POSTS HERE I AM WILL DESCRIBE THIS TO ALL AS IT HAPPENED TO ME.

4 YEARS AFTER MY GALLBALDDER WAS REMOVED I GOT A SUDDEN ATTACK WHILE DRIVING,IT WAS A SEVERE ATTACK-I SWEATED LIKE IF SOMEONE HAD HOSE ME DOWN/SHARP PAIN TO MY CHEST.I WAS REALLY SCARED I THOUGHT I WAS HAVING A HEART ATTACK.

WELL TO MAKE THE STORY SHORT.

IT TOOK DOCTORS FOR MONTHS TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IT WAS
MY LIVER WAS NOT FLUSHHING(IT WAS BACKED UP BECAUSE THERE IS A BILE DUCT THAT IS SUPPOSE TO SHOOT OUT BILE LIQUID OR SOMETHING TO DIGEST FOOD AND IT WAS CLOGGED.MY DOCTOR SAID IT SOMETIMES HAPPENS TO PEOPLE THAT HAD THEIR GALLBLADDER REMOVED.WELL THE DID SURGERY FOR THIS BY STICKING SOME TUBES DOWN MY MOUTH AND THEY DID A CUT AT THE END OF THE DUCT LIKE THIS + LIKE A PLUS SIGN TO LET THE LIQUID FLOW.THE PAIN I WAS GETTING WAS LIKE A MUSCLE SEVERE SPASM AND MY LIVER AREA FELT A LITTLE WARM AND BLOTTED.NOTE I DID NOT GET JAUNDICE OR ANY OTHER SYMPTOMS.HOWEVER THE DAY I GOT THE ATTACK WHILE DRIVING I HAD EATEN A FEAST OF FOODS SUCH AS CHOCOLATES,STONE CRABS,RED WINE,TUNA STEAK.I BELEIVE FOOD TRIGGER ATTACKS.MY BAD FOODS LIST IS MILK,CHOCOLATE,RED WINE,MAYO,EGGS, AND ANY FRIED FOODS.I AM NOW IN TO EATING ORGANIC FOOD THAT DONT HAVE CHEMICALS THAT MY LIVER HAS TO WORK HARDER & STRY TO STAY AWAY FROM MEDICINES IN ANY FORM UNLESS ITS A MUST.IN CONLUSION CHECK YOUR PANCREA ENZYMES LEVEL IF THEY ARE HIGH YOU MIGHT HAVE YOUR LIVER NOT WORKING PROPERLY BECAUSE OF SOME BLOCKAGE”

[DataCurator]

my surgery was August and I too am wondering the same thing. I get the same thing from my Dr.,,nothing wrong,but you feel like crap….Gee whats next? I don’t know if you found this forum looking for bile leakage symptoms,but I did. Gastritis was one of the symptoms and the other I can’t spell. does anyone know what procedure is done to diagnose leakage? Is there some specific procedure? How do they really know when something is leaking? creepy non the less having some fluid leaking inside,,,,COME ON!!! I better not have bial leaking, what ever I am experiencing with this snapping thing, the falling asleep thing every time I eat anything,,,, I am so tired of feel bad, I want to feel better again so I can go on with my life!! PERIOD! I cannot imagine some of these people in here who have been suffering with post gallbladder stuffs,, wow who are these drs. being allowed to do these operations letting people have leaking bial!!! Why should they be allowed to ever do another procedure ever! They shouldn’t. The numbers of people having this happen are way too many….

[DataCurator]

I also have the feeling with acid burning up my insides, it goes up my stomach to my throat too. My stools are green like bile and chemical odor (sorry) I still get nausea and have to eat every 2 hours to keep it down. I take cholestryamine also. At times I have pain in the center of my back like the gallbladder attacks. It seems that every 2 or 3 months I go through this for a couple of weeks and then it gets better. My liver enzymes are elevated during these attacks, and I now have a fatty liver. My surgery was also 7 years ago. I don’t work full time anymore. I’m going to start probiotics, activia yogurt and Metamucil fiber wafers. Do you also feel exhausted and weak? I have found that sugar, fats (especially chocolate) trigger the attacks. When I can avoid them altogether I do better. I don’t know what other things are triggers, wish I did so I could stop it!! My friend suggested eliminating dairy. So I’m going to try that. Good luck to you

[DataCurator]

“I had my gallbladder removed about 9 years ago and have been going through hell!!!! I have been told it is stress. I went to my gastro Dr. yesterday and he is doing an endoscopic test Thursday as he feels I have a blockage. I have been throwing up my food 10 to 12 hours after eating it and it looks as if I just ate it. If he finds nothing with this test he is sending me to Charleston, South Carolina for the ERCP. I am in severe pain most of the time and can’t function with normal everyday activities. Any input to my letter would be greatly apppreciated. I am at my wits end with what could be causing all my pain. It is located under my upper ribs and radiates to my back and now is starting to bother me in my shoulder. PLEASE someone answer and let me know anything that you all could possibly think I could have.

“

[DataCurator]

“Gall Bladder Removal Problems
5 years ago I had a horrible gall bladder attack, which felt like I was having a heart attack. I rushed myself to the emergency room, because I absolutely couldn”t wait to get a babysitter for our two young girls. I was in the hospital for 10 days. They removed my gall bladder and some of my bile ducts. I have a scar across my entire abdomen, as they couldn”t get where they needed to go with the laser technique.

Ever since then, I have had MAJOR problems, the most serious are what I explain as torso attacks. They are excruciating pain, last 20 minutes, and my entire torso (front and back) locks up, leaving me in the fetal position on the floor. After the attack subsides, I am completely exhausted, very similar to how one feels after giving birth. There are no warning signs before these happen, which usually occur about two months apart, so I live in fear everywhere I go that possibly one could happen at any time. The feeling during these attacks are exactly how I felt when I rushed myself to the hospital to have my gall bladder removed.

Does anyone know what the cause of these attacks could be? My heart and prayers go out to all of you suffering from gall bladder problems, as I know all too well how difficult it is to live with.

Much Aloha!”

[DataCurator]

“I Just wanted to agree – I’ve been dealing wit this same chronic issue for three years w/o relief. I have tested every med there is out there. Keep waiting for something to WORK!

Good luck to you all.”