Pain after gall bladder removal

[Chelley00]

Google "Sphincter of Oddi Disfuction". It could be the cause of post-gallbladder issues. I had my gallbladder out a year ago this week and am still miserable. My gastroenterologist is now thinking the gallbladder could have stayed and we should have just fixed the sphincter issue (and the gastro whispers "sphincter" and laughs every time he says it )

I take a calcium D+ and a Benefiber caplet after each meal. It's helped with the dumping, and it's a natural thing that everyone needs anyhow. I've been able to stop the Cholestyramine

 

[JaneBanks]

I've read over and over that having your gallbladder out does NOT guarantee that you won't have pain that's JUST like the pain that caused you to have your gallbladder out in the first place.

Because of this, the people DH and I know in real life that were considering the surgery did NOT end up having the surgery. They changed their diet around and went on with their lives with less pain.

To me, a doubter, calling it phantom pain is just a cutesie way of saying "oh darn, the surgery didn't help you after all".

Sorry it didn't work as expected, and that surgeon sounds awful, vette...

Not having your gall bladder taken out is just dumb. I'm sorry. The pain is nowhere near as close as the real thing and your gall bladder will eventually get infected and you can get really sick. I too watched my diet to avoid attacks but it got to the point where I would eat anything, even just a piece of bread, and I would have an attack.

My gall bladder was so infected, I spent a week in the hospital because I was really sick. Normally, you go home the next day or the same day.

Your friends really need to get it taken out.

 

[gracie1]

I've heard many horror stories about dumping! Everyone told me to be prepared for that problem after the gallbladder surgery but I am the opposite!!

 

[vettechick99]

Looks like I'm a lifetime kinda gal. I occasionally still have issues, but it's usually during that time of the month, and that was an issue before my gall bladder surgery. .

I think I'm a lifetime kinda gal too.

My OB told me that it's very common to have potty issues when you are OTR/cramping. He said they are right next to each other and when one is upset (uterus cramping) the other gets upset (intestines/colon cramps).

What fun.

 

[3smithboys]

This thread is very timely... I had my gall bladder out 13 years ago and had pancreatitis after as well. I have IBS, so nothing is really ever great, but I can't say I have had a lot of "gallbladder" pain. That is until Friday!

I am a 6th grade teacher and at the end of the day - the kids were finishing up a Science test- all of the sudden a huge pain hit me like a I was being stabbed. It was just like the same pain I had when I had my gallbladder attack all of those year ago. (I will never forget THAT pain.) I doubled over behind my desk and started sweating... all I kept thinking was please G-d don't let me pass out in front of my kids...I don't want to be THAT teacher!!! I grabbed a couple of Tums out of bag, and ate them... hoping it would help... nope... somehow I got to the hall and flagged down another teacher... she stayed with my class, and I got to the nurse. I just sat there... Eventually, the pain passed, and then I felt fine. It was so strange...The nurse took my BP and said the bottom # was elevated - probably from the pain...

I guess I need to get this checked out....

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

Not that I enjoy how you all experience these problems post-surgery, but I am sure glad to not feel all alone!!!

 

[gracie1]

This thread is very timely... I had my gall bladder out 13 years ago and had pancreatitis after as well. I have IBS, so nothing is really ever great, but I can't say I have had a lot of "gallbladder" pain. That is until Friday!

I am a 6th grade teacher and at the end of the day - the kids were finishing up a Science test- all of the sudden a huge pain hit me like a I was being stabbed. It was just like the same pain I had when I had my gallbladder attack all of those year ago. (I will never forget THAT pain.) I doubled over behind my desk and started sweating... all I kept thinking was please G-d don't let me pass out in front of my kids...I don't want to be THAT teacher!!! I grabbed a couple of Tums out of bag, and ate them... hoping it would help... nope... somehow I got to the hall and flagged down another teacher... she stayed with my class, and I got to the nurse. I just sat there... Eventually, the pain passed, and then I felt fine. It was so strange...The nurse took my BP and said the bottom # was elevated - probably from the pain...

I guess I need to get this checked out....

Did Pancreatitis feel like this as well?

 

[3smithboys]

Did Pancreatitis feel like this as well?

I didn't know that I had it until they did the surgery and told me after... All I know is that I was in agony before the surgery! It felt like I was being run through with a sword or a red hot poker!

 

[elgerber]

I had mine removed 14 years ago this week. I have had what felt like gb attacks a few times since then. I am very glad to know others have had them too! My system definitely does not function normal, but i deal with it. I tried for a couple of years to see if they could find something else wrong after my surgery, but no one, not even an endoscopy could find any other issues. So I just live with it. I cannot sleep on my left side until into the middle of the night until all the food of the day is completely digested and gone. That is so annoying!

 

[wenrob]

I've read over and over that having your gallbladder out does NOT guarantee that you won't have pain that's JUST like the pain that caused you to have your gallbladder out in the first place.

Because of this, the people DH and I know in real life that were considering the surgery did NOT end up having the surgery. They changed their diet around and went on with their lives with less pain.

To me, a doubter, calling it phantom pain is just a cutesie way of saying "oh darn, the surgery didn't help you after all".

Sorry it didn't work as expected, and that surgeon sounds awful, vette...

A diseased or infected gallbladder can KILL you. Your friends are just fooling themselves. I was down to eating chicken broth and still throwing up and writhing in pain thinking I could "reverse it."

I get "phantom" attacks occasionally as well. (had mine out 6 year ago) They are not anywhere near "real" attacks and if I can grab a couple Rolaids as soon as I feel it coming on it seems to stop/lesson it. They usually wake me up out of a dead sleep. As PP have mentioned there's no rhyme or reason to it. I could eat a loaded cheese burger dripping in grease and be fine or have a light meal of fresh veggies and pasta and have one. Luckily I've never experienced the dumping. I'd still do it again, worse pain I've ever had.

 

[DisneyLover83]

I had mine removed 14 years ago this week. I have had what felt like gb attacks a few times since then. I am very glad to know others have had them too! My system definitely does not function normal, but i deal with it. I tried for a couple of years to see if they could find something else wrong after my surgery, but no one, not even an endoscopy could find any other issues. So I just live with it. I cannot sleep on my left side until into the middle of the night until all the food of the day is completely digested and gone. That is so annoying!

I had mine out it Sept '07, had an ERCP done the week after to remove gallstones from the bile duct, and ended up with pancreacitis. Was in the hospital for days. I have had dumping (I take Welchol), sharp pains and horrible stomach cramping ever since. I have had all kinds of tests done trying to find anything "wrong", every test comes back OK. I even had a stool sample taken I joke with my DH that what I want is a stomach transplant Glad to know its not just me!

 

[wenrob]

I had mine removed 14 years ago this week. I have had what felt like gb attacks a few times since then. I am very glad to know others have had them too! My system definitely does not function normal, but i deal with it. I tried for a couple of years to see if they could find something else wrong after my surgery, but no one, not even an endoscopy could find any other issues. So I just live with it. I cannot sleep on my left side until into the middle of the night until all the food of the day is completely digested and gone. That is so annoying!

I'm going to have to keep this in mind as I do sleep on my left side and the ones I've had wake me up.

 

[gracie1]

A diseased or infected gallbladder can KILL you. Your friends are just fooling themselves. I was down to eating chicken broth and still throwing up and writhing in pain thinking I could "reverse it."

I get "phantom" attacks occasionally as well. (had mine out 6 year ago) They are not anywhere near "real" attacks and if I can grab a couple Rolaids as soon as I feel it coming on it seems to stop/lesson it. They usually wake me up out of a dead sleep. As PP have mentioned there's no rhyme or reason to it. I could eat a loaded cheese burger dripping in grease and be fine or have a light meal of fresh veggies and pasta and have one. Luckily I've never experienced the dumping. I'd still do it again, worse pain I've ever had.

I'm with ya on this....I regret not having my gallbladder out sooner!!! I waited until I couldn't eat anything for a week and then called the dr and said lets do it asap!

 

[portocall]

I've read over and over that having your gallbladder out does NOT guarantee that you won't have pain that's JUST like the pain that caused you to have your gallbladder out in the first place.

Because of this, the people DH and I know in real life that were considering the surgery did NOT end up having the surgery. They changed their diet around and went on with their lives with less pain.

To me, a doubter, calling it phantom pain is just a cutesie way of saying "oh darn, the surgery didn't help you after all".

Sorry it didn't work as expected, and that surgeon sounds awful, vette...

Well, since I turned jaundiced and had stones stuck in both my pancreas and liver, while waiting to have the surgery, I wouldn't say it certainly isn't a cutsie way to say anything.

Nothing tells you how serious things are like being whisked through the ER once they see how bad off you are and being rushed for not one but two emergency surgeries. I had such a bad infection that the gall bladder exploded when it was touched. Having similar pain on occasion is preferable to dying anyday of the week.

 

[ZuZugal]

Had my GB out 16 years ago. My DD was a newborn at the time so I didn't even take pain meds after the surgery because I was nursing and just didn't think it was a good idea.

The first few years I had random phantom attacks. I have not had one in many many years. the dumping however will happen on occasion and I have NO warning...it just happens and i am so glad if I am at home. I try not to drink soda...I have come to learn that can be a trigger for me. Imodium is my friend!

 

[kinntj]

What timing! I had my first phantom attack during last night. Not pleasant at all, but nothing like the real thing. Last night I had McD's due to late grocery shopping. I haven't had fast food for nearly a month. I'm guessing the sudden surge of high fat did it.

I had my gallbladder removed in August and haven't had any trouble until now. No greasy or baked goods for awhile.

I've never had troubles the OP expressed about having attacks after things like Oatmeal or hard to digest foods. hmmm.

When I asked questions regarding "dumping" and other post surgery problems, she responded with, "you read too much internet LOL". Then she went over her surgeries and numbers. I felt much better about it after. She did say that months after the surgery I could feel a pinching sensation inside due to healing.