Connect
← Return to Has anyone had severe nerve pain after gallbladder removal?
Discussion
Has anyone had severe nerve pain after gallbladder removal?
Chronic Pain | Last Active: 9 hours ago | Replies (13)Comment receiving replies
OMG I.am.having the exact same thing. I was fine after the surgery, but the pain is getting increasingly worse and worse. I had an ultrasound, an MRI when I went back to the surgeon. He recommend a Gastroenterologist. That appt isn't until the end of the month. I was in so much pain last Thursday I went to the ER and they gave me an IV with Truadol and Morphine and I was still in pain. I am laying here on my couch and want to go back to our ER at the Hospital because my stomach is a.little distended, I'm nauseated, when I move I'm in excruciating pain. I am at a loss!! I thought getting this out was going to be better and it's worse!!!
Replies to "OMG I.am.having the exact same thing. I was fine after the surgery, but the pain is..."
Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction (SOD), biliary ducts geting nicked in surgery, stones being left behind, pancreatitis, or Central Sensitisation Syndrome (CSS) are all possibilities.
• A common sign of SOD is when the pain is triggered by morphine (most commonly) or other opiates.
Tests: HIDA scan to see drainage of the biliary ducts from the liver to duodenum. MRCP, a type of MRI that shows the biliary ducts. Endoscopic ultrasound can also show the biliary ducts, but also looks at the inside of stomach and duodenum with a camera.
Procedures: ERCP which can be given when patient has elevated liver enzymes and proof of SOD from other scans. Risk of pancreatitis from ERCP, as they will cut the sphincter of oddi to stop it spasming closed and causing blockages. But the swelling from this can close the pancreatic duct.
• Biliary injury from surgery can be seen with the MRCP and endoscopic ultrasound.
• Unsure on how they test for pancreatitis, but I'd imagine you'd notice the white blood cells being high as a sign of infection. Some folks do get chronic pancreatitis.
• CSS is a complicated syndrome that's being linked to chronic pain. The microglia in the brain are in charge of our pain response and can go into a hyperactive/hypersensitive state due to long term pain and/or trauma. Treatment options are still in the testing phase as far as I've seen.
Connect
My husband has been dealing with this for the last few weeks and now they want us to see a pain specialist and block the pain. We have gone to ER 3 times since his gallbladder was removed April 5th. His stomach is distended as well and he said he feels like it's going to burst. He's had every scan more than once and it's nothing internally they said everything looks good! It's crazy stuff. I'm so sorry you are going thru this too! I pray they can get it figured out!