Connect
Severe Pain Years Post Gallbladder Removal
This is sort of a last ditch effort to find some idea about what has been plaguing me for years. I had my gallbladder removed after a series of attacks in 2016. I did not have any stones, but my HIDA showed 6% EF and after removal, they said I had a very narrow sphincter.
Since then, I have been to the ER several times for debilitating severe upper abdominal pain. I mean SEVERE. I have a high pain tolerance, and did not experience this level of pain with child birth. Each time they do bloodwork and X-rays, but tell me they cannot find anything wrong. I started noticing that the attacks came on after eating a particularly rich or fatty meal with wine. I got better at avoiding the attacks after awhile.
A few years later, I was having severe GI issues. Pain, extreme bloating (looks 9 months pregnant after eating), severe diarrhea, and daily crippling nausea. This lasted for months. I have struggled with nausea most of my life, but this was impacting my quality of life. They did an ultrasound, emptying scan, and upper and lower GI. They essentially found nothing wrong and said the nausea might be "in my head". I kind of gave up on GI drs after that. I did go GF because that seemed to help some.
Fast forward to 2023. I went to the ER with some abdominal pain and it turned out I had a ruptured diverticula and had most of my colon removed.
I recently started zepbound, and had food/wine in an amount that would not have normally caused one of these attacks, but it caused one of the worst ones yet. They last anywhere from 30 min to 2 hours usually. I cannot express enough how severe the pain is. I didn't go to ER because it is the same thing every time.
If you read this far, thank you. I feel like I am losing my mind. I still live with daily GI issues such as pain and nausea, but I have learned to cope. I wish I knew of at least a direction to point a new doctor in, but I have zero idea what this could be. It is like a gallbladder attack on steroids, but I don't have a gallbladder or appendix anymore. PLEASE HELP!
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.
Connect
@enavtemca I’m supposed to be have the Nissen Fundiplacation done in the next couple months! Did it help you? How long before you could eat solids? My sphincter going into my stomach isn’t closing so they need to sew it up. I wake up choking so I can’t wear my cpap they say it’s the contents backing up in my stomach. I even have the head of the bed elevated
My Nissan was done too tight so I could not swallow foods well , Also determined later I should not have had one ( I worked for the surgeon who did it ).
When done correctly , it will help !
Good luck with your surgery
They have checked my liver several times and said it is fine
I actually had my sigmoid colon removed a year and a half ago due to a ruptured diverticula
I am so sorry to hear that we are in such similar boats! The constant fear of an attack and the daily stomach pain will drive you insane! Hoping someone listens and you get some answers too!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@enavtemca wow what a surgeon to do that to his nurse hopefully he didn’t do it on purpose
He did say he did it right not to. one undone .. I had this when they just started doing them robotic .
Much better now I was told , with precise measurements
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionThank you ! I’m hoping so too! same for you
Sorry if this is long:
I am in the same boat as many on here. April 19, 2012 I had my gallbladder removed the same time they performed a tubal ligation. A few months later, I had my very first episode of pains and nausea. I was doing nothing but laying on the couch watching a movie with my husband. He had to carry me to the truck to drive me to the hospital, but we never made it as he had to pull over so I could throw up and the ambulance had to pick me up from there. I have had so many tests done and they could never find out what was wrong. I was put on bentyl and amitriptyline but none of it helped. I have tried to cut foods and drinks out but I would still go through it. It has happened in the middle of class/exams, at work, when I am sleeping, or just whenever it felt like hitting me. I wish there was an answer for us!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsWelcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, @adoby2010. The pain and nausea you've had to contend with sound difficult. Sorry to hear the medications and diet changes you've tried have not helped.
Hoping members who've chatted in this discussion on severe pain years after gallbladder removal will provide some support and thoughts for you, such as @sbtheplumber1 @taylor2 @lasirvent @diannesmcneill and others.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction