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Has anyone had severe nerve pain after gallbladder removal?

Posted by wisewoman10 @wisewoman10, Apr 21 3:22pm

I had my gallbladder removed laparascopically three weeks ago on 3/29/25. It was semi-emergent, having been planned for a Monday, but my pain became so bad that an on-call surgeon did it on the preceding Saturday. The surgery went smoothly, and the first week and a half or so were what felt like normal recovery. I did develop a case of bronchitis from the airway (my lungs are vulnerable to everything) and a case of oral thrush from all the antibiotics and drying agents they gave me during surgery. However, about 10 days ago, I developed severe pain in my right upper quadrant that felt just like a gallbladder attack, only worse. My doctors are stumped, but my GI doc suggested on Thursday that this could be a case of neuropathic pain, or visceral hypersensistivity. The pain is so extreme I can't find a comfortable sleeping position and ended up trying to get some sleep in the recliner last night (not very successfully). I have an EGD scheduled for 4/29 to rule out gastritis, pancreatitis, peptic ulcer, etc., but those are doubtful as my labs are fine. Has anyone else had severe pain stemming from neural pathways or severed nerves following this surgery? I did not see this coming and am completely overwhelmed by it. The doctor just prescribed me gabapentin, along with copious warnings about what to look out for while taking it in "someone my age" (I'm 73 and in otherwise average health). I'm OK with diet modifications, changes in bowel functions, etc., but this level of pain has me virtually paralyzed.

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hobby | @hobby | May 7 10:29pm
In reply to @wisewoman10 "I’ll be 6 weeks post surgery on Saturday. The first 5 days or so felt like..." + (show)
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I’ll be 6 weeks post surgery on Saturday. The first 5 days or so felt like a “normalish” surgical recovery. Then I got body slammed with phantom gallbladder pain that I can best describe as second only to childbirth level pain. Couldn’t sleep or really function at all for most of four weeks. None of the tests - labs, EGD, ultrasounds, CT scans showed anything structural wrong. The conclusion was that it was nerve pain. I was prescribed 200 mg gabapentin at bedtime two weeks ago and am finally feeling human again. And I can lie down in bed again. That’s a game changer! This doesn’t apply to everyone, but if you have IBS, like I do, recovering normal digestion function is harder and takes longer. Getting your bowels back online really helps with the abdominal pain, I’ve discovered. Still on the journey, but moving in the right direction.

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You very well may have Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. It is common after gallbladder removal and explains the “phantom pain” I am currently living with this same condition of chronic pain where my gallbladder was. Waiting for a referral to a doctor who specializes in this condition. Look into it.

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hobby | @hobby | May 7 10:31pm

You may have sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. It can cause continued pain after gallbladder removal.

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kazzar42 | @kazzar42 | Jul 1 9:41am
In reply to @justinemc2005 "OMG I.am.having the exact same thing. I was fine after the surgery, but the pain is..." + (show)
Profile picture for justinemc2005 @justinemc2005

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!!!

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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.

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