Post-cholecystectomy or gallbladder removal surgery
Hi – I had my gallbladder removed 17 years ago and have chronic, sharp back pain behind the port incision. That incision was in my upper left abdominal quadrant; the pain is felt in my back, directly behind the incision. It is thought that I have an adhesion in my upper left quadrant. Is it possible that nerves are trapped and that it causes referred pain in my back? The pain is nauseating and hasn't improved. I have been on anti seizure medication and a pain killer that isn't a percocet-type medication. I am curious if anyone else has persistent pain in their back following gallbladder surgery. If so, how is your pain treated.
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@jeepgrl I had terrible reactions taking Cholestyramine as well. Turned my bowels into concrete- overnight. Symptoms persisted even after cutting the dose in half. My dilemma is I have a spouse who is quite underweight and eats a lot of fat. to gain weight. So I try to limit how much fat I eat, but not crazy about the idea of making 2 separate meals. On top of all that, DH is ALLERGIC to chicken, of all things! Meal planning is quite a challenge between the two of us!
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1 ReactionHi All - I've had IBS-C and CIC most of my adult life. Managing my bowels rules my world. However, I had found a pretty reliable rhythm until an emergency cholescystectomy a little over a year ago. Now my stools are always soft, hard to move, and meager at best unless I take magnesium oxide, which is not optimal. Laxatives make me cramp, Miralax is worthless, and magnesium oxide (which at least does work for a day) is complicated by the fact that I have hyponatremia (low blood sodium) which necessitates fluid restriction to manage. I feel like the ultimate catch-22. The one thing that works is something I can't take very often lest I put myself in the sodium danger zone. I'm so frustrated by all this, and it's transcended a health issue to now become a lifestyle issue. We have a two-week road trip coming up in October and I'm already obsessing over how I will manage my bowels during that time. I'd almost rather not go. Any ideas? TIA!
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1 Reaction@wisewoman10 Have you tried getting your fiber from foods?
@linda82 I get a ton of fiber from foods - morning soaked chia seeds, oatmeal, berries, walnuts, kefir, lunch cottage cheese with Lentils and Zoe 30 sprinkled on, sometimes a salad, dinner of things like grilled salmon, quinoa and green veggies. I actually may get too much fiber. I know that too much can be as bad as too little.
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1 Reaction@wisewoman10 sounds like you doing that right by what you eat! But, agree that is a lot of fiber! I just had my gallbladder removed last week due to a huge stone. I had only one day off loose stools. I just started putting fiber and fat back in diet and have had good BM's
I do know your anxiety on travel!
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1 Reaction@wisewoman10 I don't know what your other issues are.. but Trulance has helped me alot with my IBS-C.. I feel your pain!! It's so hard to live with!! Prayers for you!!
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2 Reactions@linda82 you are so fortunate, and that gives me hope! I think the gallbladder surgery was the frosting on the cake as it was my fourth laparoscopic surgery in my life, so I have lots of adhesions and detours that my colon has to make. Just trying to work with it and not obsess - easier said than done!