Complications/symptoms after Gallbladder Surgery

@theache
Have you tried using cool compresses or moist heat at the back of your head/neck area to relieve the headache? One might work better than the other and sometimes alternating them helps. Sometimes a steamy shower and letting the water run over the head helps. I like to avoid pills if possible. Sometimes I take valium to help relax my back when it flares.. I take only half of a 5mg tablet and usually only when we have the low weather fronts come through. It seems to work better for me than flexeril or zanaflex. I too have had family that did not do well with cymbalta.

If it is your neck there may be no other symptoms other than headache. You might have a tightness in your neck and or shoulders, but not necessarily. You might look around on the internet for some neck shoulder exercises.

It is more your shortness of breath that concerns me. That can have many causes too... most of the time it is lung, heart or digestive tract. I hope you have it all throughly checked out.

ZeeGee

Thank you ZeeGee, I will mention valium to my neurologist on Dec 16th when we have our telephonic facetime appointment. She is supposed to give me results from the EEG and Sleep Apnea tests as well.

Hi Imatine, no I have not talked to my neurologist about a relaxant yet. ZeeGee also recommended it. I will ask on the 16th. Thanks

@theache

Valium is what works for me, but something else might be more suitable for you. It will make me sleepy.. so I just use it at night so I can sleep through the pain. There are many other relaxants out there. You doctor may know best what will go with any other medications you might take.

I am a bit of a weirdo with some medications.. they will have the complete opposite effect than they are suppose to have. I am also considered chemical sensitive. I have a long list of medications I am either allergic to or have adversed side effects. My family doctor is blaming his hair thinning on all the head scratching I cause him. He is a pretty good problem solver for me though.

In the early 1990s I worked in retail and had to help unload the merchandise from the truck. I would often have a headache as you describe after unloading the merchandise. I would buy a can cola and hold it at the back of my head at the hair/neck line. Take two Anacin with the can of cola and I would be okay within an hour. I had seen my daddy do the same when he had a headache after doing work except he took BC or Stanback headache powders. I can no longer take nsaids.

When I have the headache you describe. If I feel nauseous with the headache I will use a cool compress at the hair/neckline. If no nausea then I use moist heat. I have an electric heat pad with a moist pad insert, but it does not work near as well as a microwave heat pad. I have to be careful with the microwave pad ...especially the times we have had to buy a new microwave. I used to put it in for two minutes.. then had to change to a minute and a half and now this microwave for one minute. After I use the heat pad I do some stretches. If I can remember where I put my play ball (I have no idea how it gets where it is not suppose to be, but it happens) I will roll it up and down the wall a few times using both hands. I also lean against wall with the ball between my back and the wall and roll the ball between my shoulders and up my neck. Any part of the spine can contribute to a headache, but most times it is the neck area.

Being it is such a short time since your surgery.. talk with your surgeon about what physical activity you can and cannot do. You don't want to pull loose any surgical clips or stitches.

ZeeGee

Thanks ZeeGee, sounds like you have a long history of headaches; feel sorry for you. I can relate to your suffering, and sure hope my problem clears up. I have had many surgeries over the years but never experienced extended headaches before. Has to be something simple, just hope my doctor figures it out. I only take two medications: Lisinopril 10mg per day for high blood pressure and 40mg of Omeprazole for acid reflux.

@mpsteed
Hi. Sorry to hear about this situation which has occurred since your surgery 3 years ago. Have they tested you for neuropathy? I have heard of a few people who have developed peripheral neuropathy as a result of surgery. And if they can't find another cause of the pain that might be a good next step. It's good that gabapentin gives you some relief. Are you experiencing any side effects from it? Are you and your doctor thinking of trying anything else for your pain? There are other options out there. Best, Hank

I am wondering if anyone has had this happen to them. I had gallbladder removed laparoscopic in 2017. Ever since surgery i have had severe nerve pain under my left breast, feels like the lower rib is going to break. It feels like I get spasms right there and causes me to throw up. I have been taking gabapentin with good relief but not consistent , the worst part is the stabbing pain right at the rib and doesn't stop. So far diagnostics are negative. Any suggestions are welcome

sorry to hear. I went thru something similar , 2008 I had a lobectomy of left lung . I had pins & needles , pain amd numbness below my left pectoral that was super uncomfortable and this lasted 7yrs. Now I did notice a small degrees each yr. but 7yrs to fully remover. Top NYC doctor said it was just the nerves that were effected during surgery. I hope the best for you

@mpsteed Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, a place to give and get support.

Since your gallbladder surgery you've had pains and spasms. All off the diagnostics have come back negative. You are looking for answers and suggests from members like you.

You will see that I have moved your question into a discussion where members are currently discussing this topic. I did this so you could more quickly connect and get support. You will notice members like @malerie99 @yuksel @harliegirl @johnetteg @billjn3 @maryswims @roisemaire @bertbiz @leinania @kcoates have experience with this topic and may be a good resource for you. I also encourage you to scroll back through the comments to find previously shared suggestions.

I'm wondering if you can give me a little more information? May I ask what diagnostics you have had and what specialist you have seen so far?

I wonder if they left a stone. I had similar symptoms as stones were missed during surgery in the common bile duct causing irritation to the surrounding organs. An ultrasound, while I was on my side helped diagnose my problem. The catscan was useless. They were able to go down my throat to remove the stone and enlarge a narrowing in the duct to remove the stone. I couldn't eat without terrible pain all the way through to my back followed by nausea.