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Complications/symptoms after Gallbladder Surgery
Hello. I am a Male 32. I had my gall bladder removed 4 days ago. Since I have had strange pains and feelings. Nausea after I eat Everytime. I realized after it's removal my stomach will have swelling, but it feels like there is a Large Knot just right of my Belly button. I also have had severe Hunger type pains. It's the only thing that I can compare it too. Very bad and painful pains that resemble Severe Hunger pains. I have also had headaches since the surgery. Mainly the right back of my head, it feels like there is a Knot under my skull almost. It doesn't hurt severely, but it does hurt sometimes worse than others. And nothing seems to help. Almost a throbbing pain. And of course pain across my entire abdomen. Top to bottom. Side to side. Which is to be expected I guess. But I have have more pain in my right chest and under my left breast off and on. What of these are to be expected and not?
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@jenn36 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, a place to give and get support.
You are 9 weeks out of gallbladder surgery and still experiencing symptoms.
@johnetteg @jenn36 have either of you researched phantom pain after gallbladder surgery, as @mpsteed mentions? I think it's a pretty common occurrence.
@mpsteed You are three years out from your surgery and still having phantom pains but gabapentin works? Is the pain now manageable?
So, since the nerves to the gallbladder originate from the back, some post-op symptoms can allege that the gallbladder may not have been the original culprit, but a casualty of compressed/irritated/misfired nerves in the CNS. Such as was my case: pathology showed no stones in the gallbladder or the ducts, so they slapped "biliary dyskinesia" on the diagnosis. Now I have the same symptoms, except they're worse - constant nausea, migraines, body aches, etc.
I now believe the gallbladder was acting as a "referee" to the opposing nerves. Now that it's removed, the nerves have slowly converged and are freely wreaking havoc with nothing to hold them back. It makes sense why I was feeling wonderfully for the first two post-op weeks only to be thrown back into this hellish state after week three.
The light bulb didn't turn on until a GI doctor prescribed Pamelor to me last week for "visceral hypersensitivity", noting that it was nerve-related. I then remembered that this whole gallbladder fiasco started after I'd had a couple of (mal)adjustments from a chiropractor. So, now being armed with all the "everything looks good" vitals and a kick-ass PCP who will follow me down the rabbit hole for the sake of furthering his knowledge of patient-doctor relationships, I'm going the neurological route.
So, now I've found a promising chiropractor, a neurologist and a second GI doctor to put this whole theory together. Based on their findings and their results, I think I'll be on the right path to finally correcting what was wrong in the first place.
Your situation(s) may not be the same as mine, but I'm just throwing another variant in the mix for those who haven't yet thought about this dynamic.
Be well, everyone!
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1 Reaction@bjw85 Where do you live? Where was the diagnosis made? Have you received any second opinions on these matters? It seems you have already come to the conclusions prior to 2nd opinions of real medical doctors and specialists. I would encourage you to study up on the history and training of Chiropractic and how they would know about the interaction of the Gallbladder and the other systems of the body.
@ken82 I'm not sure how to read your tone, but....I hail from Ohio. As I mentioned before, it's just my belief and theory, NOT my conclusion - I'm not a doctor or a medical professional, which is why I'm trying to have my independent study supported/validated by medical/holistic professional findings and I'm using myself as a guinea pig to report back to the masses.
So....diagnoses:
- Biliary dyskinesia: diagnosed by my surgeon in the post-op visit. The pathology report supported that via MyChart documentation.
- Visceral hypersensitivity: diagnosed by my GI doctor, whose location is in Kettering, Ohio. Also documented in MyChart.
**Due to these being my personal medical records, I'd rather not attach such documentation on a public forum.**
No organ, muscle, or gland acts on its own - everything is connected in the body and reports back to the CNS and vice-versa, and the nerves therein are responsible for a plethora of bodily functions. If a pathway along a nerve's route is blocked or damaged then that would cause some dysfunction in the body which would then send pain signals to the brain, correct? Furthermore, if the dysfunction(s) persist, then the signals will continuously "cycle" until function is restored.
So, in the case of the gallbladder: even if you've taken it away, if the nerves connected to it are still dysfunctional, they'll continue to send pain signals to the brain until either the brain/body adapts or some other interference stops the signals from firing. Also, if so many anti-depressants, anti-convulsants, anti-histamines, etc. can help alleviate symptoms of "dysfunctions" like IBS, Crohn's, ADHD, migraines, nausea etc. by positively altering or blocking the neurological pathways, I would also suspect that physical trauma could negatively alter or block those pathways, therefore causing pain and/or dysfunction of an organ, like the gallbladder. Again, this is only a proprietary theory for my own personal case that I continue to investigate.
Just to clarify: I'm NOT denouncing chiropractors at all, nor am I trying to discourage or spook anyone, if that's what you're implicating. I'm simply sharing my personal experience and providing a different (neurological) perspective/avenue for others to explore, if they've not already ruled that out.
@bjw85 thousands of medical organizations are supported in keeping their medical records by Epic, a company that arranges "my Chart" systems. My local clinic in Iowa and Mayo Clinics (in MN, AZ, FL) also use "my Chart" ... So for example if you would want a really good second opinion call the Cleveland Clinic, ask if they are on "Epic"...if they use Epic, they could review your records and the specialist could decide to see you to verify your case of system interactions..
Typically, Chiropractors are not usually part of hospital or medical clinic staffs.. The maladjustment problem you mentioned needs further investigation...ken
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That's a good outside reference point from which to start. Since you appear to be more knowledgeable of these references, please share some contact information so that I may follow up with them.
Also, I'm aware the maladjustment theory needs further investigation....which is why I've labeled it a theory, unless I've decided to test it.
@bjw85 The Cleveland Clinic does use Epic and has the my Chart systems..you need to first go online and investigate the closest Cleveland Clinic Digestive GI department facilities... Call them and arrange a review of your my chart record for an appointment.. maybe in these times you can get a phone visit...first . Then after your COVID shots arrange to go there. Good luck. Be Safe.
Had mine out 2 weeks ago, same here..losing weight at alarming rate, all scans and tests are ok...cant eat, still pain..disgusted
same here..lost 20 lbs..Dr's look at me like Im nuts, all tests are ok...I am so disgusted
Hi, I am new here. I had my a stent placed in my bile duct and my gallbladder removed on March 1, 2021. I have bad back pain and shortness of breath. Any advice on what to do. I see you’re very knowledgeable. Thank you