Post-cholecystectomy or gallbladder removal surgery

Posted by msb18 @msb18, Dec 11, 2018

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.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

Hi All. Well it's been exactly 2 months since the stent was placed in my bile duct to widen the duct and diameter of the Sphincter of Oddi for my PCS and SOD. I am happy to say that my stent was removed quicky this week and without the trauma of the previous 2 ERCPs. My RUQ PCS pain is no longer there and my stomach spasms are subsiding. I will be going off Dicetel next week.

When my Gastro removed the stent he was very pleased with the success of the duct widening and also stretched the Sphincter of Oddi once more with ballooning before he finished the procedure. I am now symptom free and very happy. It was a long road but it turns out that patience was key as well as physicians who never gave up on me. I will make a final post after my follow up appt in 1 month. I hope some of this information about my journey helps someone else with Post Cholesectomy Syndrome caused by Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction post Cholesectomy.

REPLY
@woodsiechris

Hi All. Well it's been exactly 2 months since the stent was placed in my bile duct to widen the duct and diameter of the Sphincter of Oddi for my PCS and SOD. I am happy to say that my stent was removed quicky this week and without the trauma of the previous 2 ERCPs. My RUQ PCS pain is no longer there and my stomach spasms are subsiding. I will be going off Dicetel next week.

When my Gastro removed the stent he was very pleased with the success of the duct widening and also stretched the Sphincter of Oddi once more with ballooning before he finished the procedure. I am now symptom free and very happy. It was a long road but it turns out that patience was key as well as physicians who never gave up on me. I will make a final post after my follow up appt in 1 month. I hope some of this information about my journey helps someone else with Post Cholesectomy Syndrome caused by Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction post Cholesectomy.

Jump to this post

@woodsiechris It's wonderful news that you're doing better. I hope that you continue to improve. Feel well.

REPLY

It's been 3 weeks and 99% of the pain is gone. However, i do feel nauseous at times. Not every day but 4-5 hours a day when it comes. I was already slim and lost more weight trying to eat low fat diet. I did start back with a little fatty food? Surgeon said it's normal.

REPLY

Hi @peter2019 and welcome to Connect. You may have noticed I moved your post to this existing discussion on gallbladder removals in order for you to connect with others who have similar experiences. Simply click VIEW & REPLY in your email notification to get to your post.

That is great your pain is all but gone, but must so frustrating to continue to have nausea for such long periods of time.

@msb18, @woodsiechris and @hopeful33250 may be able to offer you support as you search for answers.

Back to you @peter2019 what do you do when you have nausea?

REPLY
@ethanmcconkey

Hi @peter2019 and welcome to Connect. You may have noticed I moved your post to this existing discussion on gallbladder removals in order for you to connect with others who have similar experiences. Simply click VIEW & REPLY in your email notification to get to your post.

That is great your pain is all but gone, but must so frustrating to continue to have nausea for such long periods of time.

@msb18, @woodsiechris and @hopeful33250 may be able to offer you support as you search for answers.

Back to you @peter2019 what do you do when you have nausea?

Jump to this post

Crackers and ginger ale. Sometimes it lasts for hours. Sometimes eating food helps

REPLY

I had the nausea and uneasy digestion for about 6 months after the surgery. Take it slow and easy, you'll get there.

REPLY
@claytamos

I had the nausea and uneasy digestion for about 6 months after the surgery. Take it slow and easy, you'll get there.

Jump to this post

Thanks very much that gives me hope.

REPLY

Hi all. This will be my final update. It's been almost 6 mos since my biliary stent removal and almost 9 mos post-cholesectomy. I can eat almost anything in moderation now and am pain free and stomach spasm free as a result. I am however still on Dicetel as it helped improve my Crohn's symptoms. I am down to 2 per day and hope to eliminate them completely. So in my case, I was followed well by my medical team and the 3 extra ERCPs I endured seems to have cured my post-cholesectomy pain. I hope that my experience can help others help themselves to get similar results. Of course every case is different and it is still up to your medical professional to determine the best course of action for you. Good luck everyone. It is terrible physically and mentally to live with biliary pain and you shouldn't have to in 2020. I have a new lease in life today now that the pain is gone.

REPLY
@woodsiechris

Hi all. This will be my final update. It's been almost 6 mos since my biliary stent removal and almost 9 mos post-cholesectomy. I can eat almost anything in moderation now and am pain free and stomach spasm free as a result. I am however still on Dicetel as it helped improve my Crohn's symptoms. I am down to 2 per day and hope to eliminate them completely. So in my case, I was followed well by my medical team and the 3 extra ERCPs I endured seems to have cured my post-cholesectomy pain. I hope that my experience can help others help themselves to get similar results. Of course every case is different and it is still up to your medical professional to determine the best course of action for you. Good luck everyone. It is terrible physically and mentally to live with biliary pain and you shouldn't have to in 2020. I have a new lease in life today now that the pain is gone.

Jump to this post

I'm so happy for you. You've been through a lot. You had doctors who listened and you were proactive in your care as well. No one can fathom what chronic pain and illness does to the body and the mind unless they've experienced it. I wish you great health.

REPLY
@woodsiechris

Hi all. This will be my final update. It's been almost 6 mos since my biliary stent removal and almost 9 mos post-cholesectomy. I can eat almost anything in moderation now and am pain free and stomach spasm free as a result. I am however still on Dicetel as it helped improve my Crohn's symptoms. I am down to 2 per day and hope to eliminate them completely. So in my case, I was followed well by my medical team and the 3 extra ERCPs I endured seems to have cured my post-cholesectomy pain. I hope that my experience can help others help themselves to get similar results. Of course every case is different and it is still up to your medical professional to determine the best course of action for you. Good luck everyone. It is terrible physically and mentally to live with biliary pain and you shouldn't have to in 2020. I have a new lease in life today now that the pain is gone.

Jump to this post

I am so happy to hear this, @woodsiechris!
I so appreciate you keeping us updated about your health. Your statement, "I hope that my experience can help others help themselves to get similar results,” is the epitome of the value of Connect: Sharing experiences helps us cope with our struggles, helps us learn from each other and realize that we are not alone – this is what Connect is all about.
I wish you all success for the future.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.