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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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I think it might be wise to go to Urgent Care or ER. Not feeling like eating is one thing, not being able to eat is an entirely different thing. ? If you can’t keep even fluids down, then that is very serious, just saying! You obviously had bleeding in/around the puncture sites to result in such large amounts of dark bruising. If you followed the preop directions to not take aspirin or any type of NSAIDs (examples: ibuprofen, Motrin, Aleve, naproxen, many other names for these!) for 10 days/whatever they told you before surgery, then you shouldn’t have such bruising unless you know you bruise extremely easily! Hope you were told to ice the puncture sites to help keep swelling and bruising down. I was a RN and went back to work ONE week after I had my GB out, if that tells you anything - I barely had any discomfort at all.
P.S. You are probably constipated if you are taking any kind of pain medication they gave you.
It's my pleasure. All the best..
@ab1989 - Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect!
I also had my gallbladder out- with postcholecystectomy syndrome.
However, I am horrified at what you are going through. You need help now- it is a shame that the surgeon didn’t know how to help you.
Do you have a regular physician that you see?
If not, I agree with @wisco50 that you have to see a doctor at a urgent care or ER as soon as possible. Do you have anyone that can come with you? Please get back to us soon!
Hello, This is unacceptable. Go to an emergency room right away. Don't leave or demand some help until you get some.
After two days the new prescription seems to be helping. Prescription calls for 2 pills three times a day.. but I prefer to go slowly when introducing new meds.. so I started taking 1 pill at breakfast lunch and dinner and today the same.. seems to cut down on the number of BMs and the nausea.. its only three days so will be interested in how much this prescription (Colesevelam 625) stops three years of pain and nausea..tired of having to hunt down a restroom 30 minutes after a meal when out in public.. I had just about quit being social because of it..
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2 ReactionsNo food or drink I quit in the AM seems to stop the painful urge to go.I just took 2 immodium again. I have been drinking a bottle of Propel to restore electrolytes. Is this better than pedialyte? Don't know. The interesting thing each BM is preceded by powerful gas; is this the problem? Don't know.
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1 ReactionI had surgery for gallbladder removal , 5 years ago. I was told my gallbladder was what is called porcelain gallbladder . Needed to be removed because these types of gallbladder can turn to cancer. I wish, I could have kept my gallbladder. I have had Nothing but issues since it’s removal. I’ve had nausea,loose bowels,constipation, weight lost, weight gain , heartburn and just stomach issues. I’ve been diagnosed with Gastro paresis and upper GI problems.My surgeon took 2.5 hrs to remove my gallbladder and he told me it feel apart upon removal. So here I am still feeling the same and seeing a gastroenterologist.
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2 ReactionsI was also told my removal was a 2.5 hour emergency surgery. The description among other things was Gangrenous. Since then the recovery has been exhausting; I have no energy. Plus non stop diarrhea. I have found some relief from taking constant imodium tablets. As soon as I hear my stomach making all kinds of noises, I took a shot of Pepto bismol ultra. I had a much less explosive BM and no second act. Sometimes the old remedies are the best.Time will tell if this continues to help. I repeat Help; it's not a cure. You may want to give it a try.
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1 ReactionHi, my gallbladder was removed due to a condition called porcelain gallbladder. I was told that it was needed to come out. That was 4 years ago, my life since then has been awful. I have seen three Gastro doctors and under treatment currently for Gastro paresis. I was told by second Dr that ordered a CT scan that I have surgical clips left inferior to my liver and I’m guessing that the condition I have was due to the surgery because it is nerve damage to the vagus nerve. I wish I would have never had this surgery.
I cannot eat large portions of food, because my stomach does not empty very well. So I have to be very careful and everyday after every meal about 30 minutes after the nausea comes, I hate it.