Post Gallbladder Removal

I had my gallbladder removed laparascopically three weeks ago today on 3/29/25. It was semi-emergent, having been planned for a Monday, but my pain became so bad that an on-call surgeon did it on the preceding Saturday. The surgery went smoothly, and the first week and a half or so were what felt like normal recovery. I did develop a case of bronchitis from the airway (my lungs are vulnerable to everything) and a case of oral thrush from all the antibiotics and drying agents they gave me during surgery. However, about 10 days ago, I developed severe pain in my right upper quadrant that felt just like a gallbladder attack, only worse. My doctors are stumped, but my GI doc suggested on Thursday that this could be a case of neuropathic pain, or visceral hypersensistivity. The pain is so extreme I can't find a comfortable sleeping position and ended up trying to get some sleep in the recliner last night (not very successfully). I have an EGD scheduled for 4/29 to rule out gastritis, pancreatitis, peptic ulcer, etc., but those are doubtful as my labs are fine. Has anyone else had severe pain stemming from neural pathways or severed nerves following this surgery? I did not see this coming and am completely overwhelmed by it. The doctor my try me on gabapentin this week coming up if I've had no relief over the weekend (so far, no improvement). I'm OK with diet modifications, changes in bowel functions, etc., but this level of pain has me virtually paralyzed.

had my gallbladder removed laparascopically three weeks ago today on 3/29/25. It was semi-emergent, having been planned for a Monday, but my pain became so bad that an on-call surgeon did it on the preceding Saturday. The surgery went smoothly, and the first week and a half or so were what felt like normal recovery. I did develop a case of bronchitis from the airway (my lungs are vulnerable to everything) and a case of oral thrush from all the antibiotics and drying agents they gave me during surgery. However, about 10 days ago, I developed severe pain in my right upper quadrant that felt just like a gallbladder attack, only worse. My doctors are stumped, but my GI doc suggested on Thursday that this could be a case of neuropathic pain, or visceral hypersensistivity. The pain is so extreme I can't find a comfortable sleeping position and ended up trying to get some sleep in the recliner last night (not very successfully). I have an EGD scheduled for 4/29 to rule out gastritis, pancreatitis, peptic ulcer, etc., but those are doubtful as my labs are fine. Has anyone else had severe pain stemming from neural pathways or severed nerves following this surgery? I did not see this coming and am completely overwhelmed by it. The doctor just prescribed me gabapentin to try, along with lots of warnings about what to look out for side effect wise "in people my age" (I'm 73). I'm OK with diet modifications, changes in bowel functions, etc., but this level of pain has me virtually paralyzed.

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Hi, @wisewoman10 - I've moved your discussion here to join in with @krista111mc in talking about issues after gall bladder removal.

Your pain sounds really horrible, and I'm sorry to hear you are going through this.

I personally had my gallbladder removed over 10 years ago. I definitely had severe pain leading up to my surgery, and some normal recovery pain, but my recollection was that it was nothing of note and all resolved in a week or two.

I also took gabapentin when I had postherpetic pain after shingles, a different medical issue. I realize some patients report side effects with gabapentin, but I had no side effects at all.

Tagging a few members who've participated in Mayo Clinic Connect discussions related to gallbladder issues and its removal , such as @warrendog @jmue @golfdope @sb4ca @germangal @stageivsurvivor @cgper @choosejoy. They can speak to whether they experienced any severe pain in their right upper quadrants or elsewhere following gallbladder removal surgery or have any thoughts on this topic.

Glad you have the EGD scheduled to double check on gastritis, peptic ulcer, pancreatitis and other GI issues.

Have you gotten to take the gabapentin to see how it affects your pain yet, wisewoman10? If so, how is that going so far?

I had mine removed in 2014. The pain from the gallstones was crazy!! I had three incisions. Two really small around my midsection and an incision near my navel about 2” long to remove the gallbladder. I asked about all of them, if I remember right one was for an air hose to pump air into your stomach to help preform the operation. You could be having pain from that? Best of luck!