1. < Digestive Health

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.

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wisco50 | @wisco50 | Oct 3, 2020
In reply to @grandmatoseven "Hi, my gallbladder was removed due to a condition called porcelain gallbladder. I was told that..." + (show)
@grandmatoseven

Hi, 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.

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So sorry for you. I have a friend with gastroparesis and I know it makes her life miserable as it relates to food. She frequently vomits after eating.
As to surgical clips left in after gall bladder surgery, to my knowledge that is standard procedure - at least after laparoscopic removal...I have had my gall bladder removed 10 years ago now. Fortunately no complications. As a nurse, I have cared for patients with ruptured gallbladders which caused them to become VERY ill and in ICU with peritonitis or even septic shock. Sometimes you just need to get the gallbladder out. :<(

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Oct 3, 2020
In reply to @ab1989 "Forgot to mention that I do have that post cholecystectomy syndrome. they also said that I..." + (show)
@ab1989

Forgot to mention that I do have that post cholecystectomy syndrome. they also said that I might have a hernia behind my belly button and I did have active bleeding but now it's not bleeding. Told me to make sure I follow up and stay in touch with them cuz this is serious have any of you have had active bleeding after your surgery? Also I've had my menstrual cycle this month and it should be over and done with but now I am bleeding one day and not the next and it's way over the time of me still bleeding could that mean anything???

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Hello, @ab1989 and @peter2019,

You both posted about having post-cholecystectomy syndrome.

How are you feeling now? Were you able to find a doctor who could help treat you?

Would you post an update when it's convenient? I'd like to hear how you are doing.

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aurorahmoon | @aurorahmoon | Jul 10, 2021

Hello, I am praying that anyone can help. My adult daughter had her gallbladder removed at age 17, she is now 29 years old. She had post cholecystectomy syndrome immediately after her surgery and since then has suffered chronic pain in her belly that is severe enough to cause vomiting. She's been scanned and scoped from here to next century and they can never find a cause for her pain. She has been to UF Shands so many times it's ridiculous. The pain has led to a decline in her mental health. She was hospitalized recently because of the pain and concurrent elevated WBC count and elevated LFTs. Her bile duct was irregular and open at the time so they admitted her and put her on meds for a few days. They finally discharged her and sent her to a GI doctor who gave her trigger point injections in her abdomen. I have asserted for a long time that this is some kind of adhesion or trapped nerve. The pain is right on top of one of her port scars, and upon insertion of the needle, the doctor could FEEL resistance and remarked about it. The issue is, the shots wear off after about 2 weeks, and appointments with this guy are harder to get than hen's teeth, and he's out of the country. My daughter absolutely and categorically is not on narcotic pain meds, nor is she wanting narcotic pain meds. She wants a solution to this pain, so she can get on with her life. Is there anything else anyone can recommend? They're not calling it nerve pain, they're calling it a muscle spasm. I understand spasming muscles can contract around nerves. She's been on muscle relaxers for ages to no effect. The ONLY thing that has even CLOSE to getting her pain down to almost undetectable has been this trigger point injection, of which she has had 2. Is there someone out there that can help? Thank you.

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1 reply
Moderator
Amanda Roe | @amandajro | Jul 10, 2021
In reply to @aurorahmoon "Hello, I am praying that anyone can help. My adult daughter had her gallbladder removed at..." + (show)
@aurorahmoon

Hello, I am praying that anyone can help. My adult daughter had her gallbladder removed at age 17, she is now 29 years old. She had post cholecystectomy syndrome immediately after her surgery and since then has suffered chronic pain in her belly that is severe enough to cause vomiting. She's been scanned and scoped from here to next century and they can never find a cause for her pain. She has been to UF Shands so many times it's ridiculous. The pain has led to a decline in her mental health. She was hospitalized recently because of the pain and concurrent elevated WBC count and elevated LFTs. Her bile duct was irregular and open at the time so they admitted her and put her on meds for a few days. They finally discharged her and sent her to a GI doctor who gave her trigger point injections in her abdomen. I have asserted for a long time that this is some kind of adhesion or trapped nerve. The pain is right on top of one of her port scars, and upon insertion of the needle, the doctor could FEEL resistance and remarked about it. The issue is, the shots wear off after about 2 weeks, and appointments with this guy are harder to get than hen's teeth, and he's out of the country. My daughter absolutely and categorically is not on narcotic pain meds, nor is she wanting narcotic pain meds. She wants a solution to this pain, so she can get on with her life. Is there anything else anyone can recommend? They're not calling it nerve pain, they're calling it a muscle spasm. I understand spasming muscles can contract around nerves. She's been on muscle relaxers for ages to no effect. The ONLY thing that has even CLOSE to getting her pain down to almost undetectable has been this trigger point injection, of which she has had 2. Is there someone out there that can help? Thank you.

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Hello @aurorahmoon and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. First of all, I am really sorry for all your daughter, and you as her mother, have been through. Seeing someone you love have to endure pain is awful.

I'd like to introduce @astaingegerdm and @hopeful33250 who both have shared previously in this discussion and I am hoping they may be able to help you with your more specific question.

Are there other options for where you can seek the trigger point injections if the person you've been going to is difficult to get in with? Also, what is the frequency that you have been told she can receive the injections?

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elmert84 | @elmert84 | Jul 18, 2021
In reply to @ckeys "Your upper left, is that next to your left arm/hand? My gallbladder surgery was on my..." + (show)
@ckeys

Your upper left, is that next to your left arm/hand? My gallbladder surgery was on my right side, as in, I’m right-handed, same side. I, too have had continuous pain, though very tolerable 5 years out and on. Pain is lower rib to back. Surgery was laparoscopic done in 1996. Very bad stones.

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Mine was also on my right side and mine was about a year ago. I’m now experiencing pain that radiates to my top back and middle back height level to where my gallbladder was but on the back. It’s weird and doctor said it was possible nerves and that’s all he said.. did you figure out what yours was?

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1 reply
Ingegerd Enscoe, Alumni Mentor | @astaingegerdm | Jul 19, 2021

@aurorahmoon - I’m also very sorry to hear about your daughter’s pain.
Is the pain constant, including night time or there at specific times- such as after eating?

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empoulin | @empoulin | Aug 11, 2021
In reply to @jelmo "I am currently experiencing the same issues. I had my gallbladder removed 2 weeks ago and..." + (show)
@jelmo

I am currently experiencing the same issues. I had my gallbladder removed 2 weeks ago and the pain in my back ( behind the upper incision) and the pain when I turn or tilt to the right side are nearly unbearable. I try to stay away from pain pills but I’m almost in tears from the pain. It’s not the gassy pain you feel right after the surgery and it’s not a back ache type pain. It’s a sharp stabbing feeling that will take your breath away. Can anyone else help with this?

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Hi, this might be a long shot, but I am currently in a very similar situation as you were (2 weeks post surgery and experiencing the same pains you described). Wondering if you ever found a cause or a treatment?

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lilmo | @lilmo | Oct 12, 2021
In reply to @lag911 "I had my gallbladder removed almost a year ago, I wish I would have never had..." + (show)
@lag911

I had my gallbladder removed almost a year ago, I wish I would have never had the surgery. I have chronic pain on my right side that goes to my back, and have numerous digestive issues, including bloating, pain, constipation or diarrhea. The pain I experienced from the gall stones was nothing compared to this

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Hello. Is your pancreas functioning normally?

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1 reply
Moderator
Amanda Roe | @amandajro | Oct 18, 2021
In reply to @lilmo "Hello. Is your pancreas functioning normally?" + (show)
@lilmo

Hello. Is your pancreas functioning normally?

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Hello @lilmo and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Can you share more about your question to @lag911 to provide a bit more background?

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mjzd | @mjzd | Oct 19, 2021

Curious about a few things, what do you mean by port Incision? Was something placed during the surgery? Also do you follow a low fat diet?

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