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.

Profile picture for itsjohn @itsjohn

Hi everyone. I hope someone can help me with this unusual sitution.
I had my gallbladder out seven months ago - keyhole surgery. My gallbladder had been an issue for two years and I was told I needed to get it out in December, but due to the Covid delays, I had to wait til February. Five days before the surgery, right out of the blue, one afternoon I felt like I had been stabbed in my right side flank, between my lower rib and top of the hip. The sharp, stabbing intense pain proceeded to get worse and I ended up in the ER. I was told I was having a heart attack (I wasn't) and then I was told my pain was due to 'musco-skeletal issues' and to see my chiropractor, who told me to call my surgeon immediately. The surgeon removed the gallbladder out a few days later and I was told the stabbing / electric shock pain in my right side would clear up as I recovered from the surgery. But it persisted, even through high doses of morphine.
Now, seven months later, I still have the sharp, stabbing pain. Not as often as right before and after the surgery, but when it hits, the shock of the pain can make me jump out of a chair. I have so far had more scans than I can count, and been told I have post-infection scarring, scar tissue, kidney issues, slipping rib syndrome, a pinched nerve, neuralgia, nerve pain and today was told I have adhesions. Take your pick!
The frequency is nowhere near as bad as it was, and I can have completely pain-free days, and then it will hit again and it feels like an electric shocks. It is always in the same place - on the right hand side flank.
What has confused many is that this pain started six days before the surgery, although the gall bladder was in bad shape by that stage and the only symptoms I had was nausea but never, ever any pain. But since February, constant debilitating pain.
Can ANYONE tell if they have had anything like this? It has baffled one doctor after another, but the mention earlier today about adhesion seems like it could make sense. Thanks in advance. John

Jump to this post

Have you been tested for a kidney stone? This sounds like it could be one. I urge you to check that out if you haven't already.

REPLY
Profile picture for anniegk @anniegk

Have you been tested for a kidney stone? This sounds like it could be one. I urge you to check that out if you haven't already.

Jump to this post

No I haven't. Thats certainly a possibility. Will check into it if things are still going on..Thank you.

REPLY
Profile picture for bumble81 @bumble81

I had my gallbladder out last December. About a month after that my liver enzymes are slightly elevated.

Albumin
Your Value
5.1 GM/DL
Standard Range
3.5 - 5.0 GM/DL

AST
Your Value
45 U/L
Standard Range
14 - 36 U/L

ALT (SGPT)
Your Value
54 U/L
Standard Range
<35 U/L

Is this not unusual after having a gallbladder removed?

Jump to this post

I also have had elevated liver enzymes prior to and after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. In fact one of the reasons my Dr. gave for having a cholecystectomy was elevated liver enzymes. However, it did not cause them to go down but have stayed elevated and even worsened over time. I'm curious about what else could cause this besides alcohol.

REPLY
Profile picture for jasonharjo @jasonharjo

I also have had elevated liver enzymes prior to and after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. In fact one of the reasons my Dr. gave for having a cholecystectomy was elevated liver enzymes. However, it did not cause them to go down but have stayed elevated and even worsened over time. I'm curious about what else could cause this besides alcohol.

Jump to this post

@jasonharjo Good morning, I hope you are doing well after your surgery. My name is Sandi and I am a patient Ambassador with the American Liver Foundation. I am being treated by Northwestern in Chicago since I was diagnosed with cirrhosis in May of 2020.
If you have not already, I would suggest seeing a hepatologist for the elevated liver enzymes. If you are located near a medical center, you can find one there. These providers are trained to manage the specifics of the liver and can give you the best direction and also follow your case and trend lines.
I wish you all the best and if you would like to discuss more, please let me know.

REPLY
Profile picture for tamekabonner @tamekabonner

I had my gallbladder laparoscopically 6 days ago. On Friday night, I began to have this uncontrollable itch all over. I went to the ER the next morning and it was discovered my liver enzymes were significantly elevated (see attached picture). They even reached out to my surgeon who ordered an ultrasound because he did not like my numbers. Preliminary results showed nothing was wrong. They gave me two prescriptions to help with the itching until I follow up with the surgeon on Monday. Based upon my liver enzyme numbers, how concerned should I be?

Jump to this post

Why was your gallbladder removed? Did it burst by chance.
20 yrs ago, my brothers Gallbladder burst. He was quite sick and in the hospital for 6 weeks. After recovery, his liver enzymes were high for all those years. The doctors all thought he was drinking when he wasn't. Consequently, it turned out that when his gallbladder burst, 93 gallstones lodged into his liver which is very rare. Fortunately he found a doctor who read about this and did exploratory surgery. He had to remove 60% of my brothers liver. After 6 weeks the liver regenerated itself and my brother was fine.
I'm not saying this is your case, but suggesting you run it by your doctor for a possibility.
Hope you feel better soon.

REPLY

My main gallbladder pain, both pre- and post-op, is back pain between my shoulder blades and pressure in my upper abdomen & chest. (I thought my one & only severe gallbladder attack was my heart.) After reading through this thread, I’m really starting to worry about either adhesions or compromised nerves.

In reading about gallbladder symptoms, I’ve noticed that post-op back pain is attributed to the gas you get inside you during surgery. Bit there’s obviously another reason. I’m assuming it’s inflammation and therefore the pain & discomfort will lessen and eventually stop completely. I’m only 12 days post-op.

REPLY

I had my gall bladder (220 stones) and appendix removed 46 yrs ago at the age of 25. I have the old-fashion 8" or so diagonal scar. Recently the scar has started itching. Sounds crazy, right? Now I am having sharp pains in it that woke me up last night. Again, this evening while sitting it started hurting. Has anyone else encountered this problem? Thanks. gramaneesee

REPLY
Profile picture for itsjohn @itsjohn

Hi everyone. I hope someone can help me with this unusual sitution.
I had my gallbladder out seven months ago - keyhole surgery. My gallbladder had been an issue for two years and I was told I needed to get it out in December, but due to the Covid delays, I had to wait til February. Five days before the surgery, right out of the blue, one afternoon I felt like I had been stabbed in my right side flank, between my lower rib and top of the hip. The sharp, stabbing intense pain proceeded to get worse and I ended up in the ER. I was told I was having a heart attack (I wasn't) and then I was told my pain was due to 'musco-skeletal issues' and to see my chiropractor, who told me to call my surgeon immediately. The surgeon removed the gallbladder out a few days later and I was told the stabbing / electric shock pain in my right side would clear up as I recovered from the surgery. But it persisted, even through high doses of morphine.
Now, seven months later, I still have the sharp, stabbing pain. Not as often as right before and after the surgery, but when it hits, the shock of the pain can make me jump out of a chair. I have so far had more scans than I can count, and been told I have post-infection scarring, scar tissue, kidney issues, slipping rib syndrome, a pinched nerve, neuralgia, nerve pain and today was told I have adhesions. Take your pick!
The frequency is nowhere near as bad as it was, and I can have completely pain-free days, and then it will hit again and it feels like an electric shocks. It is always in the same place - on the right hand side flank.
What has confused many is that this pain started six days before the surgery, although the gall bladder was in bad shape by that stage and the only symptoms I had was nausea but never, ever any pain. But since February, constant debilitating pain.
Can ANYONE tell if they have had anything like this? It has baffled one doctor after another, but the mention earlier today about adhesion seems like it could make sense. Thanks in advance. John

Jump to this post

Have you been checked for kidney stones?

REPLY
Profile picture for bumble81 @bumble81

I had my gallbladder out last December. About a month after that my liver enzymes are slightly elevated.

Albumin
Your Value
5.1 GM/DL
Standard Range
3.5 - 5.0 GM/DL

AST
Your Value
45 U/L
Standard Range
14 - 36 U/L

ALT (SGPT)
Your Value
54 U/L
Standard Range
<35 U/L

Is this not unusual after having a gallbladder removed?

Jump to this post

I had my Gallbladder removed on October 16th laparoscopically. My liver enzymes have been extremely elevated since. I have alway had my blood work done every 3 months and they have alway been normal. My most recent ALT was 387 and my AST was 109. I have an appt with a gastro/liver doctor on Monday. Is this normal for my levels to be so high because of me having no GB now.

REPLY
Profile picture for aprilgrivet @aprilgrivet

I had my Gallbladder removed on October 16th laparoscopically. My liver enzymes have been extremely elevated since. I have alway had my blood work done every 3 months and they have alway been normal. My most recent ALT was 387 and my AST was 109. I have an appt with a gastro/liver doctor on Monday. Is this normal for my levels to be so high because of me having no GB now.

Jump to this post

Hi @aprilgrivet, did you learn anything at your gastro-liver appointment yesterday that you could share with the group?

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.