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.

samanthamorgan9491 | @samanthamorgan9491 | Apr 2 7:27pm

In reply to @sharronm "How are you doing? I'd love to hear. Thank you for the hug!! ❤️" + (show)

I'm actually doing alot better than when I wrote this. I started feeling better in October. I got my gallbladder removed in May so it took 5 months for my body to stop freaking out. But we're all good here.

sharronm | @sharronm | Apr 3 9:03am

In reply to @samanthamorgan9491 "I'm actually doing alot better than when I wrote this. I started feeling better in October...." + (show)

I'm so happy to hear that you are better. 💕

wisewoman10 | @wisewoman10 | Apr 19 1:16pm

In reply to @krista111mc "My husband got a colonoscopy about 8 months ago and they diagnosed him with mild crones...." + (show)

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.

wisewoman10 | @wisewoman10 | Apr 21 3:04pm

In reply to @krista111mc "My husband got a colonoscopy about 8 months ago and they diagnosed him with mild crones...." + (show)

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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Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Apr 21 4:25pm

In reply to @wisewoman10 "had my gallbladder removed laparascopically three weeks ago today on 3/29/25. It was semi-emergent, having been..." + (show)

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

- Post Gallbladder Removal
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/post-gallbladder-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?

biga282 | @biga282 | Apr 23 8:49am

In reply to @krista111mc "My husband got a colonoscopy about 8 months ago and they diagnosed him with mild crones...." + (show)

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!

blbenson91 | @blbenson91 | Apr 29 10:14pm

In reply to @krista111mc "My husband got a colonoscopy about 8 months ago and they diagnosed him with mild crones...." + (show)

My husband just had his gallbladder removed about 3 1/2 weeks ago and he is worse off than when he had it. He has been to the ER several times with CT scan and blood work and they can't seem to figure out why he is in such excruciating pain. He hasn't been able to sleep and can hardly walk. I just can't figure out what is going on with him. We are at a loss and don't know what else to do.

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Apr 30 11:04am

In reply to @blbenson91 "My husband just had his gallbladder removed about 3 1/2 weeks ago and he is worse..." + (show)

Have they checked for a hiatal hernia? Or does the pain come when he tries to eat? Many people need to reintroduce food in very small, low-fat quantities until their liver takes over providing the bile necessary for digestion.

Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Apr 30 11:53am

In reply to @blbenson91 "My husband just had his gallbladder removed about 3 1/2 weeks ago and he is worse..." + (show)

@blbenson91 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect!

My husband had his gall bladder removed in September 2024, and experienced complications like you talk about. It turned out there was a biliary issue, and the bile duct was acting up. There was some "sludge" still there, that had to be removed, and a temporary stent placed. Have you been able to contact the surgeon's office that did the original procedure? Some times, patients also get pancreatitis complications, so that might be something to have checked.

Please let us know what steps you take, and how your husband is doing?
Ginger

blbenson91 | @blbenson91 | Apr 30 1:52pm

In reply to @gingerw "@blbenson91 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! My husband had his gall bladder removed in September 2024,..." + (show)

We are currently back in the ER again for this so hopefully they can figure it out. Thank you for your input we will see what they say!
Brenda

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