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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blbenson91 | @blbenson91 | Apr 30 1:55pm

In reply to @sueinmn "Have they checked for a hiatal hernia? Or does the pain come when he tries to..." + (show)

Hello when they did CT scan they couldn't find anything and said everything looked good. We are currently in ER now so hopefully with all the tests we can get this figured out. It has been constant pain so it didn't matter if he ate or not. It's just weird so I'm praying we can find a solution! Thank you for your input I truly appreciate it!
Brenda

wisewoman10 | @wisewoman10 | Apr 30 10:33pm

In reply to @lisalucier "Hi, @wisewoman10 - I've moved your discussion here to join in with @krista111mc in talking about..." + (show)

Sorry foe delay. Have been limiting my online time (and in procedures!) I had an EGD yesterday. Stomach and duodenum were fine, so no hiatal hernia or bad gastritis, thankfully. My esophagus shows some reflux-related changes, but nowhere near Barrett’s esophagus yet. Also grateful for that. The “phantom gallbladder” pain is actually a little better on 200 mg gabapentin before bed. It does leave me a little spacey and tired in the morning, but at least I’ve been able to catch some uninterrupted sleep for a few hours at a time. Visceral hypersensitivy seems to be the consensus at the moment. And the overriding message from doctors is that it will go away, but may take some time (like several months). Hoping to be an overachiever on this test!

wisewoman10 | @wisewoman10 | Apr 30 10:37pm

In reply to @blbenson91 "Hello when they did CT scan they couldn't find anything and said everything looked good. We..." + (show)

Hi Brenda - how is your husband doing now? I’m so sorry he’s experiencing this kind of excruciating pain too. It’s no fun! I’ve had many people assume the pain is intermittent, but for me it’s been constant as well, and worse at night. Tell him to hang in there and get through all the tests. It’s worth it to be able to rule things out. And take care of you, too! 🙂
Barbara

wisewoman10 | @wisewoman10 | May 1 2:45pm

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

@blbenson91 How is your husband doing today? I can so empathize. One hopeful note - I am now about 5 weeks out from surgery and the pain is FINALLY easing up a bit, which my doctors predicted it would.

blbenson91 | @blbenson91 | May 1 7:54pm

In reply to @wisewoman10 "@blbenson91 How is your husband doing today? I can so empathize. One hopeful note - I..." + (show)

That is wonderful! I pray your pain will diminish i can't imagine. My husband isn't getting any relief yet. They have him scheduled to see a surgeon tomorrow to see what he thinks it could be. One shouldn't have to suffer so much after! Prayers and hugs to you!!

blbenson91 | @blbenson91 | May 1 8:33pm

In reply to @wisewoman10 "Hi Brenda - how is your husband doing now? I’m so sorry he’s experiencing this kind..." + (show)

Hi Barbara, all the scans and tests came back normal. The ER doctor can't seem to figure it out so he set up an appointment with a surgeon to see what they say. It's so weird that his abdominal pain hasn't gotten any better and got worse. His whole upper right quadrant is swelled up so much as well. So it's just weird what's going on with him. They couldn't find a reason for it. Thank you so much for asking it has definitely been a journey for us. I just keep praying over him every day and ask God for a miracle!

wisewoman10 | @wisewoman10 | May 2 12:37pm

In reply to @blbenson91 "Hi Barbara, all the scans and tests came back normal. The ER doctor can't seem to..." + (show)

@blbenson91 that is exactly what happened with me. All my tests were fine - EGD, Ultrasounds of liver and former gallbladder area, etc. My GI doctor told me he thought the pain was due to visceral hypersensitivity, which is more common if you also have IBS (which I do). Those nerves just have to have a little time to settle down. He prescribed Gabapentin 200 mg at bedtime for me and it has helped me sleep again, despite the pain. Plus, pain is settling down a bit now anyway. Hope your husband has a similar trajectory! The things they don't tell you before a surgery... 🙂

blbenson91 | @blbenson91 | May 2 1:24pm

In reply to @wisewoman10 "@blbenson91 that is exactly what happened with me. All my tests were fine - EGD, Ultrasounds..." + (show)

Wow that is so crazy! The surgeon said he couldn't figure out what else to do and that maybe Gabapentin might have to be prescribed but we have to wait until next week to see regular doctor to see what he says. I feel so bad for everyone who is going thru this. It's supposed to get better after gallbladder surgery not worse! Praying yours continues to heal and that my husband can get some sort of relief as well! Thank you for sharing! 🙏

blessedwildapplegirl | @blessedwildapplegirl | May 3 5:16pm

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

I have no idea if this is pertinent or not, but after they removed my gallbladder, I didn’t exactly have pain, but I was literally unable to eat and a few days later, I couldn’t even drink any water without immediately getting explosive diarrhea. After 10 days of that, I passed out and had to go back to the hospital and they put me on some kind of medication and unfortunately I can’t remember the name now, but it started with “chole” (cholestyramine?) and what it did was it took the cholesterol out of my digestive tract (it was not a statin) and I took it every day for nine weeks until I became allergic to it, which always happens to me, but it did the trick, and then I was able to eat. I had to be on a limited diet for a long time though because my IBS was triggered constantly and I still can’t eat normally, but it got way better. Just a thought. Did he suffer from IBS before the surgery? One of the doctors told me that the worse your IBS is the worse you’re gonna feel after the surgery for a while. Anyway, I hope you find an answer. 💖

blbenson91 | @blbenson91 | May 4 1:36pm

In reply to @blessedwildapplegirl "I have no idea if this is pertinent or not, but after they removed my gallbladder,..." + (show)

Hello! Wow that is so crazy the different things that happen to people. No he's had no digestive issues at all before his gallbladder removed. He doesn't get nauseous, vomit, no fever of any kind just constant pain and swelling in the area of his gallbladder. He has lots of pressure so he's even tried Alka seltzer and nothing. They have done every test and scan and nothing everything comes back normal and nothing concerning which I'm grateful for however I wished they could come up with something to give him relief from the constant pain. He's losing hope and I'm doing all I know how to do as a former CNA and caregiver. It's definitely been a long journey for us both. I pray over him alot knowing God is the true physician and hope one day for a miracle!

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