Severe abdominal pain pain for 8 years after gallbladder removal

Posted by tammyt1967 @tammyt1967, Aug 2, 2023

I have been in excruciating burning abdominal pain wrapping around my right side to my back. And through my shoulder blades, headaches, Dizziness, disoriented, muscle aches and weakness, numbness, tingling in arms,chills followed by flushing heat and sweating on abdomen, bouts of low grade fever, adrenaline rushes at night waking me up. And at times lasted through the day, for 8 years now after having my gallbladder removed. I have had imagine, blood test, stool test. No answers. Endoscopy showed inflammation of my stomach lining peptic and doudeum ulcers. I have been prescribed several different acid reducers. And taken them off and on for 8 years which cause side effects and don't really help. I have to force myself to function everyday. When I have a bad flare I loss weight rapidly getting down to 90 pounds. Despite eating every 2 hours. I have to pressure cook my food to make it soft so I can digest it. I only eat whole organic fruits and vegetables. Organic chicken and baked salmon. I can not leave my house before noon because I can't get away from the bathroom. This effects my job and has caused financial issues. That pain is so at times my brain tells me the only way out is death. But that is not an option for. I am a single mother and my youngest daughter has multiple sclerosis and needs me. But I feel like this is slowly killing me. And can not get the help that I need from the medical community where I live.

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smithk5 | @smithk5 | Mar 23 10:15am

I am having very similar problems but I had my gallbladder removed 16 years ago. I’ve always had digestive sensitivity, and food intolerance since then but only just started having the unending stomach pains. Dr wants to do an Endoscopy, colonoscopy came back clear. I hate how non aggressive physicians can be, they are so casual and cautious in ruling things out. Meanwhile I can’t eat, loosing weight and practically bed ridden during “episodes”. It’s debilitating, I can’t do normal day to day activities or care for my kids like I should be.
Did you find any answers?

lpsinduced | @lpsinduced | Apr 3 11:05pm

have you tested for h pylori? i got my gallbaldder removed as well and my symptoms became worse my wife has h pylori and getting tested now as i think i infected her with it

anniesezu812 | @anniesezu812 | Apr 4 12:38pm

In reply to @smithk5 "I am having very similar problems but I had my gallbladder removed 16 years ago. I’ve..." + (show)

@smithk5 I have posted elsewhere, after 17 yrs of this type of pain you describe, I was recently diagnosed Celiac Plexus pain. I had a small abdominal wall tear, which was left unrepaired for 6 yrs. Complete destroyed my digestive health. Wh e n i have a " flare up" or episode usually after eating or the bathroom, I spend the day in bed. Pain is debilitating/ excruciating. I have lost much weight/ chief complain inability to eat, sharp stabbing knife like pain mid epigastric. Pain is almost unbearable. I have read gallbladder surgery can can cause CP pain. No amount of imaging will help. My pain now so bad its in my spine because CP is behind stomach, closer to spine. Your systems sound worth checking into CP. Im waiting to inquire about Splanchnic nerve block. Pls let me know how you do. Its a lonely diagnosis, no Dr seems to understand excruciating levels of pain. My stomach/ colon very severely affected. Gd luck!! PS i think I commented on your post before...??

vicki1963 | @vicki1963 | May 13 8:48am

In reply to @tammyt1967 "Is there anyone out there that has had the same issues after gallbladder removal? I feel..." + (show)

@tammyt1967 are you still out there Tammy? I just found this support group and I’m going through the same thing 10 months after having my gallbladder removed.

sharonlynne | @sharonlynne | 6 days ago

In reply to @lisalucier "@lizz1900 - that sounds discouraging. I had my gallbladder removed about 16 years ago and have..." + (show)

@lisalucier
Curious how old were you when gb removed?

I was 75. Never recovered Im one year now post op

cardigan | @cardigan | 5 days ago

I am sorry to hear that you are having so much discomfort after having your Gall Bladder removed.This may be as a result of malabsorption of bile.When the Gall Bladder is removed the bile is no longer contained and runs all over your system which can cause inflammation and diarrhoea.You might like to ask your gastroenterlogist to check this out.

Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | 3 days ago

In reply to @sharonlynne "@lisalucier Curious how old were you when gb removed? I was 75. Never recovered Im one..." + (show)

@sharonlynne - I was right around age 40 at the time I had my gallbladder removed. I think female and forty are at least anecdotally risk factors for gallbladder disease, so I guess I fell right in there.

I'm so sorry you have never recovered. You deserve to recover. If your current medical providers are not providing the help you need, please do not give up and keep looking for the right provider who can offer solutions.

sharonlynne | @sharonlynne | 2 days ago

In reply to @lisalucier "@sharonlynne - I was right around age 40 at the time I had my gallbladder removed...." + (show)

I'm trying. Today I am seeing a psychologist at the suggestion of my primary care physician. There's just not enough awareness out there about aftercare from gb removal. I've made myself an appt with Gastrenolgy at the hospital that did my surgery. It's at the end of this month.