i had my gb taken out in november, and i'm in still chronic pain 24/7! :-( my upper stomach and back burns all the time, and then sometimes it's just pain. I just don't know how much longer that i can take this pain! :-( my gastro doctor and primary doctor don't know what's causing me this pain, they don't think that i have acid reflex (i had a scope done and all it showed is that i had a small hiatel hernia) i had tried nexium, etc.. and none of them worked. I'm scheduled to have a 24hr ph study done on the 27th of this month to see if the burning pain is caused by reflex. I am so hoping that it is, because the doctor's are clueless as to what is causing me this pain. Has anyone else experienced these same symptoms after having there gallbladder taken out? My gastro doctor and primary doctor wants me to go and see a mental health person and also a physical medicine rehabilitation person to deal with the pain. I really want to see a nuerologist and have him do a nerve block or something to stop this pain. It's really affecting my life! :-( Kim

I had pain after my gallbladder was removed, can't say it was burning, but it felt like I didn't have it removed at all sometimes! My surgeon prescribed Prilosec because she thought it might be due to acid but I can't say it really helped.

I found that fats in my diet or something really spicy seem to aggravate it. It's been almost five years since I had my gallbladder removed and I still experience what I call, phantom pains. I can go for weeks feeling fine, then it's back again for a day or so. Not sure if it's a stone that formed and is in a duct or what, but my surgeon said they will pass eventually if I do get one.

I had many tests because I was sure there was something else going on inside of me besides my gallbladder probs, but everything turned out okay.

I just have to watch what I eat, nothing too greasy or rich like ice cream...that does it to me every time!

I hope you feel better soon, I'm sure you will.

I hardly don't eat, i lost 25 lbs. since all this started, i can't sleep, i'm always in constant pain, i have had so many tests done that the doctor can't find what's wrong. no matter what i do (or eat or don't eat) i'm in severe chronic pain. I have been reading up on the internet about neurologist can put in like a nerve block or something to stop the pain.
i really would like to have that done. Kim

Hello Kim 32,
It's been a while since I've been in the boards, & am glad I came in & caught your post. I'm 7 mos post-op for my GB removal surgery, & have experienced exactly what you've described...& then some. After going through every clinical test possible, & I don't think there is an orifice in my body that hasn't been convened...My Gastro actually threw his hands up into the air, & said he didn't know what else to do with for me. Nonetheless, I was still in PAIN. I was sent to another Gastro, & he too suggested me seeing a Psychiatrist & therapist. Much to my dismay, I relented & did go. It was suggested that I take an anti-anxiety med along with the Nexium. The anxiety you suffer with the discomforts your going through contributes to the pain & GB removal can conjure up temporary Gastro problems & reflux. It does take a while for the Nexium to kick in, & with the anti-anxiety med, low & behold..I finally got tremendous relief. Some of us take longer than others to recuperate. Be patient, as you will feel better in time, providing nothing else wrong with you. After my GB surgery, I lost 72 lbs with in 21/2 mos b/c I couldn't eat either. As you heal, you will slowly be able to introduce more foods back into your system. You will also determine what bothers you & what doesn't. I am now very careful of what I eat, but am able to enjoy foods that I couldn't apx two mos ago. The aches n back pains also slowly dissipated for me, but it did take time. I still have some mild discomforts, but very tolerable...You've had an organ removed from you, your body is still in trauma.

I don't know about these nerve blocks helping in this situation, but I strongly advise you to be cautious with venturing into this without thorough research, & a couple of Dr's opinions. I had a friend who had these nerve blocks for another cause, & they did nothing for her.

Sry so long, as I just thought I'd explain my experience, & hope it helped, if there's anything you'd like to ask me, please feel free. I would be more than happy to answer. There is a light at the end of this tunnel. Good luck, & God Bless.
From Sandy

Hi sandy,
I have tried nexium, prevacid, etc.. since my gb surgery and also zoloft for depression/anxiety and for the pain and nothing helps! :-(
I am just so frustrated and in severe pain!
The pain is 24/7, burning plus sometimes it's just pain/not burning.
I have heard (from people that i know) that they know people who have had there gb removed many years ago and to this day they still have the burning pain (but not as severe as i have) so it doesn't give me much hope. :-(
One guy even had to quit his job because the pain was so bad. I had to take medical leave from my job, but now tomorrow i'm going back to work, even tho that i'm in alot of pain.
Can you describe exactly what the pain was like for you? I know that it's hard to explain (try explaining it to alot of doctor's and they just look at you like your making it up or something)
Did you have pain before your gallbladder was taken out? and did your pain happen right after you had your gb taken out? i had pain (heartburn) and other symptoms before i had my gb taken out but since i have had it taken out the pain is 24/7, much, much worse! My gastro doctor doesn't know what's wrong either so he's sending me to a physcial medicine and rehabilitation place (they deal with chronic pain people.) I am hoping that i won't have to live with this pain for the rest of my life and that one day it will just all go away, but at this rate (it's been 8 weeks since the surgery) my pain has not gone away.
please give me hope! Kim

Hello Kim,
I know what your going through, I'm so sry you have to endure this suffering. Yes it's true that many people still suffer after GB surgery for years, but not all do. Everyone is different, & many do not properly take care of themselves.

I suffered with unrelenting daily pain for 10 mos before my GB removal, then still had the same symptoms after the surgery (which I had a hard time with) My symptoms were severe burning & upper epigastric pain (mid sternum area) & it was also painful in my esophagus area, like spasms. Before surgery I couldn't eat as it was very painful going through digestion. After surgery, I still couldn't eat as I still had the same pain from before surgery, plus the surgical pains & discomforts that go along with it..such as back & upper shoulder pain, & like a knife was stuck in me. I've heard this is a usual complexity of this operation. I also had more burning as, after surgery your very raw, so if your having some acid refluxing, it will irritate & burn more. Sounds like you are having some reflux there.

I had my surgery July 1st, & am now only feeling better & getting my quality of life back. But only through the proper medication & care did I get relief. I also tried EVERY prescription strength Proton Pump Inhibitors there are, & the Nexium 40mg daily, works the best...the Nex didn't help me either at first, but I stuck to it, & it does now. I also take Klonopin 10mg day. Klonopin is like Xanax which is excellent also. These anti-anxiety meds are very low dose, & will only be temporary.

You will NOT have to live with this pain for a lifetime. But it can take time before your system adjusts, & with proper meds & care...but give the meds a chance to work...this can take time also. They won't give you relief immediately..which is what I wanted too. Meds take time to accumulate in your system for them to work. For the past 6mos I to thought I was going to suffer all my life, & I asked God to either help me or take me. You hang in there, try to keep a positive attitude, & ask your care physicians if you can possibly try these meds. (low dose), with a PPI. Make sure you don't eat foods that irritate your digestive system as you no longer have a bladder to help digest FATS. I was living on Rice Krispies, egg whites, & Jell-O, before & after surgery till 2 mos ago. Now I can consume more foods, but will ALWAYS be careful. In time you can eliminate what causes irritation to you.

Please don't despair. Reading these boards are great & very supportive, but you only hear most peoples problems, as they need help. You don't get to read all the success stories, but there are. Keep us posted, as I would like to know how your progressing. I'm praying for you, & you will feel better...hope to hear from you again.
Sandy

Kim, wow, I am so glad I decided to try and find something or someone who has had these problems!!!I had gallblader surgerylast month and have all the same syptoms as you!!I thought I was going crazy!! the pain is excruciating!! I have been to the drs, the E.R, i am getting a catskan on thursday. with any luck someone can help me, How is your appietite? i dont even want to eat. nothing seems to help, I am also really tired,nausise, the pain raidiate from my upper rib cage to myshoulder blade, it is unbearable and nothing seems to help! The Drs' look at me like I am nuts!!LOL!Let me know what else you have tried, okay? the only thing I have is protonix, which did not help.

I have always had that burning pain in the pit of my stomach and constant nausea. My mom said I started complaining as soon as I could talk. I am now 29 I have had my gallbladder out(1/25/01) and every test and have been on every pill nothing has helped me. If any has had some relief from these symptoms please help us. Thanks Diane

[This message has been edited by DianeMarie73 (edited 01-16-2003).]

[This message has been edited by DianeMarie73 (edited 01-18-2003).]

My daughter started complaining of "tummy aches" when she was three years old and after several dr's visits a sonogram revealed she had a gallstone. The dr wanted to do surgery immediately but I looked into other alternatives. Right now we are using the B.E.S.T method, it is a holistic approach, and my husband even calles it "quackery". But it is working. Her symptoms have disappeared, the gallstone is still there, her blood levels are more in the "normal" range from what they were 8 months ago. Her pediatrician can't explain her lack of pains and why her blood levels look better, but he thinks if we feel ok with the treatment then we should stick with it.

I know of three people who had problems after gallbladder surgery that's why I opted for an alternative for my daughter.
Bio-Energetic Synchronization Technique is what BEST stands for. It might help alleviate your post surgery pains.

KIM
IF U ARE HAVING PAIN PLEASE GET TO A HOSPITAL OR A DR. YOUR PANCREUS ISN'T WORKING WELL. WHICH IS YOUR DIGESTIVE SYSTEM. LISTEN AFTER SURGERY U SHOULDN'T
HAVE PAIN AT ALL.
U SHOULd KNOW YOUR BODY. LISTEN TO IT WHEN IT GIVES PAIN AND IT DOESN'T FEEL RIGHT THEN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT RATHER THEN STAYING AT HOME.
RIGHT AFTER SURGERY I FELT GREAT, BUT AFTER I ATE WHICH WAS SOMETHING FATTY I WAS SICK REAL SICK FOR 9 DAYS. 5 STUPID DAYS AT HOME WHEN I SHOULD OF BEEN IN THE HOSPITAL.
BUT THEY DID ADMIT ME, BECAUSE THEY FOUND A STONE IN MY DIGESTIVE SYSTEM. I AM A BORN AGAIN CHRISTIAN AND I BELIEVE THAT I AM HEALED WHEN IM PRAYED OVER.
MY SURGEN IS A BORN AGAIN CHRISTIAN AND HE PUT HIS HAND ON MY TUMMY AND I WAS HEALED. THATS THE LORDS WORK. the stone disapered after having a altraSound.
u have to stay away from fatty foods if u don't u will have a great problems. i am on a very strict diet low low low fat diet.
i want you to go to your doctors or the emergency hospital where you had your gulbladder out.
LISTEN TO ME ALL OF YOU, UNDERSTAND THAT AFTER SURGERY U SHOULD NOT HAVE ANY PAIN AT ALL, IF U DO CALL YOUR DOCTORS. I HAVE NO MORE PAIN, BUT IF I EAT TOO MUCH LOW FATS THEN I DO GET PAIN. my surgen says that my pancreus is still sensitive so i have to be very careful other wise if it still gives me pain then i have to be in the hospital for a day and they have to shuv a tube down my throat to open up my digestive system so the juices flow properly.
I CAN'T HAVE ANY BRAN MUFFINS AT ALL, UNLESS THEY ARE HOMEMADE FROM SOMEONE ELSE OTHER THEN A RESTAURANT BECAUSE THEY THROUGH OTHER THINGS IN IT.
STAY AWAY FROM MILK UNLESS U ARE DRINKING SKIM.
UNSWEETENED APPLE JUICE IS FINE. no mashed potatoes unless u put skim milk in it NO NO NO BY ALL MEANS NO BUTTER OR MARGERINE. EVEN LOW FAT MARGERINE.U SHOULD of been told only 3tsp of fat a day.
U SHOULD OF BEEN TOLD FROM THE HOSPITAL TO BE ON A LOW FAT DIET. DONT' LISTEN TO PEOPLE WHO SAY THEY HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS NOT EVERYONE IS THE SAME AS THAT PERSON.
TALK TO A NUTRISIANEST.spelling blaaa!
about your eating.


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Jennifer


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moderator4

[This message has been edited by moderator4 (edited 02-12-2003).]

ooops I FORGOT TO TELL YOU ALL MY GULBLADDER WAS TAKEN OUT 2 WEEKS AGO FROM TODAY JAN 30TH.2003.
SORRY FOR NOT ADDING THAT IN.
AFTER MY GULBLADDER WAS TAKEN OUT AFTER 5 DAYS AT HOME AND 4DAYS IN THE HOSPITAL THEY FOUND A STONE IN MY DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
TALK TO YOUR SURGEN HE KNOWS BEST PRAY ABOUT THIS.
I WILL PRAY FOR ALL OF YOU.
JENNIFER.



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Jennifer

Hello Jennifer

I just read your post in here. I hope you get to read this. I was curious...You said you were 5 days at home & 4 days in the hosp. Did you have to return to the hosp "after" you were home for 5 days?

What test or was it that determined that there was another stone in your digestive system after Gallbladder removal..and what did they do about it?
Sandy

the answer to your first question is ...NO..
after i had been home for those 5 days it was total sickness all through those days and on he 6th day i was in the hospital i was soo stupid i should of been in there earlier. my surgen came in to see me after i had been in there for 2 days.. and he said from your blood test we show u have a stone in your digestive system, and so he said we will give u an altraSound to make sure and just before the altrasound he laid hands on my stomach area and i totaly believed i was healed on the spot. my surgens a bornagain christian.
after the altra sound a day or so later He told me there was no stone in your digestive system. PRAISE THE LORD FOR HIS ALTTIMATLY PRECIOUS HEALING.

after the hospital i went to the surgens office 2 weeks later and he said from the time i came home the pain i was continueing to have was that my digestive system was on the wack now because of what it went through.
so now he was thinking of going inside my body through my mouth and opening up my digestive system so that the juices flow perfectly. i told him to lay hands n me again and i know i would be healed, he said, "ok but u do understand that some times god wants things to be done this way, i thought to myself, "NO WAY".
I WAS HEALED ON THE SPOT AND SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS AT ALL I STAY ON MY LOW FAT DIET and i continue to eat well and go for walks every day. either every morning or evening or both. i am loosing weight slowly have lots to go. but its comeing off i see it in the cloths i wear. im a different woman now,
and i will continue to think healthier.
the whole family eats better.

PRAISE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST! FOR HIS ULTIMATELY HEALING PLAN. Jennifer




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Jennifer

Jennifer...are you a born again Christian??