has anyone else had there gallbladder out and still have burning pain?? - Gallbladder Message Board

kim32 · 01-10-2003, 10:59 PM

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

Dianek · 01-11-2003, 01:09 PM

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.

kim32 · 01-11-2003, 01:36 PM

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

Pastafigioli · 01-11-2003, 02:21 PM

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

kim32 · 01-12-2003, 09:20 PM

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