Five Months Post-Op (lap cholecystectomy) and STILL In Pain!

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I have been "recovering" from my lap chol for 10 weeks now. My pain is similar to what everyone is saying the upper right abd and rib area. It limits me from doing anything including working as it is illegal for me to take narcotics at work. I have been working with my surgeon and we have decided to run yet more tests... This time looking for a developed "tumor like mass" that may have developed from a cut nerve ending. This is removable with another surgery. I cant answer whether this is the cause for sure or if the removal of the mass and cauterizing of the nerve ending means pain relief. I do know that my "easy 4-6 week recovery" has kept me from working for 10 weeks. In my experience if your doctor is unwilling to help you find and fix the problem then get another doctor! Some surgeons will try not to take on patients that have had surgery from another surgeon epically those who work together in the hospital setting. You must know that it is your RIGHT to change doctors and get medical treatment. No one should have to live with chronic pain post operatively, this is crazy! Everyone deserves to have their quality of life back (minus the fatty foods) after such a "simple" surgery. In the medical setting those who get things done are the ones who respectfully demand the problem be solved. Good luck to all.

I had my lap chole in July. I've been getting achy and sometimes sharp pains around my right shoulder and thought this was just to do with the op.
Before the op I used to love wearing a strapless bra, but post-op it kills. In fact, any bra kills especially when I've been walking around all day or doing things. I've been to my GP who's ordered an x-ray but that came back clear, I'm getting minor pains in my side as well on gallbladder site but I think this is mainly sue to eating stodgy, fatty foods and is only minor so I can live with it.
My surgery went fine, it was the post op care that I didn't like. They didn't take all the stitches out- they left the nylon ones in there and it was only when I got an infection in my belly button site (which the RMO denied over the phone it was even possible) and I went back when it became too sore to live with that they noticed.
By this time the damage was done and the skin had grown over most of them, they were only able to remove some of the stitches and it was bloody painful and has scarred me. This was a primary care trust instead of an NHS hospital and I dearly wish my local hospital could've been able to do it for me

I had my gallbladder removed nearly 2years ago. for the past year I have had constant pain in the right flank and below the sternum.  The conclusion is that these are adhesions and nerve damage.  its the lack of treatment that is frustrating and no cohesive approach from doctors. reading these posts at least I know I'm not crazy or imagining it all. there is a problem with being abandoned after operations, so post operative problems are not being treated seriously by the medical profession.   Rachel

having a ct scan tomorrow story almost the same as yours :(

I had gallbladder surgery on september 30 2011, was told to come back for follow up in one week. The Dr. said that I was healing fine and that they didn't need to see me again. Since then I swell up like a balloon and have excruciating pain in my right upper ab and flank. I really don't think that the surgeons truly know what they are doing.

I know this is an old post but do some research on Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. Occurs occasionally after gall bladder removal.

i think it may be a gasseous pain.

almost 3 months post cholecystectomy and I started having left upper quadrant pain, right under my stomach that radiates to my back and shoulder, a stabing pain right below my sternum, my heart hurts and not like a heart burn pain but like a deep muscle pain and then the gallbladder pain returned but I have no gallbladder.  I was really concerend I may have been going completely crazy.  My fiance says I'm a hypocondriac (dont know about hte spelling).  It is so relieving to just hear other people say they are having the same problem.  I am concerned about pancreatitis mainly, but the pain is really graiting on my nerves.  I dont know what to do at this point.

Hi. Well like many of you having replied, and will be reading in the future, I also had similar multiple problems/pain/discomfort post-op.  My op was 5 years ago, have always had symptoms since.  I had very severe cholecystits, spent a week in hospital, they tossed and turned whether to op or not cus it was so bad, they decided not to (I didnt move/eat/drink for 4 days before I started to recover)...5 months later they did the op, I had symptoms but during the waiting time, but they werent too concerned, but going in to the 1 hour op, they were very surprised as they found it very badly infected, so the 1hr simple op took just over 3 hours and I was 'lucky' not to get cut open (owing to the fact I had one of the best experienced general surgeons), I spent longer in hospital post op recovery with a drain because of the infection.  I got an ultrasound 2 years after op, found nothing significant really other than fatty liver and pancreas.  3 years after that 2 year post-op ultrasound, I am about to undergo more tests, as its continuing and if anything starting to get worse in symptoms.  I've just kinda learnt to live/deal with it, but enough is enough and it is hurting more often and in more situations.  Will book a blood test and ultrasound in the next week.  On another website this morning I found some info that may be worthwhile - was on a google search, sent me to a page on Cleveland linic journal of medicine, a document about a woman with post op symptoms.  Basically it concluded there was an issue, and finally resolved.  Results found cystic duct remnant.  So I will be keeping that in mind to mention to the sonographer when I go get my tests.  It can be very difficult to pick up on ultrasound, which may show an acoustic shadow in the anatomic region of the cystic duct, so only a very experienced sonographer/radiologist may pick it up... As I am getting pain in my ribs, I have considered asking for a chest x-ray also, but not sure where that will get me, will see how this goes first.

Good luck, anyone who gets results/answers, please make sure you let us know.

I had lap cholecystectomy end of January. Same symptoms as many here. My pain comes and goes, though. I was given a prednisone steroid for nerve inflammation. It seemed to work, but it may have been coincident. Pain is back two weeks later. I'd rather not take the steroids again because they really messed me up.

I read the same article. Think I'll get an ERCP if my symptoms persist.

I had my lap chole at the beginning on March... and I am STILL having issues.  I was hospitalized for a week post-op unable to keep anything down; and in constant pain.. I was miserable.  my surgeon told me I'd feel SO much better after my surgery... he was wrong.. if I could dig my gallbladder out from the trash and put it back in I would!!!!  I have had test, after test after test... and everything has come back 'normal' from gastric emptying, EGD, abd ultrasound, HIDA scan, MRCP, and blood work, and everything is normal except some elivated LFTs & blie in my stomach.....

 

I have CONSTANT nausea daily and some vomiting, EVERYTHING I eat gives me diarrhea.. sometimes constipation but rare (and im eating a very bland diet due to the severe nausea & meds i'm on...) ... pain in my upper chest, and abd and it's just getting old .... anyone else having these issues...surgically i'm well... GI doctors say you're a mystery & have NO idea what's wrong & think your a head case.... what the heck????  Anyone else having these issues.. Please give me your insight!!

I have the same problem and it has been aprox 15 months after the removal of the gallbladder. The pain I have is only when I bend or lift my right leg compressing my liver area. It is very sharp pain and I am sick for several days. Had complication with the surgery turn yellow while in hospital. Had to return to surgery and flushed out stones the surgen missed. I am still haveing the pain and need to be careful how I move to avoid the pain. keep getting the run around from the doctors. I am 78 and about to just give up and live what is left of my life with the pain. I know my reply is not much help to you. Could you let me know if you have foun d any information related to the problem. EM me at toystoysATjunoDOTcom. good luck

likouklitsaii: I completely understand what you are going through. I hope you're still posting to this site - please let me know if you are still suffering the nausea. I had chronic nausea before my GB surgery for a month and a half or longer; test after test revealed nothing but a low functioning GB. Out of desperation I opted to have the surgery and now wish I'd tried to figure out some other way to rid myself of the nausea, which I totally understand is one of the most miserable feelings on the planet. I was on Zofran and Phenergan to help with the nausea but Zofran actually stopped working for me after awhile. I have lost 30 pounds in 4.5 months due to the nausea and difficulty eating. I still have no appetite but finally - 2.5 months post surgery - some foods are starting to look appealing to me. For some reason my nausea has subsided but I don't trust my body anymore and know it could come roaring back at any time. My biggest problem at this very moment is chronic burning pain all across my abdomen (below stomach area and from left to right side and even my back). it feels like I'm on friggin' fire! It's worse when I am sitting, less severe when standing, which tells me there's something going on in the intestines or areas near where the gallbladder once was. As so many have posted here my surgeon has all but stopped returning my calls I'm trying to rely on an otherwise very thorough GI doc who has proven he knows very little about post GB surgery issues! I have managed to get my surgeon to see me tomorrow - but I think I already know what he's going to tell me to do - take meds that won't work. I'm going to push hard for more tests - sonograms, even endoscopy and colonoscopy AGAIN - it will be the second ones in four months!! just to make sure I don't have something worse brewing they're hoping to ignore. QUESTION: I'm confused about your having another HIDA scan. What will that show once the gall bladder is out?

You have made my day!!! i am in constant pain and you described it to the letter! How are you and what can i do about this? i am getting pushed from pillar to post with my GP and Consultants! i now know im not going mental...Thank you Could you email me ?