Abdominal pain

[Kevinb]

I had my gallbladder removed in August 2015, it had totally disintegrated. I had keyhole surgery to remove it and was on the operating table for 2 and half hours instead of the usual 40 minutes. I am now suffering with pain under my right ribs and am now worried it could be something to do with my pancreas. Anyone suffer the same thing?

[humanbean]

Your pancreas is mostly on the left half of the abdomen. Look up pictures using Google images.

There are probably lots of possible causes of your pain. And I'm not a doctor.

My first thought was scarring and adhesions causing tissues in the area to get tugged during normal movement. If that is the case then some gentle exercise to loosen things up could be a good idea. But if my completely untrained diagnosis is wrong, as it could well be, then there is a possibility that exercise might be a bad idea.

I think you should see a doctor for a proper examination and a diagnosis from someone who knows what they are talking about.

[gwince1]

Hi there, I had my gall bladder removed by keyhole surgery over ten years ago, and afterwards I suffered with what I wont say was pain but discomfort under my right ribs, and i still do from time to time, also I can get pains If i eat too much food with a high fat content. The other reply you had suggests the same as I thought and that it was down to scar tissue. I had pancreatitis prior to my op and the pain was nothing like the pain in my back If you have have any worries please go to your GP for advice as I am not medically trained and can only tell you of my experience. Best Wishes

[pump321 in reply to gwince1]

Hi all, I had my gall bladder removed many years ago but just recently I've started to have terrible tummy problems. Started with diahroea and pain all over my stomach. I was given two lots of antibiotics which helped a lot but now all the symptoms are back except I don't have a lose tummy but feel really really sick every day now with wind and burping. I have been taking either Ibuprofen or Naproxen for over a year now but stopped recently as I was worried it might harm my stomach as I didn't take anything to protect it. I see that you (gwince1) had pancreatitis prior to your gallbaldder op. Did you have these kind of symptoms? I have looked on the internet and scared myself silly as I am now thinking I have pancreatic cancer. Would be grateful if somebody could help me. I am now crazy with worry, any comments would be much appreciated. Looking forward to hearing from somebody. Thanks.

[Sheryl4659 in reply to pump321]

Hi pump321 I have been having pain on the left side of my stomach which is due to a stomach ulcer caused by NSAIDs is naproxen. I have now developed pain in the centre radiating to right hand side, I have had some bloods done plus ultrasound but my dr wanted my pancreas checking, the sonographer said I would need a different scan as it's difficult to see on ultrasound, I feel really ill right now I have lost over two stone in weight and feel really sick and fainted several times, I too have googled things and scared myself I am hopefully going to get a telephone consult tomorrow to ask for a ct scan, let me know how you get on

Gentle hugs Sheryl

[pump321 in reply to Sheryl4659]

Hi Sheryl, Thank you for replying so quickly. I'm so sorry to hear you are also feeling really ill right now too. If I had known that NSAID's could cause this much agony I wouldn't have taken them. I am sure your stomach ulcer must be the cause of all your pain. Have they given you any medication to help ease it a bit? I am drinking Yakult, eating Yogurt, taking one Acidophilus Extra 10 a day. I changed to a wheat free diet for a couple of weeks but it didn't make any difference. I was given 'Lansoprazole' ages ago to help protect my stomach but didn't want to take it as it has a lot of odd side effects but I have been driven to use it in the last few days to try and settle things down a bit, even though I am no longer taking Ibuprofen or Naproxen. It says on the 'Lansoprazole' leaflet that it can be used to treat stomach ulcers so if you are not taking it this sort of medication may relieve some of your pain. I really feel for you as I know how awful it makes you feel. I am still in my nighty and dressing gown and will shortly be going back to bed as I am so tired and exhausted with it all, it's the only place I want to be. I do hope you get some help tomorrow and a CT Scan can be arranged fairly quickly. Please keep in touch and let me know how you are getting on. Take care, thinking of you. Marian (pump321) x

[Sheryl4659 in reply to pump321]

Hi Marie bed is where I need to be right now I can't stand up without feeling faint, not got a very supportive partner unfortunately, it's a case if I am breathing and have pulse I should be able to carry on regardless, so bed is out of the question. I was prescribed ranitidine (Zantac) and Buscapan by a & e for my stomach, I did think gall bladder problems were the worst ever but this beats it hands down I've never felt this ill in my life. I know of quite a few people who have had problems with naproxen it should be investigated because we definitely won't be the last to suffer after taking it. Will let you know what dr says tomorrow if I can get hold of him, you take care too, let me know how you get on.

Big hugs Sheryl x

[pump321 in reply to Sheryl4659]

Hi again Sheryl, I really think if you are feeling so poorly and ill as you are now you must call somebody urgently to get immediate help. You could dial 111 now to speak to an NHS helpline and tell them just how ill you are and they should listen and perhaps get a Doctor to ring you back or come out to see you. I did this about a month ago and they sent me straight to a local cottage hospital straight away, my husband drove me. If you don't get any satisfaction from this helpline and you are you able to get to your nearest A & E, I really think you ought to get somebody to see you now rather than keep waiting. I am not the type of person to ring urgently for help unless I am really sure I cannot take much more and you are obviously at that point right now. If you are fainting and so weak you need help immediately, you could always dial 999 and get help that way. You will not be making a fuss about nothing I can assure you. Do you have a member of your family or friend who could help you? I am sorry your partner is not very supportive which is not helpful when you are so poorly. If you do something tonight you will get immediate help. Don't worry about what your Dr. will say or what they will think at your surgery, they don't know how ill you are. When I had my gall bladder troubles which were horrendous and I was in serious trouble with an infection I had to sort myself out as my husband was abroad. I can remember insisting a Dr. at my surgery saw me as it was during the week and dragged some clothes on and somehow got myself to the surgery, then things started to happen. I was taken into hospital very quickly. I think you have to act now rather than waiting patiently. I felt I must help you to realise that you are not making a fuss about nothing. Good luck and do somehow now! You have suffered enough my love. I will be thinking of you and hope you are able to get help very soon now. Please keep in touch and let me know how you are getting on. I am going back to bed a bit later. Sorry for long message but I felt you needed some support. With my love and hugs. Marian x

[Sheryl4659 in reply to pump321]

Hi Marian sorry I didn't get back to you last night, I zonked out completely exhausted, my GP rang me back today and is arranging for an urgent ct scan will keep you updated as soon as I have it, thank you so much for your support it means so much to me.

Hugs and love to you Sheryl

[pump321 in reply to Sheryl4659]

Hi Sheryl, I'm so pleased to hear your GP rang you back and is arranging an urgent CT Scan. Good luck and yes please do let me know how you get on. Take care. With love, Marian

[pump321 in reply to Sheryl4659]

How are you getting on Sheryl? Have you been been able to get an appointment for a CT Scan? Hope you are not feeling any worse. I had blood tests last week and they showed up an infection. Let's hope you soon get some help and can start feeling better.

Love Marian x

[Sheryl4659 in reply to pump321]

Hi Marian I'm feeling about the same not worse which is a bonus, I rang about my scan yesterday, it had not been marked urgent but they told me the referral had been made by a surgeon at the hospital so I spoke to the secretary and she said she would ring CT to make it urgent. I have had a letter off surgeon to say he had looked at ultrasound and had requested CT and will see me after scan so hopefully will get somewhere now. Will let you know as soon as I get date for scan.

Thanks for your support Marian

Big hugs Sheryl x

[pump321 in reply to Sheryl4659]

Hi again Sheryl, I'm glad you are not feeling any worse. Sounds like you are gradually getting nearer to getting your CT Scan. I would ring that secretary you spoke to again if you don't hear something pretty soon. Good luck and please let me know how you get on. Take care.

Love Marian x

[earthwitch in reply to pump321]

The kind of symptoms you are describing could well be a result of taking the NSAIDs - either stomach ulceration/reflux/hiatus hernia. You definitely need to go see your doctor for further investigations.

[pump321 in reply to earthwitch]

Hi earthwitch, Thanks for taking the time message me. I tried to make an appointment with my GP today but he is busy but I am seeing a junior doctor tomorrow so that's a start. I will keep pushing if I am not satisfied. Many thanks again.

[SazRah in reply to pump321]

Hi! I would recommend a trip to your GP if you have a do pain and constant bloating. It could be IBS, or could be you had diverticulitis which is why the antibiotics helped the first time...this can re occur to different extremes, particularly if your diet includes nuts and peas/sweet corn as these can get stuck in the diverticulae that form in the intestine lining, then get infected which hurts and causes the symptoms you mentioned. I would try not to worry, there are many things it could be that aren't as scary as the C word, especially if you have searched pain and bloating! I would personally recommend keeping a diary over the course of a week, listing what you eat/drink and symptoms you experience, try to rate them out of 10 (10 being the worst imaginable). If you exercise, list that too even if it's hoovering or housework. Then take it to your GP, and they have something to work with, and will be less likely to give you the old "come back if it's no better" line!! If there is a pattern relating to food then you may need a gastroscopy which would determine once and for all whats wrong, but your GP is def the first port of call. Also I really wouldn't recommend searching symptoms on the Internet as it can lead to a lot of stress and worry, which can make the symptoms you described even worse! The problem with the Internet is that one person writes something on a webpage which could be inaccurate or wrong, then other people copy and paste onto their website without checking. Then when you do a search you see lots of different sites saying the same thing which convinces you that it's right! The NHS website is prob the most accurate out there. I do have a PhD in medicine but I'm not clinical and don't have a licence to practice, so this reply is just a somewhat educated opinion, but I hope it helps! Hope you feel better soon xxx

[pump321 in reply to SazRah]

Thanks SazRah for your help and info. much appreciated. I can't get to see my GP today but have an appoinment tomorrow with a new Junior GP which is a start. The receptionist said if he's not sure he will call in a more senior doctor. The pains in my stomach have eased slightly now but still feel a bit sick, shaky and exhausted. Somethings not right for sure. Thanks again for your reply.

[Jules_p]

Hi Kevin,

Your story sounds very much like mine, my gallbladder had fallen apart, impacted my liver which they had to remove part of. My op was April 2010. I was on table for 4 hours.

I have pain both to right and left on abdomin, with associated gastric problems. However, the right side pain they diagnosed as 'sphincter of oddi' syndrome (also adhesions around surgery clips in situ) Have a read about it, you may find you are experiencing that?

Kind regards

Jules

[katieoxo60]

Speaking from experience, it took me over twelve months to recover from gallbladder removal, however that was over thirty years ago and was not keyhole surgery like you have had. I thought this method was less invasive and lead to better recovery. I had major open abdominal surgery, know a few people who have had keyhole who still get some pain if they overdo the fats ect in their food. You need to discuss your individual recovery with your GP as advised by other replies.

[wolfiejp]

i can say myself that it still gives me grief even tho the little bugger was removed in march 2015, i still can and do get pain at just the same level as if it was when i still had it, the nhs mucked me about with geting it removed " long long story " but i ended up going private and the Dr said he had been doing this OP for over 40 years and mine was in the top 3 of the worst he had ever removed " my only claim to fame lol "

Like other members have said it can and most likely is scaring and also Adhesions. I also find it impossible to sleep on my left side due to the strange pulling feeling i get on my right insides where abouts the gailbladder would be.

With having fibro the Dr said it can take 3 or 4 times longer to heal anything up to 2 years to fully recover.

I also suffer more if ive had a fatty dinner, Kebabs are the worse lol.

If it is really getting to you then i would suggest going to the dr's just to be on the safe side.

wishing you all the best,

john.

[gwince1]

Hi there, don't look on the internet or you will be suffering from anxiety as well which wont help at all. I have suffered for many years on and off, i was firstly prescribed colofac tablets when I was in my thirties, these do ease the pain, I was treated for IBS for 10 years!! I changed Doctors, and after a weekend away celebrating my daughters engagement eating and drinking to the max I came home feeling very ill, went to visit my new Dr who said you don't have IBS I think you have gall bladder disease! I then got pancreatitis twice whilst going through the tests and waiting for the op. Since the op I suffer from time to time with pains and running to the toilet, I find that anti diahrroea( excuse spelling) medication helps but leaves you feeling bloated. The best I feel is when I exclude most fats from my diet, which was what I did whilst I was waiting for my op I felt better than I had for years and also lost two stone which was a bonus! This is not feasible for a normal sociable existence but I know what to do when I get a bout.

I do take omeprazole daily but that was following a period on nSAIDS for arthritis which caused me to get HPylori, and I take them now as a precaution, I don't know of any side effects that bother me and they seem to help a lot.

If in doubt please go to your GP get checked out, but what you describe seems to be the problems I have had for the last 25 Years.

I wish you all the best, just try limiting the fat for a while Good Luck

Glenys

[bluefish2001]

Hi I get that pain under my right rib I had my gallbladder out with stones I went to see someone at Salford royal in Manchester as was getting very bad runs so they went up with the camera found two polyps they took them out the same day and sent them a way for testing came back saying they was metaplastic nothing to concerned about they said it it could be your ibs playing up its gone chronic now I had another test a week later where I had to drink the white dye over a few hours to go round my bowls and they took pics it came back saying that my bowl is not working right on your right side and your stools are backing up so yours it may be that or something different get your GP to send you to see a gastroenterology and take it from there because when your liver makes bile it goes in to your gallbladder then it goes into your cystic duct then drainshe out to help with you get you food broken down but now you don't have a gallbladder the bile as to go somewhere so it drips in to your bowl so I got told at the hospital but my pain can start in my right side under the ribs and can go in to my chest and into my back if it goes in to you chest don't hang about call 999 and if you live in the usa call 911 better to be safe than lade out could on a slab get you doc to also send you to pain management in am under them they put me on two lots of morphine one I take every 12 hours and a liquid I take three times a day but I have other health problems I have copd chronic pain 24 /7 so I know how you feel with the pain under the ribs what I did put it down in a book what I had to eat and if the pain came on i knew to leave it alone then show your doctor or your gastroenterology and take it from there it could be you have acid reflux disease hope that helps

[Kevinb]

Had bloods taken and ultra sound done. Doctor has now called me in to go over the results, surely wouldn't waste their time if there was nothing wrong. Bit worried now.

[jayneconnolly43]

hi kevin please try not to worry to much ive had that happen several times now and it wasn,t anything serious sending healin thoughts and strength hope all goes well

[mia-thali]

Hello, I've just joined so late reply, but I had my gallbladder out as well and had continuing pain around right ribs. A few months down the track I was having another surgery for endrometriosis and an ovarian cyst when they found I had Fitz Hugh Curtis Syndrome. It was caused by my appendix rupturing and leaving these adhesions attached to my liver and they feel worse after exercise. It doesn't show up on scans, mine got shown on laproscopy camera, no cure though