Shortness of breath after gallbladder removal

[LW2814]

I had my gallbladder removed in Nov of 2012 and have increased difficulty in breathing with exertion since. If I walk too fast, climb a set of stairs, or just move around, my chest tightens, I begin panting and can't catch my breath. The center of my chest hurts to the touch and is tender, I can only sleep on my back. I have been treated with inhalers, which work for 1 - 2 weeks and the symptoms return full force, all X-rays are clear, CT scan is clear, echo-stress test shows the heart is fine but that I hit aerobic very quickly and my oxygen levels drop. All doctors say there is nothing wrong with me and can't explain why I am experiencing shortness of breath. This issue is ruining my life. Has anyone else experienced shortness of breath after having your gallbladder removed?

[JohnPepper]

Hi LW. I have not had my gallbladder removed, but my late wife did. She was unable to do very much afterwards because the operation was not a complete success. However! She did start to walk again, albeit not very far. She managed to overcome all the physical pain and discomfort with the walking and stuck to her guns until she was walking normally again.

Don't give in to it. If there is nothing physically wrong you should not be doing any harm to yourself. Keep a record of how long you are able to walk and don't do it every day, do it every 2nd day.

Good luck

John

[jimbo112 in reply to JohnPepper]

Thankyou John Pepper for your great attitude, compassion and encouragement to all.

[Eagle3333]

Hi, this was posted a long time ago but I wondered if you found out the problem because I am suffering in just the same way, 3 months post gall bladder removal and have had the same scans etc. as you which all show clear. My physician says dripping bile is causing swelling of the intestine which is putting pressure on the diaphragm hence making breathing difficult. I'm also constantly clearing my throat of phlegm. Like you, this is ruining my life. Any useful information gratefully received. Thanks.

[LW2814 in reply to Eagle3333]

Hi, Unfortunately nothing new to report. Am seeing a new ENT at the end of this month and am hopeful that they might see something different. The bile/swelling of the intestines sounds like at least they are identifying a possible cause...

Good luck, will update you if anything new is discovered with ENT.

Feel better.

[2510 in reply to Eagle3333]

My daughter had her gall bladder removed over 10 years ago and from the first week, has had occasional bouts of difficulty breathing that sounds like what your doctor described. She has had to visit the ER at least twice and no explanation has ever been offered. Have you had any progress with this? Thanks.

[LW2814 in reply to 2510]

I have been told that my vocal cords are the cause. If you make an appointment with a speech therapist, there are exercises that you can do which seem to help.

[ellaleila987]

I had my gall bladder removed using endoscope. Apart from small discomfort for about a week I am keeping well. I feel the symptoms as described above may be due to some other reasons and very unlikely due to the cholecystectomy.

[Made7773]

I just had a gallbladder removed about 5 weeks ago. And I am experiencing the exact same breathing symptoms that you have descuin your post.

Have you discovered any way to improve or get rid of this breathing problem?

[LW2814 in reply to Made7773]

Hoping you’re feeling better and that your breathing issues have been resolved. If you’ve been diagnosed or have figured out a way to ease the breathing /chest tightness, please share.

[Clemson2019]

I’m suffering from the same thing. I had my Gallbladder removed on July 1st 2019 and have been miserable with my Breathing Complications! Please help me in anyway! Thanks Jared

[LW2814 in reply to Clemson2019]

I’m sorry but I’m still being told they don’t know what causes it. I try to remain calm and not get worked up - as stress definitely makes the breathing much harder. If they figure it out for you - please share.

[SJ100]

Hi to all who are experiencing breathlessness after having their gallbladder removed. I was eventually diagnosed with hyperventilation syndrome/over breathing when I saw a respiratory consultant. The operation can affect messages to the brain. One Dr mentioned the Phrenic nerve. The respiratory consultant made me a referral to physiotherapy for breathing exercises. Those exercises made a big difference. I was also given tablets to slow my heart down as it beats very fast. (A different consultant did this). I've read that the Phrenic nerve can be affected by the operation to have your gallbladder removed. The Phrenic nerve affects the diaphragm. The diagnoses of hyperventilation syndrome/ over breathing seems to be right as the breathing exercises for it have made a big difference. It took a very long time for me to get a diagnosis as no one seemed to know what was wrong. It seems that only respiratory doctors understand this. I still get breathless after things like getting ready but I am able to lead a reasonably normal life. I wanted to share this as when I was very ill I was desperately seeking answers but wasn't able to get them. I also found that walking really helped. I slowly built up how long I could walk for & started by just walking up & down the livingroom for a few minutes.

[RockinRev66 in reply to SJ100]

Thanks this is most helpful. I have experienced strange shortness of breath since my gallbladder was removed in 2018. I'm awaiting referral to a respiratory consultant and this info should get me the physiotherapist I need

[Hidden in reply to SJ100]

I have nearly identical symptoms following cholecystectomy March 2020 to others on this thread. SOB induces anxiety, so some thought it may be causal as well?!? GP unsure of what else to pursue, cardiologist says I’m basically fine, and they suggest Pulmonologist next. (Psychologist consulted for anxiety aspect). Articles in JAMA, Journal of the Amer. Society of Anesthesiologists, and NIH all point to lingering breathing effects of laparoscopic cholecystectomy... why aren’t doctors more familiar with this phenomenon?!

[Justbreath1]

I had my gallblader removed August. 2019. Have been having trouble catching my breath ever since. Been thru the same thing as all of you. Has anything changed/gotten better for any of you?

[amg47]

I'm currently having breathing issues. I'm 10 days into my recovery and the breathing issues are NOT resolving themselves. I've scheduled an appointment with the surgeon but they keep saying that I need to go into the ER for every episode...I'm getting angry and that isn't helping the breathing either.

[shrinkwrap1]

I had my LC in 2012(?), I noticed my shortness of breath upon exertion about 6 months after surgery. It became progressively worse with time. I was a firefighter/medic, late 2014, I would be winded just putting my gear on. High exertion would give me chest pain, diff breathing and dizziness. At this time doctors found I was pre diabetic, and had enlarged heart (thought was the reason for symptoms), I left the fire dept early 2015, but symptoms still worsened. Had the battery of tests angiogram, echo, pulmonary, ekg, stress tests and no issues (was told I was out of shape by one fellow). I noticed that if I fast >10 hrs (don't eat), I can do more exertion without chest pain, dizziness, and less short of breath. Just a cup of coffee and a piece of toast give me problems if I try two flights of stairs within an hour and a half. The more I eat and the sooner after eating/drinking that I exert, the worse the symptoms. I am trying different foods and beverages to see if anything makes it better or worse (low simple carbs and no/low fat is better, soda pop makes it worse, small amount of water no difference, >20 ounce of water in one hour makes it worse). If I figure anything else out or a doctor has an epiphany, I let ya know.

[Weezamay]

Mine was removed in 2013. The day after I started experiencing shortness of breath. Many many tests, all come back I am normal, nothing on Cat's, x rays etc.. If I bend over, my air goes, walking, any type of exertion takes my air. It feels like a big bubble expanding between my ribs making getting a breath at times difficult..along with this, my upper abdomen blows up like I am 8 months pregnant. This has certainly dampened my quality of life. So frustrated that none of the Dr's over the past 7 years can come up with an answer/treatment or cure for this. I would much rather have kept my gallbladder than to be going through this and the eating problems...

IF there is someone out there that can help, please...

[Fefe09 in reply to Weezamay]

please tell me if you ever got help I’m having exact same problem since gallbladder was removed back in 2014. Living in pure hell is an understatement. I can’t leave house my right lung feels like it’s not going up like left side. My right side of throat feels like air isn’t going thru if feels like right side of windpipe is completely shut and I’m breathing through a straw. Anyway doctors are blaming on anxiety cause all test come back fine . Please help me if you can

[Fefe09]

I had my gallbladder removed around 2013/2014. Several months after I couldn’t make it up a flight of stairs without gasping for air. I noticed when I would just stand and talk to people I would gasp for air. Over these past years my breathing has got worse. I have been sleeping in my recliner for past 10 months because I’m afraid to lay flat. Every time I breathe I pray it will go to my lungs without feeling like I’m dying. I’m fighting it daily and it’s crippling my life. I dread when summer comes or when the weather gets over 60 because the colder the better but still devastating. I’ve had my heart checked and lungs and been to ER. No doctor can tell me what’s wrong. I’m constantly praying and I have Faith I will one day be able to breathe. It’s taking a toll on me mentally and physically though. Please let me know if anyone has found an answer to this terrible condition. I’m tired of feeling like I’m breathing through a straw. Thanks

[Metoo1234]

Hi LW, I had my gallbladder removed by keyhole surgery in November 2019. When I awoke from the anaesthetic I was short of breath. I was sent home the next day despite complaining that I couldn't breathe properly. I couldn't sleep for long, perhaps an hour without waking up gasping for breath. I had to prop myself up in bed to get any relief. I felt as though I couldn't inhale enough to fill my lungs. I presented to emergency three times. After a CAT scan I was diagnosed and treated for a blood clot in my lung. The diagnosis was subsequently revised to a collapsed lung. It was then decided that I had gastric reflux and the breathing tube had contaminated my voice box with acid when it was removed. I was then treated for that with no success. I then went to a respiratory physiotherapist. I have had some very positive results from the breathing exercises he has given me. He thinks it may be nerve related. I still get out of breath if I go up a flight of stairs or walk up a hill. When before the operation it wouldn't have bothered me in the least. However I don't feel out of breath just sitting or walking as I did until I was treated by the physiotherapist. I have also found that elevating the head of my bed and using nose vents has supported my sleeping to the point where I can sometimes sleep for five hours at a stretch. I hope that other sufferers can also find some relief. It's an awful thing when you can't breathe properly and in my experience it is very difficult to get help.

[RakaRo]

I'm a week out of a laprascopic gallbladder removal. I had it done on a Tuesday. I spent Tuesday, throwing up until I had nausea medication called in. After that I was in pain but fine and my appetite returned. On Friday I felt great - almost pain free. Saturday we went for a 3 hour drive to one of our state parks before we get shut in again due to COVID. I was bad, I had 2 donuts and a real breakfast. I'm not sure what triggered what but since then I have had a sharp burning pain on my side. It's so bad I can barely walk and ... I'm short of breath. The first day back I was able to climb the stairs to our bedroom fine. I was going up and down several times but right now I was huffing and puffing. The nurse thinks the pain is from the fried food (too soon). I forgot to mention the shortness of breath. I have my post opp appointment on Wednesday - it is Monday afternoon as I type this.

PS: I don't have Parkinsons but I saw this thread and had to read and comment. I'm going to look into the Phrenic Nerve and bring it up to my surgeon.

[Fefe09]

hi I have exact same symptoms and would you please reply back to me if you ever found out how to heal this problem. I have been suffering since 2014 after my gallbladder was removed and can’t hardly leave house. My doctor says all my test came back fine and blamed on aniexty. I said well I probably do have aniexty but it’s because I’m constantly gasping for air. I feel like it’s on my right side . I hurt where gallbladder was and my right side chest hurts . I pray all the time for a healing or for God to take me. I’m suffering and can’t live a normal life. Shortness of breath sucks.

[LW2814 in reply to Fefe09]

hi there

Found this article, link below, maybe see a pulmonologist and discuss this with them? I’m seeing one now - who thinks this is sinus related. My breathing test was a 7 and 12 is normal, so am being treated with nasal sprays and an antacid. Back in 6 weeks to see him again,

qr.ae/prThj2

I also do some breathing exercises…a series of buzzing the lips. Long M’s and Z’s with pursed lips. Will also remove all dairy when breathing is very challenged.

I hope you find relief, stress does contribute and it is hard not to be stressed when you’re having issues breathing.