Spleen Forum - Pain In Upper Right Quadrant


Pain In Upper Right Quadrant

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vtowell

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 19 Jul 2007
Posts: 4
Location: Arkansas

Pain In Upper Right Quadrant Posted: 07-19-07 10:17am


I am new to this.... but here goes. I had my gall bladder removed 3 years ago this past April. After the surgery I still experienced pain on my right side. I ended up having 2-3 ultrasounds, a ct scan also a colonoscopy. Everything came back normal, although the ct scan stated that I had a small insignificant liver cyst. Eventually, relieved there was nothing going on, my pain subsided, although I do have occasional bouts with ibs. Until the other day......... my upper right quadrant started to hurt again. Feels like it did before gall bladder surgery. Right side front and back, pain and kind of like a pinch. Even when I lay down on my stomache I have a sensation, feeling of something along my right lower rib cage. I went to the doctor. The nurse took some urine. When the doctor came into his office I explained how I was feeling. He told me I had a slight infection and put me on antibiotics. He also put me on prilosec because I have been feeling sensations in my throat. He thought these things might be causing my pain. I have take all of the antibiotics and still feel the same. It is almost constant, but sometimes not as painful, especailly when I am busy and have my mind off it. The day before this started was the 4'th of July and I did have quite alot to drink. Please, help me.......... I just made another appointment with my doctor for monday but am not sure what even to suggest. Thanx

vtowell

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 19 Jul 2007
Posts: 4
Location: Arkansas

Posted: 07-20-07 12:04pm


It is me again. Since no one has replied to my message, I thought I would add......... Still in pain.... have noticed that after I eat I tend to feel worse and almost always either have a bowel movement or feel like I need to. I have been on the internet for days and have found I am not alone..... by no means......... have found out that indeed your gall bladder is important and not unessasary. So many people out there are suffering like me....... although I have had no follow up tests this go around...... only right after surgery. I am going back to the doctor on monday and ask for a ct scan, ultrasound maybe a upper gi and barium possibly upper endoscopy to start things off and some kind of test to make sure it isn't my liver. Am truly scared........ I am kind of a hypochondriac but this pain is real. I hope someone replies to this........ I feel quite alone right now......... hard to explain to people how you feel when you have already had gall bladder surgery.......... thanx

vtowell

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 19 Jul 2007
Posts: 4
Location: Arkansas

Posted: 07-24-07 17:50pm


Here I am replying to my own message.......... again. Went to the doctor yesterday...... took blood and another urinalysis.......... everything came back fine........ liver........ bilirubin........ kidneys............ everything normal....... he thinks maybe scar tissue..... but thinks it has to do with my reflux........ in two weeks... if I am still experiencing discomfort.......... he said we will repeat tests I had 3 years ago........ no colonoscopy........... and maybe endoscopy........... I guess I will have to wait until then.......... now my pain or discomfort is more in my side and back....... sometimes feels like a cramp........ weird.......... I sure wish someone would respond to my messages........... I am getting tired of replying to myself........ lol

MinusOneGB

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 02 Aug 2007
Posts: 1
Location: Massachusetts

Similar Pain! You're Not Alone! Posted: 08-02-07 16:09pm


Hello, I just found this forum and think it's great! I am having similar pain! I had my gallbladder out 5 months ago and was symptom free (except for 1 day, the third day after surgery, but I had assumed this was scar tissue or something). Until about 10 days ago, the only "complaints" I had had since the surgery were general discomfort (not pain) when leaning forward a lot and slight nausea (I've never been a nauseous peron). But 10 days ago I started feeling very similar pains to what you describe... it feels just like I did before I had by GB out... almost constant ache/pain in my upper right abdomen right where by GB used to be. And if I'm busy, I sometimes don't pay attention and feel a little better. I also feel better after a night's sleep but towards the afternoon, I get much more sore, even though I sit at my job most of the day. I also get much more tired than I ever have been (except during early pregnancy).... that has been hard for the doctor to explain. I do get a low-grade fever (99.4ish) most days, but it never goes higher. These exact same symptoms appeared before my GB was taken out. I would swear they forgot to take it out or something except that I was symptom-free for 5 months. So far, we have done blood tests (totally normal) and an ultrasound of the liver, kidneys, pancreas, spleen, etc. and they were all normal. I'm waiting to hear what the next step is and I'm very frustrated with being in pain, especially after reading this forum and all the people who spend years in pain. From what I've read, this could be a simple stone remaining in the common bile duct, some sort of problem with the bile duct (stricture or scarring or something from the laproscopic GB removal) or Sphincter of Odi dysfunction, which is mentioned here a lot. I have also been told to look into Celiac Sprue disease (gluten intolerance), which runs in my family. But I haven't been to or talked to the doctor since. Hope that helps to know you're not alone!

bubblesmoon

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 30 Aug 2007
Posts: 3

I Thought I Was Alone Too But Maybe I Am Not! Posted: 08-30-07 16:27pm


Just been reading both of your posts and am in the same situation. Had my gallbladder out two years ago and the last nine weeks I have been in severe pain to the point where I can't walk somedays it's so bad. My pain is in the same place as before I had my gallbladder out. It sometimes feels like stabbing sometimes cramp sometimes it feels like like crushing pain and hurts to breathe. I have had Ct scan, Ultrasounds, Gatroscopy, numerous blood test and they can't find out what is wrong with me. I thought I was going mad and that this pain was in my head but it's not! Sorry your both suffering but pleased somebody can finally understand my frustration. I am going to see the Surgeon on Wednesday so I may take your posts with me to show that others are in the same situation. Hope your both better take care x

sillyakchick

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Joined: 12 Apr 2007
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Posted: 08-30-07 16:37pm


Vtowell; Sorry you have gotten so few responses. The pain you experience could be due to a postop condition called spasm of the sphincter of oddi. I have it, and I too had no real clinical findings. i gave up seeing western docs, who were less than helpful. I went to an acupuncturist, and i find myself to be mostly pain free. i highly reccommend it. I take a medication before meals called choestyramine whch binds bile, and I find that that also has helped immensely. I went to a pain mangement doctor who gave me pain meds that work, and also a certificate for medical marijuana. I hardly ever use the pain medication. I use a very small amount of MM once per day and find that this has kept most of my symptoms at bay. I hope this information is helpful to you. I know the pain and frustration you experinece. Please see the sticky under "supporter introduction" if you would like to read more.

Rheinau

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 01 Oct 2007
Posts: 12

Posted: 10-01-07 16:20pm


Vtowell, I have conditions similar to yours. 20 months ago started feeling pinching sensation in upper right quadrant. More of discomfort than pain. Would normally last 30 min to an hour and then would go away or move to a different area. Had multiple ultrasounds, a CT scan, blood tests, etc. everything was normal. Symptoms went away for months and would resurface every 3-4 months for a week or so and would disappear. They started again this past summer and I went back to the doc. Another ultrasound that came out fine. No stones in the gall bladder. They gave me a hidascan and my gall bladder didn't show for 3 hours - basically nonfunctional. They removed my gall bladder 1 1/2 weeks ago. It now appears some of my right quadrant sensations are back. It is more of an ache now and moves to far right ribcage. Also have some discomfort in the shoulder blade area and between the two shoulder blades. Docs don't know what it is - they suggest it may be a nerve under one of my ribs. If you are still checking this site would be interested if your docs make a diagnosis.

elena3910

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 08 Apr 2006
Posts: 17
Location: florida

Posted: 10-29-07 15:01pm


I had my gallbladder taken out 3 years ago. After the surgery, I felt great for about a year. Then I started getting severe stomach pain that radiated to my back and into my shoulder blades. went for tests and they said I had acid reflux. But, that was not what the pain was from. I usually get the pain when I wake up in the morning, from laying on my back all night long. I take gas-x and I will belch up a lot of air, and most of the time it helps the pain. I had my 4th endoscopy last wednesday. That morning, when I woke up I was having the pain so bad, I could barely breathe. Becuase I was having an attack when they did the test, they found out what was going on. I have bile gastritis. The bile backs up into my stomach, and my stomach creates more acid to try and get rid of it, and it erodes my stomach lining and causes my stomach to bleed.(that is what causes the pain) Then because I have gerd, I am refluxing up bile..its pretty gross. The doctor gave me carafate to try and repair my stomach...we will see if it works.