Stomach problem or post surgery problem?

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-21-2004
Stomach problem or post surgery problem?
4
Wed, 11-10-2004 - 8:55am
I had my gallbladder out almost a year and a half ago. It was 3 weeks after having my son. I have not had any major problems from it as of yet. I do have a bit of diarrhea a few times a week, but it is managable and no pain. A little bit of background. I have also been on long term antibiotics due to a pneumonia infection. It was a once a week dosage for 13 weeks. I finished the last dosage last Friday. I would have some stomach issues after taking it, but only for an hour or so and only on that day. Otherwise nothing, no problems. About 3 days ago I started having alot of issues with bloating and gassy feelings. But I could not pass any gass. It was mainly in my stomach area and my stomach was tender to the touch. I am still having that and now my stomach is just plain sore inside as well. It feels hollow and sort of hungry, even after I eat and when I am hungry or eat certain things it feels like a fist is tightening around it. Very painful. I do have some discomfort around the right upper rib area. But I also tend to freak out and have alot of health anxiety. I am not sure if that is just "phantom" pain. I have done some research and have found the blocked bile duct issue, liver issues or just plain stomach issues. I know the drug I was on goes through the liver. SO I am scared it is my liver, though I don't really have any bad pain there. I am not nauseaous. I am not yellow. COuld it be a bile duct? It doesn't really feel like my old gallbladder attack though either. More central in the stomach area with bloating. Or could it just be 13 weeks of an antibiotic even though it didn't usually hurt on days I didn't take it? I did take yogurt cultures and such for that. I am going to my regular doctor today, but am just looking for some insight. I am going to ask for a liver test to ease my mind. COuld it be the liver? bile duct? anyone experience this type of thing before after gallbladder was taken out? TIA!! Sorry so long!!!


*HUGS* TOTAL!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-13-2004
Wed, 11-10-2004 - 5:40pm
Dear lissac1967, I had my gallbladder removed last February 3rd. Since then I continue to have burning pain under my right center ribcage and it also burns across my upper ab from there and I feel it up into my right shoulder. I had an upper abdomen ultrasound about 10 days ago. I am waiting for the results to come. I am stillhaveing pretty much the same problems I had before the surgery. The surgeon said he had to cut through some tough adhesions from previous surgeries to get at my gallbladder. This was the "small" incisions surgery. I wonder if those adhesions have grown together again or possibly new ones have formed. I had no stones, just an enlarged gallbladder with alot of thick bile in it. I sort of wish I had tried harder to get things to improve with diet, but it is too late for that now. I am now on a celiac diet consisting of fruit, vegetables, and unprocessed meat and a few other things like peanut butter. At times I seem to be doing better. Have only been on the diet since July 30 and it takes time to get to know what foods are okay and which ones are not. Some of the foods that are allowed I have never handled well, like milk products. Will post again when I know how my ultrasound turned out. Cheers, Ruth S.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2003
Fri, 11-12-2004 - 10:40am

I am not sure but if your pain continue

thflowers-hahd23222.gif picture by Wren53B

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-23-2003
Fri, 11-12-2004 - 11:56am

HI and Welcome to the board!


What you could be suffering from is the overload of antibiotics on the stomach and intestinal tract.

 
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-13-2004
Sat, 11-13-2004 - 11:56am
Dear lissac1967: I got my ultrasound results, all normal except for a small cyst o n one kidney which they don';t seem to be worried about. I intend to call and ask for a written report of the procedure and also find out what the next step might be. My doctor mentioned a cat scan, but someone else has suggsted that an MRCI would be the route to go for further exploration. I have tried yogurt. Can't tolerate it. Now I am investigating kefir which can be made at home like yogurt. You have to get a starter. Will have to be careful since the starters are grain based and that may not work with the celiac diet. Right now I am also taking something called Provex C a digestive aid . I still forgot to bring the bottle and can't recall the ingredients. Another thing I work on is getting a balance between magnesium and calcium supplements. Cheers, Ruth S.