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What Causes Constant Pain Under The Left Rib Cage After Gallbladder Surgery?
Question: I am a 56 year old male experiencing left side pain- it's in the abdomen just below the rib cage and sometimes moves around to the back.
I had my gallbladder out almost a year ago and still seem to have very regular dull discomfort in my abdomen, it moves from side to side...it's always a dull ache, never a sharp pain, it's a constant.....just don't feel good feeling.
Food does not seem to affect it either way .
It's very frustrating and gets hard to concentrate at work with a nagging discomfort all the time.
I have read a lot online of people who have lingering pains and discomforts for many years after gallbladder surgery....but I also want to be sure I'm not ignoring possible issue with the pancreas.
I had my gallbladder out almost a year ago and still seem to have very regular dull discomfort in my abdomen, it moves from side to side...it's always a dull ache, never a sharp pain, it's a constant.....just don't feel good feeling.
Food does not seem to affect it either way .
It's very frustrating and gets hard to concentrate at work with a nagging discomfort all the time.
I have read a lot online of people who have lingering pains and discomforts for many years after gallbladder surgery....but I also want to be sure I'm not ignoring possible issue with the pancreas.
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello Mr. XXXXXXX
You are right that people can have residual discomfort after gall bladder surgery. Sometimes a stone can form, even without the gall bladder present, in the ducts that are shared between the liver and pancreas that empties into the first part of the small intestines (duodenum). Sometimes that can cause pancreatic pain too.
In addition, on the left side below the rib cage is the stomach. Gastritis (irritation of the stomach lining) can cause the symptoms you described too.
I see that you are taking Prilosec. I will assume you are taking this either for GERD or for gastritis/duodenitis. As you probably know, Prilosec is a proton pump inhibitor, and while these greatly decrease acid production, they can also increase the hormone gastrin, which then can cause more acid and reflux, particularly if the medication is discontinued (until the body readjusts); but in some people they can have GERD and stomach ache as a result of the medication itself. Has it ever helped and now is not?
I recommend going in to be seen for this left upper quadrant abdominal pain. An ultrasound may be able to help sort out if there is trouble with your pancreas. Also, a blood draw for amylase and lipase (pancreatic enzymes) can help show if your pancreas is irritated.
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello Mr. XXXXXXX
You are right that people can have residual discomfort after gall bladder surgery. Sometimes a stone can form, even without the gall bladder present, in the ducts that are shared between the liver and pancreas that empties into the first part of the small intestines (duodenum). Sometimes that can cause pancreatic pain too.
In addition, on the left side below the rib cage is the stomach. Gastritis (irritation of the stomach lining) can cause the symptoms you described too.
I see that you are taking Prilosec. I will assume you are taking this either for GERD or for gastritis/duodenitis. As you probably know, Prilosec is a proton pump inhibitor, and while these greatly decrease acid production, they can also increase the hormone gastrin, which then can cause more acid and reflux, particularly if the medication is discontinued (until the body readjusts); but in some people they can have GERD and stomach ache as a result of the medication itself. Has it ever helped and now is not?
I recommend going in to be seen for this left upper quadrant abdominal pain. An ultrasound may be able to help sort out if there is trouble with your pancreas. Also, a blood draw for amylase and lipase (pancreatic enzymes) can help show if your pancreas is irritated.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I don't take Prilosec or tums regularly, just once in a while., and does not seem to help, that why I was kind of thinking it wasn't the stomach.
I wanted to get a kind of a second option on the pain/ discomfort, I feel like my Dr. thinks I complain and worry a lot and I do....but...only when I have pain, I have virtually never had any issues until thus surgery, now it seems to almost always be there...just bagging!
Thank you for your time Dr., I will call my Dr and set up an appt & gave him investigate further.
I wanted to get a kind of a second option on the pain/ discomfort, I feel like my Dr. thinks I complain and worry a lot and I do....but...only when I have pain, I have virtually never had any issues until thus surgery, now it seems to almost always be there...just bagging!
Thank you for your time Dr., I will call my Dr and set up an appt & gave him investigate further.
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
Doctors sometimes get frustrated with ongoing symptoms that we don't have the answers for, but that shouldn't be considered your fault!
If you haven't had an ultrasound or other imaging studies such as an MRI with ERCP to sort out this ongoing problem, I do think further imaging studies are warranted.
Good luck to you.
Information
Detailed Answer:
Doctors sometimes get frustrated with ongoing symptoms that we don't have the answers for, but that shouldn't be considered your fault!
If you haven't had an ultrasound or other imaging studies such as an MRI with ERCP to sort out this ongoing problem, I do think further imaging studies are warranted.
Good luck to you.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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