Recovery after gallbladder removal and pancreatitis, still getting pains after four weeks and worried

[FleurandLion]

I am scaring myself to death here and have health anxiety so please please be gentle.

I had emergency gallbladder removal 4 weeks ago (keyhole) after months of being unwell off and on and being fobbed off my gp’s.
I was finally admitted with acute pancreatitis and apparently my levels were through the roof and the surgeon said he could see how inflamed my pancreas was.
Anyway I am still getting random pains and twinges in different places, not necessarily in the incision sites. On the left side, in my ribs on both sides, in my back. Sometimes indigestion like feelings and my anxiety is through the roof.

Been to see gp the other day and he examined me said just give it time. My blood levels are not back to normal but much better. But all I have ever heard is how people made such quick recoveries and were back to normal in a few weeks.
I am making things worse by sitting here dwelling on things. I am magnifying every little pain and sensation and I know I am overreacting but that’s the headspace I am in and it’s awful.

Anyone ease take a while to recover? Is it just me? I’m an old bird as well (62) so should know better.

Sorry and thank you kind people.

Fellow health anxiety sufferer here. Although I haven’t been through this myself, I can understand your feelings because I totally overthink everything and it just makes things feel worse.
You cannot compare yourself to other people and their recoveries. Everyone heals and recovers at a different rate. It sounds like you have been through quite an ordeal with the pancreatitis as well so just go easy on yourself.
The pains you are feeling could be down to many things such as nerve pain, trapped wind, internal stitches etc but you probably know all this anyway.
Do you have any more doctors appointments lined up to discuss things further?

Thank you. Yes I have another appointment in a few weeks with the gp. Think I might have to take DH with me as I don’t think I explain myself properly and don’t take things in. However, you don’t get a follow up with the surgeon unless there was a problem.

I know I am totally overthinking things and it’s probably just something simple. I say this to myself then immediately go off on a tangent. Surely there can’t be anything going on if the pains move around and aren’t noticeable or even there at all sometimes?
Could it be trapped wind or something as gallbladder removal can affect digestion in some people?

Ignore the rapid recovery people. They were very lucky. It's fairly major surgery that you are recovering from. It took me about 4 weeks to get rid of nausea, panic, pain and for my bloods to be OK and maybe another 3 to feel recovered. I'm fine now but it was probably six months to get rid of fear of eating etc. and a lot of this was psychological but not all.

Thank you. I am at the 4 week mark now. At least the nausea has gone for me and the diarrhoea. But I am baffled about the pains moving around. Could it actually be wind?

Hi feel for you - I had my gallbladder out but no pancreatitis with mine - so wondering if that needs to heal & maybe it takes time? Also it is a major deal having general anaesthetic etc so I think the bounce back feeling immediately great is not how everyone feels post op. Did they give any post op advice? It’s hell overthinking & anxiety but also then being taken seriously by doctors. Are you following a low /no fat diet still post op? Fat triggered my flare ups & so I kept off it for a while after surgery. That’s the only thing I can think of. Could there still be trapped wind from the operation - tho you say was 4weeks ago - I mean it could be possible? Indigestion would make sense given what’s been operated on. I didn’t feel amazing straight away - I also had a random episode of pain & thought the worst & was prepping to go to A&E. I googled (don’t advise!) & found out it was quite common and mimics the kind of gallbladder pain but is harmless. I didn’t get it again so that gave me peace of mind. Maybe your body is just responding & healing but the anxiety’s heightening everything. Not surprising given you were fobbed off & there was a genuine problem. It’s really hard. Sorry this isn’t much help. You can always be checked out - better to be safe than sorry - maybe see how things go & if it’s more rumbles & discomfort or anything worse then be guided by that x

Yes, definitely. Have you tried Deflatine?

I had odd back pain for a few weeks after mine, and in fact still have phases of trapped wind/indigestion type pain two months after removal. I didn't have pancreatitis either - so I suspect your body is just healing at its own pace.

You've had abdominal surgery, and it's just healing. And it could be your body trying to warn you that you're doing too much. Rest, let it heal. And keep taking painkillers if it helps.

Thank you all.
It’s hard to describe and that’s the problem as the pain is not specific and not consistently bad or anything. Sometimes aching, other times feels sore or like a pulled muscle or indigestion and in various different places. Sometimes the odd sharp twinge. Sometimes in the side of my lower ribs on one side, then both sides, sometimes in my lower ribs at the back or between my shoulder blades. See what I mean? It would be much easier if I could say I’ve got stabbing pain in my left side. But no. It moves around.

One of the doctors in hospital was explaining about the shoulder pain I had after the op when they blow you up with air. It’s not actually trapped wind in your shoulder but referred pain. I thought it was air travelling up. I think also nerve pain can be felt in areas quite far from the surgery site.

I appreciate your help. I shall try and not dwell on things too much. Or ramble on too much.

And for goodness sake stop me from googling stuff. It makes things a million times worse as it’s all horror stories.

I was the same with the migrating pain. I think it's one of the reasons doctors were so slow to act with me (years!) because I wasn't obediently pointing at the gallbladder area.

The fact that it’s non specific and comes and goes seems like a good thing to me. Not that being in pain is good but if it was anything to be concerned about I’m sure it wouldn’t come and go like that.
And yes don’t Google anything. You can always ask again at your next gp appointment and take DH for back up.

Yes, pain came and went (and still comes and goes) all over the place; I tended to tell myself it was my body adjusting to 'new normal' and wait for it to settle. Left side, right side, upper quadrant, lower quadrant, front, side, back - very mysterious. Most of it has gone away now (had op first week in June).

I had mine out in march after becoming unwell at Christmas and severe pain that had been ratcheting up for several months and that o thought was indigestion. I am still getting twinges now. I’d go back again if you’re not feeling right or try low fat diet I tried eating chippy chips and was in almost the same pain again which was so weird

Was very uncomfortable three days ago after my first attempt to eat pizza! A lot of this is making sense...

Yes that’s exactly it. Weird isn’t it. Nobody tells you about this do they?

I’m kind of eating a low fat diet still but have to admit there is a bit of chocolate sneaking in there now. Haven’t had cheese for 6 months and I love cheese.

My op was two years ago. I ended up with a surgical drain/stoma bag for two months post op. Then needed a surgical hernia repair six months after that.
whilst I generally feel a lot better, I have to say that I still get recurrent pain in my right side where the gall bladder was as well as pain under my ribs, and back.
I also have regular loose stools and reflux/indigestion.
I don’t think gall bladder removal should be taken lightly. My blood’s are normal. Not sure yet…

Had a proper meltdown this evening. Pains all over the place, even under my armpits!! But then they subsided.
I shall have to just get on with it, not panic and speak to the gp at my appointment in a few weeks. Of course if things get really bad I will seek help earlier but I know what to look out for. I also need to get my anxiety issues sorted but one thing at a time.

I very much appreciate your support lovelies. I don’t feel like such a weirdo freak now. Thank you.

Are you feeling any better @FleurandLion

I’m waiting for my gallbladder op and living with pain daily and it’s all over the place, sometimes it right upper quadrant but then it’s left ribs, shoulders, back, lots of gas and spasms.

I had an ERCP to remove 2 stones in May and then had pancreatitis and I had pain for well over a month after that. Hopefully yours will start to settle down soon.
I am convinced that my attacks are made worse with stress though, food doesn’t seem to be a trigger but times of stress definitely does so maybe try and manage your stress and anxiety, I do realise that isn’t very easy though, hope you are feeling better soon.

It appears that people are all different in their recovery and if the GP suggested you give it time then I would listen to them - and please stop using Google!!!

I am actually one of the lucky ones it seems - I also had pancreatitis and all the stomach issues I had been having for years disappeared completely the day my gallbladder was removed (I also had an ERCP two days later). The only thing I struggled with was getting my strength back after lying around in hospital for 8 days!

Hopefully you will soon be feeling better.

I have this still, 16 months on. It’s worse when I’m tired. GP said it’s a combination of the pain from them rummaging about inside you, your organs adjusting to the space, and your other organs adjusting to take on the role of the GB. Plus the wind issues take ages to settle. Some people bounce back to normal after a fortnight but if your condition involved anything else it can take ages. I think what you’ve described is normal, just rest and don’t worry, I’m back to normal now and all is good apart from the odd ache and twinge x

Thank you all.I am becoming quite obsessed with this and I am driving myself crazy with it all. But that’s the health anxiety and I need to get a grip.
What you are saying does make sense though and I have to stop assuming something is wrong.
I had two quite good days where I thought I had turned a corner but then yesterday back to the pains again moving from one area of my back to another back and in my ribs. Very disheartening.
I find it hard to explain the pain as well. Like indigestion but not in my chest.
Could some of this just be down to digestion issues? I am kind of all over the place being normal, loose and then not going for a few days.

I know what health anxiety is like and I can understand how you are feeling. Always in the back of your mind is the thought that something is seriously wrong. Your gp doesn’t seem to be too worried so hang on to that and the fact that the pains are not constant and move around is a good thing.
Hang on till your next appointment and discuss your fears with the doctor.