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.

Thank you @LadyCarmel and @Gall10

Ive just emailed the gastro docs secretary to ask her to move my gps request up the pile of work.
I actually work at the hospital but I’m a band 2 admin nobody so I have very little influence but sent it anyway and from my work email which might help.

I feel worse today, had a rough night and I am very low and can’t stop crying. I need to pull myself together and stop being pathetic.

Wise words here, OP.

@UnderThePressure this sounds very stressful though at least I suppose you have a diagnosis & know now what to look out for, but repeated ops doesn’t sound fun & must’ve been v concerning getting to this stage. I don’t know if OP had suspected pancreatitis (as you did) prior to her GB removal or not - mine was for purely gallstones but I was told one or some could still cause probs if they escape during the op (?) & with your condition it proves it’s completely possible for things not to be resolved simply by taking the GB out. Maybe OP you could name your concerns medically - although if they know you have HA this can also go against you as they think you’re just Dr Googling when it could actually be the case!!

Band 2’s are the backbone of the nhs… never downplay your important role in this organisation!

Thank you @Gall10. Mostly overlooked unfortunately.
I will let you know if I get any further forward with this.

I had my gallbladder out many years ago now. Op at the beginning of the week, and back to A&E on the Friday because I was in agony. The pain went after I'd been there for a couple of hours. For months afterwards I kept on having episodes, but after every time I went to my GP's surgery and had a blood test. (Basically I just turned up and asked for one - I don't think it works like this any more).

The original op was in May, in the October they sent me for a scan and discovered that there was a gallstone stuck somewhere - sorry it's 14 years ago and I can't remember. I was then referred and was in as a day case when it was removed. No problems at all since. Tbh I couldn't believe that I'd had my gallbladder removed as the pain was exactly the same. Hope this helps.

Thank you @NUFC69 I’m not in agony like I was just random pains in different places. Don’t think it helps that I have gastritis which I was told was mild but may have ramped up. Its definitely something to bear in mind if my doctors ever get their arses in gear and do something.

Well still waiting for response from the gastro doc, even though I know he has seen my gp’s letter, but think things have improved slightly pain wise so that’s good.

Not so good are my bowels. Sorry tmi but I am fine for a few days then all over the place. Normal for a few days then constipated or diarrhoea. Had v loose stools again this morning and now have a very gurgly stomach but apparently this can happen with the constant drip of bile. I believe you can get medication for this. That’s if I ever get a reply from the consultant.

I was talking to DH and saying I sometimes wish I’d never had the operation as I didn’t have all this before (except for dreadful pains and pancreatitis during the attacks 😞) but then again I couldn’t have gone on like that.
So it continues.

Any improvement, however slight, is good news.

I am no expert but my nephew had the surgery and I know a few people who have too. All different.
Yes your bowels can be affected after surgery as it’s a constant drip of bile rather than it being stored in the gallbladder and you can be prescribed medication to help. My nephew takes something but I can’t remember what. Also my friends sister had the same digestion issues with ibs, crampy pains and dashing to the loo sometimes.

Ask your gp. They can always Google it if they have no idea 🤣

Thank you. The slight improvement has disappeared and seem to have gone backwards 😩. Getting pains again and I’m sure it’s my pancreas but my gp won’t do a blood test to check. Says it’s not indicated unless I have acute pancreatitis and then it’s a job for a&e. Not in their budget more likely.
I am in limbo waiting for the medical folks to get back to me.