what could be causing this feeling?
I am having pain or achey feeling below my ribs in the center and I have had my gallbladder removed?
Question posted by mistyeck on 13 April 2011
Last updated on 14 April 2024 by Joejoe64
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5 Answers
Joejoe64
14 April 2024
I have not had my gallbladder removed, but I do suffer from GERD and have similar pain to what you describe. It usually moves from the right to the left or stays put. I told my GI doctor about this dull ache, and she ordered an Ultrasound scan of the upper abdomen. The dull ache was actually getting better for the last few months, but yesterday, I went for an Ultrasound scan of the upper abdomen, and as part of the process, they required me to take deep breaths and hold them as they scanned. Those areas under the ribs, the last 3 hanging ribs, are now aching. I have not gotten the results back yet. I'll share the results here, but I say you need to speak to a GI doctor to rule out other possible issues.
I asked the tech who was doing the scan why they needed me to take deep breaths. The reason is that when you take a deep breath, the diaphragm pushes the other organs, allowing the tech to get a better scan of them.
Azyrael
16 July 2011
Hello! I had my Gall Bladder removed last fall, and I still experience pain and discomfort below my ribs also. My doc tells me its because of my diet (still learning what I should and should not eat) as without the gall bladder we have some difficulty digesting certain things. Definitely consult your doc though to be safe!
Robrich
21 Aug 2020
Research ‘Phantom pain from gallbladder removal’... there is a lot of information & this may help you. Best of luck.
Cathleen186
16 April 2011
My sister just had her Gallbaldder removed a couple of months ago. since then she has been complaining about pain exactly where you are describing. Hers is due to the stomach not moving the bile out of the stomach in a timely manner. So there is a back up of bile. But everyone is different. good luck!!
Inactive
16 April 2011
After I had my gallbladder remove laproscopicly(sp) I had such severe pain that what was suppose to be same day surgery turned out to be 4 days, & as soon as I got home I had to return to the doctors office because I was so sick. He just backed away from me & said well you have Hepatitis! Walked out of the room & never came back in! I was in tears from the pain so his receptionist called the referring doctor whom admitted me immediately to the hospital. This all happened in Tucson while we were there for the winter. I was hospital for over 3 weekks & they never did find out what the problem was. I suffered this pain for 6 years, walked around like a skeleton from losing so much weight. Finally found a doctor here at homr that knew immediately that me common bile duct was in constant spasm. He did an ERCP which is a down the throat scope, & cut open the nipple end of the bile duct. Wallal! No more pain. Was able to eat again
& gained my weight back. Started to have same symtoms again about a year later & he did the same procedure for scar tissue. That was in 2007 & have not had a problem since. He told me that if the surgeon was in a hurry, and he was. Had surgery on Friday. Bad day for surgery. He even told me he was taking his kids out 4 wheeling in the desert as soon as my surgery was done. Anyway my new doctor believes he made a mistake cauterizing while doing surgery. Hope this not your case, but something to keep in mind. Mary
Inactive
16 April 2011
I should have mentioned you can also get pancreatitis after this surgery which is very painful, but you would also be very sick like vomiting etc... I think you need to call the doctor that ordered your surgery right away about this pain you are exoeriencing.
DzooBaby
13 April 2011
Your spleen, liver, stomach and pancrease are all in that area too. As Laurie said, you need to see your healthcare provider to find out what it is
Inactive
13 April 2011
Yes, I agree. How long ago was the gallbladder removed? You could have a stone lodged in the comon bile duct. Mary 632009
LaurieShay
13 April 2011
Hey mistyeck,
It could be any number of things. If the pain persists or becomes worse please get to a doctor asap.
Best wishes,
Laurie
caringsonbj
13 April 2011
I agree with Laurie-
caringsonbj
16 April 2011
Mistyeck,
I had my gall bladder removed, then several years later I had problem with pain just like you described (or similar) I went back to the doctor who diagnosed the problem he sent me to a physician because he had some other concerns, I was fortunate and it wasn't anything serious but as Laurie said if this continues then at least you can follow up and find out what is going on. I wish you the very best~~
Related topics
gallbladder disease, pain, gallbladder
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