Gallbladder-like Attacks Post-OP
Just wanted to share my story in case it helps someone else.
I had my gallbladder removed on 3/6. Post-op I had a lot of pain in my upper abdomen, but kept being told it was just post-op gas pain. 9 days post-op I went to the ER because I was in horrific pain in my upper abdomen and I was throwing up.
*It felt oddly similar to a gallbladder attack.*
ER doctor said he thought it might be gastritis caused by acid reflux and he prescribed me some omeprazole. (Never in my life have I had acid reflux cause this much pain but ok.) Saw my surgeon at 3 weeks post-op and told him about this “attack” and how miserable I’ve been and he told me he thought the bulk of my issues were anxiety. 🙄
After 3 more of these horrific “attacks” I went back to my surgeon and told him I couldn’t live like this. It did not seem like acid reflux or anxiety and I refused to keep living in fear of these attacks. He finally agreed to set up an MRCP for me.
Well, what do you know… MRCP showed a stone stick in my bile duct - the cause for all my pain. NOT anxiety and NOT acid reflux. I feel so validated and I’m so thankful to finally have a diagnosis (that makes sense) and a solution (ERCP coming up)!
If you’re experiencing something similar, don’t stop advocating for yourself!! And I hope you get a solution too! 🙏🏻