Hi,

I am almost three years post op. I have lost a total of 107 lbs. about a year ago I started having severe right upper abdominal pain. It was diagnosed as gallstones. I had my gallbladder removed 6/5/15. On 6/10/15 I wound up right back in the emergency room with the same pain. It was diagnosed as constipation which I have not experienced that I am aware of as I have ibs with diarrhea. I went to the emergency probably every two weeks with the same problem until the end of October when it was realized I had pancreatitis. I underwent a laparoscopic ercp on 12/10/15 where it was found there was a gallstone stuck in the bile duct which was removed. Two days ago I had another attack. I went to the emergency room again and was again diagnosed with constipation. Due to all the changes with hmo plans this year I cannot see any of my regular doctors. I had to choose a new pcp and they don't have any appointments for two months. I am so lost and I have no idea what could be the problem now! I am so tired of going to the emergency room and feel bad for my husband because it seems this issue consistently ruins our plans. Please if anyone has any idea or experienced the same thing let me know!

I believe my mom had pancreatitis. It resulted in her bleeding in her stool and it got so bad that she had to have a blood transfusion. She had been using Excedrin for years as a pain reliever. Excedrin contains aspirin (around 3 times the recommended daily dose) and since she was taking several a day, she was damaging her stomach severely. Once she got off the Excedrin, her stomach recovered. I am not inferring that this is the cause of your problem but it was the cause of my mothers.

Since you are around 3 years post-op, I have the feeling that the issues you are dealing with are not primarily related with the gastric bypass surgery.

I will pray that you heal and that you discover the root cause of your problems and put them to bed once and for all.

So I have been diagnosed with sphincter of oddi dysfunction. From the research I've done myself online I found that this is common among gastric bypass patients. Women are more susceptible than men. It is very annoying. I was able to get into my new pcp but she just said when I have the pain to take an antispasmodic med (which I've had for six months and it doesn't help) and she said to relax and tell myself there is nothing wrong with me and to try to wait out the pain. Not a chance. I feel a constant ache but when it flares up it is worse than a kidney stone or gallstone. Anyone been diagnosed with sphincter of oddi dysfunction and what do you do to help?