Hey all, I'm new here. I've been trying to figure this out, and was hoping someone could share their experiences. I'm almost 2 years post op and in the last month or so I've noticed this persistent pain in my upper abdomen. It's definitely worse in the morning, feels very crampy and makes me feel super nauseated. It's not food related as I don't usually eat first thing in the morning. It goes on throughout the day, coming and going in waves. Not usually as painful after the morning, but still persistent, annoying and painful. I'm convinced it's something to do with my pouch. I went to see my team and she's ordered an upper GI film, as well as ruling out a bacteria which can cause problems, I guess. That test came back negative, so now just waiting on the upper GI film. It's getting progressively worse as time goes on. I first noticed it about a month ago and sent a message to my team who insisted I come in for a visit. So clearly it's something big enough that they can't handle it virtually, or whatever. I've been googling like a maniac and found a few things that sound a lot like what I have, but again, I'm just not entirely sure. Just hoping someone could share any stories if they too have gone through this. Thanks so much!

Hopefully the upper GI will show something though you may also need an ultrasound/scan to rule out gall stones, pancreatitis, etc. as well. I’d rather go in & see the doctor than do a Tele health call especially something like this. They can do examinations, you can show them exactly where the pain is, etc.

Hopefully they’ll find an answer soon.

Forgot to mention, I don't have a gallbladder! So it's definitely not that. It's weird because I thought my doctor would do more when I went to see her, but she palpated my belly where it hurts and nothing else. Perhaps she's just waiting to see what the upper GI shows

Have they ruled out ulcers? Is the pain in the middle of your upper abdomen, or more to one side? It's possible (no idea how common) to have stones in the bile ducts after gallbladder removal. Another possibility is Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, but I think that presents more as attacks of intense pain rather than a crampy type pain. I'm kind of leaning towards ulcer though, since you mentioned that the pain was worse in the morning when your stomach is empty.

My other thought was stomach acid. It’s built up over night & you haven’t eaten to use it. The pain is a cutting type cramp but for me it’s more across the centre of my abdomen rather than upper abdomen. I can get it if I haven’t eaten in too long. (I used to have it a lot even pre surgery because I tended to over produce acid.) If it is stomach acid a PPI at night will help. The gall used to regulate the amount of acid entering your tummy so not having one may be part of the cause. Is your poop a bit smelly? The excess acid can give it a strong smell.

My sister in law & I both experience sudden onset cramping & then usually diarrhoea due to not having a gall. It’s like the acid builds up then aggregates the bowel & then diarrhoea can occur. It happens to us every month or so.

Just musing. No expert.