banded in May 07 -- all was going well until September when gallbladder was "inflammed" (no stones) started Actigall; by end of December had 2nd espisode with pancreatitis, January had gall baldder removed -- problem is now have constant upper right back flank pain -- doctor ain't offering any real help -- anyone else out there have similar experinece and offer help/advice/hope. Thanks

So sorry for your troubles. I actually had my gallbladder removed before I had the band, I had over 50 stones they said. The pancreatitus is very dangerous, I'm sure you know that. I'm glad its healed up. I'm not sure why your having back pain, I've heard of others who experience this, I seem to have shoulder pain if I overeat, but no pain in my back.

Hopefully someone will see your post and offer some better advice.

banded in May 07 -- all was going well until September when gallbladder was "inflammed" (no stones) started Actigall; by end of December had 2nd espisode with pancreatitis, January had gall baldder removed -- problem is now have constant upper right back flank pain -- doctor ain't offering any real help -- anyone else out there have similar experinece and offer help/advice/hope. Thanks

I, too, had several gallbladder attacks and after the third painful one over the course of a year, I finally relented and scheduled a cholecystectomy. Prior to the surgery, I noticed tan/beige colored oily stools (sorry if TMI). I contacted my surgeon who had me come right in. He indicated that was a symptom of pancreatitis. After a 9-day hospital stay with acute pancreatitis, it finally resolved and I was able to have my gallblader removed.

After the surgery, I was still experiencing pain in my right side and it radiated to my back as well. I talked to the surgeon and he said that some patients experience "ghost" pain for up to a year after surgery that could be caused by nerve endings that were damaged during surgery. Luckily, for me, he was right and the pain went away.

Related to the surgery, I've heard that some experience back pain that could also be caused by a partially blocked bile duct.

Other non-gallbladder related causes should be ruled out as well.

Good luck.

Hi,

I had my gallballder removed in 2000. Almost a year later developed pancreintitus (sp?) due to either a stone being left when gallbladder was removed or another one formed (unsure of which) It was HORRIBLY painful!!! The pain you described is exactly what I had. Unfortunatly, I have had to be hospitalized 3 more times since then due to having stones in my bile duct. Fortunatly I have not developed panc. again. I was banded in Oct 07. I didn't want the bypass and it was a good thing because my surgeon didn't recommend it in the chance that I formed another stone (he said with the bypass they wouldn't be able to perform the procedure I have to have done to remove the stones)

Occasionally I have bouts of the same pain but thankfully they go away. I've done alot of research and found thru that research and thru discussions with different docs that some people who have a history of stones can also have "sludge".. meaning that you may have a blockage that can cause the same pain as a stone but it eventually passes.

Angela

thanks guys for the info. much appreciated -- got me thinking does anyone know what is the diagnostic test to access one's bile?? sludge??

When I start having these pains,my docs won't do anything until they see something in my blood work (high liver enzymes) Also, my urine turns really dark which indicates a blockage. I have had times where I have the back pain and just have to wait until either it goes away or it progresses to the point of elevating my liver enzymes. When my blood work spikes and my urine turns dark usually within hours I run a very high fever. My docs have performed an ERCP to "push" the stone/sludge through my bile duct. I've had to have approx. 4 ERCPs done since 2000.

All the docs I've seen for this always say that reoccurance of this is not common but not unheard of. No one can tell me why this continues to happen to me. Knock on wood I haven't had any problems for almost a year. Even though the docs told me that weight didn't have anything to do with it, I'm hoping that since I've had the surgery and have lost a lil bit of weight, I won't have it happen again! :puke:

Angela - thanks for sharing -- glad to know alls been well for the past year -- Have your doctors indicated to you what they believe is causing the formation of stone/sludge ??

Also, is anyone out there, whose had their gallbladder removed, taking actigall or any other med. during their weight loss phase to prevent stones/sludge?? please do share -- would love to hear form you.