Question:
Please help! No one can figure out why I'm in so much pain!

It's me again, with another question about my undiagnosed pain. I had open RNY on 4/5/02 and felt pretty good until about 5/1/02 and then I started having back and abdominal pain. I had my gallbladder removed on 5/14/02 after spending a week in the hospital. It's now 6/21 and I still have the same pain. In fact, I'm in constant pain that is mostly relieved after taking a Vicodin ES. I've had an MRCP, endoscopy, blood work, CT scan, HIDA scan and an ultrasound. ALL of these tests came back normal. So now the GI doctor thinks it's spasms, and has put me on an anti-spasmodic to see if it helps. So far, the pain continues on, and it's already been a week. I asked a question a few days ago about this pain being caused by scar tissue. No one responded, so I thought I would give it another try. Could it be that? Also, now that I've been on Vicodin for so long, could I just be super sensitive to any pain, and if I were to get this out of my system, I would start feeling better? Please, your help!    — Christine L. (posted on June 21, 2002)

June 21, 2002
You asked about pain caused by scar tissue. Well, I suppose it could be. I had adhesions (scar tissue) from a previous abdominal surgery. I started getting a lot of pain, but it was in the general area of my appendix. My PCP sent me to a surgeon right away, and the surgeon thought it was my appendix. The pain was getting worse and worse. It was diagnosed as appendicitis and I had emergency surgery. It turned out my appendix was fine, but after some investigation, the surgeon found that some scar tissue had formed like a rubber band around my intestine and was beginning to cause an obstruction. So, my guess is that it is very possible your pain comes from scar tissue interfering in some way with your abdominal organs. Unfortunately, the only way they can diagnose is usually to do "exploratory surgery." Personally, I don't know of any other way, but if your pain is severe enough, it may be worth it. I know I'm glad I had the surgery. It could have become a life threatening situation.
   — Maria H.

June 21, 2002
I wonder if "some" of your pain could be caused by the pain medicine (hurting your pouch)? Example, I have arthritus and am supposed to be on ether Vioxx or Arthotec. If I take ether for more than a few days I get the pains like I had "before my gallbladder was out". I can only conclude that those "much needed meds" are hurting my pouch. So I suffer with the arthritus instead of having the meds eat a hole in my stomach. Just a thought on your problem.
   — Danmark

June 22, 2002
Have your DR check for kidney stones. Good Luck
   — Robert L.

May 10, 2003
If you are still not better, I would check into having an ercp. I had spasms of the spincter of oddi after my gallbladder was out. This continued for 6 months. I thought I was having a heart attack almost everyday. When they clipped this duct, voila no pain. If anyone else is experiencing this pain, check with your doctor and have them refer you to a specialist.
   — classydame1