Question:
almost 1 yr post op, having epigastric pain, gen md says poss bile duct stones?

   — Mollie L. (posted on April 18, 2005)

April 18, 2005
I don't really know what "epigastric" means but I recently went thru a MOST painful episode with tremendous abdominal pain. I wound up in the hospital diagnosed with pancretitus. When that proved not to be true, they suspected bile duct stones (I don't have a gallbladder). Turned out tests showed no stones. Most likely it was a partial or full obstruction of the intestines. I was off all food and liquid for at least 24 hours and guess what, no pain at all during that time. Then when they put me back on liquids, the only thing available to drink was apple juice and I drank a bunch of that. Suddenly, I heard this huge gurgling sound, then some pretty severe short-lived pain and then no more pain. My bariatric surgeon says that partial blockages are pretty common and can be quite painful. I've seen other people post similar experiences so you may just be "stopped up." I'd get them to check that before they go poking needles in you and ordering liver scans, etc. Good luck, hope you feel better soon.
   — scbabe

April 19, 2005
Check out Biliary Stenosis. Basically it it scarring of the bile ducts and it causes spasms just like gallbladder attacks. There are a couple of things that can be done that don't require surgery but see a good Gastroenterologist for diagnosis and procedures.
   — Janet G.

September 22, 2005
I had very severe epigastric pain, had ct and x-rays , they thought it was bile duct stone, altough I had my gallbladder removed, went to my surgeon and she did laproscopic surgery and it was internal hernias that caused my intestines to twist, my pain was gone after she fixed it, internal hernias are nothing to ignore, they can be servere, but minor when treated early. My symptoms were extreme pain 20-30 minutes after eating and then passing about an 1/2 hr. to 1 hr later. hope you find something out , dont let anyone tell you its nothing search till the bottom to get your pain to go away.
   — iamhappy200