Question:
Ok, I'm 2 years post op and have this strange pain.

I had open RNY 10/01 and had an ulcer removed open a year later. After the second surgery I noticed a severe pain in my left shoulder whenever I experienced any kind of intestinal distress. aka gass or 'I gotta go'. Anyhow the pain was excruciating but would instantly dissapear when the distress would dissapear. I found it odd, but lived with it. It faded a little over time but is still present a year later. In the last month I started having severe pain every time I ate. It is different than the pain from the ulcer and sometimes it causes me to throw up. The shoulder pain is becoming more intense and is shooting down the left side of my back. I'm certain this is some kind of nerve pain, but do not know what is causing it. I have consulted with my doctor and have had an upper GI, which showed nothing being wrong. The doctor and I were concerned that it could have been an obstruction of the bowel. It really does feel like that, that everyting is stuck just outside my pouch. At the same time the pain started my bowel habits changed, again leading the doc and myself to believing it to be an obstruction. Questions are: Can an upper GI just not see and obstruction because you have not eaten when they do the test and all they have you do is drink a liquid? And does anyone else have any experience with this strange shoulder pain. I read somewhere that it was some odd sign of something, but I can't remember. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks--Becky    — RebeccaP (posted on October 20, 2003)

October 20, 2003
Becky, I am an Registered Nurse and the pain you talk about is what is called referred pain. Pain in the sholder is often reffered from the liver/gallbladder/pancreatic areas of the body. An upper GI only shows the stomach and part of the small intestine. To fully assess the entire bowel it would take a lower GI and a conlonoscopy. An upper GI wouldn't show any liver or gallbladder problems unless an ultrasound was done. Sometimes IVP dye that is injected into your veins then a special x-ray device would be used to be specific with the diagnosis. I strongly encourage you to see a Gastroenterologist imdediately. Yes they can see an obstruction even when you haven't had anything to eat. Please let me know how you are doing. Danna
   — Danna S.

October 20, 2003
You prefectly described the pain I had when I had to have my gallbladder removed. I went through so many tests and 4 ultrasounds because they could not see my gallbladder for some reason(kept asking me if I was sure I had not had it out. DO YOU SEE A SCAR??????????). The only relief I ever got was lying in a tub of really warm water on my left side until I threw up and then the pain would go away. Hope this helps and please feel better.
   — CAMFR

October 20, 2003
Sounds like gallbladder pain to me.
   — catleth

October 21, 2003
Like Dana, I am an RN. Everything she said is right on... Please get it checked out further! Linda
   — Linda S.

October 21, 2003
uhhh forgot to mention that my galbladder was removed a year and a half ago. And the pain is not similar.
   — RebeccaP