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What Causes Sore Stomach,accompanied By Lower Abdominal Discomfort With Lots Of Gas After Gallbladder Removal?

Posted on Tue, 14 Jan 2014

Question: Hi, for the past few weeks i have had a sore stomach on and off just below sternum, like a gnawing pain. This has been accompanied by lower abdominal discomfort with lots of gas and loud gurgling noises. My stools are quite soft and always float now, but didn't used to, but they are normal brown colour. I don't have a gallbladder, had it out when i was 25, and i would get the sternum pain once every few months for about 20 mins after i had it out so never worried about it too much. I went to the doctor who said it was probably stomach acid and prescribed me omeprazole 20mg once per day, which has helped slightly with the stomach gnawing pain but not with anything else. Blood test alsocame back normal. I have noticed now that i weigh about 68-69kg but i usually weigh 72-73 kg. Should i be worried? I am 40 years old and 173cm. Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Satyadeo Choubey (57 minutes later)

Brief Answer: go as advised Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for your query. You are still in a normal BMI range as per your weight. But if you have lost this weight over months then there is a reason to worry. Removal of gall bladder leads to problem in fat digestion, so avoiding a heavy fatty meal will be good thing. Few general tips will help you. Don't drink too much of water just before meal. Just take few sips and drink fully after one hour. Don't go to bed straightway after meal. Have a gap of at least 2 hours. Keep the head end of bed slightly elevated..... Just go for one ultrasonography of abdomen to have an idea of normality in abdomen. Do continue omeprazole for 1-2 weeks.. Besy wishes

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Satyadeo Choubey (8 hours later)

Hi, thanks for the answer. I have been doing some online research about symptoms, and am a little worried. Probably the wrong thing to do. I read that a lot of my symptoms like wind, gurgling noises, ache just under breastbone, and especially the floating stools (a bit smellier than usual) can be signs of pancreatic cancer. I am supposed to go away on holiday for 3 weeks tomorrow, and don't want to worry myself sick about this, but at the same time don't want to leave it if it's something serious. I read this is unlikely at 40 but still possible. I am a bit worried about this.

Answered by Dr. Satyadeo Choubey (24 minutes later)

Brief Answer: JUst relax...may go for Ultrasonography abdomen Detailed Answer: Thanks for follow up. Let me tell you our medical life experience. When we come in our clinic class in MBBS, there is something called 3rd year syndrome, i.e whatever we learnt was felt as if present in our own body and everyone was worried. Your symptom of foul smelling and floating stool is due to excessive fat present in it. Apart from Gall bladder disease, this may be symptom in pancreatic cancer because, pancreatic cancer can block the bile flow. moreover pancreatic enzymes like lipase is reduced. Both of these help in fat digestion. undigested fat can cause the stool to appear as you have mentioned. These are unusual at your age, but for the sake of just ruling out I have advised the ultasound of abdomen... Don't worry....just relax... Best wishes

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar