Gall Bladder problems during pg

[pewee9196]

I have previous gall bladder issues but lately they are really flaring up. I am pretty sure that is what is hurting but I have not had a chance to get in to dr. It is not stones but my gall bladder does not work correctly. I have dealt with this for 2. 5years. Anyone deal with this while pg? Advice on how to deal?
thanks!

[pacificbliss]

peewee I have not had any gall bladder problems but at a prenatal massage recently my massage therapist told me to limit my intake of Tums. She said she had emergency gall bladder surgery post-partum and knows of one other person who had the same thing and I guess they were both told by holistic health practitioners that Tums might be to blame. I realize this bit of info is largely useless since it's not necessarily your situation AND there isn't any clinical data but, in case it offers you any insight, I thought I'd pass it along. Hopefully, it's not starting a new "old wives tale".

I feel like I've written this before on these boards and hope I haven't just told you the same thing twice.

I hope you feel better soon.

[pewee9196]

Thanksf for the tip but I don't touch them. I need to get an appt with my dr!

[juliemag]

Not me, but my best friend is going through this and she's 28 weeks. She has pretty severe pain every time she eats, during the digestion process. SHe had an ultrasound done and they could not find any gallstones. Her doctor can't do much, but has suggested she stay away from any food that produces bile. They can't do any sort of surgery while she is pregnant. So in all likelihood she will have her gallbladder removed after the baby is born. I dont know off the top of my head what the foods she cannot eat includes, although I know she's mentioned she can't have the following:

- Peanuts/nuts
- lettuce
- cheese
- bread
- salt

I'm sure there is a list of a lot more, but I dont recall what they are. I asked my friend if she saw much difference in eating the safe foods vs. the unsafe foods and she said there was pain with both, although the degree of pain varied.

I really feel for you, b/c if you are having any pain like my friend --- it's awful. She hasn't really had a chance to enjoy her pregnancy, which is going great other than this. And now she's worried she wont even have the strength to push when it comes down to delivery.

I'd chat with your doctor and see if s/he recommends any other alternatives. I hope you feel better soon!

[maplekitty]

I've had my gallbladder out, so I know the pain....you poor thing! So not what you want when you're preggo!
What helped me ease the pain was eating bananas...apparantly the potasium in bananas really helps.
It's worth a try for now.

[dzmattie]

Is it common for women to have gallbladder issues during or after pregnancy? I have been having extreme pain in my upper stomach/breastbone area - more the right side and I see the doc on Monday - the pain is so bad last night I almost called 911...It is horrible...my primary care wanted me to see a gastro and put me on Prilosec and said it could be severe heartburn or an ulcer or gallstones...I am so miserable...

[Sneak]

Grr---my post just disappeared.

I feel your pain. I have been battling gallstone issues for the past 4 weeks of my pregnancy (now am 20 weeks) and it is no fun. It turns out from an ultrasound, that my gallbladder has lots of stones in it and each time I eat something heavy or fatty or simply eat until I'm full, a stone gets released with the bile and gets lodged in a duct. This is in turn causing me to have Pancreatitis. Definately not a good thing - and VERY painful.

My doc referred me to a surgeon who I thought was just going to go over some stuff for having my gallbladder removed a few months after baby is born, but started talking about the possibilities of it being "safe" to operate now (in month of November). I have decided not to go that route (just doesn't seem safe enough for me!).

This just means I need to be EXTREMELY careful about what I eat and how much for the entire pregnancy. If I don't, I could have another stone lodge and that in turn could flare up the pancreatitis again - which could cause preterm labor. Definately something nobody wants.

Hopefully you can find out exactly what is causing you the pain and what helps it. Sometimes a hot water bottle or a warm-hot shower/bath helps my pain out (though the attacks still last nearly 2 hours each).

Just know you aren't the only one....Talk to your doc.

Maplekitty - funny you say that about bananas. For me (and my mom when she had the same problem) bananas make it way worse. I'm glad it worked for you - what I'd kill for a banana right now...

[solongtogo]

I never had problems with gall bladder before pregnancy, but at 13 weeks I passed gall stones and I thought I and the baby were dying, I've never been in that much pain before. It turned into pancreatitis and I had to stay in the hospital. Compared to that pain, childbirth was a snap.

[pewee9196]

Ladies
Thank you so much. I never thought about it progressing or being anything other than gall bladder. Hmmm...I really should get off my butt. I am pretty good about what I eat but I think I need to just be better.

I am ticked at myself because when it first flared up they wanted me to have it out and I said no. The surgeon told me to have it out before I had kids. Dumb me.

Maplekitty I will have to try that!

Dzmattie- yes it is more prevelant in pg women

Hope everyone feels better soon. Does anyone know anyone that had the surgery pg? I don't want to but am curious