gallstones anyone?

Hi all,
I was just wondering if anyone else here ever had the pleasure of a gallattack during a pregnancy. I spent last night in the ER trying to figure out what was causing the pain, and it turns out I have Gallstones. Is there any advice you can share to keep the attacks away? My birthday is Sunday, does that mean no cake? What happened to you and your gallbladder after your baby was born? I wont get the full report until tomorrow, Im just trying to ease my wondering mind at this point!! Thanks in advance for your help

Re: gallstones anyone?

sorry Danielle.

Re: gallstones anyone?

I started having attacks after I gave birth. I thought they were just my body moving back into place. I ended up passing a stone (worse then labor) and turned jaundice which is what brought me to the ER and finally a diagnosis.

If the ER doctor didn't tell you; go see a GI doctor soon. You don't want to pass a stone as it can cause some serious problems.

The only way to keep the attacks in check, is a low fat diet. The ingestion of fat triggers the gallbladder to secrete whatever it secretes and that causes the stones to stir.

ETA: I also had to have my gallbladder removed within a week of diagnosis.

Message edited 5/18/2007 8:05:39 PM.

Re: gallstones anyone?

thanks so much for your advice! I want to take care of this sooner than later!!!
Hope you are feeling better!!!

Message edited 5/18/2007 7:55:38 PM.

Re: gallstones anyone?

I actually had my gall bladder removed 4 months after DD was born . I has Pancratitus (sp) and was in the hospital for a week and then had the surgery 2 weeks later

Re: gallstones anyone?

I actually have been having "chest pains" right underneath the boob area (in the middle area). The first attack happened while I was alone with my 3 week old - I thought I was having a heart attack - I was about to call 911 when the pain gradually stopped after about 15 minutes of breathing problems. It literally takes my breath away! The slightest brush of pressure with my hand when these attacks happen was soo painful and discomforting - I mean barely toughing the area and it hurt like hell!

It was very scary.

The next time it happened, it was two days later...same thing - lasted for 15 minutes and then it was gone. I've had these attacks about 6 times in the last 4 weeks. I've learned to control them more by focusing on something and keeping very still.

I told my mom about them and found out it could be gas related, could be caused from high levels of estrogen still in my body or could be my gallbladder. The last attack happened in BedBathandBeyond on mothers Day. I had to sit down in the store.

I had a 6 week check-up with my OB and she just said, "oh, that's strange". she didn't even seem concerned but told me if it happened to make an appointment with my family practicioner. I did and she checked my heart and it was normal. since that was a normal heart pattern, my next appointment is to get an abdominal sonogram and then to see the gastrotologist (sp?). I go for the sono on tuesday.

I haven't had an attack since mothers day so maybe it was gas? I don't know, but if I think about it, I feel like I'm going to bring it on again so I'm just not worrying about it until I have too (well see on tuesday).

Re: gallstones anyone?

I had MAJOR gallstone attacks about a year after Michael was born. I was having minor ones prior and I just thought it was the way my stomach was now that I had a baby... finally I started having attacks like every other day and one day it was soooo bad I was leaving a friends house with Michael and drove MYSELF to the hospital and called DH and my parents to meet me there! It was awful, I ended up with complications (I also ended up jaundiced which held off my surgery) and spent a week in the hospital. If you keep having attacks, please don't ignore them the way I did, it was not worth it in the end for me. Normally the procedure is very easy and you can be in and out of the hospital in a day or so.

Obviously I'm sure you can't have surgery while you're pregnant, so in the meantime stay away from spicy and fatty foods, those can trigger it!

Edited for BabyElaina - the attacks you're describing sounds like gas to me. The gallbladder attacks make you feel very sick and sometimes vomiting is involved. It's usually on the lower right side, but for me it was more center. When I was having attacks, the fetal position (no joke) on the floor helped me! You will know if it's the gallbladder, but keep track of your attacks, I hope it is just gas!

Message edited 5/18/2007 10:14:54 PM.

Re: gallstones anyone?

Hi:

I just got back from my Doctor appoitment and it is confirmed that I have gall stones...I need to have the paperwork submitted from the sonogram and wait for my family doctor to call me for direction. Maybe the stones can be flushed out...I know that surgery is the last option.