It's Gall Stones!!!

[chel86]

Hi Girls,

So after posting a question about the pain I've got my GP is convinced I have gall stones.  I've to wait for a scan and urine results to confirm it and check my liver/pancreas, but have been told that because I'm pregnant nothing can be done until I've had the baby, just take co-codamol.

Apparently pregnancy can cause gall stones.  Has anyone else experienced this?  If so, does anyone know of a natural way to dissolve or pass the stones while pregnant?  Another 3 months of this pain and then the possibilty of surgery afterwards isn't very appealing!

[chel86]

Thank you!  A little scary, but it's nice to have an insight in to what I might have in store!  I'm waiting for blood test results for my liver and pancreas and urine test results, although the dr did say I had white blood cells and protein in there.  So I guess it's now just a waiting game, hoping there are no complications while I'm pregnant!!

[prayerful wife]

WOW....it hurts!

I just had my gallbladder removed two weeks ago b/c every time I took a deep breath it felt like I was being stabbed in the ribs.  I went on like this for months thinking it was gas b/c it would jump from my back to my shoulder back to my ribs.  Finally two tuesdays ago I went to the ER b/c it got so bad and they did a chest and stomach u/s and saw the gallstones plain as day.  I went to see the surgeon the very next day, but after getting the results back from my bloodwork my whiteblood count was high and he told me surgery couldnt wait b/c that indicated infection.  I was taken to surgery that night at 8pm.  It was suppose to last 45mins and be done as out-patient, but I woke up in recovery at 11:30pm wondering what took so long....
I pray I'm not scaring you,
they rolled me to my room where my mom and aunt were there waiting looking extra concerned.  I ended up having a transfusion b/c my incesions wouldnt stop bleeding.  I found out the next morning the gallbladder was enlarged, the doc didnt know it and tore the incesion trying to pull it out.
Girl it hurt like hell....I stayed in that place for 4days and finally told them I was checking myself out if they didnt release me from that prision of people taking my temp and bloodpressure in the middle of the night!!! LOL
Dont worry about the pregnancy...they told me mine where caused from my pregnancy as well.  They said they were probably there the whole time, and I had a vaginal delivery with no complications.  So dont worry you and that little peanut will be fine.  And once you've gotten better from your delivery just schedule to have your gallbladder removed b/c unfortunately there's no cure for gallstones.
Hoped this helped, and didnt scare ya! (smile)

[chel86]

thanks for your post.  Can I just ask, I know you didn't get pains until after you had your little boy, but did you have your boy naturally or by c-section?  I know I need to make an appointment with my midwife soon, but just worried that these gall stones might mean I have to have c-section

[mami1323]

I just had surgery to remove my gall bladder.  I got stones from pregnancy.  I didn't feel the pain until after my son was born.  You will have to stick to a low fat diet in order to keep the stones from flaring up.  Even now after the surgery I have to be careful of what I eat.  I know how painful it is, trust me.  I wish you all the best.

[chel86]

Thank you!  At the moment with the pain I'm in now, the prospect of the return of endimetriosis after the baby and the pain I get with that, I am sooo tempted the opt for a c-section and see about them whipping everything out in one go!!  But I think that's the pain talking.

[keepurfaith]

Sorry, I got mixed up in my words. I meant to say Most doctors will not do that type of surgery while pregnant even if it's life threatening because it's too high of a risk to take while pregnant. My grandmother was on a strict low fat diet but still had hers removed.

[keepurfaith]

My grandmother was in this same situation. They gave her something to take and after her baby was born, she had them removed. She came out fine after that. Most doctors I know don't do that type of surgery while pregnant unless it is life threatening.
I'm sure it's not appealing but If I find anything out w/o the cost of surgery I'll let you know.