Gallbladder issues post birth

blessedandhopeful

A week or so ago I had a sudden, sharp pain in my upper abdomen that also wrapped around my back. It made me sick to my stomach, and lasted long enough for me to get concerned and call the after hours OB to see if it was pregnancy/birth related. I was told it sounded like a gallbladder attack, which is supposedly a common occurrence after giving birth. I just had another "attack," but it didn't last as long. It sort of feels like a contraction, honestly.

Has anyone else been dealing with this? I just wonder how common it actually is.

htuzzi324

I do. It's wonderful, isn't it? Not cool.

cynnnabun

I went to the ER because I had that pain 2 nights in a row. The second night it came on at 3am. I went into the ER at 8am after I had thrown up twice from the pain. My gallbladder looked clear in an u/s, but I have to go back and get a Hida Scan, which apparently is a better look? My liver in englarged and my liver enzymes are high.

I really don't know what any of that means, other then saying I can sympathize and it sucks. They did give me tylenol with codeine in case I get another attack, but so far, I haven't. I'm still going to follow up with a GI doctor and get the Hida Scan to see what's up.

I'm crossing my fingers it was a fluke and won't keep happening. But who knows. 

kje120

I can't really help because I had mine removed when I was 20 due to gallstones, but I wanted to say that o hope it goes away for you soon. I remember the pain being so bad I would throw up. Not fun.

MaggieB0406

Oh Lordy I know exactly how you feel. My attacks started halfway through my pregnancy and got worse the farther I got. After I gave birth they stopped for about a week and came back with a vengence! One night during my third attack in 48 hrs I couldn't take the pain anymore and I had to go to the hospital. I couldn't stand up I was in so much pain.  My liver levels were I think low so they admitted me and took it out. The liver (and/or) pancreas levels get off because of gallstones blocking things. During the attacks the only medicine that helped was the morphine they gave me at the hospital. Get the dang thing taken out. Seriously. The attacks for me were getting longer and worse so the sooner the better! The worst part for me was spending the night away from DD when she was 3 weeks and noy being able to hold her or nurse because of where the incisions were and the meds I was on.

handsonthewheel

I had attacks during pregnancy and have had one more since birth. They did a scan and my gallbladder is full of gallstones, so I will be meeting with a surgeon in a month to discuss surgery to remove it. I am hoping to get by without surgery until LO is weaned and no longer nursing but have been freezing milk just in case. The best you can do right now is to try to prevent attacks through your diet--limit greasy, fatty foods, red meat, etc.  It is incredibly common during or after pregnancy due to the raise n hormone levels.

 

deeyorn3

I had my gallbladder removed after my first pregnancy. and this was my 3rd child and i still have attacks to this day.  I just had an attack night before last.. zantac helps, but i would see your doctor, because when i had my first attack.. they rushed me in for emergency surgery, so i would get checked out just in case.