rib pain / gallbladder

breanneestafford1 · February 2016

Hi ! I've never started a thread, so here it goes.

I just got got home from the ER. I will be 17 weeks Thursday. Baby's doing great.

For the last 10 days my right rib has hurt a constant dull pain. When I eat it gets really bad. I actually ended up throwing up my lunch yesterday (I haven't puked once this pregnancy).

They did an ultrasound on my gallbladder, did blood work and everything game back normal.

They said , well even though everything looks good, it still could very much be your gallbladder.

They checked out our baby and HE is doing just fine (we surprisingly saw a penis tonight. We didn't think we were finding out for another 3 weeks).

I guess i just just wanted to start a post and ask has anyone experienced this? I know I should be relieved since test came back normal, but now I'm just confused. What is hurting so bad. And it makes me scared to eat.

Sorry for the rant I've been in the ER for 6 hours and a little emotional.

Thanks !

PinkLady2015 · February 2016

Sorry you didn't get any good answers.... Did they say to do follow up with your OB? I unfortunately don't have any experience or suggestions (gas wouldn't necessarily be so localized, I'd think maybe a pulled muscle or cracked rib from puking a lot but you said you haven't puked at all and the docs probably would have noticed or checked for this). Keep a log for the next few days about when it's the worst, the type of pain, does it ever go away, if it changes, if anything helps or makes it worse and maybe schedule a follow up apt with your pcp or OB.

Did they suggest Tylenol to help with the pain?

Hope you feel better, congrats on your little boy and hang in there!

breanneestafford1 · February 2016

That's a good idea. I am going to start a blog.

I have my 18 week check up next Friday, so going to monitor it till then.

Who knows, I may have another meltdown and just ask if they can see me earlier. Sometimes a nice OB appt helps curb my fears / anxiety.

Thanks !

Schmooie730 · February 2016

If have them continue checking your gallbladder. My sister was only 23 when she had hers removed and they didn't believe her when she said that's what she thought it was just because of her age. Some of your symptoms sound the same (I'm not diagnosing though). You may need to see a specialist for gastrointestinal if your pcp can't find anything. But don't give up! Hound them to find an answer so you can stop hurting and eat!

Also, my sis found that eating smaller portions of more bland food helped a little bit with the nausea.

sboston06 · February 2016

My coworker has gallbladder issues during her pregnancy but they didn't want to do surgery until after the birth for obvious reasons. She was able to manage by eating a low fat diet during her pregnancy. Of course do what your doctor tells you to, as there's no one size fits all solution!

dolewhipper · February 2016

I agree to write a journal and see how you feel after which foods. If it is your gallbladder, it'll typically hurt after heavier, fatty foods (based off my experience).

juliagulia38 · February 2016

I agree with PP and keep a food journal. I had my first gallbladder attack a week after DS was born. Took months for me to figure out what it was and then got it taken out 7 months after DS was born. I have heard that you can have attacks when pregnant but then it will go away after delivery. Don't know how true that is. Hopefully you'll be able to figure out what is causing the pain soon!

stillcozy · February 2016

So sorry to hear you are going through this. I don't have any experience with this so I will echo PP to follow up with your OB and do the food log to see if there is a pattern or trigger.

backoffunicorn · February 2016

*lurking from Sept*

I had horrible sharp rib pain with my 1st. I think I was a little further along than you when it started (right around 20 wks). The only thing that would somewhat alleviate the pain was standing, walking and stretching. Car rides were horrible. Good luck and hope you manage to find some relief. It went away a bit once DD dropped lower and then there was complete relief when she was born.

breanneestafford1 · February 2016

Thanks ladies ! Hearing that others experienced this helps a ton with my anxiety.

Plan is to start a food journal and chat with my OB at next available appointment.

I really appreicate the the support of this group

elldel · February 2016

I was diagnosed with gallstones prior to getting pregnant but opted to try diet change for 3 months before considering surgery. That was 9 months ago and I've been pretty much symptom free.

My OB did warn that pregnancy can trigger gallbladder issues and I will say that what you're describing sounds similar to the pains I felt (not a doctor, though). Definitely talk to your OB and monitor your diet. Low fat is best, and nothing too heavy in one sitting. Good luck!!

nopegoat · February 2016

I had gallbladder attacks with my first. The pain would start as indigestion or gas and then get worse and radiate up through back and the vomiting would start.

I went to the ER and between bloodwork and the u/s it was easy to diagnose as they saw stones and lots of "sludge". I would definitely keep a food log and possibly even go ahead and start on a low fat diet to help prevent attacks if it is truly your gallbladder. Speaking from experience, the further along you get in your pregnancy, the worse and longer the attacks are.

betheliz · February 2016

I had intense rib pain during my first pregnancy especially after eating. It turned out that my bra band was too tight. oops.

I'm sure that gall bladder problems during pregnancy are serious and I'm sure you're getting checked out as needed, but getting out of an underwire bra and into something big and comfy couldn't hurt!

breanneestafford1 · February 2016

@kdm06c @elldel Thank you ! So far today I've stuck with super bland foods and eating really slow and already noticing a difference

edit it to tag poster

missshanab · February 2016

I have had gallbladder issues for years, it runs in my family. Check with your doc of course, but if you are having an "attack" sharp pains, nausea etc. Drink about 1 oz of apple cider vinegar mixed with organic apple juice. It will take the pain away in 30 minutes. I swear by this and have used it for years. The vinegar will dissolve the stones if you have them and the apple increases bile production.

Good luck!

DobbysSock · February 2016

Did they check your blood pressure? I'm sure they would have. During my pregnancy with DD I was having these same pains and when I called the nurse's line they told me to go to the emergency department to get checked out just in case because it could be a sign of high blood pressure.

Mine ended up being gall bladder related. I have small, benign polyps on my gall bladder (had gall bladder attacks before getting pregnant but they stopped on their own so I opted against surgery). Apparently pregnancy hormones and all the organs shifting around can trigger/worsen gall bladder issues. I discussed having it removed between pregnancies as a preventative measure but opted against it. My polyps were only 2mm so were not easy to find on the ultrasound that I had when I was not pregnant, not sure if being pregnant would make them harder to spot? Just wondering whether it's possible you have something similar that they didn't see.

Hope whatever is causing your pain resolves! And congrats on the baby boy

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