Heartburn... GRR!

[apparitions]

I have had KILLER hearburn since 10:30 this morning.

Nothing will get rid of it. It's so bad, I've been getting sick.

I finally called my Dr. at 1 when I couldn't suffer through it any longer and she called something in a few hours ago but I STILL HAVE IT!

Save me from this heartburn, please!

[Voltige]

Are you sure it's heartburn? After my gall bladder attacks, during which I also vomited, I'm suspicious

Any other symptoms?

I hope it goes away soon for you. I'm sorry.

[Carlin]

It's weird but what really helps me is to take about a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water once a day. It doesn't really make the heartburn go away once it's there, but it does seem to prevent or reduce it most of the time.

I've also heard that eating a stick of celery helps many women, and that papaya enzymes can be very helpful. Good luck finding something to help!

[apparitions]

Originally Posted by Voltige

Are you sure it's heartburn? After my gall bladder attacks, during which I also vomited, I'm suspicious

Any other symptoms?

I hope it goes away soon for you. I'm sorry.

How would I know if it werent?

[kamane18]

I second the diluted ACV - although I also add a bit of honey. Really helps keep the heartburn at bay for me and helps with digestion in general.

[Erinz]

Originally Posted by Carlin

It's weird but what really helps me is to take about a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water once a day. It doesn't really make the heartburn go away once it's there, but it does seem to prevent or reduce it most of the time.

Ditto that. I find the raw apple cider tastes a heck of a lot better too. I've actually learned to like the flavor because it does help me so much.

For my last pregnancy, drinking loads and loads of Rejuvelac helped enormously. I have all the makings on hand ready to go for when I need it again this time!


Here is a link showing how to make rejuvelac for pennies: http://www.fromsadtoraw.com/Recipes/Rejuvelac.htm

[Voltige]

Originally Posted by apparitions

How would I know if it werent?

Does it feel the same as other heartburn in the past? Is it centered to one side at all? Any accompanying shoulder pain- as in the back, near the shoulder blade?

Google symptoms of gall bladder attack. I had never heard of it, didn't know what the symptoms were, and assumed I was having bad heartburn. A friend suggested gall bladder attack and sure enough, it's what I had. It recurred three days later and landed me in the hospital for 3 days : I've since had it removed. I had a stone blocking a duct and it was not allowing any bile to come out.

I hope yours is "just" heartburn, as awful as it is. I just caution anyone now who complains of bad heartburn just from my own experience.

[kamane18]

Yup the raw ACV only (I use Bragg's).

Although like Voltige said, always better to be safe... When I had an emergency appendectomy while pregnant with DD it started out as feeling like bad heartburn and quickly progressing.

[apparitions]

Alright.. i've been laying in bed the last hour or so in a ton of pain (like, seriously.. I have acid reflux and one of the highest pain tolerances of anyone that I know.. and this has me crying like a baby)

..when I finally felt like instead of just dry heaving, I might get sick.
And I did.

I feel a little better. It's still there.. but not as excruciating as it was. So we'll see. I'll google the stuff you guys mentioned, thanks.

[Voltige]

Originally Posted by apparitions

Alright.. i've been laying in bed the last hour or so in a ton of pain (like, seriously.. I have acid reflux and one of the highest pain tolerances of anyone that I know.. and this has me crying like a baby)

..when I finally felt like instead of just dry heaving, I might get sick.
And I did.

I feel a little better. It's still there.. but not as excruciating as it was. So we'll see. I'll google the stuff you guys mentioned, thanks.

Wow, I'm so sorry. This all sounds so familiar How are you feeling this morning?

I had a lousy night too, but I wasn't in pain. Just covered in my son's puke.

[myfairbabies]

I know exactly how you feel. I just want the pain to stop.

[Carlin]

Hope you are feeling better this morning

[heatherh]

OP - If you lie on your left side, it might help. Makes it harder for the stomach acid to get back up.

[apparitions]

Well. Voltige... I applaud you.

It's my gallbladder.

I was in the ER for FIVE hours. They reccommended surgery, but want me to discuss it with my OB on Monday...

[musiclady]

OH MY GOODNESS!!!!

Good call, voltige.

I'm so glad you posted instead of just thinking it was random heartburn. And you have someone who just went through it on this board who can help you! Hooray for voltige!

I hope that you can get some relief and that everything works out.

[apparitions]

Yep! That is definitely the great thing about a message board!!

DH is totally worried though and says no to surgery, no to any risk to baby.

They gave me some meds so Im hoping those help me and I odn't have any more major episodes of pain..

I would like to add I called my OB's after-hours number and got the OB on call after I posted this here and saw what Voltige said. When I said I was worried it might be something else she said "Look, HB is just a part of pregnancy. What else would it be? You need to give time for the HB pills to kick in"

...so GLAD that is NOT my OB! GR!


Thanks again, Voltige!

[Voltige]

Oh, I am SO SORRY!!! I thought it sounded like a gall bladder attack, but then thought I was just paranoid. I feel for you.

My 2nd attack landed me in the ER/hospital for 3 days where I lived for the morphine drip. Once the pain was under control I discussed with my OB/RE about having it removed. I was only 5 1/2 weeks pregnant at the time of the attack so surgery was only an option if it was infected/extreme emergency. The risk to the baby is significantly less if you wait for surgery for the 2nd trimester. You have a narrow window though. Many surgeons won't do the surgery in the 3rd trimester because the uterus is too large.

It really depends on how severe your attack was and the condition of your gall bladder. You really don't want it to get infected. That's a much larger concern for both you and the baby than the surgery, especially in the 2nd trimester. Infection can easily spread to your pancreas, and that's BAD NEWS. Mine was not infected, but completely blocked. My bile was sludge and would never have come out. Infection was only a matter of time.

I've heard many women make it through the pregnancy and beyond without any future issues from the gall bladder. I hope you are one of them.

How are you feeling now?

This is one thing I wish I had been wrong about. Glad I could help, but boy I'm sorry you are going through this.

[apparitions]

Much better.. the demerol is amazing.

They said blood indicated an infection. US showed several stones.

ER Dr's here aren't employed by the hospital and so he said I really needed to talk to my OB and decide from there.

I fear my biggest problem will be DH! He says NO risk to baby Lucas.

I don't think he knows how bad it hurt. The ER Dr. said this is the perfect time and my bloodwork indicates everything else is fine.. which is all the more reason to go for it, or to say "eh, it might go away!" .. he said this is tough and why I really need to talk to my OB and make a decision.

I've had a completely healthy, normal, amazing pregnancy. I'm not afraid for my baby, really. I have faith that the surgery can be done OK and safely, it's such a routine. Just a tough decision!

[Voltige]

Originally Posted by apparitions

Much better.. the demerol is amazing.

They said blood indicated an infection. US showed several stones.

ER Dr's here aren't employed by the hospital and so he said I really needed to talk to my OB and decide from there.

I fear my biggest problem will be DH! He says NO risk to baby Lucas.

I don't think he knows how bad it hurt. The ER Dr. said this is the perfect time and my bloodwork indicates everything else is fine.. which is all the more reason to go for it, or to say "eh, it might go away!" .. he said this is tough and why I really need to talk to my OB and make a decision.

I've had a completely healthy, normal, amazing pregnancy. I'm not afraid for my baby, really. I have faith that the surgery can be done OK and safely, it's such a routine. Just a tough decision!

If you truly have an infection, it needs to come out. It's the same as an infected appendix. You would NEVER wait on that. If your gall bladder ruptures, you will go septic and your life and your baby's life are at risk. Does your DH understand that?

Having said that, I'm not sure that bloodwork can indicate an infected gall bladder. It's usually not known until they open you up what the exact condition is. I'm certainly no expert though.

If your doc and OB recommend that it comes out, I suggest doing it now. You have a much better chance to have the laparoscopy instead of a larger incision. Recovery is faster. Would you want emergency surgery in the 3rd trimester when the risk for premature labor is greater? Or when you have a newborn to care for? Believe me, I wanted to avoid surgery too. I didn't want any risk to the baby, especially considering we had been suffering infertility!! In the end though, my OB/RE reassured me. Surgery in the 2nd tri is very safe. If you are going to need surgery, this is the best time. If you delay, you might end up needing it in the 3rd tri or when you have a newborn.

I'm not trying to scare you. This is just all so recent for me and your thoughts and those of your DH reflect mine at the time. Nobody wants surgery, especially when pregnant. But the MOM is a person too. Her needs are just as important. If you are sick and in pain, that's not a healthy environment for the baby either.

[apparitions]

Thanks for your experiences.

I'm with you. I'd rather go for it now. I know, without a doubt, I don't want to do the surgery after the baby is here-- who would take care of him? How could I spend a week not being able to care for him?? That would be so hard! But ER Doc said thats when it would need to be done, if I waited.

He said that the blood levels indicated infection. I'm not sure what that means exactly. I was a little loopy and happy they finally gave me meds!


I'm definitely going to call my OB and try to make an appointment to go see her on Monday, so DH can go too and hear what she has to say. I want him to hear it first hand so it doesnt sound to him like I am just wanting to have the surgery to avoid the pain.

I am petrified that I'll have another round of attacks.. and later in my pregnancy is more dangerous! Why take the risk?! Seems silly to me..

I'll let you know what we decide. I'm leaving it up to the OB but if she says "I think you need surgery" I'm going for it... the sooner the better! ER Dr. said that the bigger the uterus is, the more dangerous.
This baby has been growing and measuring ahead every step of the way.. I'm afraid the longer I wait, the more risk there is.

We shall see!

Thanks again for sharing your experiences with me, it's nice to know there is someone out there I can talk to that has been there!!