Gallbladder?

[homemademom]

Does anyone have experience with gallbladder problems? How can I tell if my discomfort/stomach pain is gallstones (which I've never had) or just morning sickness? Bloating, gas, pain after eating, etc. The symptoms sound very similar. I wouldn't say I'm having "attacks," just a constant dull pain in my stomach for a couple of hours til my meal digests a bit. I'm 8 wks pg, if that matters. Any advice? I really dread eating because I feel so yucky afterward.

[lilangelmelanie]

For me the pain was right under my rib cage on the right side and radiated toward the middle. it got much worse when I ate, and sometimes would last a few minutes, sometimes a few hours etc.

I told my husband once it felt almost like my diaphram was cramping up and I couldn't get a full breath.

*hug* I hope you get the answers you need!

[HeatherB]

I have some mild/moderate gallbladder issues, and they do flare some during pregnancy.

My symptoms tend to be a dull ache or discomfort on the right under my ribcage (where the gallbladder is) and bloating, pain, and nausea all relieved by burping. Weird, but it's from a build up of air and putting pressure on the stomach to force it out (either by leaning over or laying flat on it) helps a TON.

This definitely happens more with rich/fatty foods. My first attacks were when traveling and enjoying copious amounts of an amazingly yummy chili with lots of cheese. I felt SUPER sick and was sure I'd throw up, but never did.

The lack of actual vomiting is a big clue for me that it's gallbladder and not morning sickness - though not everyone gets sick with MS, either. However, I tend to be most sick with MS when I *don't* eat, where as I am more sick with gallbladder *after* I eat.

Your digestion does slow down a bit while pg, so you may want to play around with smaller meal sizes, changing proportions of carbs/protein/fats, and eating more frequently, to see if any of it helps.

If it is your gallbladder, the pain, nausea, and annoyance is the biggest issue. It's not particularly dangerous otherwise. It *is* possible to have it removed (if necessary) while pg, but typically dietary changes are the only treatment otherwise. Oh, and Hyland's homeopathic combo treatment called "Gas" is VERY helpful for me with gallbladder issues. It tastes nasty, but is a very, very quick relief for me. Perhaps it would help you, too?

[homemademom]

Thanks so much forth information. I'm feeling the pain right where you guys described. I'm going to try to eat much smaller meals and stay away from fat and see what happens, thanks again!

Oh, HeatherB, do you continue to have gallbladder issues when you're NOT pregnant?

[HeatherB]

Mine started when not pg, and wax and wane. There are times when if I eat anything fatty I feel awful, and times when I can pretty well eat anything and not have an issue. Other times (perhaps most of the time) I will have a limited reaction after a particularly fatty meal.

[bella99]

I don't have a gallbladder, I had it removed when I was 22 because of 9 gallstones. They were basically blocking any bile from being released. No amount of diet change was going to resolve the problem.

When I had the "attacks" I had a lot of pain on the right side under my ribcage, that radiated around to my back. Although the pain was pretty intense, it wasn't a sharp localized pain, it was the whole area that I mentioned above.