Gallbladder than acts up when pregnant - remedies?

[Family4Christ]

Hi mamas,

Well, ironically, I got my first attack with my dd at 8 weeks and my gallbladder is testy again at 8 weeks with this one. I wasn't having any problems until yesterday. UGH. My pregnancy with my daughter was remembered as one, big gallbladder misery. I don't want to repeat this. I also refuse to have it removed.

So, I learned a bunch about dealing with gallstones and one I am using with success to avoid attacks or stop one in progress: apple cider vinegar. I also take dandelion.

There obviously is something that goes on with hormones or something at 8 weeks that triggers this. There has go to be something that will help. Right? Anyone know? Unfortunately, these problems last during the first 9 months of nursing too.

[FloridaBorn]

Ooooh, DON'T take Dandelion!! That causes the gallbladder to produce *more* bile, which is the last thing you need if you have a stone obstructing your bile ducts. I recommend Milk Thistle (it's what I take).

Have you considered doing any of the gallbladder/liver/oil & lemon type cleanses? I've always wanted to try that, but have been a little scared to!

I am *really really* thankful that I've not had any gallbladder issues since I've been pregnant, but have had my fair share of attacks. I also refuse to have it removed.

Do you know if you have Gilbert's Syndrome?

[~Demeter~]

Drink water with lemons in it and eat a lot of leafy greens. Your body needs it right now.. I had a touchy gallbladder until I did the same, it started when I was pregnant with #4 (my only daughter thus far). I drink dandelion root in my pregnancy tea and haven't noticed any issues from it, to be honest but milk thistle will help as well.

Really ironic, when I was at the height of liver issues with my daughter's pregnancy (I had puppps and pain in my gallbladder), there was a thistle growing right next to my front door. It was huge, my sister would come over and ask me if it ate small children for breakfast. My husband is 6'3 and when I finally told him that it needed to be cut down and I couldn't do it, it was as tall as him. It was nature's way of saying, um yeah... remedy for you, right at your door.

[Family4Christ]

Ooooh, DON'T take Dandelion!! That causes the gallbladder to produce *more* bile, which is the last thing you need if you have a stone obstructing your bile ducts. I recommend Milk Thistle (it's what I take).

Have you considered doing any of the gallbladder/liver/oil & lemon type cleanses? I've always wanted to try that, but have been a little scared to!

Thanks, Darla! I don't think I have a stone, but just a really irritated GB. I'm not having an attack, but mild, annoying aching. If I don't have a stuck stone isn't dandelion helpful? I thought milk thistle worked the same way as dandelion?

My GB pain is typically handled quickly by drinking ACV and burping, but this go around, I keep taking it and I'm still aching, even though I'm burping.

I've never heard of Gilbert's syndrome and when I googled it, I saw something about billirubin levels and jaundice. I don't have issues with jaundice, but I did notice when pregnant with my dd, I had elevated billirubin on one of my MW's pee sticks late in pregnancy.

Drink water with lemons in it and eat a lot of leafy greens. Your body needs it right now.. I had a touchy gallbladder until I did the same, it started when I was pregnant with #4 (my only daughter thus far). I drink dandelion root in my pregnancy tea and haven't noticed any issues from it, to be honest but milk thistle will help as well.

Really ironic, when I was at the height of liver issues with my daughter's pregnancy (I had puppps and pain in my gallbladder), there was a thistle growing right next to my front door. It was huge, my sister would come over and ask me if it ate small children for breakfast. My husband is 6'3 and when I finally told him that it needed to be cut down and I couldn't do it, it was as tall as him. It was nature's way of saying, um yeah... remedy for you, right at your door.

Thanks, Nic! Is there a particular type of leafy greens? I like lettuce, but other leafy greens would be a challenge, especially with m/s. How much would you eat and how often? Did it stop your symptoms?

on milk thistle growing by your door. How ironic! How often should I take milk thistle?

[~Demeter~]

Originally Posted by Family4Christ

Thanks, Nic! Is there a particular type of leafy greens? I like lettuce, but other leafy greens would be a challenge, especially with m/s. How much would you eat and how often? Did it stop your symptoms?

on milk thistle growing by your door. How ironic! How often should I take milk thistle?

I mixed iceburg with spinach leaves... it cut down on the omg gonna puke factor for me. I ate a salad for lunch and it really helped me.

Iceburg lettuce (though Romaine or something of that ilk is much better for you)
Spinach leaves
avocado
bit of grilled chicken breast (or hardboiled eggs)
small red tomatoes (grape or cherry is nice)
red wine vinaigrette

I ate this salad every day for lunch for about a week (closer to 2 weeks) and only drank lemon water (good for nausea from ms, btw) for 2 weeks. No pop!!! No tea.. nothing else for the initial 'cleanse'. Be sure to avoid greasy foods for the interim because they WILL aggravate a touchy gallbladder/liver. Try to keep to a fresh diet as much as possible.

As for the milk thistle... I'd do this diet first (i'll link you to a list of safe gallbladder foods) and then use the milk thistle. I would mix it in a pregnancy tea but be careful with any herbs in the first tri.. just because you could react differently or more strongly. I waited until I was in the second tri just to be on the safe side. (I miscarried at 9 weeks, 6 weeks before this one was conceived... and I know you've recently miscarried as well) Anyway... link to the safe foods!

http://www.gallbladderattack.com/gal...allbladderdiet

Try to stick to those kinds of foods for at least a week, if you can.

[HeatherB]

I have mild gallbladder issues, but find that Hylands "Gas" homeopathic combo remedy helps a ton with the nausea, headache, and pain. Tastes nasty, but not as bad as it hurts!

[trimestersdoula]

I had gall bladder issues for a number of years. I tried many things to help myself with the symptoms and get rid rid of the stone. Nothing worked. All of a sudden I started getting some pretty messed up nails. They had ridges and little dents etc. Then I had an attack that lasted 5 days!! It was the most pain I have ever been in (labor included). Anyways, the scheduled me surgery to remove my gall bladder but I did NOT want to have it removed. It was going to be 6-8 months before I could get in anyways. Well DH was talking to the naturopath to see what would help me when he asked if I had bumpy finger nails. DH told him yes I did and the naturopath told him to get me somewhere I could have surgery immediately. I talked to my doctor and she got me in in two weeks. Turns out it was so badly damaged (and full of stones) it was ready to burst. It was also stuck to my liver so they had to go in and remove it the old school way, with a big incision instead of laprascopically. The surgery took 3 hours!

Anyways, I am just wanting to put the warning out there that sometimes gall bladder issues can be managed and everything will be ok. Sometimes they can't and things can get bad. I hope you can figure out what you can do to get some relief from your symptoms.

, Mama. It sucks.

[megviolet]

Apple cider vinegar was the biggest help for me, and =of course avoiding animal fats entirely (yogurt and eggs wee triggering me). Olive OIl helps, and so does avocado.
Good luck

[Family4Christ]

I mixed iceburg with spinach leaves... it cut down on the omg gonna puke factor for me.

Yes! Spinach. Is. Nasty. I need to get a baby green mix and add it to my romaine.

Thank you, mama! I appreciate all the info and the link!

Turns out it was so badly damaged (and full of stones) it was ready to burst. It was also stuck to my liver so they had to go in and remove it the old school way, with a big incision instead of laprascopically. The surgery took 3 hours!

Wow, mama! I'm sorry it came to that! But, I'm glad you're doing well now!

I'm thankful that my nails are fine!

Apple cider vinegar was the biggest help for me, and =of course avoiding animal fats entirely (yogurt and eggs wee triggering me). Olive OIl helps, and so does avocado.
Good luck

Thanks! I'm eating a very bland, very boring diet now, but things have calmed down to almost normal today, so I'm thankful! Thankfully, dairy is doing good by me, but I do avoid eggs, since they are higher in fat.

[EnchantedMamma]

I can't recall the link, but I just saw something on here about nausea (in preg.) being related to bile production... so that could be the link for you.

The linked article suggested beans.

I don't know what sort of diet a gallbladder issue calls for, but I'm guessing anything that helps control your issues should be continued if safe.

Good luck!