gallstones and 30 weeks pregnant

So I seem to be having a very interesting pregnancy, it started with hospitalisation for morning sickness then a blood clot and now gallstones........ Has anyone else had these at this stage of your pregnancy, I have had a week of attacks and eating so clean I don't understand.... My midwife seemed a bit shirty with me after we called and said it was so bad again that I need an ambulance to get some pain relief...

What have you been eating or eaten? Do you know what sorts of things set you off? I have know for about 4 weeks and been living on chicken breast and rice and veggies? just getting so bored as Im still getting all the cravings......

Did any of you have weightless as it seems to be slipping away quite fast and Im concerned the baby is going to struggle if I'm not getting enough?

Any help, suggestions is greatly appreciated as I feel like the next 10 weeks can't go quick enough and feel a bit selfish that i just want it over with.

Hi Kassia

I am currently 24 weeks pregnant and just got diagnosed with Gallstones last week after having my first initial attack about 4 weeks ago. I have had 6 more since.

I am currently in the same situation where I have no idea what food is setting me off. I have tried triggering it with certain foods to see if I react, but got nothing...for me it is completely random. I have been avoiding foods high in fat and tried to limit high fat dairy too...doesn't seem to be helping though.

Have you thought about speaking to a nutritionist and getting some advice or even a meal plan?

I will be seeing one after I get into a surgeon and speak to my midwife at my next appointment in a few weeks time.

Sorry I really am not much help, but I just wanted to let you know that you not alone, and you are most definitely not selfish!

I'm 37 weeks and have had gallstone pain daily since about 28 weeks (I think? I get the dates mixed up).

My attacks didn't stop with dietary changes, I was getting them daily or even twice daily for a while, but some foods definitely increased the number of attacks I had and made me feel generally sicker.

- Try cutting out the chicken breast, chicken breast -definitely- made the attacks worse for me.
- Avoid eggs like the plague.
- If you haven't already, stop eating any dairy products other than skim milk and no-fat yoghurt (I know, taste sensations, right?). No low fat cheese is low fat enough.
- Sometimes tuna in springwater seemed to be ok, sometimes it didn't... so you could try that
- Don't eat nuts
- If you eat crackers, try vitaweet - they taste a bit like cardboard but they won't set you off. Pretty much any other cracker will.
- Highland Oatmeal biscuits seem to be low enough fat that you can have one or two a day (though I wouldn't have more than that at one time). They do taste a bit like sweet drink coasters, but at least you can feel a bit normal and have a biscuit with your hot drink.
- Be careful about still getting protein in your diet when you cut out the chicken. You can 10g protein from a cup of skim milk (which doesn't taste as bad if you heat it up) and there's a fair bit in the no-fat yoghurt (Paul's and Mundella are the brands I found that make reaaallly low fat yoghurt that doesn't have artificial sweeteners, but there are quite a few artificially sweetened ones if you don't mind that). You can also get a good amount of protein from lentils and baked beans. If you make soup, drop half a cup of lentils into it and they cook in about 20 minutes, they cook down to nothing, just thickening the soup. The dietitian I saw got me to start drinking sustagen 3 times a day, it has protein in it too and is very low fat so shouldn't set you off. Also, it makes the skim milk taste a whole lot better.

Are you in the public system? If so, ask to see a dietitian. There should be a couple attached to the midwife unit, they're there to help people with diabetes but they are also available to help people like you with gallstones. Be aware that they may suggest you try foods that are higher in fat that you think is safe (nuts for example), don't try it if you're not comfortable, I did and it made me feel a whole lot worse. Trust your own judgement.

The dietitian may not be a whole lot of use, but may recommend some other foods for you to try. I had the increased difficulty of gestational diabetes, so I couldn't eat as many carbs as I wanted to, but if you don't have that limitation, at least you'll be able to have variety in your carb intake and you won't lose weight because you can fill up on fruit, dried fruit, vegetables, bread, rice and potatoes, which definitely won't make you sicker.

I also had weight loss (3kg in 3 weeks)and that's the point where things started being taken more seriously by my obs. I haven't gained back those 3 kg, I've stabilised my weight and maybe gained half a kilo, but nobody seems worried now the weight loss has stopped. You may find you end up in a similar situation. They check regularly that my baby is growing well (you may need an additional ultrasound), and told me that while I was losing weight, my baby wasn't, he was leeching all the goodness from what I was eating.

It's hard to eat when you're feeling so wretched, but if you can at least stabilise your weight you will feel better for it. I think the sustagen drinks really helped with that for me, it's easier to drink than eat when you're feeling awful. Also, I ended up writing myself a daily meal plan and my DH checks at night that I've eaten everything on it. You may need similar help.

To give you a little bit of hope, about four days ago my stomach 'dropped' and I have only had one attack since, the longest attack-free time I've had since they started. I think that now my gallbladder isn't quite as squashed and isn't kicked as often. I have my fingers tightly crossed that it stays that way.

Also, I know what you mean about the way mw/obs treat you when you talk about the pain - it's hurts like you're going to die, but some of them treat you like you're whingeing about a stubbed toe. Have they given you panadeine forte? It won't stop the pain, but if you take it as soon as an attack begins, you get some relief before it's over. Don't let them make you feel bad for complaining, you need to take care of yourself in order to take care of the baby inside you - and you're still important in your own right!

Hang in there.

I'm 37 weeks and have had gallstone pain daily since about 28 weeks (I think? I get the dates mixed up).

My attacks didn't stop with dietary changes, I was getting them daily or even twice daily for a while, but some foods definitely increased the number of attacks I had and made me feel generally sicker.

- Try cutting out the chicken breast, chicken breast -definitely- made the attacks worse for me.
- Avoid eggs like the plague.
- If you haven't already, stop eating any dairy products other than skim milk and no-fat yoghurt (I know, taste sensations, right?). No low fat cheese is low fat enough.
- Sometimes tuna in springwater seemed to be ok, sometimes it didn't... so you could try that
- Don't eat nuts
- If you eat crackers, try vitaweet - they taste a bit like cardboard but they won't set you off. Pretty much any other cracker will.
- Highland Oatmeal biscuits seem to be low enough fat that you can have one or two a day (though I wouldn't have more than that at one time). They do taste a bit like sweet drink coasters, but at least you can feel a bit normal and have a biscuit with your hot drink.
- Be careful about still getting protein in your diet when you cut out the chicken. You can 10g protein from a cup of skim milk (which doesn't taste as bad if you heat it up) and there's a fair bit in the no-fat yoghurt (Paul's and Mundella are the brands I found that make reaaallly low fat yoghurt that doesn't have artificial sweeteners, but there are quite a few artificially sweetened ones if you don't mind that). You can also get a good amount of protein from lentils and baked beans. If you make soup, drop half a cup of lentils into it and they cook in about 20 minutes, they cook down to nothing, just thickening the soup. The dietitian I saw got me to start drinking sustagen 3 times a day, it has protein in it too and is very low fat so shouldn't set you off. Also, it makes the skim milk taste a whole lot better.

Are you in the public system? If so, ask to see a dietitian. There should be a couple attached to the midwife unit, they're there to help people with diabetes but they are also available to help people like you with gallstones. Be aware that they may suggest you try foods that are higher in fat that you think is safe (nuts for example), don't try it if you're not comfortable, I did and it made me feel a whole lot worse. Trust your own judgement.

The dietitian may not be a whole lot of use, but may recommend some other foods for you to try. I had the increased difficulty of gestational diabetes, so I couldn't eat as many carbs as I wanted to, but if you don't have that limitation, at least you'll be able to have variety in your carb intake and you won't lose weight because you can fill up on fruit, dried fruit, vegetables, bread, rice and potatoes, which definitely won't make you sicker.

I also had weight loss (3kg in 3 weeks)and that's the point where things started being taken more seriously by my obs. I haven't gained back those 3 kg, I've stabilised my weight and maybe gained half a kilo, but nobody seems worried now the weight loss has stopped. You may find you end up in a similar situation. They check regularly that my baby is growing well (you may need an additional ultrasound), and told me that while I was losing weight, my baby wasn't, he was leeching all the goodness from what I was eating.

It's hard to eat when you're feeling so wretched, but if you can at least stabilise your weight you will feel better for it. I think the sustagen drinks really helped with that for me, it's easier to drink than eat when you're feeling awful. Also, I ended up writing myself a daily meal plan and my DH checks at night that I've eaten everything on it. You may need similar help.

To give you a little bit of hope, about four days ago my stomach 'dropped' and I have only had one attack since, the longest attack-free time I've had since they started. I think that now my gallbladder isn't quite as squashed and isn't kicked as often. I have my fingers tightly crossed that it stays that way.

Also, I know what you mean about the way mw/obs treat you when you talk about the pain - it's hurts like you're going to die, but some of them treat you like you're whingeing about a stubbed toe. Have they given you panadeine forte? It won't stop the pain, but if you take it as soon as an attack begins, you get some relief before it's over. Don't let them make you feel bad for complaining, you need to take care of yourself in order to take care of the baby inside you - and you're still important in your own right!

Hang in there.

Yeh I think my attacks are happening now because the baby is kicking my gallbladder all the time. The Mw/OB certainly know how to make you feel like crap about it to.

I know they can't take it out but sometimes you just want to know its going to be ok.

Ive been making a lot of my own vegetable soup and its seems to be fine, I also have been ok atm with the chicken but can't have anything sweet which I'm finding really hard, I've also found that trying to have a cup of tea even with skim milk isn't so great. I was pretty disappointed with the lack of information I was given when they discovered the gallstones so Im going to try and find about seeing a dietician, but I know what you mean about being told that a certain food will be ok and you look at it or read the back and think no way...... Have either of you been told when you might be getting your gallbladder removed? Kind of feels like its going to be 2 birthing processes one to get cubs out and then another to get rid of this horrid gallbladder..

I'd love to know how you both go through the rest of your journey or find out anymore information and then what happens when your gallbladder is removed.. Also do either of you get pelvic pain, I find its really bad once I've had an attack..

Definatley thinking of you both

Vegetable soup... if I never eat a bowl of it again it will be too soon. I'm so bored of it and it's not exactly the best food on a 35 degree day either. For something sweet, I've found I can have chocolate sustagen in skim milk (one good suggestion from the dietitian - added bonus of getting some extra protein) and fruit, but my poor DH isn't allowed to eat chocolate or anything delicious and desserty in the house, he has to sneak a bar of cherry ripe on his way home from work or I'm practically in tears when he's eating it... tongue

I'm on a waiting list in the public system to have my gallbladder out after the baby's born (I'm being induced this Friday) but from what my GP has said, it's a long wait. I got a letter from the hospital saying they'll write to me 30 days before my appointment with the specialist, so it seems an awfully long way off. It's enough to make you want to give up. However, GP suggested that after bub's born the best strategy is to present at the ER with each attack so they can assess my condition and hopefully I'll start to move up the list. Have you been referred to someone yet?

There's a weird thing about having this while pregnant - the first attack, I went to the emergency room at Royal Perth (not at the maternity hospital) and they said I had to come back and be checked after each attack. They gave me a few painkillers but said I was to take them when the attack started and then come straight to ER as complications can develop quickly and I'd need to be assessed after each attack.

The story from the obs was totally different. She told me to come to the maternity hospital ER from then on, but only to come in if I get a fever, the pain doesn't stop after more than two hours (terrifying prospect there) or I turn yellow. So basically, wait until things get critical -then- come in. Is that what you guys were told too?

Almost forgot, I found that during the attacks if I leant to the left or lay on my left side at least I avoided the pain that came from him kicking out during an attack and catching me in the gallbladder.

Also - do your babies have a freak out during your attacks? Mine thrashes like mad. The obs/ms says the attacks don't do him any harm, but I think he can tell something's wrong, because my heart rate and blood pressure must really go up.

Keep hanging in there, I hope you both have good support from your partner/family. Let me know how you're going, even if it's just to have a vent about how awful it all is.

Kat

Hey Kat

Hope all is going well with your new bundle of joy, today I seem to be so over this its gotten me a little depressed after attacking so often and one so big yesterday I thought I was going to explode not sure how much more I can take.

I hope your induction went smoothly, I'm being induced in 6 weeks a little scared about that but can't hurt anymore than an attack.

Soup arrrrgghhhhh I never want to see it again. or eat it or smell it, Ive had enough my midwife is trying to get me to eat more but it's not working just making me feel more uncomfortable.

Anyway can't wait to hear about how your journey is going..

Kass

Hey Kat

Hope all is going well with your new bundle of joy, today I seem to be so over this its gotten me a little depressed after attacking so often and one so big yesterday I thought I was going to explode not sure how much more I can take.

I hope your induction went smoothly, I'm being induced in 6 weeks a little scared about that but can't hurt anymore than an attack.

Soup arrrrgghhhhh I never want to see it again. or eat it or smell it, Ive had enough my midwife is trying to get me to eat more but it's not working just making me feel more uncomfortable.

Anyway can't wait to hear about how your journey is going..

Kass

P.s yep my baby goes mad and it feels like I'm getting contractions at the same time then feels like but is trying to escape afterwards with so much pressure on my pelvis, I guess id try to escape swell.

Hey Kassia - so sorry to hear you're feeling so awful. I know exactly how you feel *hugs*.

Labour was pretty scary really, but that wasn't because of the induction or gallstones. Gallstones are -definitely- more painful than the first six-seven centimetres, but after that I think they're on par, tho labour is different pain and there are people there who help and support you through it.

Unfortunately my gallbladder has been incredibly painful since the birth, they think there's a stone lodged somewhere. It's constant and the painkillers barely take the edge off. I'm going in for surgery next Wednesday so once again counting down and hoping this pain stops soon. It's really stupidly hard trying to look after a newborn in this much pain. He cries and I get up to pick him up and end up half collapsed. Luckily my DH has four weeks off, he's finding it hard tho, as he's looking after two people who tend to spend a lot of time crying.

I hope your partner has some time off after the birth?

If you're sick of soup, you could try pasta sauce - can tomato, onion, zucchini, capsicum, garlic, herbs. Start it off with a little water with a stock cube dissolved in it so instead of sauteing the onion in oil you kind of boil it til it's soft. of course you still have to try to eat it, but that bit's never going to be easy sad

Sorry I've no good news to share. Though at least there is an end in sight. keep hanging in there. To have made it as far as you have you're tough.

thinking of you
Kat

PS v small silver lining... I'm already back to my pre-birth weight. lower in fact. it's so nice to be able to wear some different clothes... tho they are mainly pyjamas at the moment.

I had gallstones before i got pregnant and the pregnancy definitely agrevates it to the point where i cant get out of bed. Im on the waiting list to get my gall bladder removed after baby comes along.

I feel your pain but i am at the point where i live with the pain otherwise ill be in hospital all the time. I found resting helps and try not to lay on your right side. if you have to put a pillow there. for some reason as soon as I have a pillow there, the pain stops.

Hey Kat
Sorry to hear your gallbladder has been worse thats terrible you poor thing how are you coping with all that pain and a new baby id be beside myself. Best of luck for tomorrow, and soon you can eat yummy food again, although I have found that my cravings have passed and now I'm just happy to eat what I can.

How did you go with chocolate? Did you tempt it thats the only thing that I'm really tempted by and I can't wait for Easter to be over arrrgghhh......

My Mum has had her gallbladder removed and she said that the next day she ate a roast dinner the next day and had no trouble at all..

I think that this may be the secret to weight loss maybe everyone that needs a little boost to loose weight should be given a gallbladder attack and then they would be too scared to eat like me lol.

My Midwife said to stay away from Tomato? Did you not have any problems with it. I miss simple pasta that would be something I would really love to eat. Maybe Ill give it a try one night when hubbys in for the night.

Only 5.4 weeks to go and then the waiting game again for what feels like my second birth lol.

How's your little man going? It's funny cos I have explained the pain of a GB attack as very similar to crowning just in a different region lol.

I have a scan in 1.5 weeks and dr's appoint for the plan 2 weeks later to its all go, now I just have to get my stuff ready I've been so consumed with the pregnancy I've actually forgotten the simple things like getting the bassinet and everything ready clothes.

Ok please please let me know how you go after your op ill be thinking of you the whole time.

Kassi

Hi Kirstieandmiranda - sorry you're having such a rough pregnancy too. I hope things improve for you soon/when bub's born - when are you due? Do you have a date for your surgery yet?

Hey Kassi

I didn't end up making it to Wednesday. Pain got so bad on Friday that I was screaming and my husband and mum called an ambulance. There was a gallstone stuck in a tube. I had surgery on Saturday afternoon. They would have operated Friday but started to worry that my uterus was infected also and wanted to put me on antibiotics overnight first. One of the worst nights of my life, so many injections of morphine but I was still in tears for most of it. It was really really hard being away from my baby as well, I kept drifting into sleep and waking up panicking that someone had stolen him - thank you morphine for those awful dreams.

Came home yesterday and I'm utterly exhausted and in quite a bit of pain still but very happy to be home. They've given me a lot of drugs to take, heavy duty painkillers and three kinds of antibiotics, so I feel like all I'm eating is pills.

I can't actually pick my little man up, though I can hold him when I'm sitting down if I have a pillow across my lap and he's placed there very carefully. One of those little feet or hands can cause a lot of pain if he hits the stitches. I feel pretty useless. I can walk but I walk really slowly and sort of hobble around. Moving from sitting to standing or lying is really painful and not something I can do quickly. I feel really useless.

In the time I was in hospital and the couple of days before when I was feeling really sick my husband has become an expert at looking after our boy, he has him on a feeding schedule, does tummy time, changes nappies and sterilises bottles like a pro.

I know what you mean about weight loss - I lost 6.5kg after the birth and have lost another 4.5kg over the last few days what with not eating at all for 3 days but still expressing milk. I'm down to 8kg less than my pre-pregnancy weight. I'd really like the weight loss to stop now or there will be nothing left. I'm not eating normally again yet as I still feel pretty lousy, but I'm trying to eat small frequent meals and I've reintroduced some low fat food into my diet. Going to try a little bit of chicken breast tonight. Fingers crossed.

Sorry I haven't got any good news, I hope things for you aren't going too badly?

Kat

PS never had any problem with tomatoes. Also never heard that I should avoid them. How odd.