gallstones and pregnancy

[ullnurse]

I have an interesting question for you guys. My sister is 35 weeks into her pregnancy and about 2 weeks ago, her doctor discovered that she was full of gallstones. Her pain has increased in duration and intensity over the past few weeks. (she had been having these pains for 1 1/2 months now but it was overlooked by her ob/gyn) She is unable to eat very much because of the pain. She saw a surgeon who said that he could not remove them b/c it would be so difficult. He told her to take aleve, which did not help her at all. He suggested Lortab but she is a teacher so this is not an option. Her ob/gyn refuses to induce early. At this point they are leaving the decision up to her as to what to do. The pain is almost unbearable and I am worried about the possibility of rupture. What do you guys think about this? I don't want her to be in this pain yet I don't want her to have to face a risky surgery.

[churdlpn]

i had the same problem for the entire duration of my first pregnancy. my son was 3 months old when i had surgery. the thing that helped me was eating bland food and strangely enough those infant gas drops when i had an attack. i feel for your sister. good luck to her.

[fergus51]

I waited months to get mine out and I survived off of bland foods. Rice, small amounts of lean meat, jello, chicken broth and water were about all I ate. It worked pretty well for me.

[ullnurse]

Thanks for the responses. She has been sticking to a very bland diet and still experiences severe pain all the time, mostly RUQ, radiating to her back. She also has started to swell in her right side.

[ICRN2008, BSN, RN]

I thought that naproxen was contraindicated in the third trimester of pregnancy?

We had a patient with a similar condition during clinicals- they sent her up to the surgical floor a few days after she delivered. The lactation consultant and all the other support people came upstairs to her :)

It sounds like a conference with all of the caregivers (internist, surgeon, obstetrician, etc.) would help.

I hope that your sister feels well soon.

[Gompers, BSN, RN]

I have an interesting question for you guys. My sister is 35 weeks into her pregnancy and about 2 weeks ago, her doctor discovered that she was full of gallstones. Her pain has increased in duration and intensity over the past few weeks. (she had been having these pains for 1 1/2 months now but it was overlooked by her ob/gyn) She is unable to eat very much because of the pain. She saw a surgeon who said that he could not remove them b/c it would be so difficult. He told her to take aleve, which did not help her at all. He suggested Lortab but she is a teacher so this is not an option. Her ob/gyn refuses to induce early. At this point they are leaving the decision up to her as to what to do. The pain is almost unbearable and I am worried about the possibility of rupture. What do you guys think about this? I don't want her to be in this pain yet I don't want her to have to face a risky surgery.

Unfortunately, we cannot give medical advice on this website. The only thing I'd suggest is that she get a second opinion from another doctor and go from there. I, too, have some gallstones, and am nervous that they will rear their ugly heads during my pregnancy! My thoughts are with your sister and I hope everything turns out well for her.