Gallstones and blood tests

[SarahjAnderson]

Hi everyone,
I have 3 girls, the youngest is 9 weeks. When I was expecting her I started suffering with what the dr thought was severe indigestion and put me on ranitidine. Over the course of the rest of the pregnancy (about 4 months) I had about 6 attacks of severe pain. After some research, I’ve come to believe I’ve been suffering with gallstones or at least some inflammation in the gall bladder. After number 3 was born I assumed the problem had gone away but then I’ve had 3 attacks in the last 6 weeks. So I saw the gp again who has referred me for a scan (happening next week).
However, on Friday I had another attack followed by intensely itchy hands and feet a couple of days later-I was concerned my liver function is being affected. So I contacted my gp again and had a blood test on Monday.
This morning the drs surgery text me to ask me to arrange an appointment to discuss the results and now I’m completely panicking!!! I suffer with health anxiety and have talked myself into having all sorts of problems.
I guess what I’d like to know is, has anyone with gallbladder issues had dodgy blood test results? And what has this meant in terms of managing the condition?
Thanks

[Bunnybaubles]

Yes, I had this recently. My gp took bloods and my scan showed I have an inflamed gallbladder and stones. But it was my surgeon (I'm waiting surgery to have my gallbladder removed) who told me my bloods showed raised liver levels indicating I had a stone blocking my liver duct.

So it may be this, your symptoms are very similar to mine when it was really bad during my pregnancies.

If it is I suspect, depending on your scan results, you could be referred to a surgeon.

[SarahjAnderson]

Thank you for your message and reassurance! I feel like I’ve needed to really push the gp on this. When the itching started I thought enough was enough-I need to sort this now, I can’t keep having these attacks which are completely debilitating with 2 kids and a small baby!!
Have you got long to wait for your op?

[Bunnybaubles]

The attacks are awful!! My first severe attack I was home alone with DD who was 5 months old at the time, I remember laying down on my front on the kitchen floor using 1 finger to text for help, I thought I was going to pass out. I was taken to hospital but unfortunately they sent me home telling me I had plurecy. I never had any symptoms of plurecy at all, you'd expect a doctor to know the signs lol.
I've got a bit of a wait for my surgery, I received a letter saying could be up to 38 weeks.
I was told by my gp if i have any more attacks i need to phone 999 and explain I'm waiting for surgery to have my gallbladder removed but having an attack and an ambulance should come out with morphine, might be worth you doing too when you have another attack.
Hopefully your scan shows what the problem is so things can start moving along for you to get treated

[RB68]

Stones can release from the gall bladder and get stuck in the system causing Liver function to fall - this could cause itchy skin and also you would have dark urine (i mean majorly brown).

They cannot operate if the gallbladder is inflamed (when you have gall pain) so have to wait for it to go down, but then you are not urgent!! HOWEVER if your Liver and or kidneys are playing up they will prioritise you - if GP not helpful I would go to A&E personally. There is a sequence of painkillers they try with you - from paracetamol through to morphine so its worth taking paracetamol first to see if that works and you are missing a stage out.

If you get to a consultant tell them you are will to take a short notice appt as this has worked for 2 people I know who were then seen within 3 months

[SarahjAnderson]

Thank you both! I’ve seen the dr today, my liver function is being affected but she didn’t seem too bothered-just said it’s suggestive of gallstones and we’ll know more when I have the scan. I’m very lucky in that I also have private medical insurance via my hubbys work so if the scan shows up what we’re expecting I’m going to elect surgery this way.
@Bunnybaubles that’s such a long time to wait, I’m so sorry. The more research I do, the more it seems such a common problem!! The last attack I had was in the middle of a Christmas fair in a packed church hall, it was noisy and hot and I seriously thought I was going to die with the pain. Luckily I could get my husband to come and rescue me and the kids but he works away a lot and I’m dreading if it happens when he’s not here.
@RB68 thank you for your advice! Worth knowing about the inflammation meaning they can’t operate...

[MummySharkDoodoododoo]

Hi, just wanted to say I had similar but when I was pregnant with my 4th baby and it was awful, I was in so much pain.

Anyway it did affect my liver but nothing was long lasting or anything. I eventually had surgery to remove gallbladder and since then (5 years later) it's all been fine and no further problems or pain.

[SarahjAnderson]

Thank you for sharing @MummySharkDoodoododoo
Did any of these problems affect ability to breastfeed for any of you?

[MummySharkDoodoododoo]

So sorry I totally missed your message. I breastfed fine and even had my baby with me in hospital before and after my surgery. And had a hospital breast pump by my bed which is 10000 times better than any home one!