Pregnant & in Pain - Docs Stumped - Help!

Have they checked out her gallbladder? She may have gall stones.

L.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi L.,

Never give up! Find a renowned gastroenterologist and Internal Medicine doctor, especially ones who specialize in these issues as they relate to pregnancy. Remember it is always a patient's right to fire a doctor from his/her case. If they've ruled out GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), hiatal hernia, issues relating to esophagus/ intestines/gallbladder/bile duct/pancreas/spleen/liver/appendix, etc. Perhaps with a TEAM of docs who communicate with each other and your sister (make sure they do!), an answer will be found.

Type all of your sister's symptoms into Google and do some research so probing questions can be asked of the specialists (I searched the symptoms and one site stated "GERD is common in pregnant women. Lifestyle changes and antacids are usually tried first to treat pregnant women who have GERD. Antacids are safe to use for heartburn symptoms during pregnancy. If lifestyle changes and antacids don't help control your symptoms, talk to your doctor about using other medicines. Most of the time, symptoms get better after the baby is born."

And this site: "Ginger is a good safe treatment of GERD in pregnancy and you only need a small amount. It can stimulate saliva production. Saliva is a natural antacid. Ginger helps relieve nausea and vomiting and it is a carminative (relieve gas)." Here's the link: http://pregnancy-and-baby-tips.com/2006/12/12/acid-reflux...

The above information might indicate a need for an experienced, respected dietitian and a naturopathic doctor (N.D.) to be included on the medical team.

Most importantly, her inability to keep food down can lead to malnutrition, so it is critical that your sister and the baby get MORE THAN adequate nutrition!

Do NOT let them convince her or her husband that it is "all in her head." Back in the 60's, before MRI technology, my sister was having strange symptoms no docs could find an answer for, so they put her in a psychiatric hospital. She had a brain tumor!

Good luck, and never be afraid to get proactive with medical professionals/insurance companies and demand the BEST care!

1 mom found this helpful

Hi i first want to say Sorry to hear about your sister I really hope I can be of some help. Since you said pancreatitis i wanted to share this link with you

www.shaklee.net/members/articles/corporate/2008Nov_Feature

This will show you the different supplements that can be used are safe while preg.

I also wanted to say sometimes with the proper nutrients the body can begin to heal itself. not saying her vitamins are no good but everything is not for everybody. I want would like for you to check out this You Tube video about the kids of vitamins that should be taken while preg.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=229D1x_TjrY

I think that the protein may be very important and if she has a problem with Pancreatitis Glucose Regulation Complex is very important.

I don't know if your sister can ingest milk if so I would also like to suggest meal shake. It's a start and at least she is getting a food supplement of some sort. You can read on that at this link
healthydesire.myshaklee.com/us/en/products.php?sku=20322

I wish you sister all the best I realize that you said she eats very healthy just a few tweeks can make all the difference. I hope this info was helpful. if you have any questions feel free to contact me

1 mom found this helpful

WOW that is really crazy well when im 26 weeks and since the beginning of my pregnancy i went to the hospital 3 or 4 times with severe abdominal pain and one thing is that i wasnt eating enough sodium in the beginning but near the end you want to cut down cuz if you eat to much it can make you swell like your feet and legs i went to the doc and they couldnt find nothing wrong i had so many appointments and sonos but nothing finally it went away then about 2 months later it came back i went to the hospital they didnt find nothing just said i was having a big baby and a bad fatige. also if you dont drink enough water you can have contractions which happened to me in the beginning then i began to drink alot of water and i still had my cramsp so bad i couldnt move or walk i called the doctor and he said my utuerus was contracting because my baby is growing and your utuerus has to get bigger. now im having abdominal pain and back back because he is 2 weeks to big and plus those are some symptoms ur supposed to have. I hope everything i told you can relate to you try to eat soups and crackers and take your prenatal vitamins and keep your appointments and sorry to say if your baby isnt getting enough nutrients and isnt growing you dont want him/her to starve to maybe the doctor needs to take him/her out because your baby can still live ur baby will be hospitaluized for a bit but later on atleast ur baby will be ok. GOD BLESS

1 mom found this helpful

I wonder if she has a hernia? My husband has a hernia and he's gotten so bad lately. You can get a pregnancy related hernia. But it might be too early for that.

I have not clue, but obviously the lack of real food and heavy prescription drugs like codeine is worrisome - as you are well aware.

Is everyone comfortable with her current OB? If not, have you considered changing to a new one. Is she seeing a male or female OB? After many years of frustrating conversations with male OB's I switched to a female OB. If this is not possible, what about homeopathic type healing? I've recently begun accupuncture sessions for some health issues and the practice itself is extremely interesting. I can refer you to someone who is certified and qualified.

Have they checked her for gallstones?
I didn't know that I had gallstones until I was pregnant with my son. I would get these horrible back pains and I would feel my abdomen get hard and sometimes i'd have to force myself to throw up to aleviate the pain. That might be the problem right there. It kinda started after i'd eat i'd get a pain usually on my left side right under my rib cage and it would be a sharp pain and it would travel all around to my back. have them check that out. I think she should be able to take milk of magnesia but have her check with her dr. Mine gave me nexium and that did help alot. Good luck and God bless!

I can't say I had the same thing but during my last pregnancy I had very sharp pains that hurt even when I would breath. I went to my dr and he couldn't find anything and came up with normal pregnancy pains. He said sometimes it's just the body adjusting. She may want to try starting with liquids and work up to foods. Hopefully they will go away. My dr had said that if I didn't start bleeding then I would be ok. As long as they know the baby is ok I would take it easy and work ba k up to food. You may even want to talk with a midwife and see if they are familiar with this I'll keep her in my prayers.

I know that this might sound crazy but... could it be really bad gas? I had amazing pain during my first trimester that turned out to be gas. If I would stay really still the pain would subside but the minute I would adjust, sit up, stand, walk, anything it would come back. I would double over and often throw up because the pain was so bad. It lasted weeks but finally, out of no where just went away. And then it came back after the baby was born for about a week. Honestly, it was almost as rough as labor and I had a natural birth.

Did they check for gallbladder problems, gall stones? I had a similar experience when I was 35 weeks pregnant and my midwife told me it's very common for the gallbladder to act up. And it's also very difficult to diagnose. Deep breathing techniques helped me with the pain. Good luck.

I am so sorry to hear about her situation. That is so terrible. I would be scared and very frustrated. She needs a second opinion. I would drive a long way to get a good hospital with a good NICU. Perhaps if she is not in Austin she can come stay with you. It would be worth it. Doctors don't know everything and sometimes people rely too much on what one doctor or what one set of doctors say. Get her to a good second opinion and make sure her or her husband are documenting EVERYTHING.

Oddly enough I was at dinner with a lady this week who told a somewhat similar story of horrible pain and no explanation. She was checked over by several docs and was told that it was all in her head. She ended up going in to a hospital at some point and a wooden toothpick was found in her Duodenum (I hope I got the spelling right). Because it was wooden it wasn't showing up in the Xrays. The only way she could figure that she had swallowed a toothpick was from Hor d'ouveres she had eaten at a party.

I hope the docs find what is wrong and treat your sister ASAP. In the meantime I will say a prayer for God to give her docs the knowledge and skill needed to figure out and heal whatever is causing the pain. Have faith and put your trust in God. I know He exists, and I know that He answers prayers. God bless your sister and her unborn baby.

I'm sure they thought of this, but it sure does sound like her gall bladder. They need to not only test for gall stones, but also to see if it is functioning. They can do this by doing a hydascan.
It is common for women to have problems with their gallbladder during pregnancy.
Hope she feels better soon! B.

did they check her gall bladder?

Two questions
First is she color blind?
Second did they check her for type two diabetes?

Did they check her gall bladder? My husband didn't have any of the normal gall bladder pain...because his stones were so soft they just passed through the duct...but they did irritate his pancreas and after 3 months of him being ill then getting better and back to ill again.. they removed his gall bladder... and he is well on the road to recovery.

Is her pain in the upper areas of the abdomen and back? I have experienced such pain for several years now (off and on) in the upper regions also triggered by eating. I've been through several tests and medications, but no solution - doctors have given me no answer. I have not experienced it lasting so long as a week though. And, it was not particularly worse when I was pregnant either. One personal solution that has seemed to help me is ginger tea. I'm sure if she's been in the hospital the doctors have considered everything - have they looked for gallstones yet?

Have they looked at her gall bladder something similar happened to my step mom when she was pg with my lil sister

I am going to second the St. David's recommendation, my doctor is Dr. Love -he works in the same offices as Polon...the NICU there is amazing and, by the grace of God, I was blessed to have the care for myself and my child with them. I truly trust Dr.Love's opinions-you don't actually know me so that wouldn't make a lot of difference-but try and see someone at St. David's for a second look.

Also, I know the "it's all in your head" saying can really make people mad...but don't entirely discount the notion that one's head is amazingly more powerful than we have been taught to give credit. I mention this because if they continue to find nothing physiologically wrong, she might work within herself thoughts to reduce pain. Just even basic day to day little thoughts and comments and attitudes about oneself can have an enormous impact on one's life. I have tried to mentally reduce the [most] pain i've experienced in life, and i imagine it becomes easier with practice ;)

I have a couple of very good friends her in Austin that are Neonatal Nurses. I sent your question to them. This is one response.

Is she in Austin? My first reaction is to tell her to go and see Dr. Clive Polon, and to get her to St David's. We do high risk maternity and have NICU also if things happen and the baby has to be delivered early

your sister needs a professional pregnancy massage if she's not had one yet, i bet this would give her the first real relaxation she needs to feel better. My husband could probably help her, he's a therapist for 20 yrs and specializes in clinical cases. Let us know if he can help.

Have they done an ultrasound for Gallstones? or a renogram for kidney stones?

Hi L., Glad to hear she has experienced some improvement! It is always difficult to watch our loved ones in pain, especially when answers and solutions seem to be elusive.

On the energetic level subtle changes can be detected much earlier and prior to it becoming as full-blown in symptoms. Pain levels can also be dramatically reduced using energy healing.

Everything that happens on the physical level first has a corresponding pattern that is evidenced on the subtle energy level.

My daughter recently had twins and we have used energetic balancing and impressions with tremendous success! It is amazing to see the changes happen in a matter of minutes! They will go from pulling their legs up and crying in pain to being calm and at peace. It is the most incredible thing to witness and such a blessing for parents to be able to immediately do something to alleviate their distress and help them get back to a peaceful state.

We have worked with and trusted Tom Petersen to help our family for several years. He comes with our highest recommendation. If you have any questions please feel free to send me a message. Here's his web address www.focusedenergyhealing.com

Many blessings to you and yours!