gallbladder symptons brought on by period

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Every month at the start of my period I am experiencing unbearable pain in the upper right side of my abdomen under my right rib. The pain also extends into my right collarbone. This pain is so bad it can leave me unable to walk or straighten for around 2 days and I can feel the pain go into spasm, and I can't breathe in properly as this enhances the pain. The pain can remain throughout the month however becomes a lot more bearable only catching me if I sneeze etc. My doctor is sending me for an ultrasound as she suspects gallstones but I'm not convinced as I have never heard of the pain being worse during a period.

Jannie · Gold Member Joined: 03 Mar 2006 Posts: 428

Well, as far as I know this is the area that hurts when one suffers from gallstones. Another interesting thing that you may have not known is that gallstone formation could be related to hormones and maybe pain from gallstones could be too.

At the time of periods, hormonal levels change, so there could be a link.

Levels of female hormones, estrogen and progesterone, can regulate cholesterol levels in bile. These hormones influence gallbladder’s emptying as well as the work of the sphincter at the gallbladder entrance. The longer bile cholesterol stays in the gallbladder, the bigger are chancing of gallstone formation. This happens when hormonal levels are elevated.

It means that excessive levels of hormones can make a woman form gallstones. The elevated hormones occur in pregnancy (meaning that stones could have formed even then-if you were pregnant at all), from birth control pills (or other hormonal contraceptives), hormone replacement therapy, etc

When the period arrives, the levels of hormones decrease but maybe it is this change that causes symptoms.

I know that usually fat food, stress, caffeine, etc causes gallstones attacks but who knows maybe hormones could do.

Let me know how the doctor’s exam went! I hope everything turns out well!

Now, that I have read that your pain worsens when you sneeze, I have to say that it reminds me of hernia. Hernia is when an organ protrudes in the weak abdominal walls and causes a lump. This hurts and the pain gets worse when a person laughs out loud, sneezing or coughs. As you can see, there could be a few causes of such pain, so you won’t know for sure until and ultrasound.

cpost · Newbie Joined: 04 Feb 2007 Posts: 1

I too am experiencing gall bladder symptoms during my period. The pain in the upper right abdominal quadrant lasts about three days, increasing over time and to a point where breathing hurts. I'm also terribly tender to touch. I've had multiple tests, including ultrasound, CT and HIDA scan, twice, with nothing conclusive. The only thing found was a small gall bladder polyp. The OB/GYN has suggested trying to control the pain through diet.

I was wondering if the person who posted similar symptoms ever found a reason for the pain and a resolution.

Preparing for the next round of unexplained pain, and dreading it....

mochisan1 · Newbie Joined: 11 Feb 2007 Posts: 2

mochisan1 · Newbie Joined: 11 Feb 2007 Posts: 2

In response to cpost, yes i have a gallbladder problem too, just recently in december diagnosed with one of three a stone , polyp , or cholesteral crystal in gallbladder..i have had bad indigestion that lasts over 7hrs have a hard time breathing and usually after eating a fatty meal and i am not overweight or anything but i have very bad eating habits of which i am now paying for...the surgeon suggested two weeks ago that i will have to take my gallbladder out they will not take the stone or whatever it is because it may come back or it will get worse if i leave it there, so i will have to change my diet after when it gets taken out..hope this helps out..

gbjp · Newbie Joined: 31 Aug 2007 Posts: 1

I have been dealing with gall bladder "spasms" for about 5 years now. My gynecologist was the first one to say that there is a link between gall bladder spasms and hormones. I have been to see 4 male doctors...all of which will not acknowledge this link. I have had 3 ultrasounds, which they were looking for gall stones, sludge, etc....and they found nothing. I have had two HIDA scans...where they found nothing. I've also had another type of HIDA scan where they injected a drug that would induce a gall bladder attack - if I had a diseased gall bladder. Nothing happened. I even went to a surgeon to talk about having it removed - and he said he wouldn't remove a healthy gall bladder. The first time I went to see a doctor for this, they prescribed Donnatal (Belladonna/Phenobarb). This is derived from the nightshade plant, and it has paralizing effects. If I feel a gall bladder attack coming on, I usually take one or two of these pills. They usually work really well. They calm my gall bladder down and keep it from spasming. Within 20 minutes or so...the pain is totally gone.I have tracked my attacks closely on my calendar, paying close attention to how well I have been eating, how much water I have been drinking, my level of exercise, etc. I have found a trend in my attacks. I usually get an attack during my period. Although, I only get an attack every 5 months or so. I have noticed that if I have been eating poorly and not drinking a lot of water, or exercising...I can expect an attack.
I have learned to live with the attacks...but I always have my Donnatal pills in my purse just in case.

CHICKIE99 · Newbie Joined: 27 Nov 2007 Posts: 1

I was experiencing this gall bladder pain after eating fatty foods and during my periods for months since January 2007. I became so chronically ill, I lost 13 lbs and I'm a petite woman!

I had multiple endoscopies, including scans of my gall bladder, MRI's, Cat Scans, etc etc all showed no problem.

I finally put the two together when I got to the point I could not wear pants above my abdomen when the pain got so bad.

I went to see an Gynecologist who diagnosed me with severe endometriosis. I was put on Nor-QD (norethindrone) since July 2007 and have been improving by more and more as the weeks pass.

I notice that when I eat foods that enhance estrogen, such as black licorice, soy products, etc I do get abdominal cramping and gall bladder pains similar to that of the chronic PMS symptoms I once experienced.

There's something to the estrogen link and the gall bladder pains with women. I just don't think there is enough study in this area to prove it yet.

I have been experimenting with different estrogen enhancing foods and the evidence points stronger every day!

Chickie

gallbladder symptons brought on by period

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