u/Stressed_Broccoli

Hi all! A bit TMI but I’m honestly confused and looking for anyone who’s experienced something similar.

I was diagnosed with gallstones 3 weeks postpartum after a severe attack that sent me to the ER.

At 3 months postpartum, I got my first period… and at the exact same time had back-to-back gallbladder attacks. I ended up in the ER two nights in a row, then hospitalized on day 3 because a stone got stuck in my bile duct. Had an ERCP, then developed pancreatitis and was in the hospital for 3 weeks.

At the time, I assumed my period overlapping was just horrible timing. The pain then was clearly gallbladder-related, and my period cramps were minimal.

Now fast forward to this week (4 months postpartum): my period is back, but this time the pain is… different.

Not classic gallbladder pain

WAY worse than any period cramps I’ve ever had

First night was so bad I thought it was pancreatitis again

Now on day 3, I’ve got lingering soreness, especially on my left side

It feels more like deep abdominal inflammation than cramps

I have a follow-up with my doctor tomorrow and will definitely bring this up, but I wanted to ask here:

Has anyone else had severe, non-typical abdominal pain during their period after gallbladder issues or pancreatitis?

I’m trying to figure out if this is hormone-related, lingering inflammation, or something else entirely.

Would really appreciate hearing if anyone’s gone through something similar 🙏

Have one to share, but want to hear more! What are some cheap or easy solutions to making your life easier?

I have a silly one for “warming the bassinet “.

Use hot water on washcloth inside two ziplock baggies. Or inside ziplock containers.

Washcloth keeps in most of the water and the ziplock stops it from getting the bassinet wet.

LO was anti-bassinet from weeks 4-14. The first few weeks of the protest I contemplated getting a warm water bottle or a heating pad to put in then remove before putting baby down, but I didn’t want to “waste” money if it wasn’t going to work. I had already “wasted” some trying out swaddles only to find out baby hates them. So I tried using what I had around the house to see if it’d be worth the cost (which I know isn’t astronomical but still). It helps! It wasn’t the Hail Mary for bassinet use but it helps. It didn’t cost a thing.