Ask a doctor on the topic of Internal medicine

Gallbladder problems!

September 9, 2011 | 10,00 EUR | answered by Dr. med. Ralf Berg

Good evening,

I am a 31-year-old female, childless, who started experiencing pain in the right upper abdomen about 14 days ago. These pains lasted for about 4-5 days, but were bearable - I thought they might be due to bloating. After about a week, they were still not gone and I visited my general practitioner, who immediately suspected a gallbladder problem, performed an ultrasound and saw nothing significant except for thickened bile.

However, since my husband and I are going for fertility treatment (IVF) in 1-2 months, he advised me to get it checked at the hospital - which I did.

The ultrasound at the hospital showed no findings that were suspicious. However, on the same evening, I had a severe pain attack for about 5 hours until the early morning, which eventually got better with a hot water bottle. The next morning, I went back to the hospital. The attending surgeon immediately scheduled a surgery without much questioning and wanted to perform an endoscopy beforehand. Blood was also taken. The endoscopy the next day was normal. The head of the department noticed that I was supposed to have surgery and reviewed my results - but strongly advised against it as there was nothing at that point that he would operate on. He also performed another ultrasound himself!

Feeling somewhat relieved and pain-free, I left the hospital.

Now, I still have this feeling of pressure under the right rib cage (upper abdomen), bloating, gas, fatigue, and discomfort from time to time.

Now to my question: How can I proceed with fertility treatment with these symptoms without fearing complications? I just want to have a 'pleasant' pregnancy. Last year, I had a miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, and now after the surgery, both fallopian tubes are blocked - can you help me?

The miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy (last year), and now the diagnosis of secondary infertility have already taken a toll on me mentally - could this possibly be a psychosomatic condition caused by a gallbladder issue?

The doctors have not mentioned anything else - I believe the blood tests were also fine.

Best regards.

Dr. med. Ralf Berg

Dear inquirer,

If indeed nothing organic was found, the chief surgeon is probably right with his advice. However, it is also possible that there may be an irritation of the gallbladder causing upper abdominal discomfort, as you may suspect.

I would advise you to try an alternative therapy (e.g. homeopathy or natural healing methods). Often, these functional complaints can be better treated with these methods. Furthermore, the medications or homeopathic remedies used are compatible with fertility treatment.

With warm regards and best wishes,
Dr. R. Berg