Okay, it's official: I've got a lot of gallstones and my excruciating
pain is now explained.  As my pregnancy has progressed, (27.5 weeks now)
the attacks have gotten longer and more intense, and they are not
correlated with big meals, fatty foods, etc.  Because I have no fever or
chills with the attacks, the situation is not considered life-threatening
or overly srious.  The gall bladder will be removed after birth,
hopefully a little  while after -- a few months as opposed to a few weeks
-- I want to *attempt* to keep to my plan of {*filter*}-feeding and pump
enough milk to get the baby through my hospital stay.  (Chances are I'll
have open surgery, not laparoscopy, because of likely adhesions frompast
abdominal surgery).  
Here's the dilemma:  I have had three attacks in the past six days; they
are horrendous, and every time I have one, I am sure I'm going to die or
go insane.  It has been suggested that I seriously consider taking
anti-spasmodics/narcotics when an attack hits.  I am assured that there
are relatively safe {*filter*} in this group which are likely to be far less
harmful to the fetus and far more beneficial to me than struggling
through the pain -- I am constantly concerned that my reactions to the
horrible pain -- screaming, crying, thrashing about -- are affecting the
fetus in some way.  

I am terrified, however, of taking anything that has even a remote chance
of harming my baby for life.  PLEASE PLEASE -- somebody send me
information -- particularly people who have had these attacks during
pregnancy -- what was done about it?  What did you take?  Can you give me
resources for information on the affects of such {*filter*} on the fetus?  Any
medical advice/opinions from qualified individuals is sincerely
appreciated.  I want as much input as possible before I make any decision
-- I am having an awful time balancing my and the baby's welfare if I

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continue to have these attacks on a regular basis versus our welfare --
more the fetus's -- if I take pain relief.  
Christine
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