Have you had an ERCP? Looking for info
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Have you had an ERCP? Looking for info
| Fri, 11-26-2004 - 7:51pm |
Have you had an ERCP? If so, can you tell me if it has helped you? Did it clear up the problem or did you develop other problems as a result of the procedure. I have had my gall bladder removed (not due to stones) 11 years ago, and I have suffered from IBS for 20 years. A year ago I had botox injected into my sphincter muscle (for Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction) but it's effectiveness was shortlived. I was scheduled to have the botox again, however my insurance company refused to cover it this time, therefore I will have to have the more invasive ERCP and possible sphincterotomy. As the GI doctor tells me the sphincterotomy is irreversible, I need to determine if I must continue to tolerate this chronic pain or can I look forward to some possible relief after 11 years. I am interested in hearing from those who have been in the same situation.

Hi and Welcome
Hi Bebron!
Welcome to the board!
Lynn,
I am not scheduled as yet to have an ercp but I am getting pretty uncomfortable and I think that if I have a chance to feel good again, I should do it. The doctor had me scheduled for a second botox injection to relieve the pain but the insurance company nixed that deal so I must go the more invasive route, the ercp. I was feeling better at the time of the insurance rejection so I chose to put off any procedure until I was having another "flare" again. Which just so happens to be now!
Perhaps I am reading the GI all wrong but he seems to be ultra conservative about the ERCP procedure and warns that pancreaitis (pardon the spelling) can be a side effect, and sometimes it can be severe. Plus, he warns that the sphincterotomy is not reversible. He was leaning more towards the botox injection, but now that option has been removed from the table.
I have confidence in this doctor (I have seen five GIs over the course of 20 years), and I know that other local GIs send their ERCP patients to him for the procedure. Plus, I live in an area known worldwide for its' medical centers and this hospital is a teaching one. So I feel comfortable with the hospital being on the 'cutting edge', pardon the pun.
I have had many tests (numerous CT scans, 5 cck hida, a biliary drainage, sonagrams, etc.) over the years and my gall bladder was removed, not because of stones, but because it was diseased and neither working nor draining properly. The last cck hida indicates that again I am not draining at the rate that I should be. In addition, I have had many endoscopies so I am not worried about the test itself.
During my last visit to my GI, he told me that I fall into a group of unfortunate patients that get little relief from this dysfunction. I just want to make sure that, by choosing to have the ERCP, I am not making the problem worse so I wanted to hear from others who have had it done. You seem to have had no ill effects from having it done, right? Did you have the meter used to test the pressure on the ducts? Or is that always done whenever the GI does the procedure.
I am sorry to learn that you have Crohn's, that must be very difficult.
Thank you for your help, it is appreciated.
Bernice
Wren,
It all goes down the throat...fun...You are usually knocked out for this and your throat is sprayed so you don't swallow or gag, but I woke up early the last time and tried to pull it out after gagging on it...so..more drugs the next time! :)
Hi Bernice!
Your GI is right to be conservative where an ERCP goes.
I have had two ERCPs in 2001. One in Sept on my bile duct and another in November of the same year on my pancreatic duct. BOTH times I got pancreatitis and was hospitalized for 10 days. I had about two years without extreme pain -- it was a drastic improvement but not 100%. Now the pain is back, not quite as severe, but still intolerable, and I am back working with the specialist with the CT scan, the MRI, etc. I am anticipating another ERCP this month.
The pancreatitis is extremely painful and not something you can live through without pain meds and no food and drink -- that is why the hospital stay takes 10 days.
If you would like to email me directly, use netgyrl@aol.com. I am happy to talk to another woman with the same issues. BTW, I have also had a gallbladder removal the year before these ERCPs.
Regards,
netgyrl