ERCP after gallbladder removal....
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ERCP after gallbladder removal....
| Wed, 02-02-2005 - 3:04am |
I had my gallbladder removed last week and after constant nausea/vomitting and a couple of bouts of severe pain, my dr suspected stones/sludge in the bile duct. It cannot be confirmed with the ultrasound, but blood tests show my liver function to be 'very abnormal'. So I am having an ercp ( where they put an endoscope down my throat to the bile duct and use instruments through the endoscope to clear the bile duct blockage) sometime next week. I just want to know if anyone has had any experience with this and what it was like.
Thanks,
Lisa.

I had an ERCP last Feb and may be looking at another here shortly. I had my gall bladder out about 7 years ago and developed stones in my bile duct last year. Worst pain I have ever had. Sounds very much like the experience you are having.
The ERCP scared me but really it was nothing. Some doctors don't even keep the patient overnight from what I hear. Mine did though. It was a very simple procedure all in all. The anesthesia they used on me didn't take well though so they had to give me more than normal to keep me out so I was pretty much out cold for that entire night. But when I woke up, I was fine... just some heartburn kind of discomfort from the scope but they gave me Protonix for that and it helped just fine. Easiest procedure I ever went through.
Feel free to email me through my profile for more detailed info if you want. Definitely make sure they jump on this. I was undiagnosed for 4 long months and things got really bad for me.
Jill
Edited 2/2/2005 9:36 am ET ET by tearose70
Mom to Erin (19) and Haley (10yo Asp
Thanks Jill. That doesn't sound too bad. I was told it would be under a general anaesthetic so I was relieved to know that. I think some drs just do it under light sedation and I'm sure I couldn't cope with that!
Sorry to hear you are having so much trouble. I didn't know that stones could form in the bile duct after so long! Mine are just ones that 'escaped' during the surgery. The dr was supposed to do a test for that during surgery, but either my bile duct was too small or a stone was in the way and he couldn't get the instrument down to do it. Apparently that happens ina bout 5% of cases.
I haven't spoken to the dr about it yet, but will get to before I have it done.....apparently there are some risks with an ercp. Do you know what they are and how common/rare they are?
Lisa.
Hi Lisa. Glad I can help. Yep, I know exactly what you are saying about a stone blocking the scope. When my ERCP was done, I had a very large stone in there that the scope couldn't get past so they had to cut around it to remove it I guess. I would have never known had they not told me though. Didn't cause me any additional discomfort during recovery or anything.
I have to wonder if my first stones weren't "escapees" from my gall bladder that just continued to grow over time? No idea. I do know my gall bladder was completely full of stones though when they removed it. Possibility I suppose.
As for risks with an ERCP... the only ones that were brought to my attention were just from the general anesthetic. The usual concerns of bad reactions to it. I did find some risks online though. Here is a link I found to some info on the procedure...
http://www.gicare.com/pated/epdgs20.htm
It is good to talk to someone who is going through the same kind of thing. I hope all goes well for you and that you are feeling better soon!
Jill
~ * ~
Air Force wife and mom to 2 girls.
~ * ~
Mama to furkids: Angel (chihuahua), Abby (rattie), Hamtaro (hamster) and Jean/June (mice)
~ * ~
Visit Angel's puppy blog!
Mom to Erin (19) and Haley (10yo Asp
Thanks again Jill and thanks for the link. I heard from the drs rooms today and I am booked in for next wed. They plan to keep me overnight afterwrds. I have an appt on Tues to actually see the dr and discuss it with him so I guess I will have all my questions answered then.
I haven't actually had any severe pain since the weekend and my nausea is gone so I wonder if maybe the stones could have cleared themselves? I have had a dull ache just under my right shoulderblade on and off though. I wonder if that could be related or just a coincidence?
Lisa.
Although I can't say for sure, it isn't likely that the stones took care of themselves. During my first round last year, my pain came and went. I was misdiagnosed with an ulcer at first and given medication for that and actually thought it was helping. A few days later, I was hit with the pain worse than ever. So definitely keep the appt and get things checked out. Same thing is happening this time with me. Pain comes and goes. One day I'm fine, the next I'm wrything in pain. It all can vary so much on what you eat or how much you eat. You can just move the wrong way and it will start up. Frustrating!
The pain in the back may be part of it. I'm not sure about that. Mine is occasionally wrapping around my right side to my back so it could be related. I would be sure to mention that to the doctor when you see him. I am going to see my new specialist this morning and have a book full of questions for him. LOL
Glad to hear the pain has eased up for you!
Jill
~ * ~
Air Force wife and mom to 2 girls.
~ * ~
Mama to furkids: Angel (chihuahua), Abby (rattie), Hamtaro (hamster) and Jean/June (mice)
~ * ~
Visit Angel's puppy blog!
Mom to Erin (19) and Haley (10yo Asp
Hi Jill....just read another of your posts and saw you are having the ercp next Tuesday! I wish you well with that and hope it fixes your problem. Mine is Wednesday.
Lisa.
Jill
~ * ~
Air Force wife and mom to 2 girls.
~ * ~
Mama to furkids: Angel (chihuahua), Abby (rattie), Hamtaro (hamster) and Jean/June (mice)
~ * ~
Visit Angel's puppy blog!
Mom to Erin (19) and Haley (10yo Asp