ERCP Question

[rattler]

To the people who have had or know someone who has had an ERCP please give me some insight and information please.  What were the associated complications and problems that brought on the ERCP procedure?  I had my gall bladder removed in August 06 and three surgeries to remove adhesions since then.  I have had just about ever test done and all came back fine showing no signs of scar tissue.  When the surgeon went in he found scar tissue and removed it all 3 times.  Still having serious problems with pain and discomfort in URQ.  The pain is located deep under my right ribs and it is centralized.  I saw the surgeon the other day and he said he was going to talk to my gastroenterologist about doing an ERCP on me.  I told the doctor that if I could stick my finger inside my stomach I could pinpoint exactly where the pain is located.  The surgeon used some type of spray during surgery and told me that when the spray was used scar tissue did not come back.  He is at the point to where he doesn't know what else to do and he really doesn't want to operate a fourth time so this is when he suggested the ERCP.  I've read comments about ERCP but I still don't know enough about this procedure.  I was even told by a doctor that there are some serious potential complications associated with this procedure but if a well trained doctor is performing it I should be all right.  Anyone with some advice or experience with this procedure please advise.

[LS7]

I had my gall bladder removed, stones removed and then a tumor was found about two years ago.  Then six weeks later tumor was removed. Non-cancerous. However have gone to have pre-cancer legions removed though endoscopy at least six or seven times to have it lazered off.  Last time doctor thought it looked good.  Had routine blood test and showed elevated liver. Had MRI done, looked okay, but said lots of scar tissue to wade through. Had ERCP  to remove stones (if any) or scar tissue as thought to be blocking bile duct.  Could not find bile duct because of so much scar tissue.  Suggested I have a whipple operation...which I DON'T want.  Any suggestion of if I can take something topically to remove scar tissue, or undergo some other invasive procedure to locate the bile duct so it can be drained?  I don't know how to research, as I don't have a name for problem, not sure of the problem, or who to go to anymore.  The surgeon I want to be my last resort for the whipple.  Once this is taken care of will go to natural remedies to fight the pre cancer.  Thank you, LS

[Curls]

Have you had a transvaginal ultrasound looking for ovarian cysts or other gynocological growths?  Is that where the adnexal masses are?  You mention cysts...were they found?  If you have cysts, then the ovarian cancer forum on medhelp will give you a lot of good info.  You'd need to go to a gyno oncologist specialist.  Doesn't mean you have cancer (it's rare), but the cysts can cause the symptoms you are describing and they have more training than a regular gyno.  If your gyno is conjecturing that you have cysts then 1. you need an transvag ultrasound 2. you need a new gyno who knows what to do when those are suspected.  Masses and nodules of any kind anywhere such as on sound like they should be checked by an onocolgist or surgeon or specialist for that body part, no matter what the blood work results are.  Keep us posted, and include more details about the labwork to see if anyone here can help sort it out!

[mom24littleladybugz]

internist sent me to gyn no my gyn is now sending me to a gastroenterologist. Because I am always very bloated; I look like I am 8 months pregnant! The swelling is painful , I have also suffered from nausea and occasional vomiting .  Severe diarrhea every day, terrible abdominal pains I have lost weight but you wouldn’t know from the bloating it I am wearing the same size pants.  Ct scan showed adnexal masses bilaterally but more prominently on the right side than the left, low density nodule on the left lobe of my liver, a slight contour irregularity and the right lobe.  A slightly dilated common duct, but I have no gallbladder. Possibly from complex ovarian cysts or hemorrhagic cysts. I am now waiting for an ultra sound for further evaluation/.  GYn said all blood work was normal, except my cholestoral is high.  I am not sure if I will ever find out what is wrong with me, and I am worried,    any insight to my symtoms would be helpful!

[ky_sunshine]

i have sphincter of oddi dysfunction......going to indianapolis to see one of the specialist up there, supposed to be pretty good.  They put me on pancreas enzymes yesterday, supposed to help reduce the stress on the pancreas. it's called ultrase. let me know how you've been doing.
sunshine :)

[rattler]

The reason for the ERCP is the surgeon thinks it might be sphincter of oddi dysfunction.

[ky_sunshine]

Even if you do get ercp induced pancreatitis it usually only last a couple of days. those couple of days could be rough but within 24 hours you'll start to improve. I know had it twice managed the first time at home 2nd time i was hospitalized for 48 hours.  being in the hospital with iv fluids made it a little easier and it didnt last as long that way.
Good luck you'll be fine. :) sunshine

[rattler]

I sure will do that.

[rattler]

Yes indeed it is a very vicious cycle.  As I've read elsewhere surgery is the cure and cause of scar tissue.  Since the surgeon used a spray that is suppose to prevent scar tissue from coming back that is why he is suggesting the ERCP if he can talk the gastroenterologist into doing it.  After seeing the gastro the other day and getting lined up with some test I decided I am just about thru testing so I cancelled the test and made the appointment with the surgeon.  After all, even with the test it is a process of elimination and if nothing shows up he would reffer me to a pain management doctor or back to the surgeon.  I've been down this road before because scar tissue doesn't show up thru testing.  Guess I will find out later on in the week what the next step is.

[Jaybay]

Wow.  You and I are in the same boat.  I've had 7 surgeries for scar tissue at the sight of my gallbladder surgery.  The b****h of adhesions is that they don't show up on tests, so in order to get a diagnosis, you have to have surgery.  Surgery temporarily makes you feel better, but usually results in more scar tissue.  Heck of a vicious circle that I don't wish on my worst enemy.

The ERCP is worth trying.  It's entirely possible you have sludge in your bile ducts contributing to your RUQ pain.  Basically, it's like having an endoscopy.  In the hands of a skilled gastro doc, you should have no problems - BUT - there is always a small chance of pancreatitis.  During ERCP, dye is flushed through the bile duct.  Since this duct branches one, to the liver, and two, to the pancreas, it is not always possible to avoid the pancreatic duct.  The pancreas is one darn sensitive organ, so if any of the dye reaches it, you'll be pretty sick for a few weeks.  I don't mean to alarm you, because ERCP-induced pancreatitis is rare, but you should know all the risks.  Be sure to discuss it with your doctor.  Ask him if he has ever had a patient experiencing this problem post-ERCP.  Good luck!

[ky_sunshine]

that's good that there's nothing wrong with your liver. Leave a post after you find out from your gastro about when they're going to do the ercp.
Take care

[ky_sunshine]

that's good that there's nothing wrong with your liver. Leave a post after you find out from your gastro about when they're going to do the ercp.
Take care

[rattler]

I have in fact had the liver function test done 3 or 4 times and everything was normal.

[rattler]

Thanks for your comments.  I don't remember the specifics, if any, of the liver function test.  What is this test exactly?  I go back and see the surgeon this coming Thursday and during the meantime he will be talking to my gastroenterologist about the ERCP so I should find out then when it is scheduled.

[ky_sunshine]

I've had 5 ersp's.  the only time ive had complications is when they put stents in my pancreatic duct which gave me pancreatitis.  The first one was 3 days after my gallbladder was removed and i had a bile leak and they had to go in and put in a stent in my bile duct to drain the bile out.  You should be fine and hopefully they will be able to find out what's causing your pain.  I'm sure they've did liver function tests were those normal?  Keep us updated on how you're doing.  When is your ercp scheduled?
Take care