How many ERCP's are too many?

How many stents should a person go through? I am having my stent changed again Friday. This is my seventh. The stent is in my Biliary Duct. My gallbladder was removed in 1997. This problem came up in 2008. The Doc says I may have to have it changed every three months. doesn't this put me in a high risk category for Pancreatitis?
How will the pain intensify then? Will I bloat more? Right now, I can start off in a size 8 in the am, but by lunch, need to be in a 10 or 12. The pain under my ribs (right) gets excrutiating.
I get to feeling really run down. I have my labs done every 4 weeks. I'm almost at the end of my rope. I see people talking about stents, but they don't sound like they are in the same place as mine.
Any suggestions?

[CalGal]

Restless, there's no specific number as to how many stents are too many. The problem is that your biliary duct tissue may not be able to handle 'x' numbers of being 'invaded.'

Are you working with a doc who specializes in SOD (sphinter of Oddi dysfunction)? If you're not, I really, really want to push you in the direction of working with docs who handle SOD and pancreatitis routinely. I don't want to see you end up on a liver transplant list, which is what can unfortunately happen if the bile duct gives out.

If you're not talking to your doc about this, or if you have tried to talk to him/her and haven't gotten answers, please go to the SOD group at yahoo and talk to the people there.

With the ERCP's have you had manometry done?????

[restless23]

What is manometry?

[CalGal]

Manometry is where they check the pressure of the sphincter itself and the pressure within the bile duct. If you're doc didn't do that step, there's really no way to accurately know if you've got SOD.

[ohiogirl]

I echo CalGal's comments as well.  It's imperative that you find a doctor who specializes in ERCP and diseases of the pancreas/SOD.  There are a few centers in the US who are known for this, and many many many more doctors who will tell you they are experienced in ERCP.  

If your doc has never performed manometry, you can't tell if you have SOD or the type.  Also, that's how the doc determines (based on the manometery pressure reading) if you need to have a sphincterotomy.

I haven't had an ERCP yet, but when I need one I'll be heading to Indiana University.  That's where I met with Dr. Sherman who is excellent.  I also know that the University of Minnesota has an excellent program and one in South Carolina - there probably are more, but just to reiterate what CalGal said, please make sure your doc is experienced and is doing everything possible for you.

It sounds like you do have SOD, has your doc mentioned this DX to you?  

Good luck - keep us all posted!

[restless23]

My doc has not mentioned SOD, but I will ask him. I thought about a second opinion, but I had gone to Tulane in New Orleans to a specialist, and he recommedned my doc.