Is is sod?

[reads4ct]

I had my gallbladder out in July 2008.  Nov 2008 I had pain where my gb was.  My liver tests came back a little high, not to bad.  Had an u/s results were a slightly dialated bile duct.  The surgeron said that was normal after gb surgery.  Here it is March 2009 and the pain is back.  Upper right quadrant pain, constant ache with some sharp stabbing pains.  It also moves to the right side of my rib cage.  At times the pain bores right into my back.  I've been to the er 2 times since the pain started, both times my blood work came back fine.  I've seen my primary doc, she has no idea of what it could be.  I'm waiting on the results of another u/s.  Not sure what questions to ask my doc.  Any input would be much appreciated.  It's been going on 2 weeks now with pain everyday, sometimes bearable sometimes not so good.  I was prescribed tylenol 3 and about 2 hours after taking it, I was in so extreme pain.  The er doc just give me iv pain meds, things finally calmed down.  But now I'm worried it might be something more.  I have an appt with a gi doc but not till April 6.  Please help if you can.   Thank you

[lilacs4lucy]

You may want to read the comment I wrote to Chrissy1212.  I had SOD (sphyncter of oddi disfuction) and I also had an ERCP performed on me.  CalGal is right, if your doctor doesn't specialize in doing ERCP's, DO NOT let them perform it on you.  You need to find someone who knows what they are not only talking about, but has performed more than just a few.  Although the procedure has minimal risks.  I was one of the few that had a complication after surgery.  I ended up with pancreatitis and not just that, but a severe case of it.  I was in the hospital from 1/28/09 to 2/20/09 and I'm still recooperating.  I have home care now, and it's March!  Please let me know if you have any questions.  I'd be happy to answer them.

[CalGal]

You may want to make sure that your doc also does an MRCP to see if there are any changes going on in the biliary system. The only way to truly diagnose SOD is via and ERCP with manometry which is an invasive test, but it's the only test that can measure the pressures in the bile duct. If the pressures are high it means it's SOD.

In most with SOD, narcotic-based pain meds increase the pain, since it raises the pressure in the ducts.

I hope your doc told you to follow a low fat diet. It can be of help in some. You may also want to ask your doc if you could try some anti-spasm meds. They can sometimes relieve the spasm and the pain.

If your doc doesn't specialize in SOD, make sure you find a doc who does before considering an ERCP.