SOD(Sphinter of Oddi Dysfuntion)

I have been having what I call "attacks" for the last year and a half.  The best way for me to explain it is that it feels exactly like when I had gallstones.  However, my gall bladder was removed in August 2003.  The pain is as if I have a rubber band about 6 inches in diameter around my up abdomen and someone is behind me twisting it to make it tighter and tighter.  It seems hard to catch my breath and the pressure and pain get so intense that I sometimes vomit.  Finally, one day the attack just wouldn't go away and I ended up in the ER.  Since then, I have had numerous tests - CT, Ultrasound, MRI, Endoscropy, blood test upon blood test.  I can have an attack twice in a week or I can go months without one.  Needless to say, I am now forced to carry narcotics everywhere I go just in case one of these attacks pops up.  Last week, I had the worst one so far.  Even with the pain meds, it would not go away.  I couldn't eat or drink anything because it would cause severe cramping on top of the pain.  Went to the specialist AGAIN, they are now saying I may have SOD and will be scheduling an ERCP for September.  Does anyone know if this condition can cause damage to the pancreas and liver if not taken care of?  Both my grandmother and her sister passed away of pancreatic cancer.  I just don't understand why given my family health history their isn't any urgency to help me.  Also, if the test turns out negative they will just send me home and tell me to keep them posted.  Has anyone else experienced these symptoms and if so, what was the eventual diagnosis?

[CalGal]

This is a good overview of SOD: http://hopkins-gi.nts.jhu.edu/pages/latin/templates/index.cfm?pg=disease1&organ=3&disease=12&lang_id=1

Yes, it can cause problems with the liver and the pancreas if it is not taken care of. If the sphincter is spasming shut, both the bile and the pancreatic fluids can back up. This can impact the pancreas resulting in pancreatitis. It can also do damage to the liver.

While you're waiting for the ERCP, please make sure it's going to be done WITH a manometry component. And if your doc says it isn't necessary, find another doc. It is necessary to know whether the pressures in duct are elevated. If they are not, the sphincter should not be cut. You may want to request an MRCP in the meantime to have a look at what is going on in the biliary system. It may show nothing, but it's still worth doing.

In the meantime, try following a low fat diet. And discuss with your doc the fact that you need to have those liver and pancreatic enzyme tests done within 24 hours of a severe attack of pain. If the blood is drawn when you're 'decent' it may come up negative.

[JimK3145]

Here's another reference you might want to look at: http://www.treatment-options.com/article.cfm?PubID=GA05-4-1-08&Type=Article&KeyWords