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Please Help!!Liver and Scar tissue and ERCP!!!!

I'm new to this board and very scared right now!I had  an EGD AND A COLONOSCOPY done on Tuesday,my gastronologist then ordered a ERCP test for next Monday.He thinks I have scar tissue on my Liver.I've had my gallbladder removed a year ago.I don't like that he gave me a few prescriptions to take,they don't make sense to me,one for itching,depression.He knows I won't take them.I never complained of itching and I'm not depressed.Now,I'm scared about whats wrong with me!Everything I'm reading is telling me that scaring leads to liver failure and transplant.My other tests were fine.Does anyone know if all this means my time is limited.I'm only 44!He's the kind of DR.,that does alot of tests.I guess thats good,at least I used to think so.Please give me more info.Thanks,Chubby-
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Avatar universal
Thank you for the advice and for reminding me that God is where my fear should go.I hope that made sense.I wish my mom could stay with me and help with my boys.That's only dreaming,though.She has never been that way,but thats another story.I'll write tommorow night,if I come home.Thanks for the support.I did get sick today though,I think maybe from the meds.,I was nauseas all week.I'll write later.Peace,Patty-
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Avatar universal
Chubby...

First let me say I am not the same Taz as you knew from somewhere else.  SOrry.

Now, it sounds to me that you have a blockage of the pancreactic duct.  Possibly a loose stone in there.  The ERCP will get that and all be alright.  My girlfriend just went through the same thing on thursday (halloween)and she is doing just fine.  Went home the same day.  She laid in bed for 3 days while her mom cared for her and her 2 kids.  But she said she felt like getting up the day after the surgery.  She was back to work 4 days after the surgery.  It should be a breeze for you.

Please try not to worry too muchabout it.  It is very important that the doctor get the blockage taken care of.  If it persists, you could very well end up with some form of pancreatitis and believe me YOU DON'T WANT THAT!!!

Put your faith in God and your doctor and you will be fine.  Don't forget to write us and tell us how it all turned out.

TazLady (Sandy)
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Hello,I just wanted to tell you that my husband just told me that the dr., said that it was my tube that goes to my pancras that is causing a backup and he could fix the problem while he was in their.I'm more confused than ever now.He said it was no big deal.I say it is.He's not sure why the meds were prescribed.I think I'll call my mom and have her come with too!!I'll write more later Thanks,Patty-
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Avatar universal
Chubby - I wanted to correct something I wrote earlier about the itching that is a side effect of liver disease/cirrhosis......Bile does play a role in the problem causing the itching....but mainly it is due to the liver normally breaks down red blood cells and the by-product is bilirubin which is eliminated through a process in the liver.  When the liver is 'sick' - it cannot complete this breakdown and elimination of the red blood cells and the bilirubin level becomes elevated in the blood and it is the component that is distributed in the skin/eyes - 'jaundice' - usually showing up in the whites of the eyes first.  I just wanted to clarify my response to you.......DD
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Hi Again, I thought that I would ask a few more questions!If I have scar tissue,how can you tell if it's in or on the liver,and,can it be removed safely?Also,is it life-threatining?I'm really not finding much info on the liver that is positive.Could this have been detected with the egd and colonosopy's that I've had done in the past?The only reason that I had those tests in the past was because of my spastic or lazy colon.My older brother died a year ago from colon cancer.Nobody knew he had it,he basically committed suicide.He gave up.Anyway,I had a liver biopsy done a few years ago,the one where my dr.,put a long needle thru and sent me home that day,that's how I found out about my hemangioma,He said it is a benign tumor on my liver.So,I guess that I should of taken much better care of myself and am scared to death now.I wish the surgeon that took my gallbladder out would of told me about the scarring of the liver,so I would of been more careful.Thanks for listening!Taz,I used to know a taz on the chubclub boards,you wouldn't happen to be the same one.Just curious!Thank you for all the support.I'm sure I'll keep writing,that test isn't till monday.This will be a long weekend for me.Peace,Patty-
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Avatar universal
Hello Chubby - I am no expert as I have said but from my reading, etc......liver scarring is like any other scarring and is permanent as far as I know.  A doctor may be able to tell you something different.  I think the important thing - if you know you definately have liver scarring - find the cause and then take steps to stop it so it doesn't progress.  There are diseases (other than alcoholism) that can cause scarring of the liver leading to cirrhosis.  Cirrhosis is the technical term for the condition of extensive scarring of the liver.  I don't know if they can 'remove' any of the scarring or not.....just curious - Have you had any pain or symptoms of this 'scarring' condition??  Take care and it is good that your Dr. has found this and will take steps to help you - I am sure.  As far as liver scarring showing up on a colonoscopy - I don't think so - only the inside of the colon is visible on the screen.....not the outside and related organs.  I think the main way they find these things is thru ultrasound, ERCP, other x-ray type test and biopsy.  DD
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Avatar universal
I am no surgeon - if he said he could do something about it then he must have a plan.  The medical experts can do a lot of things today to help us........I hope all goes well with your procedure - be sure and come back and post so we know how all goes......DD
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HELLO,The only symptoms I've had are a dull pain in my upper right side and nausea.I thought it was just from too much acid or spastic colon.It's like a pulling pain,if that makes sense!I think my Dr., said that if it was scar tissue,he could do something while he was in there.I'm sooooo confused!!!!!What do you think?patty-
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Avatar universal
I thought I would give a little more info after reading your reply.....Many people who are overweight develop 'fatty liver' which is a relatively non-life threatening condition.  In many cases - if you lose weight the fatty liver condition will improve.  Fatty liver alone isn't considered a very serious condition by the medical establishment - however if it is from alcohol abuse it can progress to cirrhosis over time if a person is a daily heavy drinker and doesn't stop.......otherwise it is considered treatable in most people who have a weight problem.  Your Dr. will be able to tell if there is any underlying cause for your condition....hopefully it is just fatty infiltrates and you can lose weight and with medical help you can correct the condition.  Again....good luck to you and let us know how it goes........DD
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Avatar universal
Hi Chubby,

I have had many ERCP's.  Don't worry at all about them.  They are relativly pain free and you will probably go home the same day.

I had to stay in the hospital after mine because I have Chronic Pancreatitis and ERCP's make me have a pancreatic attack after almost every single one.  There is a chance that you could have one after the ERCP, but it is only a CHANCE.  

I believe you will do well and the surgery really is quite informative and about the only "real" way for the doctor to see whats up with those organs since they really don't get the best look form a hida scan, ultra sound or other test.

Good Luck to you and let us know how it all turns out.

TazLady
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Avatar universal
THANK YOU for responding to me,you have no idea how much that info.,means!Anyway,I don't drink,I don't have any itching symptoms either.I do take tylenol about 3x a week.I'm alergic to asprin and nsaids.I'm overweight by about 90 pounds,which I'm working on.I'm still afraid of this test.I can't believe I'm 44 and just realized that my liver is my bodys filter.I thought I was smart.At least that helps me to realize I shouldn't be eating fat in my diet.As far as the antidepressent,I think he does that for all his patients.I recall that from tests in the past.Although,it dosen't seem right.I would like any other info.,you might have or anyone else.Thank You,Patty-
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Avatar universal
Hello Chubby - I thought I would respond to your post - although - I am no expert - I am a Nutritionist/Dietitian and I also have reviewed a lot of info on liver/gall bladder due to I have been having some gall bladder symptoms myself.  Your Doctor is probably taking the steps he would take in case your tests do show 'scarring' on/in the liver tissue.  The meds for itching are usually required for a 'scarred' or cirrhotic liver due to the itching is a side effect of the illness.  The liver normally breaks down bile and then the by-products are eliminated.  If the liver is 'diseased' it cannot perform this function adequately - therefore the bile isn't broken down and is distributed in the skin cells of the body....this causes the itching and sometimes a yellow tinge of color to the skin/eyes - 'jaundice'.  The meds for depression - I don't know about.  The good news is that even with liver 'scarring' - if they catch it early they can give you medication and advice to stop the scarring process and your liver could possibly regenerate or heal somewhat or at least not progress and get worse and more symptomatic.  I am sure he told you that if you drink alcohol you need to stop immediately due to it can cause further damage - also some medications can cause liver damage ......be sure and let him know if you are taking acetaminophin (Tylenol) or Ibuprofen - these can contribute to liver damage if taken regularly - especially if mixed with alcohol intake.  Good luck to you and I hope your test give you positive results......
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