What is sphincter of oddi dysfunction and the symptoms?

[Karen]

What is sphincter of oddi dysfunction and the symptoms?  My current condition:  for over a year now, have pain in urq radiating to mid-right back and right shoulder blade.  Constant pain.  Worse after eating.  After eating, feels like something tied around my back and chest real tight and won't let up.  Sometimes pain in back and shoulder is dull, sometimes sharp.  In october, went to dr because of running fever and vomiting.  Found blood in my urine and diagnosed me with kidney infection even though didn't have signs like burning sensation when urinating.  Have had all tests done:  barium enema, upper gi tests, hida-scan, other tests for gallbladder and liver.  All blood tests are normal.  While taking Cipro (antibiotic) for so-called kidney infection and a bad sore throat another time, this seemed to keep my pain down to a minimum, but as soon as I finished taking it, the pain would start at full speed again and get worse.  Could this be a case of sphincter of oddi dysfunction?  Should I go see a gastroenterologist?  Does anyone else have this type of symptoms?
Thank you, Karen

[barbara august 28]

I think you are right about so much surgey i have had my sphincter cut, four endoscopic done, medicines nothing helps ijust keep taking pain pills. I seem to get worse having all this done to me.I don't know of anything that can be done for this.I don't think the doctors know !!! Its is the worse pain to live with,i can't plan to do anything or just to have fun.Well anyway this is what i have my entire biliary tree is moderately severe,ampullary spasm/stenosis,pancreas divisum, i'm a mess and i've got to go back to mass general hospital to see if there is anything new they can do i'm sick of living like this!I WOULD like doctors to read what everyone has said on this page,iwonder if they really know how much pain we are in.I wish you all pain free.And i hope you all keep up with this page.

[Cyndi C.]

I am writing in desperation. I just got back from a GI doctor that I was referred to  who was supossed to correct my SOD dysfuction. I have also been through it all for the last 6 months. I was seeing a specilists that done ALL the test and found my SOD problem. Happy to drive 4 and 1/2 hours one way thinking this GI doctor would look over my book of records and schedule the procedure,etc. I was so relieved that we'd finally gotten to the bottom of this nightmare. After meeting with the GI specilists,ya know the whole talk deal. He thumped on my stomach, took me to his offoce and spent 2 hours TALKING about how all my medical history (I had a history of medical problems such as having a hysteroctomy, adhesions,lost 3 pregnancies,had 2 endoscopes, and ct scans,sonograms,and gallbladder test that ended in having my gallbladder removed were all misdiagnosis's of IBS. This was contrary to 3 other doctors opionion 2 of them being GI doctors. He than wrote me a prescription for depression medicine and sent me home. You can't even imagine how disguisted that made me feel. I'm lost for words. after returning home I looked up IBS, it doesn't even remotely sound like the problems I'm having. I have severe pain center to sometimes left(high under my center rib) that goes to the right and when it worsens it radiates around my back. It is a horrible pain that comes and goes,spasmitic. I spend nights in the ER, so sick, vomiting. I also have all other signs of SOD including high liver enzymes...etc. Just being able to read others who have the same problems really helps. I know it is not all in my head as he suggested, and I have as of Jan. made a new start as eating healthy including lot's of fiber and walking. I'm at the end of my rope. I think a lot has to do with the type of insurance a person has, I've heard stoies of how some patients are rushed through like an assembly line while others with a lesser complaint are taken more seriously. any comment would be appreciated. I am a 33year old female who like I said before am ready to just give up on the medical field, and try to handle this all on my own.

[Elizabeth]

Being able to relate to you all in respect of pain after eating, gallbladder removal, sphincterotomy after two ERCP's, I am now left with a biliary system that spasms.  Each surgical procedure has left me in a worse condition so am reluctant to have any more unless there is a real chance of stopping the muscle spasms.
All data on the spasm aspect of this SOD condition indicates it is a difficult condition requiring "focal" treatment.  Anyone know what this is?
I am 75% sure this condition is worsened by stress as I feel so much better while on holiday, eating only three times per day and getting more excersise.

[Tana]

Hi, I have been experiencing pain like a gallbladder attack as well. I had my gallbladder out last September, but I still continue to have pain. My liver enzymes are all normal and all other tests are normal except my hida scan showed my sphincter of oddi was a 6. Evidently normal is 1 through 4. I am going to see a specialist in sphincter of oddi in 2 weeks. If he agrees with the diagnosis here then I believe he will cut the sphincter of oddi to stop it from causing me pain. I cannot take any pain medication vicodin or tylenol with codeine as it causes me extreme pain in which I went to the emergency room. Does anyone else out there have the problem with taking pain medication? Also, I would like to know where you are from that got a doctor to give you the calan SR and the nitrostat. I asked my doctor about the drugs and he said that they are not approved here (Illinois). I would rather try the drugs than to have my sphincter cut. I am afraid of getting acute pancreatitis. Also, my doctor said that I was a type III sphincter of oddi dysfunction since all tests are normal but I still have pain. Also, is there anyone who would share with me what they went through having the sphincter of oddi cut. I am very afraid to do this. I want to be put completely out to have it done.

[Denise [email protected]]

First of all I would like to say wow I didn't even know that there are so many people that have SOD. Thank you to who ever came up with this page. I have had the disorder on and off all of my life. The first attack I had was when I was 5 years old. I wasn't dyanosed (sorry my spelling sucks) with it until I was in my earily 30's. I have had a sugery that was supposed to relieve the pain and help the muscles to work better I think it was to sew the sphinter muscle open. That didn't work. I have tried  acidophilus but that made the cramping and dumping worse. Other then that the drugs mentioned by others on this page I have not tried. At this point the pain and vomitting when I have the episodes are so bad that they make me think death would be better. The last attack had me in the hospital for 3 months. I don't think I can go thru that again. Does anyone have anyother suggestions that have worked for them. I am willing to try anything at this point. My email address is above. If you would like to email me. Thanks! Denise

[Denise [email protected]]

First of all I would like to say wow I didn't even know that there are so many people that have SOD. Thank you to who ever came up with this page. I have had the disorder on and off all of my life. The first attack I had was when I was 5 years old. I wasn't dyanosed (sorry my spelling sucks) with it until I was in my earily 30's. I have had a sugery that was supposed to relieve the pain and help the muscles to work better I think it was to sew the sphinter muscle open. That didn't work. I have tried  acidophilus but that made the cramping and dumping worse. Other then that the drugs mentioned by others on this page I have not tried. At this point the pain and vomitting when I have the episodes are so bad that they make me think death would be better. The last attack had me in the hospital for 3 months. I don't think I can go thru that again. Does anyone have anyother suggestions that have worked for them. I am willing to try anything at this point. My email address is above. If you would like to email me. Thanks! Denise