GERD? Sphincter of Oddi? Any Ideas what this is???

[mnkyluvr68]

Hello, I'll try to make this a short overview :-)

Last May I had severe pain between shoulder blades that went through to my chest. ER did cat scan ( check for blood clot, EKG, blood work etc... told it was a muscle strain. Continued with same problems and 3 more ER visits and countless Dr visits. Was seeing a Chiropractor as well since I had been told it was possibly a rib out of place. Finally my Dr suggests a Hida Scan where they find that my Gallbladder was not functioning. 2 weeks later had Gallbladder out. It was October by then.

Thought this would solve everything...no such luck. 3 weeks after surgery while at work I had a horrific attack of upper abdominal pain (sternum) that went into chest, couldn't breathe, sweating, it was excruciating. ER again and they said my EKG was abnormal so they kept me. second day my liver enzymes were high so I stayed for 4 days, they ran every test imaginable to check my heart, nothing wrong and doc said EKG was just my normal EKG?? Was sent home with no answers but told to monitor liver. Levels went back to normal quickly.

I have continued having those abdominal attacks and they still go into the chest and back. I am now having a burning pain in back of throat and between shoulder blades along with the usual pain. I have had an endoscopy and ultrasound. Endoscopy showed minor reflux but that's it. Tomorrow I have another Hida Scan, why do a Hida Scan if I have no gallbladder?

Gastro doc says he is thinking possible Sphincter of Oddi

After reading some posts here I am wondering if it is GERD and maybe just getting worse. Does this sound like GERD? Has anyone had Sphincter of Oddi?

I am having such a hard time just functioning on a day to day basis. I never know when this will hit and it has put me in a difficult situation with my employer as well. The anxiety is overwhelming. I'm at the end of my rope and feeling helpless. Ready to just give up :-(

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

[mnkyluvr68]

Hi again,

Well, the doctor has diagnosed me with SOD but he can't say whether it is type 2 or type 3. He said we will do an ERCP to cut the sphincter muscle but there is a 50% chance I will get pancreatitis from the procedure. If it is type 2 good result, type 3 results may not be as promising 50/50...could be stuck with this for life he said. UUgghhh  

Can't even imagine feeling like this for the rest of my life.

[selmaS]

Ask ur dr if mayb the meds just r not working for u...u may want to try something else...I was on PPI's and they stopped working...I am now on H2blockers and they work much better.

Good luck at the drs : )

"selma"

[mnkyluvr68]

Thanks for the response...

I had the blood test for H Pylori and it came back normal, when I had the endoscopy they did a biopsy and that was tested for H Pylori also and came back normal.

I am taking Omeprazole 20 mg daily but am still chewing tums regularly.

I had the Hida scan done today, much worse experience this time than when I had it for the gallbladder. When checking the sphincter issue they perform the test in the reverse order compared to the GB hida. I asked because I didn't know they did the test for issues not related to the GB.

I see the gastro doc tomorrow for the results so I will let you know what he says. I'm just hoping for some kind of diagnosis. I can't keep going like this,

Thanks again :-)

[selmaS]

Hi....were u checked for H.Pylori?,.,, I understand it doesn't always show up and may need to ne checked a few times...but it is commonly found after a GB is removed and it would elevate the liver enzymes.....

As for the sphincter of Oddi...sounds  like a LES motility type issue.....never heard the term u used....but they sound similar.....many of us do have that...

May I ask if u were rx'd meds for this?

"selma"