Aa
Dilated Common Bile Duct on Ultrasound and Endoscope
About 6 years ago I had 2 endoscopies that showed dilation of common bile duct and radiologist recommended ERCP. GI doctors at large Co university hospital refused to do the test despite my symptoms. My symptoms were and still are GERD not responding to any meds except sometimes Reglan, intermittent, usually mild nausea and intermittent sharp pain in lower right quadrant. 2 weeks ago I became severely nauseated and vomited for a day, with bad headache. Treated at ER and released not feeling totally better, with follow-up with PCP. PCP ordered blood tests and ultrasound of gallbladder. She told me that the severe pain was nothing to worry about or pursue because I "had it so long it must be colitis or something”. Vomited a week later shortly after waking and developing nausea and headache. Had a rush ultrasound same day that again showed dilation of common bile duct and recommendation of ERCP. Referred to GI for consult. They won’t expedite exam or test and keep telling me to go to the ER if necessary and keep popping compazine for nausea. Makes no sense to me and so easy for them to say, they aren’t miserable and afraid maybe their appendix will burst. GI doc won’t at least schedule ERCP pending approval, which means waiting for at least a few weeks or longer for ERCP IF he approves it. Abdominal pain is now constant, ranging from soreness to extreme stabbing pains so bad I cannot move until they stop. Worst, I have severe chronic burning pain in tongue from nerve damage from dentist and having problem taking pain meds, which can upset stomach under best circumstances, so pain if more uncontrolled than usual. Am I being unreasonable thinking that this should be investigated now, before it becomes an E.R. situation?
Very interesting, about the B12 Deficiency. Thank you for sharing that.
I believe I have been checked and often take supplements, but still worth considering. As it turns out, I was wrong about the dilated bile duct being the source of my problem. You would think after all the “speialists” I have been to for 6 years, and all the tests I’ve had, that the cause of my nausea and GERD would have been immediately obvious to Gastro doctors, but as it turns out, I was diagnosed by a PA at the Gastro doctors office without any testing. She saw that I take painkillers for a serious nerve injury in my mouth in 2000, and said that my GERD and the nausea are from a major slowing of the digestion in my stomach, which makes me nauseated and causes the partly digested stomach contents, including all that acid, back up into my esophagus and throat, thus the GERD I never had before I took painkillers. I am now back to taking Reglan, which I was on before but decreased due to some mild side effects. But once I started back on, it worked like a charm - nausea gone without any invasive tests. The PA explained that the abnormality on my MRIs with the dilated common bile duct is so mild that it is not really considered an issue, and the size is almost on the normal end of a large size duct, if that makes sense, Sometimes the PAs and NPs know more than the docs. They did suggest a “stomach content emptying test”, but I decided to skip that since it requires fasting and then eating oatmeal while they scan you somehow with flouroscopy, or something like that. Since the problem is solved, for now anyway, can’t see the point of going through that or making my insurance company pay for an expensive test that is probably not necessary.
Also cutting way down on the pain meds because I hate them anyway and don’t think they help that much with nerve pain most of the time. That will also hasten the digestive process and then I can cut down on the Reglan. Found a great dental pain management doctor 6 months ago who has been diligently investigating (as well as formally studying it at a major medical school) my particular type of pain and he has found simple, mostly natural things that really do help lesson the pain. Hope this lengthy information helps anyone else with this problem. Nice to have a simple, quick solution - at least it seems that way so far.
I believe I have been checked and often take supplements, but still worth considering. As it turns out, I was wrong about the dilated bile duct being the source of my problem. You would think after all the “speialists” I have been to for 6 years, and all the tests I’ve had, that the cause of my nausea and GERD would have been immediately obvious to Gastro doctors, but as it turns out, I was diagnosed by a PA at the Gastro doctors office without any testing. She saw that I take painkillers for a serious nerve injury in my mouth in 2000, and said that my GERD and the nausea are from a major slowing of the digestion in my stomach, which makes me nauseated and causes the partly digested stomach contents, including all that acid, back up into my esophagus and throat, thus the GERD I never had before I took painkillers. I am now back to taking Reglan, which I was on before but decreased due to some mild side effects. But once I started back on, it worked like a charm - nausea gone without any invasive tests. The PA explained that the abnormality on my MRIs with the dilated common bile duct is so mild that it is not really considered an issue, and the size is almost on the normal end of a large size duct, if that makes sense, Sometimes the PAs and NPs know more than the docs. They did suggest a “stomach content emptying test”, but I decided to skip that since it requires fasting and then eating oatmeal while they scan you somehow with flouroscopy, or something like that. Since the problem is solved, for now anyway, can’t see the point of going through that or making my insurance company pay for an expensive test that is probably not necessary.
Also cutting way down on the pain meds because I hate them anyway and don’t think they help that much with nerve pain most of the time. That will also hasten the digestive process and then I can cut down on the Reglan. Found a great dental pain management doctor 6 months ago who has been diligently investigating (as well as formally studying it at a major medical school) my particular type of pain and he has found simple, mostly natural things that really do help lesson the pain. Hope this lengthy information helps anyone else with this problem. Nice to have a simple, quick solution - at least it seems that way so far.
Hi I agree with you, it is wrong for them to make you wait. But...what can you do? Can you go to another doctor? Can you go to another ER?
I did look up some of your symptoms and found vitamin deficiency of B12 could cause some of them. Have you been checked for any vitamin deficiencies?
http://www.vitaminddeficiencysymptomsguide.com/vitamin-b12-deficiency-symptoms/
I did look up some of your symptoms and found vitamin deficiency of B12 could cause some of them. Have you been checked for any vitamin deficiencies?
http://www.vitaminddeficiencysymptomsguide.com/vitamin-b12-deficiency-symptoms/
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Hepatitis Autoimmune Community
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
