RE: Mike had his first ERCP

[Guest guest]

Patti,

It is not unheard of to be unable to access the bile ducts. Often

times a doctor that performs a high volume of ERCP's can have success

where others cannot. ERCP exams are somewhat of an art form and the

doctor's experience will directly correspond with there success in

squeezing into tight places. I would assume however that Mike had an

experienced doctor for the exam since it is for transplant

evaluation. It could also be that they felt no need to " stir things

up " if you will since Mike is being evaluated for transplant and has

gone all this time without an ERCP anyway. Perhaps they saw what

they needed to see and stopped there. This is all speculation of

course and just my thoughts based on knowledge of ERCP's. I have had

around 8-10 by the way.

As far as impact on transplant listing. It could improve his chances

of being listed but I don't believe it will have any direct impact on

where he is on the list. Canada operates under different transplant

rules than the US so I could be wrong. Since listing is based on lab

values, not so much on physical characteristics that is why I don't

think it will have much of an effect. Now indirectly if his bile

ducts become so strictured that nothing can really flow out then that

will affect the overall function of the liver and change the lab

values which over time will move him up.

in Seattle

[Guest guest]

Patti, I've had 3 ERCPs. The first was done at a local hospital and they

were unable to dilate my CBD - really couldn't get the tools in place they

needed. They were able to insert dye and image the strictures, beading,

etc.

The second time I was admitted to the ER (1 year later), the same on-call GI

said (to the same ER Dr.!) - " too complicated a patient - transport him to

Mayo " . Mayo got me stabilized, did the same ultrasound and LFTs and sent me

to the ERCP specialist. His words were " not to worry - we've got every tool

anyone has ever made and some I invented myself " . He was right, of course.

They were able to dilate and stent my CBD in what seemed no time at all (I

was completely out the whole time of course).

The third ERCP was for stent removal - piece of cake (and the first time I

did NOT get pancreatitis).

I think is correct - if that's all they do, they get pretty good at

it. It appears to be something of an art. This Dr. had about 15 of them

the day I was in.

Arne

52 - UC 9/77 - PSC 4/00

Alive and (mostly) well in Minnesota

-----Original Message-----

From: * *

Hello folks,

....anyway, that's it, for those of you who are experienced with ercp's I'd

appreciate your feedback.

Patti

'turn off your mind, relax, and float downstream'

[Guest guest]

Mike,

Sorry your ERCP did not go as you hoped. I have been there with the

exact same results. It can be very frustrating. Don't give up the Docs

will come up with something- maybe! Try to keep smiling.

Rob (Mr. Itch)

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[Guest guest]

Hi ,

thanks for your 'take' on the whole thing.....actually, he had the ercp Monday and then received a call on Tuesday asking him to come in for an mrcp so they could evaluate the bile ducts that way and then decide whether or not they were going to have a second go at them.

I spoke to the transplant coordinator today and she said this will not have any effect on his place on the list...she said although Mike might not believe it, he is in excellent condition considering the disease he has and the length of time he has had it.

so, now, we wait.....

Patti

'turn off your mind, relax, and float downstream'> >Reply-To: >To: >Subject: Re: Mike had his first ERCP >Date: Tue, 04 May 2004 16:01:16 -0000 > >Patti, > >It is not unheard of to be unable to access the bile ducts. Often >times a doctor that performs a high volume of ERCP's can have success >where others cannot. ERCP exams are somewhat of an art form and the >doctor's experience will directly correspond with there success in >squeezing into tight places. I would assume however that Mike had an >experienced doctor for the exam since it is for transplant >evaluation. It could also be that they felt no need to "stir things >up" if you will since Mike is being evaluated for transplant and has >gone all this time without an ERCP anyway. Perhaps they saw what >they needed to see and stopped there. This is all speculation of >course and just my thoughts based on knowledge of ERCP's. I have had >around 8-10 by the way. > > >As far as impact on transplant listing. It could improve his chances >of being listed but I don't believe it will have any direct impact on >where he is on the list. Canada operates under different transplant >rules than the US so I could be wrong. Since listing is based on lab >values, not so much on physical characteristics that is why I don't >think it will have much of an effect. Now indirectly if his bile >ducts become so strictured that nothing can really flow out then that >will affect the overall function of the liver and change the lab >values which over time will move him up. > > in Seattle > > > > > > > >