Re: - ERCP

[Guest guest]

,

The worst experience I've ever had after ERCP was after the one when they

put a stent in the bile duct. I've had six ERCPs, but that one was the

worst of all! I had increased pain, nausea, and vomiting for at least a

week (and I think it was two weeks) following that ERCP. The pain was very

often horrendous. It did finally settle back down but I don't think the

stent really helped anything. They told me the stent would only stay in the

duct for about 3-4 weeks. However, it was put in around August 10, 02. It

was still in place in Dec 02. I had a liver biopsy and an ERCP to remove

the stent on Dec 27, 02.

I do have to say that even after the other five ERCPs I had increased pain,

nausea, and vomiting for at least a few days. The doctors told me that's

not unusual and to just be patient! For me, I doubt VERY seriously if I

will ever allow another ERCP. I have finally been diagnosed with chronic

panc by my new, wonderful GI after having two attacks back to back with a

total of 11 days in the hospital. My old GI kept insisting that my panc was

totally healthy and all my problems were being caused by my liver. For

months the old GI kept insisting the liver was fine and all problems were

being caused by adhesions blocking the bile duct. Surgery to take a look

(while having surgery to repair what ended up being two hernias) proved that

there were no adhesions at all. The GI finally did the liver biopsy and it

showed just a 'little' problem with my liver. I have autoimmune hepatitis -

a disease that without treatment (steriods and immunosuppressants-prednisone

and imuran) has only a 10% survival rate after 10 years. My liver biopsy

revealed stage 3 fibrosis, with stage 4 being cirrhosis, so there was just a

'little' something wrong with my liver! Anyway, previous GI then began

blaming everything on my liver, despite the fact that I became a diabetic 3

months after the return of acute panc attacks. Thank goodness I'm now under

the care of a new GI. He recognized that I have both liver disease and

chronic pancreatitis. He believes that the liver disease is pretty much

under control and that the panc was what was causing the episodes of

horrendous pain, nausea, and vomiting. He has me on actigall (to thin the

bile and help it flow better) and panc enzymes. I have now gone over a

month without an attack severe enough to warrant an ER trip. That is the

longest I've gone since the acute panc attacks returned last July! I feel

like I have my life back!

Take care,

w