Pancreatitis Support Group
Chronic pancreatitis can present as episodes of acute inflammation in a previously injured pancreas, or as chronic damage with persistent pain or malabsorption. Patients with chronic pancreatitis can present with persistent abdominal pain or steatorrhea, as well as severe nausea. Some patients with chronic pancreatitis often look very sick, while others don't appear to be...
Had my gallbladder out in 2005 and have been dealing with pancreatitis since 2006. I spent a week in the hospital and started seeing a out of town specialist because my local dr wanted me to have an ERCP. After several trips to Plano, TX and multiple tests, I had the ERCP- found out I had scar tissue in the bile duct and the dr did a little cut. I have hurt off and on since then but nothing that landed me in the hospital again. Last July I had an attack that just really never quit. My dr in Plano said we could do another ERCP but he could not guarantee I would not hurt anymore- I am also a cystic fibrosis carrier and could be the main reason I have these problems. I was concerned about having the ERCP so put it off for a little while- then several things happened that I could not schedule the ERCP and life just was put on hold cause of the pain. In January, I called the dr in Plano to get the ERCP set up and found out he no longer accepts my insurance so I had to go back to my dr here to get referred to another specialist and just finally had the ERCP done yesterday. I had the EUS done first and it showed signs of chronic pancreatitis, then the ERCP also showed signs of chronic pancreatitis too.he said the opening to the pancreatic duct was very tight and he put a temp stent in- I am to have an xray in 2 weeks to see if the stent has passed.
The dr did not tell me I had chronic pancreatitis- I am thinking he just assumed I knew that. He feels by cutting the opening and putting the stent in I will be pain free for a while. I have been hurting since the ERCP- not sure its pancreatitis from the ERCP- i think it is more from them messing around the pancreas and its just a little sore from that- at least I sure hope that is all that is.
My question after this book- can you give me any of ya'lls experiences with stents.
thanks- Laura
The dr did not tell me I had chronic pancreatitis- I am thinking he just assumed I knew that. He feels by cutting the opening and putting the stent in I will be pain free for a while. I have been hurting since the ERCP- not sure its pancreatitis from the ERCP- i think it is more from them messing around the pancreas and its just a little sore from that- at least I sure hope that is all that is.
My question after this book- can you give me any of ya'lls experiences with stents.
thanks- Laura
After the ERCP I always get wound up with horrible pain not necessarily worse than before, just different. Instead of a stabbing, shooting pain, much more of a radiating, swollen pain. Also, drs. think this is crazy, but I swear I could feel the duct contracting.. like a little fluttering feeling, so strange!
You know, everyone seems to mention that the Drs go through all the contraindications of an ERCP before giving it to them, my doctors didn't they basically sold it to me as just another test, and placed the stent as an afterthought. Interestingly...
Unfortunately, here I am, back at square one. My last ERCP was in 2009, when I regained consciousness the doctor told me to go back to life as before (normal eating, drinking,etc.) and come back when it gets unbearable (and he assured me, it would again get unbearable) for a repeat operation. SO this time, I'm looking elsewhere.. I just finally (after an excruciating three month wait) had an appointment with a specialist who told me "they tried the same thing twice expecting different results, and it didn't work. We will nto be doing it again..." I'll be interested to find out what it is he plans on trying...
My pain went away for a while afterwards. I hope you see some benefits from it!!!
Chapin