Sphincter Of Oddi

[sstephan]

Hi,

I recently posted about sphincter of oddi dysfunction. I went to see a specialist in this field and he says that yes I do have sphincter of oddi dysfunction. He says it was not caused by my gallbladder surgery, however, my severe back/abdominal pain episodes started a week after the surgery. hmm

Anyways the treatment is an ERCP which my doctor is one of the only doctors in Illinois who does them due to risk of pancreatitis. He said that one in ten patients gets pancreatitis. They cut the duct during an endoscopy. Then after twelve hours, you either develop pancreatitis or you are fine. The other option is to live with the pain spasms. I don't know what to do! I never know if and when a pain spasm will hit and the pain is just terrible. I am literally on the ground writhing in pain. However, I am scared of developing pancreatitis. I know it can be pretty serious. He said he does a thousand a year and one person every year has a critical case. I know the odds are slim but I do have a daughter to think about. I'm also scared how POTS will affect all of this. How do I make this decision? I am so frustrated right now and scared of medical procedures because I always feel horrible after they are through.

[Guest dionna]

i am definately no expert and i have no idea what any of what you are talking about--- is about. i do know though that my dad had pancreatitis and so did his father. both just had them removed. so if you developed it could they just do that? i know you don't want to be in the pain and i hope you get to feeling better and that all goes well for you. i will be thinking of you.

dionna

[futurehope]

I can't make your decision for you but I will tell you about what happened to my 80 YO mother. Her gallbladder had stones, one of which blocked off the common bile duct. It caused sludge to build up in the duct. She HAD to have an ERCP to get things straightened out or she would have had constant problems with no end in sight.

In other words, the ERCP was a necessity. She might have had mild pancreatitis after. I don't remember, but it couldn't have been too bad as she came home from the hospital soon enough. Though I remember they wouldn't let her eat or drink for a day or two (or three?).

On the other hand, if she hadn't had the ERCP and removal of the gallbladder (done on two different days, the ERCP was first), she would have had constant pacreatitis/gallbladder problems.

Good luck. It's a difficult decision. Sometimes an emergency leaves you no choice. Maybe you can find out what COULD happen to you if you did nothing, and the odds of it occuring. That might help you make a decision.

Will you land in the hospital with the shincter of oddi problems? Will you get pancreatitis from that? Will you lose weight and forfeit your health? What emergency, if any, could occur if you did nothing? etc.

[juliegee]

Hi There,

Years ago, when I was in my mid 20's, I was also having really severe pain in my uper abdomen and middle of my back. My GI also decided that it was sphincter of oddi dysfunction. I had the ERCP and went on to get full blown pancreatitis- very, very severe. It was pretty horrible, however I don't remember much. I was hooked up to a portable pain pump and I was pretty out of it. I was hospitalized for over a week, didn't eat at all during that time, and slowly recovered. It ended up that I didn't have sphincter of oddi dysfunction, but a large ulcer instead.

I know this info isn't too helpful, but I just wanted to share my experience. I've heard of many people who go on to get pancreatitis following the procedure. Many more than GI's report. Please let me know if you have any further questions.

Julie

Hi,

I recently posted about sphincter of oddi dysfunction. I went to see a specialist in this field and he says that yes I do have sphincter of oddi dysfunction. He says it was not caused by my gallbladder surgery, however, my severe back/abdominal pain episodes started a week after the surgery. hmm

Anyways the treatment is an ERCP which my doctor is one of the only doctors in Illinois who does them due to risk of pancreatitis. He said that one in ten patients gets pancreatitis. They cut the duct during an endoscopy. Then after twelve hours, you either develop pancreatitis or you are fine. The other option is to live with the pain spasms. I don't know what to do! I never know if and when a pain spasm will hit and the pain is just terrible. I am literally on the ground writhing in pain. However, I am scared of developing pancreatitis. I know it can be pretty serious. He said he does a thousand a year and one person every year has a critical case. I know the odds are slim but I do have a daughter to think about. I'm also scared how POTS will affect all of this. How do I make this decision? I am so frustrated right now and scared of medical procedures because I always feel horrible after they are through.

[kmpower]

My husband elected not to get the ERCP and his pain gradually subsided.

[MightyMouse]

I opted not to get the ercp because of the high risk of pancreatitis. Are they absolutely certain it's your sphincter of odi? They can do an mrcp (a version of MRI) which is non invasive to do the diagnostic stuff first to make certain that is the source of your pain before they go in there and muck about.

Personally, I get some relief from levsin sublingual when I'm having the biliary colic symptoms.

Nina

[bttrflyamby1981]

wow!

I have no idea how to help you but did want to say I'm sorry you are going through all this. Good luck with your decision.

(((HUGS)))

Amber

[sstephan]

Thank you, everyone, for your relies and support. What is mrcp? If I have had an abdominal MRI, is this it or is there something more? I am surprised that my doctors have not mentioned anything about it.

[MightyMouse]

It's a form of MRI that looks specifically at the same areas as an ERCP. If you need them to actually ablate the area, they'd still have to do the ERCP later, but the MRCP could at least confirm the issues first.

Nina

also, here's a link that might be useful

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_reso...pancreatography