Severe pain after ERCP

[Guest guest]

I had my ERCP yesterday and last evening I started having severe

abdominal pain that eased up after about 2 hours and then it was just a

dull ache and tenderness over my liver. Then in the middle of the

night I had the severe pain again, and it is still there along with

waves of nausea. I am wondering if it is normal after an ERCP

(especially since I had a 12cm stent put in) or if I need to worry

about pancreatitis? I will be calling my Dr. when they open, but just

wanted other input.

Thanks

Sands

[Guest guest]

2 out of 3 of my ERCPs resulted in pancreatitis, but it happened within an hour

or so of the procedure (and returned to near normal 6 days later). I never made

out of the hospital.

It is a question to ask as soon as possible. In my case, it was a 8-9/10 pain

that was not easily controlled. Also, the pain is in the upper LEFT quadrant

(where the pancreas resides). Readily diagnosed with pancreatic enzyme blood

test.

Pancreatitis (in my experience) involves unremitting pain, not intermittent. It

may just be sludgy bile finally draining. Make sure you drink plenty of water

(caffeinated drinks don't count!).

Hope you're feeling better soon.

Arne

---- jennielou33 wrote:

=============

I had my ERCP yesterday and last evening I started having severe

abdominal pain that eased up after about 2 hours and then it was just a

dull ache and tenderness over my liver. Then in the middle of the

night I had the severe pain again, and it is still there along with

waves of nausea.

[Guest guest]

,

I had a stent placed to the right of the y-junction of the main

hepatic duct on December 3rd, and had intense pain afterwards, for

maybe 5 or 6 days. I'm going to C & P something for you from my

symptom journal that describes the pain. Maybe it will help

you.....? I think mine ended up being pain from the balloon dilation

and stent placement that not everyone gets, but that wasn't really

worrisome to the docs. I hope you feel better SOON! Don't be afraid

to call and ask for something to take away the intensity of the pain,

if you think you need it. I got Lortab; every time I took something

for the pain I let it completely wear off before taking the next

dose. The doc told me it was still important to monitor the pain

level to see if it was getting worse, and didn't want the drugs to

mask a worsening problem. My ERCP to remove the stent is in just

over a week; Monday, the 28th. I'm reaaaallllllly hoping it's not

another week-long recovery, just to pull the stent back out.

Genevieve

UC 1983, J-Pouch 1999, PSC 12/07

Had an ERCP done on Monday morning, recovered fairly well that same

day after the procedure; was sent home about 5 hours after completion

of the procedure with the 'all is well' blessing from the ERCP doc.

Monday evening I had some nausea and a bit of tenderness inside,

right in my liver area.

Tuesday: Having some pain that comes and goes in very brief waves--a

very quick build up to a good strength ache (maybe a 5 or so) that

almost immediately subsides. Slows me down just a bit, I have to take

a deep breath, then I can go on. No tenderness on the abdomen,

doesn't hurt to take deep breaths. No fever.

Wednesday: I woke up about an hour ago to go to the bathroom and

haven't been able to go back to sleep because the pain is getting

worse. The pain waves are coming much more frequently and are up to

about a 7-ish intensity level, and now I feel very sore when taking a

deep breath. I feel very tender to the touch, about 4 fingers below

the bottom of my breastbone and an inch to my right. No fever to

speak of, but it is a full degree higher than my normal basal temp at

this time of the morning (but that's still only just over 97

degrees).

Wednesday: Just spoke with the biliary fellow on call at -

Jewish. He said it still sounds like watch-and-wait pain. If it gets

extremely sharp in the middle of the abdomen, right around my

stomach, and then radiates to my back I need to be seem immediately

for pancreatitis. Right now still sounds like 'normal' pain

Thursday: Pain continues. Blood tests negative for pancreatitis

today at my PCP. ERCP doc gave me some pain meds that take away the

intensity, but the pain is still there.

Friday: Still in pain, talked to ERCP doc again. He still says this

doesn't sound 'serious'. Told me to watch and wait over the weekend,

if it continues I need to be seen by him on Monday.

Saturday: The pain is tolerable today, I've only taken the pain meds

once. Definitely getting better.

Sunday: Occasional waves of tightening and discomfort, no longer

intense pain.

{The waves of tightening and discomfort continued sporadically for

another week or so, and I don't get them anymore}

[Guest guest]

,

I have had the same problem over the years.

Actually when the pain gets worse, that's my signal to

head in for an ERCP (number 5 coming up in March).

Have had a couple infections after/pancreatis, but

most time it passes after a couple weeks. I am on

revolving antibiotics that change every month. This

has helped over time.

Not having a stent and being successful with the

ballon dilation last time I think helped and want to

stay away from that deal as long as possible.

Arne is right (always a great help), the high dose

Urso has helped me get back to as much of a normal

life as possible even though I usually have a daily

bouts with side pain. Normally it passes, but if it

gets worse you have no choice to take the pain

medications. I hate Darvocets, but suffering in pain

is just not any fun either.

Try to stay positive, you are not alone. It is very

had to deal with PSC, but I am thankful for the group

to vent and get questions answered by people that

know, they have been down that road.

from Minnesota

PSC 2006, Factor V Leiden

Sny

Duro-Last Roofing, Inc.

Manufacturer & #39;s Representative

MN, ND, Eastern & Central SD

Corporate Website WWW.Duro-Last.com

[Guest guest]

Thankyou for all the responses. It makes me feel reassured it is not Pancreatitis and that it is pretty normal. I still have a constant ache and tenderness in the area that never goes away, and the very sharp severe pain has been better this afternoon, I have still been having bouts of severe nausea, but it passes after 30-40 min. My Dr. did give me Diladid for the pain and it does help. I just hope I feel well enough to go back to work Monday. Thanks again for the support, it is so comforting. Sands Sny wrote: ,I have had the same problem over the years.Actually when the pain gets worse, that's my signal tohead in for an ERCP (number 5 coming up in March).Have had a couple infections after/pancreatis, butmost time it passes after a couple weeks. I am onrevolving antibiotics that change every month. Thishas helped over time.Not having a stent and being successful with theballon dilation last time I think helped and want tostay away from that deal as long as possible.Arne is right (always a great help), the high doseUrso has helped me get back to as much of a normallife as possible even though I usually have a dailybouts with side pain. Normally it passes, but if itgets worse you have no choice to take the painmedications. I hate Darvocets, but suffering in painis just not any fun either.Try to stay positive, you are

not alone. It is veryhad to deal with PSC, but I am thankful for the groupto vent and get questions answered by people thatknow, they have been down that road. from MinnesotaPSC 2006, Factor V Leiden Sny Duro-Last Roofing, Inc. Manufacturer & #39;s Representative MN, ND, Eastern & Central SD Corporate Website WWW.Duro-Last.com