Re: Re: Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction

[Guest guest]

Darlene

I

have the “honor” of being diagnosed with Sphincter of Oddi

dysfunction. Thought I’d reply to your question, and I can give you

more details offlist if you have further questions.

The

symptoms are primarily upper GI, although it causes some other issues such as

affecting digestive motility. The Sphincter of Oddi is a set of muscles

just below the stomach (below the pyloric sphincter) where chyme from the

stomach mixes in with the bile from the pancreatic and common bile ducts and is

moved further into the duodenum (upper part of the small intestine). When

you have Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, these muscles go into spasms which

often block the bile ducts and prevent the stomach from emptying

normally. It also affects the ability to swallow.

When

the Sphincter of Oddi is malfunctioning, there is abdominal pain, sometimes

severe; back pain between the shoulder blades if the common bile duct is more

affected; right shoulder back pain if the pancreas is more affected; chronic

nausea; poor (slow) digestive motility from the esophagus all the way to the

descending colon. The Sphincter of Oddi pain is usually centered in the

same place: right upper quadrant, just below and to the right of the

stomach, directly below the gallbladder, just under the edge of the right ribs,

4 to 5 inches above the waistline. There is a unique feeling of pressure

for most of us with this dysfunction; feels as if there is pressure inside

pushing outwards and outside pushing in. I can feel the muscles twitching. The

nausea occurs after each meal, and can vary in intensity depending on what you’re

eating and how good a day your digestion is having…

There

are two tests that confirm this dysfunction. Many gastroenterologists

know very little about this problem, and don’t test for it.

There

is no “cure” but having a sphincterotomy and sometimes a stent

placed helps “reset” the Sphincter of Oddi. Food choices help

the most. We have to eat low-fiber, low-fat and bland. I’ve

found SCD is the only thing that has worked for me, but it took me a few years

to get my gut ecology restored and work out what foods were best for me.

I only eat about half of the permitted foods, rarely make a SCD recipe, but I eat

well – as long as I stick to low-fat, low-fiber and bland. My gastroenterologist

is amazed at how well I’m doing.

I

feel extraordinarily lucky in that it only took me 3 gastroenterologists and 8

months to get my diagnosis. Most people with this condition struggle for

years to get answers.

Kim

M.

SCD 6 years

Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction 6+ years

neurological & spinal deterioration 3+ years

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I've

suspected for a while that I did. That was especially during the time that it

was impossible to lie on my back due to the pressure up high and into my chest.

My doctor suggested raising my bed a few inches, no food or drink before bed, a

big glass of water in the morning and 10 heel drops to pull my stomach down.

That helped. Even now there is a very specific line of pressure right under my

rib cage in my solar plexus. So maybe I should still be following that

protocol. What is " sphincter of oddi dysfunction " ?

Darlene

Intestinal Dysbiosis

SCD 8 days

[Guest guest]

Darlene

I

have the “honor” of being diagnosed with Sphincter of Oddi

dysfunction. Thought I’d reply to your question, and I can give you

more details offlist if you have further questions.

The

symptoms are primarily upper GI, although it causes some other issues such as

affecting digestive motility. The Sphincter of Oddi is a set of muscles

just below the stomach (below the pyloric sphincter) where chyme from the

stomach mixes in with the bile from the pancreatic and common bile ducts and is

moved further into the duodenum (upper part of the small intestine). When

you have Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, these muscles go into spasms which

often block the bile ducts and prevent the stomach from emptying

normally. It also affects the ability to swallow.

When

the Sphincter of Oddi is malfunctioning, there is abdominal pain, sometimes

severe; back pain between the shoulder blades if the common bile duct is more

affected; right shoulder back pain if the pancreas is more affected; chronic

nausea; poor (slow) digestive motility from the esophagus all the way to the

descending colon. The Sphincter of Oddi pain is usually centered in the

same place: right upper quadrant, just below and to the right of the

stomach, directly below the gallbladder, just under the edge of the right ribs,

4 to 5 inches above the waistline. There is a unique feeling of pressure

for most of us with this dysfunction; feels as if there is pressure inside

pushing outwards and outside pushing in. I can feel the muscles twitching. The

nausea occurs after each meal, and can vary in intensity depending on what you’re

eating and how good a day your digestion is having…

There

are two tests that confirm this dysfunction. Many gastroenterologists

know very little about this problem, and don’t test for it.

There

is no “cure” but having a sphincterotomy and sometimes a stent

placed helps “reset” the Sphincter of Oddi. Food choices help

the most. We have to eat low-fiber, low-fat and bland. I’ve

found SCD is the only thing that has worked for me, but it took me a few years

to get my gut ecology restored and work out what foods were best for me.

I only eat about half of the permitted foods, rarely make a SCD recipe, but I eat

well – as long as I stick to low-fat, low-fiber and bland. My gastroenterologist

is amazed at how well I’m doing.

I

feel extraordinarily lucky in that it only took me 3 gastroenterologists and 8

months to get my diagnosis. Most people with this condition struggle for

years to get answers.

Kim

M.

SCD 6 years

Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction 6+ years

neurological & spinal deterioration 3+ years

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I've

suspected for a while that I did. That was especially during the time that it

was impossible to lie on my back due to the pressure up high and into my chest.

My doctor suggested raising my bed a few inches, no food or drink before bed, a

big glass of water in the morning and 10 heel drops to pull my stomach down.

That helped. Even now there is a very specific line of pressure right under my

rib cage in my solar plexus. So maybe I should still be following that

protocol. What is " sphincter of oddi dysfunction " ?

Darlene

Intestinal Dysbiosis

SCD 8 days

[Guest guest]

Kim,

Thanks for the clarification. Hmmm. I do not ever have nausea except for mild nausea during the intro diet.I have chronic discomfort in the pyloric region and just below. Pain just under the ribs on the right side which I always thought was liver pain. I have upper back pain a lot, between the shoulder blades. There is a definite pressure in a line following the ribcage from right to left. Often in the morning I have this hollow ache all along this area where I feel I have to walk hunched over and I feel weak from it. So in a lot of ways it sounds the same except I don't get nausea or severe abdominal pain. DarleneIntestinal DysbiosisSCD 10 days

To: BTVC-SCD Sent: Sat, February 27, 2010 1:40:56 PMSubject: Re: Re: Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction

Darlene

I have the “honor†of being diagnosed with Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. Thought I’d reply to your question, and I can give you more details offlist if you have further questions.

The symptoms are primarily upper GI, although it causes some other issues such as affecting digestive motility. The Sphincter of Oddi is a set of muscles just below the stomach (below the pyloric sphincter) where chyme from the stomach mixes in with the bile from the pancreatic and common bile ducts and is moved further into the duodenum (upper part of the small intestine). When you have Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, these muscles go into spasms which often block the bile ducts and prevent the stomach from emptying normally. It also affects the ability to swallow.

When the Sphincter of Oddi is malfunctioning, there is abdominal pain, sometimes severe; back pain between the shoulder blades if the common bile duct is more affected; right shoulder back pain if the pancreas is more affected; chronic nausea; poor (slow) digestive motility from the esophagus all the way to the descending colon. The Sphincter of Oddi pain is usually centered in the same place: right upper quadrant, just below and to the right of the stomach, directly below the gallbladder, just under the edge of the right ribs, 4 to 5 inches above the waistline. There is a unique feeling of pressure for most of us with this dysfunction; feels as if there is pressure inside pushing outwards and outside pushing in. I can feel the muscles twitching. The nausea occurs after each meal, and can vary in intensity depending on what you’re eating and how good a day your digestion is

having…

There are two tests that confirm this dysfunction. Many gastroenterologists know very little about this problem, and don’t test for it.

There is no “cure†but having a sphincterotomy and sometimes a stent placed helps “reset†the Sphincter of Oddi. Food choices help the most. We have to eat low-fiber, low-fat and bland. I’ve found SCD is the only thing that has worked for me, but it took me a few years to get my gut ecology restored and work out what foods were best for me. I only eat about half of the permitted foods, rarely make a SCD recipe, but I eat well – as long as I stick to low-fat, low-fiber and bland. My gastroenterologist is amazed at how well I’m doing.

I feel extraordinarily lucky in that it only took me 3 gastroenterologists and 8 months to get my diagnosis. Most people with this condition struggle for years to get answers.

Kim M.

SCD 6 years

Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction 6+ years

neurological & spinal deterioration 3+ years

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I've suspected for a while that I did. That was especially during the time that it was impossible to lie on my back due to the pressure up high and into my chest. My doctor suggested raising my bed a few inches, no food or drink before bed, a big glass of water in the morning and 10 heel drops to pull my stomach down. That helped. Even now there is a very specific line of pressure right under my rib cage in my solar plexus. So maybe I should still be following that protocol. What is "sphincter of oddi dysfunction"?DarleneIntestinal DysbiosisSCD 8 days

All new Yahoo! Mail - Get a sneak peak at messages with a handy reading pane.

[Guest guest]

Kim,

Thanks for the clarification. Hmmm. I do not ever have nausea except for mild nausea during the intro diet.I have chronic discomfort in the pyloric region and just below. Pain just under the ribs on the right side which I always thought was liver pain. I have upper back pain a lot, between the shoulder blades. There is a definite pressure in a line following the ribcage from right to left. Often in the morning I have this hollow ache all along this area where I feel I have to walk hunched over and I feel weak from it. So in a lot of ways it sounds the same except I don't get nausea or severe abdominal pain. DarleneIntestinal DysbiosisSCD 10 days

To: BTVC-SCD Sent: Sat, February 27, 2010 1:40:56 PMSubject: Re: Re: Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction

Darlene

I have the “honor†of being diagnosed with Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. Thought I’d reply to your question, and I can give you more details offlist if you have further questions.

The symptoms are primarily upper GI, although it causes some other issues such as affecting digestive motility. The Sphincter of Oddi is a set of muscles just below the stomach (below the pyloric sphincter) where chyme from the stomach mixes in with the bile from the pancreatic and common bile ducts and is moved further into the duodenum (upper part of the small intestine). When you have Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, these muscles go into spasms which often block the bile ducts and prevent the stomach from emptying normally. It also affects the ability to swallow.

When the Sphincter of Oddi is malfunctioning, there is abdominal pain, sometimes severe; back pain between the shoulder blades if the common bile duct is more affected; right shoulder back pain if the pancreas is more affected; chronic nausea; poor (slow) digestive motility from the esophagus all the way to the descending colon. The Sphincter of Oddi pain is usually centered in the same place: right upper quadrant, just below and to the right of the stomach, directly below the gallbladder, just under the edge of the right ribs, 4 to 5 inches above the waistline. There is a unique feeling of pressure for most of us with this dysfunction; feels as if there is pressure inside pushing outwards and outside pushing in. I can feel the muscles twitching. The nausea occurs after each meal, and can vary in intensity depending on what you’re eating and how good a day your digestion is

having…

There are two tests that confirm this dysfunction. Many gastroenterologists know very little about this problem, and don’t test for it.

There is no “cure†but having a sphincterotomy and sometimes a stent placed helps “reset†the Sphincter of Oddi. Food choices help the most. We have to eat low-fiber, low-fat and bland. I’ve found SCD is the only thing that has worked for me, but it took me a few years to get my gut ecology restored and work out what foods were best for me. I only eat about half of the permitted foods, rarely make a SCD recipe, but I eat well – as long as I stick to low-fat, low-fiber and bland. My gastroenterologist is amazed at how well I’m doing.

I feel extraordinarily lucky in that it only took me 3 gastroenterologists and 8 months to get my diagnosis. Most people with this condition struggle for years to get answers.

Kim M.

SCD 6 years

Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction 6+ years

neurological & spinal deterioration 3+ years

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I've suspected for a while that I did. That was especially during the time that it was impossible to lie on my back due to the pressure up high and into my chest. My doctor suggested raising my bed a few inches, no food or drink before bed, a big glass of water in the morning and 10 heel drops to pull my stomach down. That helped. Even now there is a very specific line of pressure right under my rib cage in my solar plexus. So maybe I should still be following that protocol. What is "sphincter of oddi dysfunction"?DarleneIntestinal DysbiosisSCD 8 days

All new Yahoo! Mail - Get a sneak peak at messages with a handy reading pane.

[Guest guest]

Darlene

Pain

between the shoulder blades is a classic symptom associated with gallbladder or

common bile duct problems. Also walking hunched over at times! Have

you had tests run? Things like HIDA scans, ultrasound, MRCP? You

probably told me but I can’t remember, sorry. Pain just under the

ribs on the right side is the correct area for gallbladder and common bile

duct. Of course, the liver is there as well, but extends further to the

right, to the flank; and the stomach and pancreas are there but slightly more

to the left.

In

the two months before my ERCP and sphincterotomy, before the blockage in my

common bile duct was discovered and drained, I had to lie flat every 2 hours or

so to ease the pain between my shoulder blades, and be able to stand up

reasonably straight. I had plenty of teasing and comments on this at work;

hard to hide the fact that I was lying on the floor of my office! Now

that I think about it, though, I’m amazed that I was able to continue

working given how sick I was then.

Nausea

is probably one of the symptoms that can vary, although my gastroenterologist

handed me a script for Phenergan at first appointment with him, and a few weeks

later when he discussed my diagnosis, asked whether I had filled the

prescription and said that I’d need it forever more… He’s

right in my case, but thanks to SCD I’ve been able to reduce the levels

to minimal most of the time. I’ve talked with others who have Sphincter

of Oddi dysfunction, and chronic pancreatitis, though, and all deal with

chronic nausea. So maybe you don’t have that – I hope

so.

Have

you had a gastric emptying study? GES? That also might help

identify a problem. Pain just under the stomach can indicate stomach issues

like gastroparesis, as well as Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction or issues with the

pancreas and liver. Or further down in the small intestine.

It

can be difficult to figure out what’s going on with the upper GI.

So many possibilities [grin]. My solution has been to seek opinions from

multiple doctors and specialists, do the research, keep asking questions.

Thank goodness I have health insurance through my employer, so I can afford to

take all the tests and am able to afford the co-pays.

Kim

M.

SCD 6 years

Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction 6+ years

neurological & spinal deterioration 3+ years

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Kim,

Thanks for the clarification. Hmmm. I do not ever have nausea except for mild

nausea during the intro diet.I have chronic discomfort in the pyloric region

and just below. Pain just under the ribs on the right side which I always

thought was liver pain. I have upper back pain a lot, between the shoulder

blades. There is a definite pressure in a line following the ribcage from right

to left. Often in the morning I have this hollow ache all along this area where

I feel I have to walk hunched over and I feel weak from it. So in a lot of ways

it sounds the same except I don't get nausea or severe abdominal pain.

Darlene

Intestinal Dysbiosis

SCD 10 days

[Guest guest]

Darlene

Pain

between the shoulder blades is a classic symptom associated with gallbladder or

common bile duct problems. Also walking hunched over at times! Have

you had tests run? Things like HIDA scans, ultrasound, MRCP? You

probably told me but I can’t remember, sorry. Pain just under the

ribs on the right side is the correct area for gallbladder and common bile

duct. Of course, the liver is there as well, but extends further to the

right, to the flank; and the stomach and pancreas are there but slightly more

to the left.

In

the two months before my ERCP and sphincterotomy, before the blockage in my

common bile duct was discovered and drained, I had to lie flat every 2 hours or

so to ease the pain between my shoulder blades, and be able to stand up

reasonably straight. I had plenty of teasing and comments on this at work;

hard to hide the fact that I was lying on the floor of my office! Now

that I think about it, though, I’m amazed that I was able to continue

working given how sick I was then.

Nausea

is probably one of the symptoms that can vary, although my gastroenterologist

handed me a script for Phenergan at first appointment with him, and a few weeks

later when he discussed my diagnosis, asked whether I had filled the

prescription and said that I’d need it forever more… He’s

right in my case, but thanks to SCD I’ve been able to reduce the levels

to minimal most of the time. I’ve talked with others who have Sphincter

of Oddi dysfunction, and chronic pancreatitis, though, and all deal with

chronic nausea. So maybe you don’t have that – I hope

so.

Have

you had a gastric emptying study? GES? That also might help

identify a problem. Pain just under the stomach can indicate stomach issues

like gastroparesis, as well as Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction or issues with the

pancreas and liver. Or further down in the small intestine.

It

can be difficult to figure out what’s going on with the upper GI.

So many possibilities [grin]. My solution has been to seek opinions from

multiple doctors and specialists, do the research, keep asking questions.

Thank goodness I have health insurance through my employer, so I can afford to

take all the tests and am able to afford the co-pays.

Kim

M.

SCD 6 years

Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction 6+ years

neurological & spinal deterioration 3+ years

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Kim,

Thanks for the clarification. Hmmm. I do not ever have nausea except for mild

nausea during the intro diet.I have chronic discomfort in the pyloric region

and just below. Pain just under the ribs on the right side which I always

thought was liver pain. I have upper back pain a lot, between the shoulder

blades. There is a definite pressure in a line following the ribcage from right

to left. Often in the morning I have this hollow ache all along this area where

I feel I have to walk hunched over and I feel weak from it. So in a lot of ways

it sounds the same except I don't get nausea or severe abdominal pain.

Darlene

Intestinal Dysbiosis

SCD 10 days