After CT scan

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

I have few questions

1) If someone is diagonized with CP with CT scan itself, is it

necessary to undergo ERCP? Is stenting required for all the persons

with ERCP?

2) Does any one is able to manage CP, with just pacreatic enzymes and

pain killers for years?

plese let me know

regards,

pushpa

[Guest guest]

Push pa, It is not necessary to undergo ERCP to be diagonosed. They can tell if

you are having a flare up with CT, but not always. ERCP is the best way to see

damage, drainage, etc. And no, you do have to have stents in with ERCP. It can

be exploritory only. I manage my cp with Botox. I do not take pain killers or

enzymes at this time. Though, it has taken me 6 mo to full recovery from a major

attack. I personally made the choice of not living out of a pill bottle. I do

yoga, drink ginger tea, licorice tea and do yoga breathing when I get in a lot

of pain. I keep a strong mental focus and realize, this is part of it. I hope

this helps you. Regards, Kathleen

pushpanjali_jayachandra wrote:Hi All,

I have few questions

1) If someone is diagonized with CP with CT scan itself, is it

necessary to undergo ERCP? Is stenting required for all the persons

with ERCP?

2) Does any one is able to manage CP, with just pacreatic enzymes and

pain killers for years?

plese let me know

regards,

pushpa

[Guest guest]

Hi pushpa,

I kind of fall into that catagory, managing with anylgesics and emzynes, and

I have done that for over 3 years now. I still have episodes or pancreatic

attacks (about 3 per month) but I manage. I don't work as I'm 63 and retired so

I

have the latitude to plan my daily activities and can minimize stress more

easily than others who are trying to have a job or return to work.

I cannot have stents as due to major surgery 19 years ago, there is nowhere

to place a stent. I have done well so far and hope to at least continue for as

long as possible. I don't have diabetes or the signs of diabetes as yet.

I happen to respond very well to anylgesics and I take hydrocodine as needed

for pain relief. The emzynes are also very well functioning for me. But, I am

aware that we are all different and that time can and likely will cause

changes.

I try to adhere to a low fat and high fiber diet and stay very well hydrated.

Lots of water can't hurt and likely helps me through episodes.

An attack of pancreatitis can last for me anytime from 4 hours to 72 hours.

If you have any specific questions, please feel free to ask.

Best wishes, Poncho - GA

[Guest guest]

Pushpa,

I was diagnosed with just a CT scan. I was not diagnosed with pancreas

divisum though until I had an MRCP. (An mri of the pancreas) I was on meds and

enzymes for 2 years and then I had surgery last month. It had gotten to the

point

where the meds weren't working anymore and the ducts in my pancreas were

completely scarred over. The doc opened them up and it has helped. I am having a

few attacks here and there but not the constant pain I was having every day.

Take care,

Angie in SC

" The happiest of people don't necessarily have the

best of everything; they just make the best of everything that comes along

their way. "

[Guest guest]

Kathleen,

I had an open major and minor sphinteroplasty. I have pancreas divisum and

he had to open both ducts. I am not sure if that answers your question or not

if not let me know and I can try to give more detail.

Angie in SC

" The happiest of people don't necessarily have the

best of everything; they just make the best of everything that comes along

their way. "

[Guest guest]

Angie, What kind of surgery did you have? -Kathleen

NOTOFARMS2@... wrote:Pushpa,

I was diagnosed with just a CT scan. I was not diagnosed with pancreas

divisum though until I had an MRCP. (An mri of the pancreas) I was on meds and

enzymes for 2 years and then I had surgery last month. It had gotten to the

point

where the meds weren't working anymore and the ducts in my pancreas were

completely scarred over. The doc opened them up and it has helped. I am having a

few attacks here and there but not the constant pain I was having every day.

Take care,

Angie in SC

" The happiest of people don't necessarily have the

best of everything; they just make the best of everything that comes along

their way. "

[Guest guest]

Angie, Is that where they cut the SOD muscle??? I have Incomplete Panc Div. I am

just trying to see if I have other options out there. Something new.

Thanks-Kathleen

NOTOFARMS2@... wrote:Kathleen,

I had an open major and minor sphinteroplasty. I have pancreas divisum and

he had to open both ducts. I am not sure if that answers your question or not

if not let me know and I can try to give more detail.

Angie in SC

" The happiest of people don't necessarily have the

best of everything; they just make the best of everything that comes along

their way. "

[Guest guest]

Kathleen,

I don't believe he cut the sod muscle. He just opened up the ducts that were

scarred closed. In fact, he said they were supposed to be the diameter of a

little finger and my openings were the size of a pin head from where the scar

tissue had closed everything up! Have you had a MRCP? I couldn't remember if

you said that you had or not?

Take care,

Angie in SC

" The happiest of people don't necessarily have the

best of everything; they just make the best of everything that comes along

their way. "

[Guest guest]

Angie, Thanks for the info. No, I have not done an MRCP. I was too

claustrophobic for that. WOW! I can't believe the ducts are suposed to be that

big! WOW! Mine are really small. He didn't say how small, just small. He

reconstructed them during the 1st ercp. They were all in a ball. He cut the sod

and stented everything. I am still trying to understand that who connection with

cp and the biliary. I have incomplete panc. div, but I do know, as my doc but

it, my duct is " the road that leads to no where'. It stops short of dumping into

the (wherever it dumps) sorry I am SO bad with names. I guess I am trying to

figure out where that stuff goes if it's not eventually dumping into my small

intestine??? Take Care Angie and thank you for your response-Kathleen

NOTOFARMS2@... wrote:Kathleen,

I don't believe he cut the sod muscle. He just opened up the ducts that were

scarred closed. In fact, he said they were supposed to be the diameter of a

little finger and my openings were the size of a pin head from where the scar

tissue had closed everything up! Have you had a MRCP? I couldn't remember if

you said that you had or not?

Take care,

Angie in SC

" The happiest of people don't necessarily have the

best of everything; they just make the best of everything that comes along

their way. "

[Guest guest]

Kathleen,

I actually had an MRCP in an open MRI. It was not completely closed in. I am

claustrophobic also and I was so relieved they had this option! Check it out

and see if they have one that you can try.

Take care,

Angie in SC

" The happiest of people don't necessarily have the

best of everything; they just make the best of everything that comes along

their way. "

[Guest guest]

Angie,

I had heard that oper MRI is not as accurate as the closed one. But

looking at your mail, i can rethink about getting an open MRI. Did

you receive any contrast agent for open MRI? Looking at your reports

please let me know some details regarding the open MRI machine that

was used for you, details like how much telsa or magnetic strength of

the machine, manufacturer. This would help me to search for a

hospital with similar MRI in India.

regards,

Pushpa.

> Kathleen,

> I actually had an MRCP in an open MRI. It was not completely

closed in. I am

> claustrophobic also and I was so relieved they had this option!

Check it out

> and see if they have one that you can try.

> Take care,

> Angie in SC

>

> " The happiest of people don't necessarily have the

> best of everything; they just make the best of everything that

comes along

> their way. "

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Pushpa,

Honey, I have no clue as to the strength or anything. I am hopelessly lost

when it comes to that kind of stuff! I didn't have to have any contrast. But I

do feel that it was as accurate as the closed one. In fact, they found things

from that MRI that they were not able to find from other tests.

I hope that helps, sorry I can't help with the other stuff. The strength,

etc.

Angie in SC

" The happiest of people don't necessarily have the

best of everything; they just make the best of everything that comes along

their way. "