ERCP

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I have only had two ERCPs since 1988 and am scheduled to have

another one soon.

My first one was done when my acute attacks were at their height but

I still had no calcifications or anything which actually showed up

with the ERCP or with a CT scan done around about the same time. I

did have very severe abdominal pain after this first ERCP. I had

already been sent home and did not go back to hospital. The pain

began some hours after the ERCP. I was so used to severe pain at the

time that I just managed it at home with painkillers. It was

certainly one of my worst attacks, if not the worst. It lasted for

about three days.

The second ERCP was last December and was carried out for juice

collection for cell mutation analysis. This one caused only mild

pain for about a week after the test. The gastro put in a temporary

stent for a couple of weeks to help to avoid an attack following the

test. However, I have to say that pancreatitis following ERCP is

less common when one has very advanced disease as I do than at

earlier stages.

The test itself? Unlike Henry, I had no awareness whatsoever of any

consciousness at all during either ERCP. I felt as " out " as with a

general anaesthetic, although obviously, I wasn't, as it

is " conscious sedation " which they use, as Henry explained. I've no

idea what they use. Both times I simply woke up a bit later in a

recovery room and went home soon afterwards. You're not allowed to

drive for 24 hours.

I do tend to " come to " during an EUS and gag a bit. I gather this is

because the tube used is thicker than with the ERCP and they move it

around more. (My gastro's explanation!) I respond similarly to

gastroscopies.

I will be nervous when I go for my next ERCP but not because of the

test itself. I will be hoping that I don't have an attack

afterwards.

However, you have to weigh the benefits of the test against the risk

of a pancreatitis attack. The latter may not happen at all or, if it

does, is likely to be relatively short-lived and treatable. (I don't

mean to trivialise.) The benefits may well be considerable and

improve your overall quality of life.

Good luck! I do hope all goes well.

Fliss (UK)