Stent research update

[Guest guest]

Good Morning!!!!

Talked to my cardiologist about cardiac and pancreas stents.

He said cardiac stents would not work for the pancreas. He said the

cardiac stents are much smaller and that the consistency of blood is

way different than pancreas fluids. Much thicker and would block

the smaller stents quickly.

I also had a very interesting conversation with my U of C GI

MD. I told him that I was doing research on the stents and that I

was finding out, through this group, that stents in themselves are

the reason the disease progresses. That the actual stenting causes

more scare tissue and therefore more problems down the line. So

maybe it wasn't a good idea to keep stenting. I don't want to get

worse. He said I have it completely backwards. He said the damage

occurs when the duct closes down. When it is narrowed/clogged and

you are in pain, that is when the damage is happening. He said the

sooner you get in and get it opened the better off you are. You

need to stop the damage from happening. He asked me if I feel

better for a time after a stenting and the answer is yes... We also

discussed the metal stents and more permanent stenting. He said

that yes the metal stents are primarily used in cancer patients. I

asked him why we couldn't use it and I expressed my concern about it

being sucked into my pancreas, also read this on this site. His

reply, " When the metal stents are used in cancer patients, their

pancreas is verrry sick. And yes in that case sometimes it does get

sucked up into the pancreas. But with divism it is a completely

different story. If they can keep it open they can avoid further

damage. He believes the metal stent may offer longer term relief.

He was going to have a pow wow on my case with the other U of C MDs

and review all the options with the different stents. They would

also call IN MDs and go over options with them. Will see what they

come up with.

So thats what I found out. Amazes me that there are so many

different opinions on this subject. But it seems that the MDs that

work with the pancreas on a regular basis believe the stenting is

helpful instead of harmful. Very interesting. It does seem to help

me, even though it comes back again, usually in a year.

I will continue my research for a more permanent stent, that

can be left in longer without clogging. Maybe that will cause the

duct to be stretched better and to stay open for a longer period of

time.

I will share all info with you as I find it out.

Hope this finds everyone having a better day. Thankyou all for

all the valuable information you share. Makes this a little easier.

Love,

W

Wisconsin