and

[Guest guest]

An ERCP can cause a pt to go into pancreatitis, sometimes it can be

mild and sometimes it is not. Did your doctor say for to

prepare to stay overnight in the hospital? A large majority of pts

do stay for what is called 23 hour observation, myself included and

I have had 3 ercps. If the doctor goes in and the manotromic

reading is low, ie his sphinter is not too tight, he may not need a

sphincterotomy, the cutting. If is manometry is high; greater then

50 or so, they will sometimes try to stretch it and then cut it.

There are different depths at which they will cut the sphincter and

that is based on the manometry. Did the doctor say they may place a

stent? Sometimes they will put these in to keep the sphincter open

until the cut and stretching has had a chance to heal.

is going to feel lousy after this procedure; wether or not

that is going to be full blown pancreatitis; we dont know, but it is

a risks of this procedure. Most of us who have had it done have had

a pancreatic reaction in some form or another. It is not pleasant

at all. I thank my lucky stars that I will never have to endure

another, they are awful. So best to be prepared. However, it is an

extremely important diagnostic tool. The information your doctor

will be able to gather will be very valuable.

One thing I would strongly suggest, however, ask your md if he can

do an EUS at the same time. This allow the docs to see the outside

of the pancreas, the muscle itself. The ercp will look inside and

the eus will check out the outside. My personal opinion, while they

are down there, do them both and get it over with. It certainly

doesn't hurt to ask your doc about it. An eus is and edoscopic

ultra sound.

Keep up posted.

Chrissy