Discouraged and trying not to get depressed

[jenstl]

I was diagnosed with UC in October 2012, which I believe is under control, for now.

I had my gall bladder removed in 2010 and even after, I would get pain from time-to-time that mimicked a gall bladder attack. I was given Bentyl and Donnatol to help with spasms and pain it caused. The pain usually subsided over a day or two.

This time, the pain is constant and has lasted almost 2 weeks. My GI said he did not believe it wad UC related and ordered an MRCP (like an MRI) to examine the once gall bladder area, liver, etc. I had the MRCP done this morning and the doctor said everything looked fine. Everything is not fine.....

He said we could do an ERCP test which is more invasive and a complication could be pancreatitis. Not sure what to do. I just want to feel good or a day. This procedure involves an endoscopy and physical examination of the bile and pancreatic ducts and also looks at the sphincter of oddi.

Anyone have any advice, experience with this, etc?

 

[Trysha]

ERCP tests are conducted in radiology by an experienced physician.
It could give the answer to your problems but is not without its hazards as many tests are.
If you trust your GI and they think it necessary to get to the root of the problems you are having then you may not have other recourse.I have not had this test myself but my sister did, and it was very helpful to her diagnosis. She had her gallbladder removed---- it was a bad situation because she had obstructed, and following that continued to have problems.
A year later she had the ERCP which found gall stones in the remaining ducts.
They were able to remove them through ERCP and she recovered fine.
Hope this may help you.
Hugs and best wishes
Trysha

 

[Jennifer]

Can't you have the endoscopy and colonoscopy done at the same time to rule out both ends? When was your last colonoscopy and how is your UC being treated?

 

[jenstl]

Trysha- thank you so much for the encouraging post. I just need to do it. Unfortunately the only stories on the Internet pertaining to ERCP are the bad ones but your sister's has given me hope.

Crabby- I had an endoscopy before my gall bladder surgery and everything looked normal. A HIDA scan showed my gall bladder was not functioning properly and it was removed. I had a colonoscopy done in October 2012 and was subsequently diagnosed with UC of entire colon. I was put on Apriso but had an allergic reaction so I did the 40mg prednisone taper which "fixed" those issues. Bloodwork showed inflammation levels were normal so GI decided to hold off on any new meds. So far so good with that. I take vitamins and a probiotic, am a vegetarian and juice daily.

I just can't get this phantom gal bladder pain figured out.