Hi Gina,
Glad to help. I've had 5 ERCP's so far. The MD's sedate you and put a
tube with a scope on the end and go into your stomach and the first part of
the intestine to look at the spincters that control bile and pancreatic
juices. If it looks scarred up and the pressures are elevated then they
cut the spincters and the bile and pancreatic juices can flow more
normally.. The risk is bleeding and pancreatitis. Not fun. Ask how many
of these he has done because it is a touchy procedure and takes a lot of
skill.
Also should be having your blood drawn and tested for liver enzymes and
amylase and lipase. It is still possible to have stones and sludge in the
common bile duct.
Ask also about having an endoscopic ultrasound. Again a tube into stomach
but can do a more accurate ultrasound for inside. Hope this helps. I'm
patiently waiting for the gels to be approved! Some days are harder that
others. Rose