At Tue, 7 Dec 1999, LARRY ERDMAN wrote:
>
>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