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Why avoid an ercp test?

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Posted 10/16/2008 8:35 PM (GMT 0)
Im supposed to get one and Im wondering why i have read here to avoid that test?

Ive had a ultrasound, mrcp, hidascan and ct scan . My lipase and alymase are still going way high so he wants this ercp to try tp figure out whats going on.  Before he didnt want to do this test because he said it was very invasive and had complications but now he wants to send me to seattle to get it done.

Any advice ?  if youve had it how bad is the actual procedure? 

Posted 10/16/2008 10:35 PM (GMT 0)
Way high ? How high? Mine where 3x the max and i didnt have crap done. Maybe yours are higher i dont know. But lipase and amylase increases are very common with UC and IBD. Even more when you are flaring or have been flaring. Good GI's are aware of this and will monitor it but most of the time it settles down on its own when you get your inflammation under control. I guess my advice would be wiegh things out...whats the procedure going to accomplish?
Posted 10/16/2008 11:47 PM (GMT 0)

mom4321 said...
Im supposed to get one and Im wondering why i have read here to avoid that test?
Ive had a ultrasound, mrcp, hidascan and ct scan . My lipase and alymase are still going way high so he wants this ercp to try tp figure out whats going on. Before he didnt want to do this test because he said it was very invasive and had complications but now he wants to send me to seattle to get it done.

Any advice ? if youve had it how bad is the actual procedure?

good mayo article here...

http://www.mayoclinicproceedings.com/inside.asp?Aid=102&Uid=
Posted 10/17/2008 12:02 AM (GMT 0)
I've had it done twice because I have chronic pancreatitis. I didn't have a problem during or after either time. The procedure is a piece of cake. They sedate you and then put the tube down your throat to see your pancreas. You don't feel anything and it is a quick procedure. hope this helps and your dr figures out what is wrong. Let me know if you have noymore questions.
Cara
Posted 10/17/2008 2:44 AM (GMT 0)
thanks cara I was thinking it might be a bad test but you make it sound easy.

My lipase count was almost 1500 but now dropped again to 495 I think I cant remember the almaye number but it was also high.
Posted 10/17/2008 5:04 AM (GMT 0)
Hi...it's always me who suggests to nix the ERCP before the other tests are done to diagnose PSC because of the fact that it can trigger the disease if it's in its early stages as well as causing pancreatitis.

Considering how many tests you've already had...I think possibly an ERCP might be in order since the doctor is still guessing.

There are other possible reasons for both the lipase and amylase to be high, but an ERCP might be needed to see what's going on if blood tests don't garner any leads.

Yes, there are possible complications/side effects....definitely do the homework and if possible could you get referred to an endocrinologist?   Sometimes readings could mean one thing for the specialists.  Especially since yours has increased and then dropped.

This is a good site regarding blood tests, etc.  Check out the lipase and amylase and other possiblities that could lead to other blood tests.

http://labtestsonline.org/index.html

I sure hope they find out what's going on..you've been through most of the tests already.

Keep us posted.

quincy

Posted 10/17/2008 5:10 AM (GMT 0)
UC Dude...great article. I've put it in one of my Faves folders.
Thanks..
q
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