Can someone reassure me about ERCP removal of gallstone - having on Monday!

[trickynicky]

I have a stone stuck in my common bile duct and am having an ERCP on Monday. Has anyone had this? I know what's involved but I have a terrible gag reflex and imagine it must make you choke?? I'm terrified! Does it hurt??

Also, if anyone did have this - how long afterwards could you have your gallbladder removed? I was scheduled for next Weds but it's been put back now depending on what happens on Monday!

Thank you

[MadgeHarvey]

Have you had it confirmed that there's a stone in your common bile duct? This is following on from your earlier thread?
Anyway - they will sedate you for an ERCP and you will know nothing about it, nor will you remember anything afterwards. I can't answer about how long till you get your gallbladder removed - I was lucky enough to be able to go private for mine and everything moves very fast in that sector!
Hope it all goes ok for you

[jalopy]

I had an ercp a few years ago for a lodged stone. Tbh, it wasn't the most pleasant experience and even under sedation, I can remember some moments quite clearly. It was straight forward though and I had my gallbladder removed a week later.

Ask for a decent dose of sedation. Good luck.

[Matesnotdates]

jalopy - gosh i thought I was the only one to remember bits! I can clearly remenber them rummaging round inside. I wondered if they hadn't sedated me enough.

OP - it is really quick - no one else I have spoken to can remember a thing about having it done so i think jalopy and I are exceptional.

I had no pain afterwards and certainly no recollection of the tube going down.

[livealoha]

Hi its just light sedation you can expect to remember some parts.
The procedure can be quite lengthy depending on how many stones you have.
The initial tube going down can be uncomfortable but once it's in it's fine.
You don't always need to have your gall bladder removed.
It's truly not too bad and I've never known anyone to suffer pain afterwards with the exception of a slight sore throat!
Good luck

[Matesnotdates]

Hi livealoha - I am trying to avoid my gallbladder being removed ... had an ERCP in winter and no problems since. It is good to know some get to avoid the gb op.

[BambinoBoo]

I had a 9mm gallstone stuck in my bile duct and had an ERCP in April. It was absolutely fine. I was given patient led anasthesia (sp) which was fab and I don't recall any pain or gagging at all, just a sore throat after. The relief was immediate, honestly it was amazing to lose that constant dull pain. I had my gallbladder out 6 weeks later. With regards to your gallbladder, several consultants have told me that once a gallbladder starts to show symptoms then it is pretty much diseased and will probably have to come out at some point. Personally, I'm glad the source of that stuck stone is gone.

[Matesnotdates]

Hi bambino - weird thing is when they did my ERCP they did not find a stone in my duct. I have a few gallstones which have given me zero trouble - til this attack of pancreatitis. I don't drink, eat healthily so they put into down to a stone they could not find, hence my reluctance to have the gb out.

[ripsishere]

I had awful pancreatitis and was in hospital for a month. I had the ERCP on say the Monday (don't' remember anything about it apart from rowing with an AN about her eating crisps when I was starving) then had my gallbladder out a couple of days later.
Flew back to the ME three days later.
Good luck OP.
You may get a little pot of stones. Mine are around somewhere.

[BambinoBoo]

Matesnotdates, it could be that by time you had he ERCP, your stone had passed. How strange though.

[Matesnotdates]

Thanks Bambino.

i am adopting a head in the sand til I get it again approach (v scientific).

[mand009]

I have had 2 ERCP's also gallbadder removed. My first ERCP to remove stones stuck in my bile duct and I had no problem with it, didnt know anything about it at all but made a mistake thinking I was fine - went on holiday and enjoyed my food until 3 months later when I had an emergency admission to hospital - pain out of this world - had my gallbladder removed a week later. Unfortunately stones left in and had another ERCP at a different hospital horrible experience felt every single thing why? because that doctor didnt believe in too much sedation - I suggest it is insisted on. I have to have another one because a stent was put in and it has to be removed I have requested a different hospital, hopefully back to the first one. If anyone doubts having their gallbladder removed from my experience you would definitely not want the pain - way past a 10 nearer 100, fever and itchy skin affecting your liver if you need it removed have it done.