Gallstones In The Biliary Tract

[Barsel]

I'm hoping that if any of you have ever has this, you may be able to advise me.
During a routine blood test last October, it was noted that my liver function tests were high.
I had follow up tests right up until the day before Christmas Eve when they were so high my GP sent me to hospital where I stayed until Boxing day.
The consultant who came to see me said he thinks it is probably gallstones in the biliary tract., but I need a MRCP scan to confirm, this is booked for Jan 15th.
I was fine in myself until New Years Eve when I had excruciating stomach pains and was vomiting all through the night and spent New Years Day in bed. If I had phoned an ambulance, I have no doubt they would have admitted me again, but I really didn't want to go back , especially as I have a fear of catching the Covid in there, so I decided to see if I could get better at home, which I've done, more or less.
My thoughts turned to what I had eaten on NYE that had caused this, and the only thing that I think it could have been was half a medium pork pie and 4 sausage rolls!
Was my liver unable to cope with this food, and is this what caused the pain and vomiting?
Since then, I have been eating very bland easy to digest food, and touch wood, I've been fine although I daresay my function tests will be even higher now especially the bilirubin. Sorry this has been so drawn out , but my question is,
Was the pain etc caused by food and if so, which food should I eat and avoid?
Do you have experience of it or perhaps know someone who has?

[Electrochem]

Squad is quite correct in saying that a MECP is needed before ERCP. I should have pointed that out.

[Togo]

Sqad, I didn't mention sedation because I honestly don't remember having it. I may have been offered, but I think I would have declined. I am sure that a local anaesthetic was involved and maybe even in the throat area to prevent reflex gagging, but those sort of things are confined to the file and forget part of my mind. I know that the time during the procedure was less stressful than the time waiting for it to be done.

[Barsel]

Thanks Patsy. I have had an endoscopy in the past, and the sedation just doesn't work for me. When everybody else is asleep in the recovery room, I'm sitting up asking if I can get a cup of tea yet, so last time I had it I swore I would never have it again. I'm old enough and ugly enough now to stand firm and ask for an alternative. I would rather have a General Anesthetic and be opened up then have that thing down my throat. They nearly had to pin me down when they tested me for Covid with that stick in your mouth!

[Togo]

I had MECP, and other scans, when I was unconscious with the infection and needed no further diagnosis. The provisional ERCP appointment was made and all I had was blood test a few days before.

[Patsy33]

Aww, I quite understand how you feel. I know it's worrying you. You need to have a chat about this before the op.By the way, the sedation wasn't meant to knock me out completely, surgeon said he would give me a bit extra with a smile.. Best wishes x

[Barsel]

Thanks for all your replies folks, I think I now have the gist of what will happen to me treatment wise, so all I need to do now is be very careful what I eat, look after myself and stay safe until I go for my scan on the 15th, fingers crossed it will work out this way. Thanks again. x

[Togo]

Good luck Barsel. I hope it is all OK eventually.

[Eve]

It was easier to remember as I have RA too (and OA in my knees) and, again if I remember right, I think we live not too far from each other. I read more than I post these days :)

That's a long time to be off treatment! I had infusions for a while of Tocilizumab, best drug I've been on so far, but it (along with Methotrexate) played havoc with my liver so had to come off it. On injections of a different biologic now, not as effective but my body tolerates it better.

I've only been out twice since 1 November (back shielding too, thankfully I can work from home) for two hospital appointments. Routine ones, as they were seeming to be getting back up and running, for ENT and the Fracture Clinic. Both hospitals were really well set up Covid safety wise. I've had some telephone appointments too.

Who knows though with a potential further lockdown coming. I think we should have had a strict one sooner, and just need a major push to get people vaccinated as quickly as possible.

MRCP wise, it was just a normal MRI scan.

[Barsel]

Thanks Togo.
Eve now you have said that, I do recall you now.
It was a toss up as to whether I had Tocilizumab or Rituximab, but my consultant Dr Sanders decided on the latter.
How often have you been able to get your infusions?
The problem is apart from the effect these medications have on your liver, ( I used to be on methotrexate too) they also lower your immune system, so when I saw the Rheumatology nurse last October, she explained that if I were to have the infusion, it would lower my immune system even more, making me more prone to catch the virus, so I decided not to have it. How about you?

[Eve]

I'm not on Toci any more, I'm on injections of Etanercept at the moment. It's not as good but I haven't had as many issues with it, save infections but that's more the immunosuppressant side as with most of the drugs.

So it's been a bit more of a "break" from all the on and off and ups and downs, if that makes sense. Just being a bit more settled on something for a while. It also helps another autoimmune condition that I have. I get my injections delivered and do them myself.

I last saw a Rhumo nurse back just before the first lockdown, for a steroid injection in one of my shoulders. Was meant to be both but she wanted to be cautious dose wise with Covid. I was advised to carry on with my injections. I've been at home mostly since March though, which has made it easier to continue taking them, being in for all of the initial shielding period, then not out much for long before I was back staying at home.

I live alone but I'm lucky to have good friends and neighbours to help when needed. Thankfully I got a recurring delivery slot offered from being on the government list, which has been an absolute godsend.

[Barsel]

Eve, thanks for letting me know the name of the injections you are now on, I'll ask my Rheumo nurse about them when I next speak to her, see if they may be suitable for me. Take care and stay safe. x

[jennyjoan]

I know how you feel Barsel as I definitely couldn't cope with that endoscopy thing. I would rather be opened up too. I really can't bear hands around my mouth.

However my cousin went yesterday or perhaps the day before for the stick up her nose and down her throat Covid test. She phoned me and said she was worried because she didn't feel one thing - no gagging, no choking or whatever you are supposed to feel.

She was contacted this morning (Monday) and she is positive Covid. She definitely thought "they" didn't get a correct reading. But she is isolating for whatever she needs to do.

[ummmm]

The Covid test is easy. I don't know why people are making a fuss.

I've had a few endoscopy's and always opted for sedation. It just means you can't go home alone.