Gallstones

Newwashingmachine

I've been in a lot of pain and had a ultrasound that showed a couple of gallstones in my gallbladder but the doctor suspects I have one in my bile duct.

Apparently I can have an Endoscopy where they can cut the bile duct and put in a stent so that the gallstones can pass through.

Has anyone ever had this - if so - is it painful and does it mean I don't have to have gallbladder taken out?

Thanks.

Callie22

I had this a few years ago - iirc it's called an ERCP. I still had to have my gallbladder out eventually, but I had an ERCP initially because I had a lot of small stones and they kept getting stuck. The procedure itself wasn't painful at all. You're sedated and it's pretty much the same as having an endoscopy, I had a sore throat after but there wasn't any pain.

Newwashingmachine

Thanks - a lot - how long did you have the stent before you had the gallstones removed?

Also if you have a stent will it show up in x-rays at the airport - I'm wanting to go on holiday soon.

Thanks.

Callie22

Newwashingmachine wrote: »

Thanks - a lot - how long did you have the stent before you had the gallstones removed?

Also if you have a stent will it show up in x-rays at the airport - I'm wanting to go on holiday soon.

Thanks.

I think I had the stent put in about two to three months before I had my gallbladder out - sorry, I can't remember how long exactly as it was quite a long time ago. I had the stent put in to provide relief until I had the op. I had lots of small stones that kept getting stuck and triggering pancreatitis, so the stent was put in to stop that happening, which it did.

I have no idea about whether it shows up in x-rays at the airport as I haven't been abroad since I had it done . Tbh I'm not sure if it's even made of metal. I really doubt that it'll be an issue though, but you can always ask your doctor.

gunsandbanjos

I doubt the stent would cause an issue at an airport. My daughter had 2 great big metal rods in her back plus a bunch of screws and we never had an issue.