EUS this coming Tuesday

Pancreatitis
#1

 

Hi, everybody!  Hope this finds everyone having a great day and feeling fantastic!

On Tuesday next week, I'm scheduled for an EUS / pseudocyst drainage at Duke University Medical Center and and TERRIFIED out of my mind!  I know the procedure is relatively simple, but I'm afraid about complications and the provocation of another attack afterward.  Also, the GI guy doing it only does "procedures" and doesn't have a clinic, so I've been unable to talk to him about what to expect, specifics about my case and what he anticipates the outcome to be.  My surgeon's nurse at Duke says that's normal protocol not to be able to talk to him before hand, and I'll meet the GI guy the day of the procedure. 

Don't know why this has me so bugged, but I know a lot of you out there have had this done, and I was wondering please, if you might be willing to share your experience(s) with me and talk me down!

Am scheduled for a lap /choley on June 15th and am not at all apprehensive about that in the least.  Guess this pseudocyst thing just has me bugged and knowing they'll put stints / pigtails in sort of has me all over the map.  Will I feel it?  Do they eventually have to come out?  Will I feel like the dog afterward, etc.

I'll stop rambling and try to buck up!  YIKES!  :)

Thanks for everything, and here's to good health always!

Best,

Flyboy73 

#2

Okay, well I have never replied to any of the on-line conversations so hang in there with me. I promise I’ll try to get out what I really what to say eventually. I like to know that I am not alone in the crappy world of having CP.

First, I just wanted to tell you I know how you feel. I had a similar procedure at Duke Med Center and I went threw the same thing. The Dr I was seeing for my procedure didn’t have and office and I would only see him the day of surgery. I like you was freaked!!! I have to tell you I have been all over, including The University of Indianapolis which is one of the best places in the world for pancreatic studies. The Dr. that did my procedure here was fantastic!!! It was the first time in my CP life I did not end up admitted. I was able to go home with my family with no Acute Problems!!! They did put a stent in at the end of opening all of my ducts. I believe the stent was the key.

Like I said I didn’t have the same procedure done that you are going in for but Duke is one of the best. I could have moved anywhere!! If you have a lot of unanswered questions see your regular GI guy before your surgery. That’s what I did. I know sometimes when you have to much info it can make you very scared, but not having enough can be worse. Look who’s ramblin now! Well I hope this helps!!

Craeadams

#3

Hi Flyboy,

First I have to tell you something because when I looked at your nickname I remembered my son when he was very young had the email address with the name of Flyguy. He is going to be 17yrs old this month.

I had this procedure in India and maybe one time here, I don’t remember that much. But they just went in and looked inside, couldn’t find anything so came out and I had sore throat for couple of days. As far as I remember they give you sedation, but not too much you will be aware of something going on but everything will be blurry. I looked for the information and I’m sending for you to read it and just relax after understanding. _*

*_What they have done for me is different. I think they are using this method for Pseudocyst drainage and *I’m sure you are going to be alright my friend! *

PLEASE DO SOMETHING NICE AND YOU LIKE MOST IN THIS WEEKEND (UNLESS YOU
HAVE TO PREPARE YOURSELF FOR THE TEST THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND). Then you have one day before the test. Monday you just try to keep yourself so busy like organizing the shelves or fixing something challenging which needs total attention. That will make you tired and then I think from midnight you shouldn’t eat or drink anything until the test is done. Then just go to sleep creating a beautiful place of nature in your mind, so that you can go to that peaceful place whenever you want.

Lots of love and many hugs.
Durga.

_*
EUS: ENDOSCOPIC ULTRASOUND.
*_Endoscopic ultrasound. In this form of ultrasound, a probe attached to a lighted scope is placed down the throat and into the stomach. Sound waves show images of organs in the abdomen. Endoscopic ultrasound may reveal gallstones in the common bile duct.

Digestive Diseases: Endoscopic Ultrasound

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is a procedure that allows a doctor to obtain images and information about the digestive tract and the surrounding tissue and organs.

During the procedure, a small ultrasound transducer is installed on the tip of an endoscope. An endoscope is a small, lighted, flexible tube with a camera attached. By inserting the endoscope and camera into the upper or the lower digestive tract, the doctor is able to obtain high-quality ultrasound images of organs. Because the EUS transducer can get close to the organ(s) being examined, the images obtained with EUS are often more accurate and detailed than images provided by traditional ultrasound.

When Is EUS Used?

EUS may be used to:
* Evaluate stages of cancer.
* Evaluate chronic pancreatitis or other disorders of the pancreas.
* Study abnormalities or tumors in organs, including the gallbladder
and liver.
* Study the muscles of the lower rectum and anal canal to determine
reasons for fecal incontinence.
* Study nodules (bumps) in the intestinal wall.

What Happens During the Procedure?

A person undergoing EUS will be sedated prior to the procedure. After sedation, the doctor inserts an endoscope into the person’s mouth or rectum. The doctor will observe the inside of the intestinal tract on a TV monitor and the ultrasound image on another monitor. The entire procedure usually takes 30 to 90 minutes and the patient usually can go home the same day of the procedure.

#4

Hi there,
It is so normal to be nervous!! I think the procedures scare me more. EUS are fairly simple procedures, it is the endoscopy but they have ultrasound with it also. It is to be more non-invasive. I have had several of them, no complications! They will sedate you and you will not remember anything. You are at the best facility too!! Lucky you to be on the East coast vs. West Coast! I will be sending you positive thoughts the day of your procedure.
Your Lap Chole you will have some discomfort. Everyone is different. Most stents they eventually take out. I’m glad they are draining your pseudocyst. Wish I could get mine out!
Take care of yourself and no worries!
Liz

#5

Hi Flyboy -

Re: EUS - My GI guy said that EUS is a much milder procedure than ERCP (he does ERCP, but no EUS available here), so much less likelihood of triggering pancreatitis attack. I ended up having neither procedure done, as my pancreas had looked completely normal, no pseudocysts, and I went directly to lap chole, which I had two weeks ago.

I had appointment with surgeon a month before (I was lucky and not in mid attack), and was also a little dismayed at how little contact there was. But decided not to worry about it. He was great and allayed my fears right before surgery. Pathologist report said gallbladder acutely & chronically inflamed, so belief is that this will mean no more pancreatitis, and lucky to catch it before chronic. Or so I hope!! And hope the same for you.

Good luck - think it will all go easily - will be thinking of you.
NBC

#6

Flyboy,

The EUS is pretty easy to go through. I did not have any complications afterward. I’ll be praying for you. Let us know how it goes for you so we can all give a cheer at how well you come out of it!

Keep the Faith and God Bless,

Vonnie

#7

Hey,

An EUS has far rewer probabilities of causing another panc attack. The ERCP, due to its invasiveness into the pancreas itself is well known to cause pancreas attacks as well as pancreatitis itself! Relax about the EUS as it is NOT invasive; it is really a chemical-reaction test.

So, do relax and don’t worry about getting worse. I have not heard of anyone having a panc attack after EUS in my many years in dealing with and talking with others who have had one.

My thoughts are with you.

Anyse

#8

Hi again Flyboy73, I pulled out my med records and looked to see what the Docs name from Duke was. My last procedure was an EUS to check for cancer, but no pseudocyst drainage. Anyway that Doctor the did my EUS was Dr Darren Pavey. Like I said he was fantastic!!! The entire team was great, they made me feel comfortable right off the bat. Regardless of the Doc you are in great hands!! I’ll send up a prayer for you on Tuesday.
Craeadams