• pak001
  • Senior Member
  • Offline
  • From: Cleveland, OH
  • Registered: Fri, 04 Nov 2011
  • Posts: 77

Topic: What a mess

After getting a good scan back on September, mom is back in the hospital with 2 plastic stents and cholangitis.  She is on IV antibiotics and had the plastic stents changed due to blockage.  MD is placing the blame on effects of radiation therapy she received 7 months ago for the strictures, but I'm not so sure.
How can she be in this predicament in just 2 months. It certainly is frustrating.  Anyone else go thru this?

Anna
  • From: Uniontown, Ohio
  • Registered: Fri, 23 Sep 2011
  • Posts: 1,488

Re: What a mess

Hi Anna,
My heart sank when I read your post. I remember the great scan results and how happy you were. I don't know anything about stents or cholangitis. I just wanted to let you know that I am thinking of you both and praying for things to turn around. I'm sure someone that has been through this will comment soon. Take care.

Love and hugs,
-Pam

Hoping for a miracle for my daughter, Lauren.

My comments, suggestions, and opinions are based on my experience as a caretaker for my daughter, Lauren and from reading anything I can get my hands on about Cholangiocarcinoma. Please consult a physician for professional guidance.

Pamela's Website

  • Gavin
  • Gavin
  • Moderator
  • Offline
  • From: Scotland - Dundee
  • Registered: Tue, 23 Sep 2008
  • Posts: 4,831

Re: What a mess

Hi Anna,

I am sorry to hear that your mum is back in the hospital with cholangitis. I have no personal experiences that I can share regarding cholangitis or the effects of radiation therapy, but I hope that others will be able to chime in with their experiences of this if they can.

Regarding the plastic stents. Blockage of them is very common and happens after around the 3 month mark on average before they need to be changed again. Metal stents last longer on average before blockage becomes an issue, 12 months or so. How long ago was it since her previous plastic stents were placed?

My best wishes to you and your mum,

Gavin

4 Reply by marions (edited by marions Wed, 12 Dec 2012 17:31:52)

  • Registered: Fri, 12 May 2006
  • Posts: 8,165

Re: What a mess

Pak....I too am sorry to hear of the latest developments.  We call this the roller coaster ride of the disease.
This is what I have learned:  radiation does change tissue drastically hence the comments made by MD Anderson.   Cholangitis and Cholangiocarcinoma often times go hand in hand.  Many patients take their temperature daily in order to catch the very fist signs of a brewing infection.    And, as Gavin has mentioned stents will occlude with debris and sludge hence causing the need for replacement. We have seen people with stent replacements every thirty days whereas others can go for several months.  It is so unpredictable and varies from person to person.  You might want to discuss with the physicians the pros and cons of switching over to metal stents.
I wish for your Mom to respond to the antibiotics quickly, to have a safe stent replacement and to go home real soon.
Hugs,
Marion

THIS INFORMATION IS NOT INTENDED NOR IMPLIED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF YOUR PHYSICIAN OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER
  • From: Calimesa, CA
  • Registered: Thu, 24 May 2012
  • Posts: 62

Re: What a mess

HI Anna:

I'm very  sorry to hear about this complication and hope they can clear up the cholangitis soon. If it helps, I know from personal experience that radiation can cause structure. I have been very slowly recovering from radiation induced biliary damage from radiation treatments last May and June. Apparently it's rare, but can occur. I have had several PTC drains as a result. I am now drain free and the problem seems to be improving very slowly, which I'm told it often does, but takes time. I will hope for the same for your mom.

Mark