Stent not helping with jaundice?

[ch42]

My mum had a stent put in her bile duct 7 days ago and is still so yellow. Is this normal? She feels sick and shakey all the time and we'd really hoped the stent would help with this. She had a stent put in her bile duct and a temporary one in her pancreatic duct. She seemed to perk up for a day or so after having it and even started eating small meals again, then started to go down hill, the PD one was removed, and she's felt awful since. They've done an ultrasound and are happy that the remaining stent is functioning.

Is there anything can be done to help her symptoms? They won't consider starting her on chemo until her bilirubin is lower, last check it was 250!

[PCUK Nurse Jeni]

Hi ch42,

Thank you for your forum post.

My name is Jeni, and I am one of the nurses working for the charity.

It does take a little time for the stents to start to noticeably work - so, you may not notice a difference in her skin colouring just yet.

Has there been any arrangement for her to have check blood tests at the gp surgery to ensure that the bilirubin is indeed, going in the right direction? If not, then this could be a place to start.

Moreover, if she is feeling sick and shaky then this could be a sign of something such as an infection, or pancreatitis, which is inflammation of the pancreas, and this can come about after procedures to the pancreas.

Have you checked her temperature? Feeling shaky can be a sign of a high temperature - I would suggest that your mum is seen at the gp soon, to determine if there is an underlying infection there.

If your mum becomes more unwell, and the vomiting increases, then please do not hesitate to call an ambulance for her, and explain that she has recently had a procedure to place a stent into her bile and pancreatic ducts.

Please do not hesitate to contact us on the number below if we can help in any way.

Kind regards,

Jeni.

Jeni Jones

Pancreatic Cancer Specialist Nurse

Support Team

Pancreatic Cancer UK

email: support@pancreaticcancer.org.uk

support line: 0808 801 0707

[Veema]

It took my husband a good few weeks to get back to a normal colour after having his stent, but do follow Jeni's advice.

Vx

[ch42]

Thank you both. If anything her temperature is low - between 35 and 36. She was in hospital for a week after the stent was fitted and during that time her bilirubin was stable at that high level, with maybe a very slight downward trend. She's been sick and shakey for weeks and had many blood tests, but I'm worried that if her white blood cell count is raised they've probably just been dismissing it because of how generally ill she is.

And I should apologise for a rather abrupt first post - I've been reading these forums for so long that it feels like I know you all already!

- Claire

[raun cesar]

Have you tested for the blood color? It will take time for the color returning to normal. There are chances of other infection. Hope you find some good advice here

[ch42]

Not heard blood colour mentioned before! Is that something they routinely test for?

Poor mum's still yellow but last blood test showed a slow downward trend in her bilirubin so fingers crossed! Determined to get her well enough to try some chemo, we're not going down without a fight!

[Veema]

No, it's not...I've never heard of it.

If the bilirubin levels are reducing, that's good...it does take a while.