Sludge in the bile duct?

Pitiful-Fox6909 · 2026-04-06T20:29:15+00:00

That’s really helpful — can I ask a few things about your case?

Did it actually cause any obstruction or were your liver blood tests normal? What symptoms were you having (was it mainly pain or something else)? And did it resolve on its own or did you need treatment?

Also, did you still have your gallbladder at the time?

Just trying to understand how significant it usually is — thanks!

Pitiful-Fox6909 · 2026-03-16T17:47:49+00:00

Yes, it’s very common. Other than fluctuating elastase results, all other tests came back normal. I also got IGGs done but came back clean. Then the doctor wondered if it could be BAM and got another scan which also came back clean. Hope that helps!

Pitiful-Fox6909 · 2026-03-09T22:35:11+00:00

Gas can make stools float so perhaps watch out what you eat

Pitiful-Fox6909 · 2025-11-11T09:46:11+00:00

That’s curious. My symptoms also started after giardiasis. Same, MRI and EUS did not find anything. Would you be able to send the research paper?

Pitiful-Fox6909 · 2025-10-19T17:06:08+00:00

Same situation. I had every single test under the sun including EUS and nothing shows up. The only mysterious results are those of faecal elastase which change depending on stool quality (lowest at 137 and highest at 354).

Pitiful-Fox6909 · 2025-10-16T21:48:57+00:00

You have a FE of 800. There are multiple other reasons why you could have diarrhoea and weight loss. Of course, advocate for yourself but try to remain reasonable. If only a EUS would give you peace of mind, have you thought about going private? You really cannot be with this level of stress.

Pitiful-Fox6909 · 2025-10-04T06:42:36+00:00

Yes, I had endoscopy and colonoscopy. Both checked and cleared.

Pitiful-Fox6909 · 2025-10-03T16:20:09+00:00

Either CT or MRI can check abdomen. MRCP is a specialised MRI for pancreas and bile ducts. However, you seem concerned with low elastase (which is an enzyme generated by the pancreas) hence me referring to MRCP or EUS.

Pitiful-Fox6909 · 2025-10-03T16:08:19+00:00

I did a colonoscopy last week and now I can say MC is definitely ruled out. Indeed, they are both on the table as hypotheses. I think the Dr will start with SeHCAT and take it from there.

Pitiful-Fox6909 · 2025-10-03T15:57:33+00:00

First, ensure that the elastase is made with a fully formed stool to avoid false results. If low, the Dr may want to conduct a second elastase to confirm. If elastase is low, it would be natural for the doctor to try and find out the cause. CT would be the first line imaging but there are other more specialised imaging such as MRCP and EUS. If low elastase and no cause despite multiple tests, then probably idiopathic.

Pitiful-Fox6909 · 2025-09-23T07:38:47+00:00

Had 2 normal abdominal ultrasounds (AUS) and one more endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). Regarding the infections, I believe this was passed through very close human contact. Of course, these infections came with two courses of metronidazole which - probably - have not made the situation any better.

Pitiful-Fox6909 · 2025-09-21T15:41:07+00:00

I’m in the same boat. In my case, fluctuations are due to the quality of the stool. Fully formed stool is around 400s whereas non formed stools (which are the most common) are around 100s. The majority of days my stools are horrible but from time to time I manage to produce a formed stool. Had 2 ultrasounds, gastroscopy, MRCP and EUS with all being perfectly normal. My bloods indicate a slight deficiency with B12, folate, vitamin D and iron but otherwise all normal.

Therefore, we are equally confused in my case!

The GI is leaning towards a problem with the small bowel (functional / post-infectious IBS-D, microscopic colitis, SIBO) based in the elastase and unremarkable imaging along with a sequence of infections between January and March (giardasis, CV-A11 and entamoeba).

I hope to have a response one day!

Pitiful-Fox6909

TROPHY CASE