Endoscopy showed new problems

[Koinonia]

When I had my annual endoscopy a few months ago they found that i had "Portal hypertensive gastropathy".I've been looking on line but could find nothing about it. Then today I found an article about it but I'm not much clearer. I wonder if any of you have this? It seems to say that it develops in people who have portal hypertension which I didn't think I had

Any info or experience would help me until I see my Hep in about 6 weeks.

I hope you are all as well as can be expected. Thank you all.

Diane

[Bolly]

My understanding is it's a change to the mucous lining of the stomach and can involve the veins. I was diagnosed with it via endoscope 6 years ago. No treatment. I have cirrhosis but don't have portal hypertension. I had another endoscopy (routine) last month and no longer have portal hypertensive gastropathy.

[Koinonia in reply to Bolly]

Thanks Bolly, that's very reassuring. They said my stomach was like snakeskin. I had a huge bleed while under the sedation and later that night I vomitted and had"Diarrhoea" for about 2 hours and they were both full of blood but I've had none since.

Diane

[jamamakitty in reply to Koinonia]

did you have varices in your esophagus? when i talk about them i say it's like varicose veins in your esophagus....

[Peterjan in reply to jamamakitty]

Yes we were told that for peters waiting to have them banded so less chance of bleeding

[Bolly in reply to Koinonia]

That doesnt sound good. If the bleed was from within your stomach. Mine must have been very mild to have resolved itself. Are the docs putting you on any blood pressure medication or proton pump inhibiters for the stomach?

[cazer]

Just try looking up gastropathy..ive been told i have it along with ulcers ...now healed.

And p.hypertension.cazer.

[Koinonia]

Thank you Bolly, jamamakitty and cazer for your replies. I was told that the bleeding could have been caused by the endoscopist who made a mess of the back of my throat when I struggled when she was trying to get the tube down! I had a second one soon after--different endoscopist-- as they had been unable to see much the first time . This report didn't mention varices only the Portal hypertensive gastropathy. I trust it's not too bad! I'll discuss it with my Hep in August.

Thanks again for replying

Diane

[Bolly in reply to Koinonia]

Yikes, dont let that doctor near you with an endoscopy tube again!

[kimh]

what on earth is that

[Koinonia]

Thanks for the advice Bolly!

Kimh---I'm not sure what you are asking about-----is it the "endoscopy tube," or the process, or something else? If you could say a bit more I will try to answer.

Diane

[Happyluckymummyof2]

Just put of interest guys. I had a gasteroscopy last November following my admission for ARLD which has led to a diagnosis of Cirhossis from fibro scan. When I was in hospital I had a major bleed in my stomach which they thought might have been a GIST (type of stomach tumour and that's why they did gastroscopy. They scoped my full gut and found nothing apart from a very small cyst which was good news xx if I had verifies or portal hypertension underlying would that have been where they picked it up ?.. or could that be something I could develop?? Even though in myself I am 100 healthy with no symptoms on bloods and ultrasound done recently. Hope that makes sense xx

[Kristian in reply to Happyluckymummyof2]

The gastroscopy would pick up if you had any varices or Portal Hypertensive Gastropathy (PHG). Both of which are complications of Portal Hypertension. However, they may not always be present in people with Portal Hypertension. In most cases Portal Hypertension is picked up during an abdominal ultrasound, with the tell tale sign being an enlarged spleen in a patient suspected or confirmed with liver disease (usually the liver is enlarged too).

So, if you have cirrhosis you will always be at risk of developing Portal Hypertension and developing Varices and PHG.

In the uk there is a pretty standard protocol for screening for varices etc and the frequency it needs to be done. If any ultrasounds you have pick up an enlarged spleen then they may consider that portal hypertension has developed. They will then probably arrange for an initial gastroscopy to see if any varices have developed. If non have they'll not do another one for a couple of years ( I cant remember the actual frequency, it may be 3 years if its not 2, unless of course your condition worsens). If they do find varices, the size will then determine what they then do and how often they will need to do repeat endoscopies. There's probably a leaflet somewhere that sets all that out.

[Happyluckymummyof2 in reply to Kristian]

Wow that's really explanatory and makes sense. My consultant when I saw him in December was so happy with things 6 months on from hospital admission when I was really poorly due to drinking sadly hence the cirrhosis. Since 10th June last year I haven't drank and and the improvement is the past 6 months is phenomenal it really is. The fibro scan confirmed diagnosis but he told me continue how I am there is no reason for things to worsen and they may improve... fingers crossed. No other advice apart from healthy lifestyle etc. Off all meds and keep fit and haven't felt better for years. Fingers crossed. Only 6 monthly bloods and review plus usual cancer screening ultrasound 😃😃

[Kristian in reply to Happyluckymummyof2]

Thats great. Sounds like everything is under control and looks like you are reaping the benefits too.

[Happyluckymummyof2 in reply to Kristian]

Fingers crossed x I was always have that sorry hanging over me but got to think positive and look aftwr myself... hope you are okay 😃😃😃😃

[Kristian in reply to Happyluckymummyof2]

I'm doing great thanks.

[Happyluckymummyof2]

Sorry ruddy predictive text I meant varicies (if that's how you spell it) 😉😉

[Rawai]

Hi,Portal hypertension is normally linked to Cirrhosis.have you seen a specialist?

Dave