Just been told I don't have portal hypertension after Doppler scan. Is it possible to get oesophageal varices from cirrhosis without portal hypertension? Cause of cirrhosis (hep c ) cured, losing weight and never drink alcohol. I think sending me for endoscopy in these circumstances is a waste of NHS money? What do you guys think?
As far as I know (I had portal hypertension and oesophageal varices) it is the PH that causes the varices, so if you don't have PH, you shouldn't have varices.
No, I do not think it is a waste of money. If you have serious conditions, then you should undergo the checks. Take my advice, go for the sedation during your endoscopy.
Hi thanks for your reply. I just wonder what the point is in having the endoscopy when I don't have portal hypertension, as far as I understand it, no portal hypertension - no varices, so why have a test looking for them lol 
If they find nothing, great, all clear, if they find something, better that you know. They won't just look for varices, they'll have a good look whilst they have the tube and camera down your throat.
Now, do as your told and go and have your endoscopy.
Lol! Yes mum! x
I know we are all different but I had an endoscopy without sedation and it was a bit uncomfortable but nothing to cause concern. The anticipation is far worse than the the actual procedure., and it just takes a few minutes.
I have just had another endoscope, this time was offered a third option...gas and air!. This worked a treat as I was in twilight for the few minutes in took to have a check around, could feel the slight discomfort and hear what was going on, but really could not be bothered to get all stressed.
Ask if your hospital offers this option.
With my recent endoscopy (like you I don't have PH) I was told it gives a warning on PH developing and check for signs of problems from varices early.
They also checked my duodenum for signs of change.
It isn't a waste of money for the NHS because it can save money further on and PH is such a dangerous condition they triple check it.
Rita
I have never had varices, but they have discovered , candidasis , some gastritis, and the start of an hiatus hernia before. So yes they are useful , as I you have any other conditions it will discover hem and enable treatment swiftly . All these issues I have been treated for and they are no longer an issue. I only go every 2 years.
I also had massive candidiasis discovered by EGD and treated with.lowest possible dose of fluconazol. I feel much better since. Candida is quite somebody. They also found hiatus hernia which is asymptomatic and has not been treated.
I had the procedure done, first time conscious, second time semi-sedated. It ain't that bad.
MRI is much worse.
P.
I have had varices and a bleed from them last year. I don't have portal hypertension, so my bleed was unexpected. They still can't explain it. I have an auto-immune form of hepatitis, i.e. it is caused by my body attacking my liver in simplistic terms. So no drink/ drug is causing it (apart from possibly the meds I am on lol
. I have regular endoscopies to catch the varices before they burst, but this doesn't always work. So, no, not a waste of money!!
Let me try to put something into perspective here. The liver is the most vascular organ in the body, 75% of blood from every heart beat flows through the liver. The liver has tiny vessels called sinusoids. The blood flows from the center venual at zone III to the portal system at zone I of the liver throught these sinusoids. Sinsusoids are damaged from cirrhosis and this causes blood to back up in the portal system without it showing on an ultrasound. You could have increased pressure in the portal system with out it being evident at zone I on scans. The sinusoids are microscopic and can't be seen with an ultrasound. This is why they have 3 versions of PH, pre-sinusoidal, sinusoidal and post-sinusoidal. Hope that some of this helps with the decision. I am sure the NHS wastes its money on much more mediocre things than this.
SCAN
Scan.
LIVER CIRRHOSIS AND ULTRASOUND SCAN
Ultrasound scan on liver 
Fatty liver scan results
