Confirmed cirrhosis

[Rodjackwill]

Hi everyone, in July 2016 I was diagnosed with cirrhosis after throwing up blood, it was also confirmed I had varices that needed 6 banded and glued all due to myself being an alcoholic, I am 19 months sober now and very happy but I feel my gastroenterologist is not being very helpful, I was having an endoscopy every 3 months but haven’t had one now for 9 months, also after a new ultrasound and fibroscan he just said it’s confirmed cirrhosis but knew this 19 months ago. Apart from insomnia and feeling bloated, I’m suffering severe anxiety. Can anyone tell me if these issues I’m having are common. Thank you

[Faithfull]

I am having the same hell on earth .

[jojokarak]

I had awful anxiety regarding my varices. Have you not contacted the secretary of your consultant to chase up an appointment? If you have no joy with that I would go to your GP and let them know your concerns it's unusual not to have regular endoscopies especially when you have confirmed varices so do make them calls tomorrow x

[Hidden]

I have had a bleed from varices and I get checked once every 12 months through endoscopies for further varices, so a wait of 9 months doesn't seem unusual to me. The initial checking at 3 months was probably just to make sure that they caught all the varices after your bleed. Many of us with various liver problems (mine is auto-immune, so different to yours) do suffer from anxiety, some in part due to the meds (my own personal opinion) and some in part due to the uncertainty of what will happen next.

If the anxiety is truly affecting your quality of life, I suggest seeing your GP for help. I found my GP very helpful in this respect as I was finding situations difficult to cope with that previously had not bothered me e.g using the Tube when it was very packed, I became overwhelmingly claustrophobic, something I had never experienced before. This is just one example and funnily enough my anxiety levels increased enormously after my bleed!!

As for an ultrasound, I have 1 every 6 months and in 10 years have only had two fibroscans. Apparently I am a difficult case, but in my case, neither the fibroscan or ultrasound could predict that I would encounter varices.

All the very best and in time, your anxiety levels should drop (mine have), but as I said do ask for help.

[Rodjackwill in reply to Hidden]

Thanks so much for sharing and caring x

[Hidden]

No problem! And wow! that was a speedy response

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi

I was thinking if you get no joy with hospital , contact pals, you can complain through them. I really hope it doesn't come to that. Please take care. Lots if love Lynne xxxx

[Faithfull]

Everything you put spot on as if you read my never ending begging for help I feel I hit the bottom of bottle but 3yrs sober .to depressed to say anything more .my posts say it all . Yes I do no the diagnosed don't till there so bad in my area they put all gps hospital warnings to full