no banding required barely seen a varices - British Liver Trust

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no banding required barely seen a varices

18 Replies

hi guys I had a endoscopy and the dr that seen me said he could barely see a varices , no banding required nothing to worry about just a check in a years time , would this be good news if no banding required , I haven't drank since I was diagnosed with alc hep , my fibroscan was high but my consultant said it was just done only 3 months after , so too soon

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18 Replies
AyrshireK profile image
AyrshireK

Yes, not requiring any banding is good news and the fact they don't want to repeat endoscopy for a year. Keep up the good work with abstinence and you'll give your liver a good chance to recover if not totally but to a degree where hopefully it won't cause you major issues.

in reply to AyrshireK

hi , thank you for your reply my nurse is still saying cirhosis, and I have to deal with that ,,, my consultant as I said , said my fibro scan was to early , I have a ultra scan in three weeks also , , so yea its so confusing , as he said maybe see you in a year , I did ask the nurse if the barely seen varices will heal she said yes , sorry its just so confusing , its so hard when 3 people say things different altogether like

Garyvh profile image
Garyvh

Hi samtt,

Yes, under the circumstances it's good news ☺

My first endoscopy 3 months ago showed grade 1 varices (grade 1 being just slightly varicose) and I've a follow up next week to monitor them.

I'd say the fact that they're not too concerned about it is a good sign for you.

Gary

in reply to Garyvh

thank you gary , yes he said he said on report he could barely see it , classed it as grade one ,, but yeah that was his words ,, thank you so much :)

Garyvh profile image
Garyvh in reply to

Hi samtt,

Had my follow up test today. Still grade one with no banding required.

The doctor said I'll possibly just have it retested in 6 months now.

All the best

missunites profile image
missunites

Hi, I'm having one today deep joy. I hate them wish they would knock me out, its my first since been diagnosed with emphysema so should make more interesting.

in reply to missunites

I know hun , I thought they were gunna knock me out , just try and think of something else while their doing it , I did ,, like your shopping list or something , xx good luck , it doesn't last long a tall , really doesn't

missunites profile image
missunites in reply to

over and done with (my 3rd one) had sedative which more or less knocked me out. Back to see consultant in a few weeks as they found a few things wrong. Tomorrow is another day.

Just a word of caution based on my own experience. I had an endoscopy where I was told no banding required and see you in 12 months. Within 3 months I had some bleeding (which resolved itself), but did need some banding. This is partly why it can be confusing. The varices may resolve themselves or they may develop. I personally try not to worry about it, since I can't stop it one way or the other (mine have developed from an auto-immune disease). Since mine is auto-immune, I may have a different reaction to you, but essentially each case is relatively unique. Since having my last endoscopy almost 12 months ago, I have had no issues with varices. So.... no pattern to it. Good luck and I wish you all the very best for the future :)

thank you mc11 , yes I do feel very well in myself , blood pressure and bloods improving a lot ,but I know with a poor liver you can still be in a bad place,, im just taking every appointment and things as it comes now , best way as your told a possitve then a negative , so yes im just hoping it will heal it self , but like I said to my nurse when its just you alone you want answers etc and can be hard , this site though is great , I don't feel alone

blood pressure not high etc ment sorry

sorru mc11, would have they picked up a auto immune system now after 7 months ? if you know please

Auto-immune hepatitis is picked up by looking at the Liver Function Tests (LFTs) when you have your bloods done. I'm afraid I don't know what they check for routinely when you have alcoholic hepatitis, but I'm guessing it's the same things? In addition to the LFTs, there will be other indicators, but I'm sure they will have looked at these already. If in doubt, ask your GP/ whoever is treating you. The difference is that if you have alcoholic hep, then you can reverse the cirrhosis by stopping drinking (although the liver doesn't recover overnight- after all it didn't get damaged overnight!!). If you have AIH, then it is unlikely that you can reverse the cirrhosis. Hope that answers your question as I wasn't quite sure what you were asking? :)

mcc1 , yes it did hopefully this barely seen varices heals ,, you got to have hope just a little :) il keep you posted and once again thank you for your time , and wish you well in the mean time , thank you

No problem- as you say waiting for answers from your next appointment can sometimes seem a long way away. Hope is always a good thing to have and I'm convinced it's what helps when things get tougher. Just to be clear, cirrhosis can be reversed if it is mild. Severe cirrhosis can't be. I have no idea how they tell one from the other, other than accompanying symptoms such as ascites etc.

Always have hope and have a great weekend :)

in reply to

thank you , you to :) and if you ever need a listening ear im here

Damasc profile image
Damasc

More power to your sobriety, Samtt. Not having to band a potentially life-threatening varisice is great news. Not having them anymore is even better. By avoiding more complications, you are giving your body & your liver a chance to heal & are on track for a much better life.

It takes time but the liver is an amazing organ if treated kindly.

I try to keep it simple & keep away from stressors (usually some people).

The Gastroenterologist I see does a six-monthly specific ultrasound to look at blood circulation & fibrosis of the liver as well as kidneys, gallbladder, pancreas & spleen - the works.

I am in Australia & chose to pay private cover which does not cover fibroscans done in Dr's rooms. Even with our publicly funded Medicare, I would be out of pocket AUS$400.

Due to staying sober, I was able to be treated for a liver virus which unbelievably changed my liver from early stage cirrhosis (late stage fibrosis) to a completely reversible fatty liver. But only if I stay sober. Taking my heart (pickled from drinking) meds daily helps me remind myself of the damage done.

Love to know how you are loving your liver. All the Best. Not so scarred & scared. em

in reply to Damasc

thank you damask its just automatic not to drink now , I would scare myself to death if I did , plus I wouldn't ,, I eat healthy etc excersize , but I just try and be positive everyday now but I am human , it can be emotional ,, I cant do no more then what im doing ,, im so sorry about you heart was this picked up during lfts , high blood pressure etc if you don't mind me asking

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