Question about portal hypertension

[AnonUser15]

Hello everyone,

I’ve been reading this message board for the past few months after a very real scare I had and am still recovering from.

So to give a complete picture I’ll explain my situation. About 2 1/2 months ago I started experiencing some dull but persistent pain in my right upper quadrant. It wasn’t a major concern at the time but enough to make me question what might be going on. As time when on and he pain continued I started googling the signs of liver problems as I’ve been a moderate social drinker for about 15 years. None of the symptoms I read about were anything I had. After a few days I was becoming very worried and soon after became fatigued, like I have never been before and lost my appetite. Then one night after scanning the area around where the pain was I noticed a pretty significant patch of red and purple capillaries. Spider Veins. I found that pretty peculiar so I searched what it might be and result after result were cirrhosis, cirrhosis, cirrhosis. I went the the doctors the next morning and explained my situation and showed them the spider veins. They didn’t seem concerned but issued LFT, and an array of other blood test. A few days later I went back for the results and to my surprise everything was normal. I was relieved with the news but at that point and for many days after I was sill EXTREMELY fatigued and couldn’t eat much of anything. I had lost several pounds in those few weeks.

I was happy but still concerned that I felt how I did and thought the coincidence of having pain and fatigue with the new appearance of spider veins on my ribs. So I went to another doctor and basically begged for an ultrasound. To me this was the be all end all. I knew that this would determine if I did have a problem once and for all. The doctor told me I have mild steatosis and shouldn’t be concerned as most everyone that drinks has this. That was about a month ago and I have to say I’ve been feeling great since. Also, I haven’t had a drink for 2 1/2 months. Unfortunately, a few days ago when I noticed a vein running from the center of my chest in my solar plexus to my belly button. It’s pretty hard to notice unless I flex or bend in a certain way but definitely dilated and I have not noticed this until very recently. Even after the hundreds of body scans I did on myself a few months back. The vein is only visible and a few bumps when standing but becomes MUCH more prominent if I pull my skin tight or flex my stomach muscles then it twisted and hard looking.

So my question are, is this the first sign of portal hypertension? I understand the tests are sometimes inaccurate. Could I developed pressure in my portal vein without any other signs of liver diesease? The fact is that I have spider veins and now a dilated vein in the center of my abdomen, is just too many coincidences. I’m going to the doctor again very soon but fly across the country tomorrow so I don’t have time now. Please if anyone could give me some insight on this matter it would be greatly appreciated.

[Hidden]

The "caput medusae" of veins popping up around the navel with liver disease typically doesn't occur until end stage, & blood labs & imaging would have revealed advanced / end stage disease if this was occurring. Platelets would be dramatically low, bilirubin remarkably high, and ascites & enlarged portal vein would be obvious on ultrasound.

Google images has some impressive photos of the caput medusae.

Hang in there mate... You ain't dyin', you're getting better! Sometimes, when all else fails, we simply have to trust our doctors!

[Garyvh]

Nothing much to add to what metanoia said really. But I'm not surprised you have been off your food and so exhausted - it sounds like you have worn yourself out with worry!

Take care, and look after yourself.