Portal hypertension

[GrandmaDylan]

I've had a copy of the letter sent to my gp from my gastroenterologist. It says it shows hepatic cirrhosis and portal hypertension. I knew about the cirrhosis but haven't got a clue about portal hypertension...advice anyone?

It also says the ct showed resolving mid small bowel adhesional obstruction. I'm being referred for a capsule endoscopy but before that I need a patency capsule to make sure that it does not get stuck in the bowel. They still don't know the reason for my recurrent bouts of anaemia.

[Pishi123]

Hi I have portal hypertension. Have been taking carvedilol for almost 3 years. I have 6.25mg tabs a day and have been ok on it. No side effects as far as I am aware. I did have tiny varices but now they have disappeared. They dont know why I have this and liver disease as I am not a drinker. I had an endoscopy recently and all was fine. The procedure was fine and so quick. Good luck with everything. Are you able eat meat if you are anaemic?

[AyrshireK]

Portal hypertension is common in cirrhosis - Portal hypertension is an increase in the blood pressure within a system of veins called the portal venous system. Veins coming from the stomach, intestine, spleen, and pancreas merge into the portal vein, which then branches into smaller vessels and travels through the liver. If the vessels in the liver are blocked due to liver damage, blood cannot flow properly through the liver. As a result, high pressure in the portal system develops. This increased pressure in the portal vein may lead to the development of large, swollen veins (varices) within the esophagus, stomach, rectum, or umbilical area (belly button). It also contributes to development of ascites, oedema, hepatic encephalopathy and enlarged spleen in turn leading to reduced red blood cells, reduced platelet count and increased blood clotting time.

Some doctors with treat Portal Hypertension with beta blockers whilst others will treat only the symptoms such as banding regimes for varices etc.

Katie

[Hidden in reply to AyrshireK]

Wow Kayee is there anything you don’t know about. Portal hypertension- thats what I had! It took them a long time to find the blockage (as well as a somewhat (lot!) damaged liver due to the dreaded vimto). Ultra sound was useless in my case - somewhat reluctantly they did a ct scan (thanks to my consultants persistence! Hey presto or abra kadabra (lol I haven’t got a clue how to spell that).

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[AlFinio in reply to Hidden]

Ello Twosmiles😊 in my case portal hypertension appeared mainly as Jaundice which lasted for ages -till Consultants found some solutions for my blockage

I don't want to sound ignorant Two smiles, but what do you mean by

"Your liver got damaged due to the dreaded Vimto"? Could you tell me a bit more about it, please?

ALSO.. ..I really hope all of us in this group are getting help from medical professionals xxx

I honestly belive if we are diagnosed correctly within a certain time, we can get better with a time🤗

I wish you all the best x

[Hidden in reply to AlFinio]

Hi alf

Thx for that. Vimto is my name for wine (or beer or indeed any alcohol lol

All the best

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[AlFinio in reply to Hidden]

Ok. I get you. So we have been on the same boat...unfortunately. ..the sinking one🙁

I've asked as am aware there is a lot of other contributions than Alcoholic beverages, to damaged liver or pancreas

Thanks x

[Chris884 in reply to Hidden]

So you say if I have cirrhosis of liver and portal hypertension. A abdomin/pelvis ct with iv contrast would see it

[Hidden in reply to Chris884]

Oh darn wrote a long reply then site wouldn’t load it. I’l Yry again in two bits 😁

[Hidden in reply to Chris884]

Hi Chris

I had portal hypertension along with other liver issues. But despite several Ultra Sound Scans, USS, they could not see the main reason for the portal hypertension indeed in my last joyous HE ospital stay Inwas sent for another USS to try and see what was going on... This time however I had somehow seen my notes (I cant remember - end of bed?) and the consultant had specifically said to look for a blockage in the portal vein. Well the USS operator told me that, despite getting someone more senior to help, they could not get a clear picture of the portal vein. I was sent back to the ward and the next morning the doctor said I coould go home (I think I heard him say that to two others in the 4 bed ward!) because they hadn’t found anything. In a very very rare moment of “bravery” (for me!) I told him what the USS operator had tol me ( to be continued...)

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[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

And that not being able to see clearly was not the same as there being nothing there, and that the notes said they specifically said they had to look for something wrong in the portal vein (at that point if I had been wearing boots I would have been shaking in them 😁). Well, I thought he was going to explode - I mean how dare I challenge him lol). He stormed off, well as much as a doctor can be seen to storm off, but you know what I mean! 5 hours, yes 5 hours, later a nurse came and told me I was going to be sent for a CT scan - but they were very busy and being a Saturday.... So two days later a CT scan and Hey Presto they found a thrombosis (think that’s a blockage 😁). Well that speeded things up with respect to getting on THE LIST.

I often think where would I be now if I hadn’t challenged the round doctor (well he wasn’t round but you know what I mean 😐).

So after all that rambling, yes a CT scan worked for me - YIPPEE. I felt quite proud of myself and still do 😁😁😁.

Miles

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[Chris884 in reply to Hidden]

If someone has portal hypertension from cirrhosis. Does it cause varicose veins in lower legs.

[Hidden]

Hi grandma welcome to this wonderful forum 😀👍🏻

Oh my, lots of woes, poor you. I replied to Katie below re my experience. No experience re adhesion issues.

Looks like Katie stars again, I don’t think you really need any more advice?

All the best to you and keep on smiling if you can 😬

Miles

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[Kristian]

Hi Grandma, The portal hypertension is not unusual with cirrhosis. With the scarring its harder for the blood to pass through the liver and therefore pressure in the portal system increases, voila - portal hypertension. With portal hypertension your spleen is likely to be enlarged. As a result, because of what the spleen actually does, this could be a contributor to your anaemia issue. It may not be the full story, as the liver itself may also be contributing, but it is quite possibly part of it. Anaemia seems to be quite common with liver disease from what I can derive. I had it anyway.