Tipps

[Jujubeeart123]

Greetings everyone, from Pennsylvania. My husband has been advised to get a Tipps procedure!!! I am nervous as it carries both benefits and risks. Curious to hear from you fine folks, who have maybe undergone this treatment.

Julie

[Hidden]

On my website l have Included a short American video of the TIPPS procedure. Although my website is alcohol related, this may still give you an insight into what happens.

These procedures are now becoming pretty co mon place these days.

Please just scroll down to the bottom of the page. The video is best viewed in full screen mode: taep.co.uk/medical%20conseq...

[hibshmanj in reply to Hidden]

Thank you....He is doing so well. I guess we just have this BLACK CLOUD (the need for Tipps) that follows us....the perpetual worry that his Gastric Verasie could burst. I like that you say that they are becoming more common place. I worry that we will choose a procedure that has the potential to make other things worse. He has NO HE, No acetites....Liver transplant is not on the table (at the moment) will it be in the future...who knows. I realize its a BRIDGE to transplant....I guess I really dont want to BUILD a bridge....I dont want him to need one. I look at him like he is already dead....I am already a widow....I cry all the time....

[Jujubeeart123]

Thank you!!!! My husbands cirrhosis was caused by too much alcohol. He is alcohol free since oct 2018. He had portal hypertension....this procedure makes me nervous. I have read that it can cause the liver to fail?!?!? He is meld 8 no asitites no memory issues. Your link and videos are VERY VERY HELPFUL.. thank you again. I guess I am fearful that this means a transplant is in his future. Dr says no.... but I worry!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Hidden in reply to Jujubeeart123]

Hey Jujubeert, you said in your last messege that he "had" portal hypertension. Did you mean "has"?. I only inquire as I am curious if you did infact mean "had", why a Tipps procedure would be necessary then?

Richard will give you the pros and con facts on the Tipps.

Im just being a bit nosey Juju 😇

[Jujubeeart123 in reply to Hidden]

Hello Phoenix... it was a typo on my part. It should have read HAS

[Hidden in reply to Jujubeeart123]

Ahh the great mystery is solved. Thank you Juju xx

[Jujubeeart123 in reply to Hidden]

😊 hope you are well!!!! I always enjoy your responses !!!!!

[Hidden in reply to Jujubeeart123]

I have been doing quite ok lately thank you for asking🙂🙂

[Grankids3]

Hi Jujubeeart

I'm from Scotland, my diabetes caused my cirrhosis, I needed a liver Tipps 6 years ago because of portal hypertension, also had Bowel cancer at that time, the Tipps was to help as my liver could not tolerate the chemo,

I got the procedure a few weeks before cancer op, they went in through my jugular vein to the liver, I had over night stay in hospital then allowed home, it took a couple of days rest and I was fine, the only thing was I took urine infection(they said common) my memory went, didn't know anyone or myself, spent 6 days in hospital, then no bother since, not everyone gets the urine infection, I do still have problems with my health but the Tipps has helped, hope all goes okay with your husband, x

[Jujubeeart123 in reply to Grankids3]

Thank you!!!! I am so worried about the HE😢

[Grankids3 in reply to Jujubeeart123]

Don't worry about that just now, it can be discussed with his doctor, it does not happen to everyone, it was because I took a urine infection,

My husband said I was not responding to him and just sitting , in the hospital I was told I could not Even use cutlery, I ate a ladies breakfast , I thought I didn't have hands, I can laugh now about it, but didn't know what I was doing, still here, all the best, x

[Jujubeeart123 in reply to Grankids3]

Thank you for your kind response!!!! I am a worrier by nature!!!! So this is very hard on me. I like to be well informed, so your words help. How long ago was your TIPPS? Have had a transplant???

[Grankids3 in reply to Jujubeeart123]

I'm classed as chronic but stable, they monitor the lesions and nodules on my liver for cancer,

I've been like this for 10 years, had the Tipps 6 years ago because I had Bowel cancer and could not tolerate chemo because of damage to my liver, the Tipps helps your liver cope more easier, it has also prevented me having varies so far,

I've not had transplant, get checks and scan every 6 months, get well looked after, also have an aneurysm of the spleen, and more problems but still here, x

[Jujubeeart123 in reply to Grankids3]

You are so sweet to take the time to talk to me.... while you plate is do full!!!! I worry that he will get the TIPPS then I worry he won’t qualify... they say his heart may not like the TIpps... they tried a BRTO on Monday, and it failed!!!! They were unable to get to the spot necessary. He has a gastric veracity.... no esophageal.... it was a 5 hour wait for him on Monday!!!!! Thought I just my loose my mind!!!! Now we get to do it again in a few weeks.... if he passes the echo?!?!?

[jojokarak]

I had the tipps procedure but I had whilst I was in a coma and it saved my life but it caused me problems later on I got h.e. Severely I am sure they have talked about the risks with you both but to me it was worth it 😊

And I am sure if he has given up drinking then his liver will be repairing some of the damage caused but the doctors wouldn't suggest he needed it if he didn't x

[Jujubeeart123 in reply to jojokarak]

This is my worry .... that I will loose him to The HE... I’m terrified

[jojokarak in reply to Jujubeeart123]

You won't lose him because of h.e. And it's only a chance he will get it, I was in a bad place health wise and it didn't help the outcome regarding the side effects of having the h.e.... I didn't notice any symptoms of it for about 18 months and I had it a lot worse than others because I have ibs and was always constipated and to clear the toxins you need to be going toilet regularly..

They give you medication rifaximin and lactose for h.e but the reason for my stent was I kept having internal bleeds and that would of killed me

[hibshmanj in reply to jojokarak]

Does getting the TIPPS procedure mean that he is on path for eventually needing a transplant....or can the tipps give him time to let his liver continue to heal?

[jojokarak in reply to hibshmanj]

Some it's to give more time to prolong transplant and others it's to help until liver has repaired

[hibshmanj in reply to jojokarak]

that's my hope ....that the tipps gives him more time to heal. I am just sick over it today. I cant get my mind off of it. I feel so edgy....like my head is going to explode. I read to much....he reads NOTHING!!!!! ahhhhhhhh! I just wish someone could tell me that we are going to be OK....but of course NO ONE CAN!!!! Feeling sad and worried!!!!!!

[jojokarak in reply to hibshmanj]

Usually people when they are ill are just trying to get through each day, some people don't want to know what could happen.. I think you as a carer need some support you should go and speak to your gp or the hospital what deals with your partner.. I know how hard it is to look after someone with liver problems it nearly split me and my husband up so you are best getting help now x

[hibshmanj in reply to jojokarak]

That is probably good advice.

Thank you

[hibshmanj in reply to hibshmanj]

What if.....I my favorite two words) his heart is not strong enough for tipps????

[Jujubeeart123 in reply to jojokarak]

How long till the HE was under control?

[Annie2402]

Hi Julie. I have had Tipps procedure following variceal bleeds where I ended up in itu and then needed to be ascites drained 3 times in space of 3 weeks all with at least 13 litres at a time. Hot out of hospital following tipps and since then have had no ascites, scans have showed normal pressure in osoophageal veins and discussions re being out on transplant list have now been put on hold. Best thing I ever done. Yes I have days when I feel awful, tiredess is a huge thing and I also have low grade He but small price to pay for not worrying about having variceal bleeds. Everyone is different but for me it's worked extremely well and thus is 15 months down the line.

Worth thinking snout at least. All the best

[Jujubeeart123 in reply to Annie2402]

Thank you so much for responding... I am so anxious these days