I seem to have gone from a lurker to a serial poster recently !
Today the dreaded Endoscope appointment letter popped through the letterbox. I knew it was coming at some point soon as consultant told me after my US and Fibroscan. What has slightly alarmed me is the enclosed pamphlet explaining the procedure.
It clearly states the reason for the procedure is because you have been diagnosed with varices and will be treated with either banding or injection. I have learned enough about my disease to understand that it is fairly likely I will have some grade of varices but when I saw the consultant, I was led to understand that the Endoscope was diagnostic and was told that any varices could possibly be treated with a beta-blocker.
I appreciate it's a standard booklet sent out to everyone and if banding needs doing, so be it (certainly preferable to bleeding to death) but I seem to have gone from you might need treatment or medication straight to worst case scenario.
Is this normal ? I was really on the up as my blood results have improved so much since I gave up alcohol but now now feel thoroughly down again.
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jacobsmum24
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Hi there. I’ve had numerous procedures and personally and however bad you think it is. I’d rather the instant banding over a course of treatment.as much I was apprehensive the first time.it was a means to an end and became normal.just something that needed to be done. Never had the injection myself .but well done on not drinking and take care.paul
That's a pretty standard leaflet/booklet when you are going for endoscopy due to cirrhosis and potential varices. If varices are found then they'll probably band them there and then (dependent on grade). Opt for sedation as you'll most likely need that if they do progress to banding - a tip from my hubby - hold your breath when they spray the throat spray and make sure they give you ample. He closes his eyes and within less than 10 minutes it's all over and your return to a wee bay to snooze your sedation off. Hubby has had 42 bands to varices. He's never been on beta blockers as he's already had a massive bleed so his consultant went the aggressive banding route to get rid of his.
Last endoscopy he had some grade one varices which were left alone - this after 4 years of all clear endoscopies.
Best wishes for it. Keep as calm as you can as this helps the sedation to work at it's most effective.
Thanks Katie. I am not a big scaredy cat and can cope with a bit of discomfort/pain. I think it was more the wording of the booklet that got me a bit freaked out. If your husband has managed to cope with 42 bands over the years, I am sure I will be fine x
Hi Katie yes it’s not a nice procedure but although you say aggressive it’s a procedure we’re you in and out and the only initial discomfort is the spray and the slightly sore throat.paul
Aggressive was the word his consultant used meaning she was banding him every 5 weeks with the aim of eradicating his varices (intensive/aggressive banding), the procedure itself although unpleasant isn't aggressive.
Just to echo what AyrshireK had to say - it is a standard booklet for people in our situation. I've had multiple endoscopies and so far only been put on beta-blockers and no other action required.
I've kinda jumped ahead now since then I have now had a transplant and all my portal hypertension issues are now gratefully in the past.
Good luck with the procedure and I'm sure the outcome will be fine - you are doing all the right things to make a positive outcome for yourself.
Thanks ... I was so shocked when Dr told me I had PBC ... I figured it was an easy fix. I do have lots of questions for my Dr when I see him in 3 weeks. Everyone has been so helpful on this site !! I appreciate y’all !
Good Luck Jacobsmum
All I can add is definately take the deep breath before throat spray and you'll be ok !
We were all new to this when we started - well I certainly was. What I did was type the words into google. I could say my view but it would be terribly unmedical (sorry about made up word 😁) and others on here can much better give you the proper medical terminology!!
Hi 1155, don't panic about being new. Some of the things you might never encounter.
A fibroscan is a type of scan where measurements are taken across your liver to give an average reading in a figure known as kPa and it can give an indication of how stiff your liver is becoming.
An ultrasound is a scan (like what pregnant ladies have) where the probe is passed over your abdominal area. It can look at changes in shape and appearance of abdominal organs, check for fluid etc.
Varices are like varicose veins which appear in the gastrointestinal tract as a result of portal hypertension. In a damaged liver the blood that normally flows easily through a liver suddenly hits damaged liver and it can't flow as quickly. This results in the blood trying to find alternative routes and it ends up in smaller veins which were never intended to carry this degree of blood flow so the vein walls bulge and can actually burst. In cirrhosis patients these are often found in the GI tract especially the oesophagus/gullet and can result in a variceal bleed. Endoscope (camera down the throat) is often done to check for varices and if necessary treat them by the banding mentioned in original post - small bands are put round the bulges to tie them off and lead to them hardening thereby preventing further varices formation and/or bleeding.
No questions are silly questions so if something arises and you don't know what it means then let us know and we'll try and help. Sometime ago I added a glossary page to the forum to help with terminology (translate med speak). healthunlocked.com/britishl...
Wish you were my consultant Katie. You explain things in such easy to understand terms. My consultant is very nice and I have no doubt very knowledgable but his English isn't great so I worry things get lost in translation !
I do have a lot to learn ... thank you for that information. I have a few more questions on my list for my doctor. I guess I was so surprised when he told me I had PBC ... I couldn’t think of questions to ask ... everyone on this site has been so helpful, I appreciate you all !!
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Non-cirrhotic portal hypertension 
Varices banded
