Heart burn after varices banded

[Lilliebell]

Hi I’m fairly new on here and just wanted some feed back on anyone who has Varices and had them banded . I only found out last week that I now have varices and have had them banded, one was very large. It’s a week tomorrow and I’m still struggling with eating as it’s so painful going down I just wondered if this is just normal . I’m omeprazole and taking gavisgon which seems to help a little . I go back in 3 weeks time for another endoscopy any advice would be helpful thanks

[Hidden]

Hello,

Banding certainly can lead to a really sore throat. Have you been advised to take some pain relief by the endoscopy team? It might be worth calling the endoscopy unit to let them know you are still very uncomfortable , they might be able to offer some help or at the very least reassurance.

regards

[Lilliebell in reply to Hidden]

Thank you . I think I will do this if it’s still the same tomorrow.

[AyrshireK]

Hi Lilliebell, my hubby had 42 varices banded over a period of a couple of years and the longest he went before eating was totally pain free was about 10 days. It's when food or drink passes the site of the banding that the pain usually happens almost like something touching a mouth ulcer. Hubby was allowed to take pain meds if needed. He also kept to a pretty soft diet right till the pain had stopped.

Katie

[Lilliebell in reply to AyrshireK]

Thanks , I was probably thinking it wouldn’t be this long after still having pain. I feel better knowing this is quite common although it’s horrible . I made the mistake of eating some bread and it felt dreadful like it was stuck so now will definitely eat a soft diet . Hope your husband is well it’s quite daunting as my consultant didn’t really explain what would happen after but being on this forum is a big help.

[Rose2000]

Hi Lilliebell, what grade were your varices you had them banded? I had two times endoscopies one in November and one very recently, both showed grade two varices, but no one talked about banding them.

[Lilliebell in reply to Rose2000]

They didn’t tell me and it wasn’t in my letter either . It just says 1 was very large with red spot and it was tied with 3 bands . Im assuming it was quite a bad one . They also found an abnormality that they think is a gist which is a rare cancer they did a biopsy so waiting for that news to . I don’t think this is related to liver disease. Have they given you beta blockers at all ?

[Rose2000 in reply to Lilliebell]

My liver doctor asked me to take beta blockers, when I read the side effects I was scared to take it . That causes too many other problems like heart failure and much more, also it effects on asthma and thyroid which I have both problems. That's why I'm hesitating to take it. I must say previously I was taking a medicine from the same family ( don't remember the name) and effected badly on my asthma and caused me lots of other problems . My doctor told me to stop it. I wonder if I can take a mild blood pressure tablet like Amlodipine instead of that. I don't know if anyone has any idea about this. I have to check with my GP.

[Lilliebell in reply to Rose2000]

Best to check with the doctor but I’m pretty sure that he wouldn’t prescribe them if it’s bad for you , having a bleed from varices is life threatening so definitely worth asking the doctor rather than just not take them . I wish I had been on them if it meant delaying banding My endoscopy was delayed for a year because of covid but my scans went ahead .

[Rose2000 in reply to Lilliebell]

Oh , thanks. I will definitely speak to my doctor. Bleeding is scary.

[Ewife in reply to Rose2000]

Definitely should take what's prescribed, or speak to Dr if you have concerns. We learnt the hard way, with a traumatic bleed in which my husband nearly lost his life. Theres many on here that will reassure you that the consequences of not taking prescribed meds could be much worse than any potential side affects of the drugs.

Xx

[Rose2000 in reply to Ewife]

Thank you so much for your comment. You are very right and made me to take this matter seriously. Very helpful.

[Ewife in reply to Rose2000]

Sorry, didn't mean to come across bossy! I'd just hate anyone to make the same mistake we did.

Atb

Xx

[Rose2000 in reply to Ewife]

Oh Atb! not at all, I'm glad that you mentioned it. Actually I didn't think the consequences of not taking the medicine would be that dangerous. My liver consultant told me that "take carvedilol, if it affected on your asthma then stop it". I will ask for another Beta blockers. Thanks again xx

[Hillbil in reply to Lilliebell]

Hi my husband has his endoscopy tomorrow do you know will they tell you there and then if anything wrong

[AyrshireK in reply to Hillbil]

They tell you after the procedure, we always get a written copy of the report. Is he having sedation? Very much advised to do so.

Katie

[Hillbil in reply to AyrshireK]

No he said he wont have sedation

[AyrshireK in reply to Hillbil]

If they find varices then they may not band if he hasn't had sedation - much better to have sedation but that's up to him I guess. My hubby certainly couldn't have undergone the 30+ endoscopies plus 42 varices banded without sedation.

[Hillbil in reply to AyrshireK]

Thank you he might change his mind

[Hidden]

Please follow your Doctors advice to the letter. You will have to eat 'soft' foods at first. Untreated bleeding varices will kill you. Sorry to be blunt. I have been here and its horrible!!

[Kji378]

Hi Lilliebell 👋

I have had four endoscopies that had no banding ~ until yesterday!

I came round from OGD to the news from the surgeon that 2 out of 4 had been banded. 😳 Oh ..ok.

It was explained and I was given the leaflet to take home, eat soft foods as previously written by others to your post.

My inners felt like a fork had been scraped, (like Wolverine ~ I'm trying to give a visual analogy via a film), through my back and chest.

The pain is where the food or fluids pass down through & possibly touch the bands? Again, correct me if I am wrong, but that was what was told to me by my GP. Do ring your Consultant or GP for any advice too.

I can swallow to the first part of the esophogus I think it is called the Upper Esophageal Sphincter 'UES' around /opposite the Trachea area (please someone correct me if I am wrong) but then, by the time it reaches where the banding has been done for me which is approx 30cms down, below the sturnem but just above the diaphragm...it starts the Big Ouchy sharp hot, feeling ~ like it is stuck? Does this ring any bells?

So nothing hot, but yummy sloppy baby type mush, 🙄 mmm mashed banana but then that might be sticky?⚠️?.... so I have not tried that, rice pudding was ok, still hurt but was tolerable.

I was told it could be a few days to a week to ease but hopefully just a few days. The bands just fall off... I'm bit worried about where they go, 👀..that wasn't discussed! So by the sounds of it I've got a bit longer to eat sloppy daw daw food.

I had reassurance it WILL pass! So I hope this is nearly over for you 💕

Oh Personally I can only take paracetamol.

Let us know when it feels better. I'm still only on day 1 🙄 Yipeee (NOT)

Better than the alternative though, so mustn't grumble.

Take good care 😊

[Lilliebell]

Hi ! You describe exactly what I’m feeling , I knew it would be painful to some extent it’s just gone on longer than I thought , I wasn’t told an awful lot really about how long it could go on . I’ve managed living off , yoghurt, ice cream, porridge and fruit . Don’t attempt bread of any kind as it’s agony 😳got stuck then took forever to go down and the pain was hideous , after what ever I drank got stuck on top , it felt anyway . Really hope you don’t have this for too long and make sure you have gavisgon I’m swigging from the bottle now 🤣 I will report back when it’s got better and let me know how you get in . Thanks for the reply

[Kji378]

Oh good ~ but not good 😔 - so the Wolverine analogy makes sense?

Ufortunately I can't have ice cream or fat, due to Gallstones and one being stuck. So avoiding saturated fats is one of my tormenting tortures. The biscuit and cake isles are hell when shopping, trying to ignore them and steer a trolley is virtually impossible 🤭🙃

FAGE 0% yoghurt is good, I will have that. I managed some weetabix (tepid skimmed milk, all mushy mushy) still a bit Arghh on the Ouchy 2nd base, but it was something. I will take heed and avoid bread. I can imagine that looking like a sponge with pins expanding with the water or fluid used to try and whoosh it away. It's a bit pants eh, but stay positive and yes stay in touch and give me a countdown day! 😂

I'll see what I'm like tomorrow and try Gaviscon if it's really spikey still.

Thank you for your advice 👍

[ABD58]

Hello Lilliebell. I have had 4 scopes and 3 involved banding. No one told me it would hurt afterward. I've had 14 banded. The 2nd one was the worst when they banded 7 that went completely around the esophagus. It was a good 2 weeks before I could swallow anything, including saliva, without having spasms. My doctor gave me pain meds which knocked me for a loop. The hepatologist told me to take an extra acid reducing tablet a day and liquid antacid. I was already on a beta-blocker for high blood pressure and arrhythmia's. I had my last scope 3 weeks ago and no varices at the moment. I waited 2-3 months between scopes because it took me a while to recover. I wish you luck.

[Kji378 in reply to ABD58]

Whoa...holy moly 😟Bless you You brave, brave lady. I sincerely hope you get some good news soon. 🙏

[Lilliebell in reply to ABD58]

Oh gosh poor you ☹️ I hope those nasty varices stay away for you now . I’ve just had my sloppy weetabix which took about half an hour to get down . I’m glad I asked people in here as nobody warned me to this . Onwards and upwards hopefully and thanks for your reply

[Kji378 in reply to Lilliebell]

Hi lovely, how are you getting on?

I hope things are easing a bit.🤞

Incase it helps I had some Muller Rice the one with custard flavour..that was tolerable too..the flavours aren't the problem but if it helps try one of thos or just rice pudding, ( I did mush the hell out of it & I've calculated that the 1st 2 seconds of swallowing are ok, but by the time I count to 5 it's stingy arghh), but the above mushy rice is easier to go down. This makes sense as it says on report 32-33 cms down is where they squashed and banded the buggers.

I've also found that at night and first thing in morning the acid heartburn crops up. A medical pro told me on to sleep with an extra pillow so as to be more upright, this allegedly helps with the reflux.

Keep your chin up, try not to dribble and stay Pozzy and know you're not on your own 😊

[Lilliebell in reply to Kji378]

Hiya ! I will get myself some muller rice as I’m so bored of porridge now . I’ve been sleeping on 5 pillows so nearly upright 😂 . It’s very true that the mornings and evenings are worse , I had a horrid day yesterday with it all day long even water felt light it weighed a tonne going down but this morning I’ve taken my time more and so far not as bad . I’m taking co Co-Codamol for the pain and that had helped a bit too .hope you will get better each day , do you have to go back soon for another endoscopy follow up ? 🤞

[Kji378 in reply to Lilliebell]

Good, I do t suppose it has to be a certain brand, but it was a low fat one, as I have to avoid saturated fats -(Gallstones). I pinged it for a split second, the rice not gallstones and savaged it before swallowing. Custard, that's ok too. Jelly? I'm yet to try but expect that will be ok. I'm reminiscing about school puddings 🤭

My usual medication tablets geta bit stuck, so yes Lots of fluids and diluted squash. But as you say, like swallowing a lead weight.

Yes back in four weeks, to have rescope, yet to have a date, mine OGD was only done on Monday. Hopefully it will be just be that ~ and no more that need banding. They would have done it all at the same time I presume if there were more.

Shopping list....

Honey (ii water or chamomlie tea but tepid) STRAWS! They really help

Rice pudding,

Custard

Jelly

Smoothies?

Yoghurts

Tinned fruit to liquidise and blitz with ice cream ?

Just a thought.

Take good care 😊🤞😊

[Lilliebell in reply to Kji378]

I’ve had a smoothie and it wasn’t too bad but I drank it very slowly. Im desperate for something savoury so I’m going for it later and going to risk tinned sardines in tomato sauce, I will mush them up and eat very slowly with gavisgon at hand incase if an emergency 🆘. I’ve got a bag of skips looking at me when I look in the cupboard I thought maybe they would melt before going down so I may give them a try . I will report back after . 🤗

[Kji378 in reply to Lilliebell]

Yep, exactly the same.I did have (I shouldnt) a bag of quavers, mush until mushy, it was passable. Also some Tom' soup, but that was quite acidic so might try chicken, also those noodle thingy's, cheap cheerful maggi or whatever? In the pan, add the sachet of flavouring cruddy taste stuff, or soy sauce over cook them and try that. I was tempted by tin of mackerel...Ooo could add the soggy noodles?

🤣...Ha, Delia Smith? Eat your heart out.

[1379]

Hi thereIt takes about three weeks altogether to settle I just ate soft food and weaned my self slowly onto lumpy food. It will get better.

But I postponed having the scope again because I felt it was to early just getting over the last one.

Hope you feel better soon

Lorraine

[Lilliebell in reply to 1379]

Thank you for your reply . I hope your next endoscopy is better news and no varices. I’ve got my next one in 3 weeks so hopefully I may get a little time of relief before the next one 🤞

[utep99]

Go ahead and get them banded. Varies are highly dangerous as if one bursts you can bleed to death in moments. I have had two such procedures and mine showed a weak red spot. Yours sound profoundly serious the sooner banded the better.

[Lilliebell]

Wasn’t sure if the reply was to me as I’ve had mine banded . 👍

[JennerLayne]

Hi Lilliebell, I had both the endoscopy and colonoscopy in February, of which the Endo revealed no varices. However, they did remove an esophageal 'web' and found that my stomach had atrophic gastritis along with GAVE disease (Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia). Like esophageal varices, the dilated vessels result in bleeding and may be attributed to Portal Hypertension. I also had anemia (Iron sat 5) and tried iron pills and later had two infusions to get iron replacement faster due to continued bleeding and fatigue. I was put on Beta Blockers (Nadolol) but was taken off in two weeks due to my low BP (usually low 90's /60's) that suddenly dropped into the 80s/50s with the BBs. My Hepatologist told me many of his liver patients have low BP to start (didn't get an answer if due to cirrhosis /Portal Hypertension or what) but he advised against the BB's after we tried his suggestion of cutting pills in half. If taking Beta Blockers, I was told it was important to monitor blood pressure daily and talk to the doc if BP runs too low or causes symptoms. Also, during this time, my Omneprazole dosage has been upped from 20 to 40 mg to help support the extreme heartburn.

Because a recent fecal test revealed continued bleeding, I did the Camera pill procedure to yesterday (results later this week) and will have an Endoscopy next week to repair the stomach bleeds, measure the pressure of Portal Hypertension and have a 2nd liver biopsy (first one in 2013) for staging. (Procedure called: EGD with Endoscopic US limited to esophagus, stomach and duodenum, EUS with liver biopsy / portosystemic gradient with EGD with possible APC versus RFA)

[Lilliebell]

Thanks for sharing your story so far . You have been through a lot and I hope your next procedures go well and you have some good news . I’m on omeprazole 20mg at the moment but will let my consultant know I’m still really suffering so hopefully I can up them . I’m still waiting for the results of a biopsy for a suspected gist which was also found . Please keep me updated on your progress and take care .

[GodmumC]

Hello I’ve had previous banding and I sympathise with you. It took me nearly 2 weeks until I felt ok eating proper food again.

Eat what u can tolerate: yoghurts, jelly, milkshakes etc

I took soluble paracetamol as couldn’t swallow the tablets well.

Also difflam spray helps to numb throat.

[Lilliebell]

Hi ! I’m struggling just trying to get the omeprazole down and my other prescribes meds so can understand why soluble would be better I will def get some soluble paracetamol. Hope you are ok now .