This is my first post here - and grateful to find you all!
I have stage one liver chirrhosis as a result of having hepatitis C - which I cleared in 2016 - In January this year after an episode of finding black stools, I had an investigative endoscopy finding 4 grade 2 oesophagus varices - this was a big shock as having cleared the Hep C - I am also 35 years clean and sober - Fatty Liver is being discussed but not confirmed - I'm a bit overweight but diet is pretty good...I am 62 and did have the Hep C virus for many years before having the treatment - first time it didn't work and then had to wait 3 years before 2nd round of treatment in 2016.
I've had 3 episodes of banding since then - the last one yesterday - result now : 1 varice - grade one - with no red sign. I am also on Carvedilol 3.125 x 2 per day - which they want to increase - but blood pressure currently a bit low.
Three day's after the bleed started I was meant to fly from UK - Australia to see my 90 year old mum who I haven't seen since Covid - I totally inderstand yet very sad that I couldn't go - I now have a Fibroscan at the end of August to check the chirrhosis. I'm finding it really difficult to get information about when it's safe to fly and what precautions / preparations I can make - and wonder if anyone has experience of this?
Written by
deepwater22
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You need to ask your consultant. The person doing your endoscopy would have been able to advise. You would normally need doctors clearance to fly - especially long haul plus I would imagine insurance costs would be expensive. We had a chap on here at one point who suffered burst varices whilst flying from Africa. Without insurance he was held liable for the cost of an emergency landing in France plus the onward travel of all the passengers who missed connections as a result.
My consultant did suggest that I to ask the person doing the endoscopy last week - which I did - he said to talk to my Hepatologist!! so very frustration - I will call the helpline and see if I can get some more information. Point taken regarding travel insurance - which I'm looking into...
Tricky one, which is why neither is too keen to advise. Your consultant is best placed, so speak to their secretary and explain the situation. Avanti are good insurers, with a recent bleed it’s essential you are covered and they are fully aware of your situation.
If you [are in the UK and] would find it useful to talk things over, our nurse-led helpline is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 3pm on 0800 652 7330 (excluding bank holidays)
Deepwater - I would like to emphasize what a good resource that phone number is. Call them and discuss your trip, you will get valuable advice. You most certainly should not go without a doctors okay and definitely you should get insurance.
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Banded varices and holidays abroad:)
Bleeding in mouth but not varice bleed
Gastroscopy to check for varices
no banding required barely seen a varices
