Portal hypertension

[yspex777]

Hi to everyone. I've got portal hypertension and I'd like to know what are the treatments available to treat this condition apart from beta blockers to lower the heart rate. Thanks.

[Porcupine_Tree]

Good diet, no alcohol,no smoking , plenty of excersise. Also regular checks for varices and ascites as well as Triple phase CT scans to check for blood flow. US can also help here. No real fixes all about maintaining a good health regime.As always, before following any advice from others, you must get an accurate diagnosis from your Hepatologist.

Take care.

[yspex777 in reply to Porcupine_Tree]

Thanks for your advice. I'll try to exercise but at the moment I can only go for walks. Next month I'll have a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) and they will measure the portal hypertension. And I will go for another banding session. It has been a really difficult year for me so far because I did not expect the internal bleeding. Hopefully it will get better soon. Take care you too and all the best.

[Chez2706 in reply to yspex777]

TIPSS worked for me, but that was done as an emergency. My varices can't be banded because my oesophagus is so narrow. They kept bleeding. But as of my last consultant appointment two weeks ago, I was able to come of the beta blockers, because the TIPSS is taking care of the portal hypertension and I've not had any bleeding for over a year now

[yspex777 in reply to Chez2706]

The doctor told me that there are some risks like for example hepatic encephalopathy. But in case of bleeding I don't know what the outcome could be. I don't know if with the TIPSS you are able to do the things that you did before having internal bleeding or if they recommend not to make any extra efforts. Good to hear that you are doing fine and all the best.

[Chez2706 in reply to yspex777]

Hi yspex. I've not had any HE and haven't been told not to make any extra efforts because of the TIPSS. I had multiple variceal bleeds before the TIPSS but none since. Time will tell how I get on without the beta blockers and relying on the TIPSS alone. I'm sure your hospital team will give you good advice about your recovery, and I hope it goes as well for you as it did for me

[yspex777 in reply to Chez2706]

Thanks Chez. I had a scan done at the beginning of August but they are going to measure the PH. I just need to wait and be patient. I got an appointment also for another banding session. I am getting better already too but there is always the worry that may happen again. I think with the TIPSS I won't have to worry about that.

[Cat-B]

Hi the treatment will depend on the severity, only your doctor can answer this question, meanwhile concentrate on what you can do to help your liver, no salt, no alcohol, plenty of protein and a good balance of fruit and vegetables and high calorie. Good luck

[yspex777 in reply to Cat-B]

Thanks for the reply. I stopped drinking alcohol nearly four years ago. I have stopped drinking coffee as well and cut down on black tea also. The majority of protein I obtain is from milk and butter and cheese. I try to eat a balanced diet. I cannot exercise that much at the moment because I still recovering from last december. Good luck to you as well and I hope we can get better soon.

[Cat-B in reply to yspex777]

Sounds like you are doing everything you can, I think the high protein part of the liver diet is extremely difficult for vegetarians. Hopefully your doctor will be looking at Cardivol ( for portal hypertension) but it will depend on your other medications and other conditions and your symptoms. I hope you can see or speak to your liver team soon.

[yspex777 in reply to Cat-B]

Thanks. Yes I need to see them because over the phone it is much more difficult to get all the information I need and I usually forget to ask things. It wasn't like that before when everyone was able to get an appointment at the hospital and get to see the doctor. I try to eat white meat (chicken. turkey, etc). I don't think black tea is bad. I usually drink two cups now but before I used to drink much more. But some doctors believe that black tea is not that good for the liver.

[Cat-B in reply to yspex777]

Please stop using dr google! If no milk in tea or coffee was bad or drinking either was dangerous do you really think that the hospital, st John’s etc would serve it! Re the doctors write down any questions that pop into your head and then you won’t forget.

[marknash67]

I don't think there's much an one can do. I've had over 45 lts now drained from my stomach area. All this was portal hypertension. Just take the diuretics and keep pushing forward and never ever give up.

[yspex777]

Sorry to hear that. I know is very hard but you're right, we should never give up and lose hope. We need luck also to be in the right hands and be told by the doctors all that we need to know.

[Fibro2021]

Hi. Is your portal hypertension related to cirrhosis or is there another reason for it?

[yspex777 in reply to Fibro2021]

Hi. The portal hypertension is due to compensated cirrhosis caused by viral hepatitis. I am on antiviral treatment. Once a month also I go to the hospital for an endoscopy (banding) since I had internal bleeding last December.