Hi ,
I appreciate all the help and support here …my mum had a tear in her oesophagus one month ago and got two clips put in , now had banding in two varices and has been told for regular endoscopy now with possible more banding … is mum in a high risk for more bleeds now ?
thank you
Yes, sadly she is. One bleed raises the chances of another. It’s not all doom and gloom though. The varices which are the highest risk are being dealt with by banding and the planned future endoscopies will identify any new ones early, meaning they too will be banded if necessary. All this is an improvement on her previous situation where the risks were not being identified and therefore she ended up in an emergency situation. It’s also possible to reduce the risks of new ones developing by her eliminating alcohol (whether it was the cause or not) and eating a healthy well balanced diet.
Hi Aotea ,
Thank you for your quick reply and your honesty,it’s all such a worry , so many questions …. Do the varcies grow quick … will they always be seen in an endoscopy … and what can u do to help my mum … thank you and hope you are well .
Varices are caused by portal hypertension. The blood flow through the liver is disrupted by scar tissue and therefore the body compensates for this by using smaller veins which are not designed for the high pressure. They distort and become swollen and can burst/bleed. There’s some really good information on the BLT website about them. Once they are banded they disappear and cannot bleed. New ones can appear which is why your mum is being monitored. She may also be prescribed medication which reduces the blood pressure. The key thing is to take away the risk factors which heighten portal hypertension and increase the scarring in the liver. This is about giving the liver less work to do…alcohol is particularly toxic for the liver, so eliminating it reduces the work the liver has to do and with it takes away the risk of faster progression of varices. Also eating a healthy well balanced diet improves our overall health and aids liver health too. They will always be seen on endoscopy…so regular surveillance will massively improve the treatment she receives and reduce the risk. The thing to remember is that whilst the risk is higher of having another bleed once there’s been one, this is being heavily mitigated by the treatment and surveillance she is receiving. Overall, she is in a much better position than she was before she had her bleed because of this.
Hi , sitting in the hospital just now with her , she has never been a drinker and had NAFLD , and has been in carvediol , frusemide omeprazole and Spironolactone… but since coming into the hospital mum has been taken off all medication , had 3 blood transfusions so far , IV antibiotics and other IV Taz stuff that stops the bleeding now just getting a bag of Iron …. And she is on a low salt diet and eats healthy … thank you so much for your support xx
Hope things work out ok. It’s a frightening time. She is in the best place and sounds like she is being well looked after. Talk to the doctors/nurses and don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions. Even if you feel a bit overwhelmed. Often it’s the practical questions which help explain things best. I wish you well.
so grateful to you and thank you for your time
Hi Sharon.I just wondered if mum is on a beta blocker,to lower portal vein pressure?.
My best.Chris
HI Chris she was in carvediol, Spironolactone , frusemide and omeprazole but now off everything till she is more stable as in hospital just now if u read above. Thank you so much
Oh crikey love,alot going on for mum and yourself. Sounds as though she is getting much needed treatment though.
As aotea has mentioned, ask loads of questions to nurses/consultants etc....
I always did when I was in hospital, I always asked what they were doing,why they were doing it etc....gave me some reassurance.
Remember to give yourself a break as well ,thats also really important.
I wish your mum well.
Best wishes. Chris
thank you so much Chris
hi Sharon, I had a very serious bleed in 2017 (luckily my spouse was home and found me as my blood pressure just plummeted and I fell on the floor before I realized what was happening). I will admit it was a high stress year (that’s what I think caused it) as my Dad was diagnosed with a brain tumour and passed later that year, so we all gave everything we had to care for him, as children should for their parents ❤️
Anyway, on a good note, I have never had any issues with esophageal varices since, not even any getting larger. I take Naldolol regularly and I am scoped regularly, and I have pretty severe portal hypertension but still zero evidence of any other esophageal varices developing. I have been a vegetarian all my life and I don’t drink, so I think that helps my situation.
I wish only good things for the future for your Mom.
Sincerely
Janet
Hi Janet, well it gives me some hope ..I wish you good health for the future to . Take care and thank you
Normally once you have a varices bleed you are scoped on a regular basis. Yes, new veins can grow but will be noticed on the scheduled scopes and banded which kills off the rogue vein. I had multiple bandings while being scoped so I never had the emergency again you have when the first one bursts. Prayers for you and mum
Hi PadoJoe,
Thank you for sharing , advice , support and prayers much appreciated and I wish you good health for the future also . Thank you 🙏🏻
Dear Sharonmcfarlane
If you would find it useful to talk things over, our nurse-led helpline is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm on 0800 652 7330 (excluding bank holidays)
Best wishes
British Liver Trust
You are all so kind …. And don’t realise how supportive you all are to us all on this page , thank you very grateful
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