morning everyone
I’m just looking for a wee bit of advice. I was diagnosed a few years ago with NAFLD. A fibroscan score came back at 20 and the consultant said possible borderline cirrhosis. Anyway, touchwood and god willing, I’m fit and well so I’m presuming compensated (?). My question is I read somewhere that flying can bring on problems with liver patients? I’m due to fly soon and very scared of any potential problems. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you x
Hi honeysuckle, and welcome Yes , your correct in saying people with liver cirrhosis can have issues regards to flying, but im sure that's in patients with varices , I may be incorrect but 90% sure.
The only person whom can give you advice on flying is your consultant as they will have all your details etc..
My fibroscan used to be 28, back in 2017 and was told I had f4 cirrhosis, mine was due to alcohol dependancy.
Plus it also depends on where your flying to ? Is is a short haul trip or middle ? To long haul .
Do you have adequate holiday insurance cover ?
I'm not trying to worry you whatsoever but I wanted to bring these details to your attention for your own safety so you can enjoy your holiday
Best wishes linda
thank you Linda 🙏 it’s to the Canaries, hopefully it will be ok. Yes I’ll definitely look at our insurance. Well done on reducing your fibroscan score! x
Your most welcome, so its only 4 hrs flying , you should be OK but please double check everything for peace of mind so you can relax Thank you 😊. rollercoaster ride but managed to get it down to 11 5 kpa .. fingers crossed its remained steady x
thank you Linda xx
hiiiiiiii Millie congratulations on ur result. I thought u couldn’t reverse cirrhosis ?
Hi bettina , thank you for your kind words , there's different gradings to cirrhosis/ fibrosis .I was end stage liver disease back in 2008 , not sure what my fibrosan scan was then as I didn't have one ,but it must have been way higher than 28 , my score went down as I stopped drinking alcohol and I started to actually eat a good diet ,was malnourished back in 2008 as I never ate anything.
You can reverse the stiffness of your liver ( that's the fibrosan/ fibrosis part of the liver ) but I still have cirrhosis, that will never change , I still have the fatigue , insomnia acid reflux and all the other lovely side effects lol but I'll never be free from it .
Best wishes linda x
Hi honey. Yes Linda is right😀.
Its to do with cabin pressure on board, And if you have any varices....not sure if you do,but it is best to check with your consultant.
You don't want them rupturing mid flight.....
Have a word with your consultant, as to make sure your fit to fly,better to be sure.
Hopefully have a lovely time....
My best. Chris
thank you Chris 🙏 to my knowledge, and I’m touching every bit of wood here, I don’t have any signs of anything. Please god it stays that way 🙏 Sadly getting info out of my consultant (or even just getting hold of my consultant) is the proverbial blood and stone but I’ll definitely try and see what he says x
Well thats good love,you do don't have any signs of anything🙂.It can be painfully slow sometimes to get a response from our consultants, if not try your liver nurse, usually more accessible, and helpful.
Take care love.
Chris
thank you, you too x
Have you had a gastrosopy to check for varices as this is the only way to know ? This is usually standard procedure if diagnosed with liver disease. Again as others have advised I would check with your consultant or soecialist liver nurse
Thank you 🙏 no I’ve not been told I should have had one? I really don’t have a lot of faith in my consultant at this point unfortunately.
I would push for it. My fibroscan results were 14.9 kpa and a cap of 266 . I have some grade 1 varices. Didn't know about the flying thing so will need to check that out.
Could I ask what the advice is regarding long haul flights. Is it better to split the journey up with a short stop over half-way? I'm hoping to go to Thailand next year. I have compensated cirrhosis and had a couple of small varices (grade 1-2) but have not had any issues with them and portal hypertension is under control with carvedililol. TIA Holly x
Hi Holly.Its really best to check with your consultant on that,and ask them closer to the time if you are OK to fly long haul.....
You need to be fit to fly,as consultants class it as.
My consultant said to me that I was ok to fly domestic,only to my brother in the orkney Islands.
But advised against long haul....as similar to yourself ive some smaller grade varices and only recently had some of the large one's banded.
She said to risky for myself....and thats with carvedilol!!!
What applys to one may not be appropriate for someone else.
Hopefully Thailand here you come😀.
Take care.
Chris
I hope so. Thanks Chris x
Hi you could also try your consultant’s secretary I find them very helpful and will pass messages on etc
thank you 🙏. Yes I do go through her and she’s absolutely lovely but unfortunately even if she passes messages on I still never seem to hear back from him. Hey ho, I’ll keep on trying x
Hello!
Yes, definitely check as the main concern would be if you had oesophageal varices. Cabin pressure can cause complications. An indication of having these can be bringing up blood or having dark/black stools, but again, I’d check with your specialist.
I have cirrhosis (compensated) and no varices. I’ve flown a couple of times over the last year with no problems at all!
Also, I can recommend Staysure for a good level of cover, and the price for me was really good for an annual policy, with declared medical condition! I think it was just over £200.
All the best!
Mark
ah that’s brilliant thank you Mark 🙏 yes funnily enough I was looking at insurance policies last night and Staysure was definitely the best. Thanks again x
Surely that isn't an indication for lower grade varices but only occurs when more serious varices rupture ?
Looking at your other posts your on 6 month bloods and scans.That's the routine for cirrhosis and you would have to declare cirrhosis for travel insurance.
The next question on the insurance form will be about varices
If you have not been diagnosed with varices you tick no.
Insurance will only be slightly higher than normal.
If you ask your consultant about flying he might say no to be on the safe side and not get sued if something goes wrong.
That would need to be declared and insurance would not cover you or would cost £1000s.
Go on holiday and don't worry.
thank you Roy 🙏 Ive looked again today and with Staysure it’s not extortionate thank goodness. Touching wood I’ve not been diagnosed with varices but now after reading everything (thank you Dr Google) Im slightly panicking that I might have them, not know, and be in trouble mid flight! x
I don't give it a second thought.More worried the plane might crash!
Go for it and enjoy.
thank you 🙏🙏
#totallyconfused - flying with varices but no endoscopy planned for 12 months time
Flying after having varicies banding 
Travelling with Insurance 
cirrhosis and statins 
New diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis 
