Varices

[TyiseChar1]

Just experienced my first episode of bleeding from varices that were considered small. Dr did Endoscopy and tied or bandaged them.Also have small volume ascites right quandrant just seeing if anyone experienced this before similar and how was progress after wards

[FlippinOut]

I am having my first endoscopy in a few weeks to look for varices so I have no experience yet. I hope the banding works well for you. Are they going to check again with another endoscopy to see how you’re doing? Can I ask how you found out about the ascites? Did you also have an ultrasound?

[Dogbot]

Hi TyiseChar1 , yes I have had a lot of Varices banded . In my experience there are doctors that do the procedure in different ways one doctor that did the procedure was very good and no problems, then there was the other doctor that I felt made the procedure a little uncomfortable. Both did a great job but I felt that one doctor was gentler . Neither was horrible but just saying if you feel you want another doctor just change your appointment time and try different doctors.

Good luck to everyone and good health.

Dogbot 🐶🌈Dave

[Kingbilly3 in reply to Dogbot]

I felt same, my first camera was fine and next 2 were awfull, quick question do you no if your able to fly with these bands?

[Dogbot in reply to Kingbilly3]

My banding was a while back I am lucky enough to have had a transplant just over a year ago so I have been given the go ahead to fly to Lanzarote for a holiday and when I come back from that in a week after I fly to the USA to seek my grandson that I haven’t been able to get to for 5 years. So my advice is that it’s ok to fly, have a great time wherever you are going.

Stay safe All

Dogbot 🐶🌈Dave

[Kingbilly3 in reply to Dogbot]

Got nothing booked yet!! But thanks 🐕

[Yellowsydney]

Had massive variceal bleed, lost nearly all the blood in my body causing a stroke, in December 2008, happened again 2 years later, lots of endoscopy and banding, prescribed propanolol, a beta blocker for portal hypertension and lanzoprozol to stop stomach acid attacking the varicies. December 2015 was the first time transplant was mentioned.Hilary

[Wolivere]

My wife had a precautionary banding done in 2020. Why do I say precaution? She had a cyst? The fatty mass that had compressed the IVC almost totally blocked it off. So she developed sudden on-set varices. They banded one in precaution while figuring out how to return blood flow.

Then suddenly, the mass vanished, and the blood flow returned to normal, and follow-up scopes found no varices.

In her case, she did not have cirrhosis, and she had sudden onset NASH from rapid weight loss caused by COVID-19.

They had also done a biopsy which found she had NASH, with grade 2 fibrosis. A follow-up biopsy showed grade 1 fibrosis.

[Twinklu]

I've had a few banded and glued, my 1st consultant really shouldn't have been in the profession that he was, the day surgeon who did my 1st lot said he needed to do the procedure again 4 weeks later as he didn't get all areas he wanted and informed the consultant, several emails to the consultant from various medical departments I was seen by saying this hadn't been actioned and he needed to get it sorted didn't help much and eventually 9 months later I had my next Endoscope, this resulted in a massive bleed and I ended up in Intensive care for 5 days and then a further 6 days on a gastrointestinal ward, Endoscopes were then taken over by the hospital surgeon who worked on my bleed and I was roughly having them every 6-8 weeks, I got a phone call from a consultant from another hospital saying that he was taking over my care and he performed them every 4 weeks and now on my last procedure I didn't need any intervention so don't need to see him for 3 months.Best thing that has ever happened since getting my diagnosis is getting this new consultant he is brilliant.

[Liver3]

I've had the same a few years ago had mine done says I have stage 1.Have to take blood pressure meds for it! Scary to me but seems to be normal for us! Take care.

[Mufan99]

My partner has had lots of endoscopy procedures and banding. The consultant calls him 'a frequent flyer'. So here are a few observations.Always follow the advice to have soft food in the first 24 hours. Fasting before the procedure is tricky, especially if you are also managing diabetes, but afterwards just keep it simple to aid recovery. We find pasta is good, not too challenging and lots of flavour options. Obviously soup and breakfast cereals in lots of milk if it feels really sore.

If you have sedation don't ignore the advice about having someone with you for 24 hours. You don't always know how it's affecting you in the way that someone else can see. Besides you have had a stressful experience so take the TLC and relax.

I'm not medically trained, so just a final observation. The change from poropanolol to carvedilol was a bit of a game changer. They are still seeing varices but now only 'grade one' that don't need treatment, and that is now 18-24 months. That is good for thinking about travel because banding seems to be a big red light for the insurers 🤞

Best Wishes Andy