Just a few more questions about Cirrhosis

[puddy68]

Hello, it's me [again]. Only one more day until I go for my endoscopy as they picked up varices on my cat scan. May [or most definitely will, according to my gastroenterologist] have to band them. This whole procedure has got me thinking again, and I inevitably then end up with more questions [sorry]. Does banding varices mean that they won't improve, or can varices "disappear" if you do all of the right things? [No drinking/exercise/clean eating]. Is it possible for portal hypertension to improve? Can platelet count improve? And lastly, can Bilirubin go down? [My last lot of bloods showed my Bilirubin [ T-BIL 61 umol/L (Should be between 3-15)]. Apparently at this level I should be jaundiced, but I'm not. I'm now too scared to look at google for answers as most of those sites send my anxiety through the roof. I realise I am asking lots of questions at the moment, and I'm really sorry about this. I'm just trying to get my head around everything. I'd also like to really thank and send big hugs to everyone in this group for being so caring and willing to discuss "their" journey to help others, and also to those who have had the patience to answer my anxiety ridden previous posts. Thank you all so much.

[AyrshireK]

Banding ties off the varices you already have and then you'll possibly be put on a beta blocker to help portal hypertension. My hubbies doctor took a different tack in that she repeatedly scoped and banded over a period of two years which resulted in lots of scar tissue in the oesophagus which prevented more varices from forming resulting in eradication of varices.

Your bilirubin level will hopefully come down as your liver stabilizes. For years my hubbies bilirubin and all other bloods were coming back as normal despite cirrhosis.

Platelets may or may not improve but low levels just hamper blood clotting and you just have to watch out if you have any cut, nose bleed etc. as they can be hard to stop. Only once prior to a biopsy did hubby ever need intervention for his low platelet count (22) and he had a platelet transfusion.

Just ride the roller coaster and keep up all healthy lifestyle stuff and you WILL see improvements.

Katie

[Readlots]

Hi Puddy, my understanding is yes they can to all of your questions. With the right treatment (e.g banding) looking after yourself, not drinking and reducing stress as much as possible, all these things can improve. It’s not guaranteed - livers can be unpredictable, but there is hope and lots of people on here with stories of things improving. You’re right not to Google, that’s very sensible. And the whole point of this group is to give support so ask as many questions as you like 😊

[MINTVCX]

Regarding "And lastly, can Bilirubin go down? [My last lot of bloods showed my Bilirubin [ T-BIL 61 umol/L (Should be between 3-15)]. Apparently at this level I should be jaundiced, but I'm not"

Regarding my personal experience this bilirubin level (I also had around your value but different reason - not harmful Gilbert's syndrome). Only slightly yellow whites of the eyes hard to see if do not looking for this. Maybe slightly yellow skin but again the same as for eyes.

[Aotea2012]

Until they have done the endoscopy you won’t know the extent of the varices. They always say at the start that they may have to band so that you know there may be a more extensive procedure but until they have a good look they don’t really know in all honesty. They grade them 1 to 3 and look for red flags for bleeding - red whale marks. The higher the number, the more extensive the varices and the greater likelihood of banding. They band so that the varices are eliminated. I had two grade 1 varices at diagnosis. The lower end of the spectrum. They were too small to band so they merely kept an eye on them via my regular screening endoscopies. As my liver stabilised the varices disappeared. I don’t have any these days. They will continue to screen me - every two years via an endoscopy. So it is possible for the liver to improve and the portal hypertension to also reduce to the extent they disappear on their own. Otherwise if there is any concern because of size or red flags they will band.