Gastroscopy today

[puddy68]

Hi Everyone

Thank you everyone for all of your lovely replies to my numerous questions over the past couple of weeks. You have been a lifeline to me.

I had my gastroscopy today, and had to have one varice banded. I'm not sure if this is good or bad? On the one hand I was expecting to have at least several banded from the way my specialist was talking to me at my last visit, but on the other hand I was secretly hoping that all would be fine and dandy and that my specialist [who happened to be the surgeon at the hospital today] would greet me when I woke and say surprise! Only mild varices, no banding needed! Alas, that wasn't to be.

I guess what I'm asking is if this is a major setback, or if this can be overcome with all the good stuff[ I haven't had a drink in 5 weeks/no smoking for 3 weeks/starting to exercise and improve diet].

Thank you so much again, Everyone.

[DaveQ67]

Hi Puddy,

It’s better to have them banded than leave them if there was a concern they could bleed. The others obviously don’t need any banding.

Well done in the drinking, it took me a few months to fully adapt to filling my boredom ( which along with complacency is the enemy) Stick to your new eating and exercise. This is all positive.

I too have varices, I had one grade one found, I didn’t require banding. I’ve not had an endoscopy since diagnosis ( 1 year) but I believe these can with work like your doing and a great deal of luck can either reduce in severity or disappear.

You have an over all picture now. Put the work in for yourself and once the liver starts to stabilise enjoy feeling more like you.

[puddy68 in reply to DaveQ67]

Hi Dave - I think you responded to my post as I was writing a reply to you from another post! Thank you so much [again!] for responding. And I really hope that my liver does stabilise so I can feel "more like me". Thanks also for the time and thought you put into your replies - I really appreciate it.

[Grassroots112]

Hi,

You are on the right path firstly by quitting the booze, 5 weeks is amazing, and the fags and getting exercise in, but just as importantly you are being seen to and any issues are being addressed NOW like the banding.

I’m not clued up on varices and banding, but I do know that some people get a whole host of them done in one sitting so to speak so if you only have one that can only be a good thing at this juncture. You just have to maintain what you’re doing and I’m sure you’ll come out of this, not just stronger, but ironically more healthier.

Many people with advanced liver disease and cirrhosis because of having to maintain a more healthier lifestyle post diagnosis end up becoming too healthy even to be considered for a transplant and for you that’s got to be the aim, to keep as healthy as possible so your liver stays functioning and again you’re on the right path.

You’re obviously anxious still with many questions and that’s OK because you’ve just been hit with a diagnosis of cirrhosis, despite your anxiety which is natural, you’re actually handling it all extremely well as your commitment to quitting and getting healthier shows. Some people after even a diagnosis of cirrhosis continue to drink and end up in a stage of denial. With your health you have to take things head on and be very proactive and you are. Keep it up, you’re doing amazing, good luck and take care.

[puddy68 in reply to Grassroots112]

Thank you so much, Grassroots [again!] And yes, I would LOVE to become "too healthy"! This is definitely my goal. Thank you once again for sharing. God Bless.

[Mufan99]

From experience with my partner's condition a single banding, which may happen more than once, is not a setback. It is a disappointment that can be overcome. Self care and getting good specialist advice is very important. Sometimes it will be a doctor about medication; the dietician about strength, energy and nutrition or the specialist nurse to do some blood tests and just catch up with how you are. It might be worth asking your specialist if they think a fitness tracker is useful. Here in the UK our specialist doctor and nurse used the data in our app to see the pattern of exercise (just steps in our case) and weight, between the regular check-ups. It helped them think about possible areas of concern, rather than just looking at the snapshot at each appointment. But... PLEASE, PLEASE take their professional advice. Interpreting your own data with help from Dr Google is never a good idea. IMO it is somewhat less reliable than reading your own Tarot Cards 😉

[puddy68 in reply to Mufan99]

Thank you so much, Mufan99. Your reply has made me feel a lot better. And you are so right......Dr Google has done nothing for me except raise my anxiety. Thanks so much again. God Bless.