spleen procedure

[Strongerthanit]

I have been diagnosed with stage 4 cirhosis and have low platelets which have been as low as 50 and high only of 70 and endlarged spleen, Drs. want to give me a spleen immobilization to increase platelets and was wondering if any one else has had this done. and what results was the outcome

[Livmar]

Hi Strongerthanit, is it splenic embolization that you are referring to ? I have the following questions for you: 1. How big is your spleen? 2. Do you also have portal hypertension with varices? 3.If you have varices, have they bled? 4. How were you diagnosed with stage 4 cirrhosis? 5. Have you had an injury to your spleen? I have had platelets in the high 40’s low 50’s for last two years. I have an enlarged spleen with portal hypertension. You can read my full story I have posted on this site.

[Strongerthanit in reply to Livmar]

hello Livmar, Yes it is splenic embolization that my Dr. want to do. My spleen is 15 cm and I am only 5 ft tall and 120 lbs.I have non bleeding varcies and portal hypertension and was put on Carvedilol also. I got diagnosed by having other health problems, I had a bump on my left side and went to my primary dr. about it and was sent to a general surgeon and diagnosed with spigelian hernia on my abdomen wall and a vascular malformation (saying I was born with malformation) that also that runs through my hernia and is attached to my spleen vein, The doctors have ran so many blood test because my liver enzymes were high and everything came out negative on what would cause them to be so high, Finally had a liver biopsy done and tested the portal vein pressure and came back stage 4 cirrhosis and portal hypertension. In the past year I have had endoscopy twice and colonoscopy and had sclerotherapy three time on the malformation to try to help with the blood flow and pain but it just goes in other collateral veins this was performed by a interventional radiologist. The general surgeons will not touch the hernia because of malformation running through it and I have to high of chance of bleeding. I also had cyroablation on my nerves around the malformation and hernia to try to control pain 5 months ago but still have pain, so my drs. are saying pain is coming from spleen enlargement and the malformation and doing embolization should help with pain and increase my platelets. as far as treating my liver cirrhosis I was told like you were that there isnt much they can do for you, eat healthy and was your weight. When this all started in March of 2021, I didn't have any symptons and or health issues, was never diagnosed of being obese, or high blood pressure or diabetes or never a drinker, ,so I more or less had my drs. baffled and still do, they don't what would have caused my cirrhosis.

[Livmar in reply to Strongerthanit]

Hi Strongerthanit, my concern with you having the surgery is risk of bleeding because of your low platelets. That is why they did not want to do anything with me and I am glad they didn’t. I am also on carvedilol. I started it this past February. I was told that is one of the best medicines for portal hypertension. I also have that small bump on my left side just below my ribs. My hepatologist said it was like that because of the spleen enlargement and it presses against my colon. The pain and bump seem to get bigger after a meal or if I have not had a bowel movement. I have had pain the last two years on the spleen side and left mid back near my shoulder blade. My spleen last November was 16.4 cm. My last scan in May indicated it was 15.1. I believe for women the average spleen size is from 8-10 cm and for men 10-12 if I remember correctly.yours is a bit big but not huge. My pain on a scale of 1-10 is consistently a 1or 2 on my spleen. My back got up to a 5 or higher. I started taking acupuncture 9 weeks ago and has really helped my back pain. Where are you on a scale of pain? If you have the surgery, what are they going to do to get your platelets up… steroids? Make sure you get a second or third opinion. Surgeries are a last resort unless absolutely necessary.

[Livmar in reply to Strongerthanit]

I forgot to ask you. What is your MELD score if you know it?

[Strongerthanit]

my meld score is 7,since last july and has not changed, my pain is all over my left side and right side under ribs. the surgery is not invasive dr going through my femoral artery on left leg, that is how all the procedures i have had have been done, except liver biospy was through my neck artery. the low platelets are why surgeons will not fix hernia with not even laposcopy surgery also because of the malformation running through hernia and high chance of bleeding, My pain and discomfort has taken over my life, i cant doing anything with out hurting and having stabbing pains on left side, The dr is saying once this is done , my platelets will increase on there own. Thats is why i reached out to see if anyone else has had this procedure done and what outcome was.

[Livmar in reply to Strongerthanit]

As far as your cirrhosis, you are doing great. My MELD is also 7. Yes, if you have a lot of pain and has taken over your life perhaps it is best for surgery. Hopefully someone here has had the procedure done and will respond with their experience. There are also other forums out there where you can also ask. One is called “Inspire”. I wish you all the very best and will pray that all works out for you and eliminate the pain. Sending good vibes and blessings!!

[Strongerthanit]

thank you I wish you all the best also!!. My motto is . Get the best out of life ,don't let life get the best out of you!! Prayers for everyone ! I will look into Inspire thanks for suggesting it.

[Strongerthanit]

i forgot to ask you how do I look up the forum of inspire?

[Livmar in reply to Strongerthanit]

Hi, you can install from the App Store if you have an Apple IPhone. Not sure if it’s available via Android? You can also Google it. The app has a blue background with a white like figure. It is a medical health and fitness app.

[Strongerthanit]

i found it Thank you!

[Livmar in reply to Strongerthanit]

Good, I did a search for you on the site and found a conversation called “splenic embolization for HE”. You can do a search there for this. One of the responses had the attached article below which explains in detail. Take care and stay healthy 🙏.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[Strongerthanit]

Thank you so much!!, I had found this article also before b4 posting on here. I would like if someone would reach out and let me know if anyone has had it done.

[Strongerthanit]

i will look into inspire also for post about this