Any advice

[phil_54]

Hi all, Recently i attended my local hospital for what i thought was a fairly routine colonoscopy following an 8 day stay in hospital because of severe stomach pain and bleeding, It turned out i have varices veins, and an abnormality on the left side of my colon, I am tempted to read about it on Dr google as i wasn't even aware of this condition until the scope but thought better to ask you guys rather than read things into something that could cause undue worry, Could this be side affect from MTX as they are talking about liver damage and so forth, Not reallly sure were all this is leading to at the moment i have to go for a CT scan with dye on Friday and also a gastoscropy on another date.

Any advice

Cheers

[medway-lady]

I wish to say I have no idea about any of this but wish you well at least a CT don't hurt. Best of luck xx

[phil_54 in reply to medway-lady]

Thanks medway-lady i have been told its a fairly uncommon condition to be were it is it usually manifests itself in the osephagous (excuse spelling) not the stomach.

Cheers

[Gnarli]

Poor you. I haven't a clue either bust wanted to wish you all the best for Friday

[Mmrr]

Hi Phil, varices are varicose veins (large distended veins) that are prone to bleeding.

Colonic varices are less common unless associated with drinking a lot of alcohol, and then often as a result of liver problems called portal hypertension.

BUT, colonic varices do sometimes just occur on their own.

I am unaware of a link to taking MTX and colonic varices.

I don't know what modern day treatment involves, but you seem to be being looked after well. Let us know how you get on ?

[phil_54]

Thanks Mmrr, Yes i have fantastic support from home and hospital Iused to drink when i was younger but never excessivly and since i was diagnosed with RA & Fibro which was over 4 yrs ago i havent touched alcohol at all that was why i was kinda thinking side affects from MTX, i think what they said is i must have had a blockage (portal hypertension) at some point were the portal artery supplies blood to the left side of the colon which has brought on the varices because it it forcing blood through other routes, I think there are various treatments depending on how advanced it is the only worrying thing is if the bleeding doesnt stop then it can be life threatning but im sure this will get sorted before we reach that stage.

Cheers