Endoscopy?

[Jo53]

Can anyone tell me why I have to have an endoscopy - surely it examines the stomach and pbc affects the liver?

[Hidden]

Hello Jo53.

Seems that a lot with PBC have not only the endoscopy that examines the stomach but also the bowel region too from time to time.

Apparently there is something known as varices that PBC patients can get and also ascites.

I've never had any of these camera investigations as yet (just gone 5yrs diagnosed) but they can be routine.

I think it how the liver functions that can cause certain other problems when the bile ducts become damaged and then start to vanish over a long period of time with PBC. We seem to be all in different stages with the PBC so could be difficult to actually know but the liver does a lot of various functions and PBC can compromise it greatly. I have read in liver charity newsletters that by taking urso it can actually help avoid varices due to a much improved bile flow.

[Jo53 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks peridot. I'm taking 1000mg urso daily. Guess I'll just have to get it done tho I'm not looking forward to it. I've had one before but this time I'll take the sedation!

[cazer]

Hi lo53 it is usually to look for varices...they are varicous vein type things that come up in the stomach/oesophagus yhat can cause problrms

I have these also they discovered with endo that i had stomach ulcers as well that i didnt really realise i had! The ulcers have been treared..im about to start beta blockers which lower the pressure in the varices.i had 3 endos before which didnt show anything but lm glad i had this last one as it showed up the problems and im now having treatment

Ask for sedative like you say.x

[dianekjs]

It is generally recommended to have an upper endoscopy at the time of PBC diagnosis and at set intervals thereafter in order to detect potential esophageal or gastric varices, which are a fairly common complications of the disease. The upper endoscopy looks at both the esophagus and stomach.

[Hidden]

I had one this year as routine to check for varices. I had it without sedation. It takes a few minutes. You can have it with sedation.

[Jo53]

Thanks for the replies. At least now I know why I'm getting it done.

[YummyBear]

Hi Jo53, I am having an Endoscopy later this week. I understand that the procedure is looking for evidence of varices (portal hypertension) to support the diagnosis of liver fibrosis. I am opting to have the throat spray for the Endoscopy, rather than a sedative, so am hoping I will be fine.

I am still puzzled generally about the PBC diagnosis, as to date, my biochemistry is normal. I also do not have any symptoms.

The findings came about purely by chance after having a CT scan in the urology area, the latter of which was normal. So PBC has come as a complete shock. I also have gallstones (I have had these for 13 years), and a kidney cyst. I have been advised not to start on Urso medication as my liver indices are normal. Having had numerous tests, it has taken over 6 months to get to the diagnosis of PBC.

[kristieerhodes]

I get and EDG every 2-3 years. As Peridot stated, they are looking for varices and other issues such as portal hypertension gastrophy (which I have). The varices can cause bleeding which if you have them, they will or can band them to stop them from bleeding.

Do not fear this procedure; the worst part for me is the IV; you are asleep when they do this procedure. I have such an issue with IVs because my veins roll or collapse, but other than that, the fasting would be the next part I don't like because I hypoglycemic so I tend to get yucky after a time without food. This is why I schedule mine as early as possible so I'm not to bothered by it.

[Jo53]

Thank you both for taking time to reply. Good luck with yours next week YummiBear - hope all goes well x