Shunt for portal hypertension?!?

[Perkywerky76]

Has anyone had the shunt procedure for portal hypertension, bleeding and banding in the oesophagus?

If so please can you tell me how it is or how long before transplant etc etc?

I’m looking at options and have different opinions from consultants and not sure what to do or not to do !?

[AB12]

Hi I have just been through 2 banding proceedures over 2 months. Had small bleed and first set of banding and then c4 weeks later a massive bleed ended up in ICU and stayed in hospital for 6 nights. A week ago just had endoscopy to see if varices removed and banding has worked as 6 x grade 3 have gone and left with 1 x grade 1 which is too small to band. Re shunt i was informed they look at this proceedure if banding doesnt work on in emergency if they cannot stop bleed but i would ask your consultants. Re transplant as also got ascites with bleeds and not responding to meds and blood results are not improving i am going through assessment have attended day 1 and 2 day follow up next week and will know in a weeks time if i am being listed or if it is too early.

[Perkywerky76 in reply to AB12]

Thanks for replying - please keep me posted - I’m going in for more banding on weds and I’m terrified

[Hidden]

Hello-I had a Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt placed in Jan. 2019. From my experience the specialists will evaluate the overall risks versus benefits of placing the shunt.

The major concern for my specialist was the high risk of developing hepatic encephalopathy post procedure (not everyone has this symptom post procedure). It took me 4-5 months to get a decent baseline on my symptoms of encephalopathy. At first, the symptoms were elevated I couldn't even get out of bed without stumbling due to dizziness and/or loss of balance. I would start walking straight and ended up falling over. I had difficulty with memory and headaches. I couldn't even remember why I walked into a room in my own house. Focus upon reading or watching television was next to impossible. If someone didn't know me better they would have thought I was drunk while trying to hold a conversation. Over many months I cleaned up my diet eliminating gluten/dairy and tried to de-toxic my living environment. These actions helped my body recover some quality of life. I still have the diagnosis of hepatic encephalopathy, and therefore can not drive or work according to my specialist.

The benefits of having the shunt placed were no more bleeds to date. The overall pain was relieved. The pain didn't go away completely, but it was better. I think the tipping point that helped with abdominal pain/discomfort/bloating etc was when I eliminated dairy and gluten from my diet. Another benefit from the diet changes was mental clarity better than I had felt in 1 1/2 years.

[Perkywerky76 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for responding - this sounds awful for you - what a dilemma - one of my consultants thinks the shunt and the other one a transplant - I’m so confused / let me know how you get on , I’m going in for more banding in a day or so so will see how things are and take from there