Varices Bleed

[Guest guest]

For those of you who have had varices bleeding episodes, what are

preventative methods that were used to keep from having another bleed

besides a transplant. has had two episodes in the last two

years and has been put on propanolol. Her dose was increased to three

40 mg. pills a day last week. She can barely walk on this dosage since

she already has had low blood pressure and is very small. Any

suggestions? Ruth

[Guest guest]

They banded my varices once a month for six months until they weren't

a problem. I got my transplants a couple of months after the last

banding so I don't know what they might do long term. I was also put

on meds to lower my blood pressure.

psc 89, tx 97, tx2 8,04

> For those of you who have had varices bleeding episodes, what are

> preventative methods that were used to keep from having another

bleed

> besides a transplant.

[Guest guest]

jeevesb2003 wrote:

>

> For those of you who have had varices bleeding episodes, what are

> preventative methods that were used to keep from having another bleed

> besides a transplant.

As mentioned, regular EGDs and banding should be part of the

management unless there is some reason why they can't do them. I have

an EGD every few months and so far it's prevented me from having another

bleed... my last bleed was about five years ago if I remember right.

Other than that there is the option of putting in a shunt (TIPS is the

most common type that they do nowadays I think, and if I remember right

it can be done without surgery) that routes some of the blood around the

liver and reduces the portal hypertension. There are drawbacks and

dangers to doing this too, but if the propanolol is causing too much

problem, and banding isn't working to keep them under control, it is an

option to consider.

athan