Banding Esophageal Varices

Posted by amyintucson @amyintucson, Aug 26, 2018

I have been dealing with liver cirrhosis and its side effects since 2008. Had yearly Upper Endoscopes to check on varices, then in late 2014 I had to have several varices banded to prevent them from bleeding. Since then I have 10 different procedures to band several varices each time, the last one on Thursday. It's getting more upsetting each time, as I feel my options are dwindling. I have to admit that my doctor and the local Hospital GI Lab take great care of me. Any other liver transplant list folks going through numerous esophageal varices banding?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Transplants Support Group.

amyintucson | @amyintucson | Oct 6, 2018

Here's some of my work. The hair color is the work of my Hair Stylist!

Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Oct 7, 2018

In reply to @amyintucson "Here's some of my work. The hair color is the work of my Hair Stylist!" + (show)

Awesome! The colors are so cheerful. I can imagine that you have this beautiful dish in a prominent place in your home. I can feel the power and the uplifting mood just by viewing this photo.
I am fascinated by the free form tree! I love trees. I like to observe then interacting with the sunlight, and swaying in the breeze.

I have every confidence that you will return to your glass art with a renewed passion in the future.
PS - The pink hair is kind of cute! A fun touch of creativity:-)

thebaby17 | @thebaby17 | May 12, 2020

Hello? Is anyone still out there on this thread? 🙂

Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | May 12, 2020

@thebaby17, Welcome to Mayo Connect. Yes, We are still here! We are patients, recipients, donors, and caregivers. Some of us are going through evaluations for transplants, some are on the waiting list, and some of us are recovering from transplant surgery, and some of us are living with transplants. As patients, we are eager to support you and to talk with you.
What brings you to Connect?

JK | @contentandwell | May 12, 2020

In reply to @thebaby17 "Hello? Is anyone still out there on this thread? :)" + (show)

Hi, @thebaby17 I too welcome you to Connect.
I am a post-liver transplant patient, my transplant was in September 2016.
I never had a real problem with varices so had no need for banding but I suspect your post will be noticed by some who have had that issue and you will get a response.
Where are you in the pre-transplant process? Is your MELD to a point yet where a transplant is imminent? When I was waiting it seemed like the call would never come and then it did, a couple of months sooner than I anticipated! I hope in the meantime you are feeling relatively well.
JK

michaelswaim | @michaelswaim | May 16, 2020

I had 3 or 4 bandings. One time they did 9 bands. Hurt like heck and hated it

amyintucson | @amyintucson | May 16, 2020

In reply to @michaelswaim "I had 3 or 4 bandings. One time they did 9 bands. Hurt like heck and..." + (show)

@michaelswaim My GI doc would never do 9 bands at one time. The most i had at a time was 4, and only becsuse the 4th was away from the others. Some of my banding recoveries hurt more than others, not dependent on number done. I am now 18 months post transplant. How is your current health?

JK | @contentandwell | May 17, 2020

In reply to @amyintucson "@michaelswaim My GI doc would never do 9 bands at one time. The most i had..." + (show)

@amyintucson @michaelswaim I guess I was just very fortunate, I never had to have bands done. My pre-transplant time was pretty much without problems except for dreaded HE episodes. Thankfully mine were distinct and somewhat predictable. The rest of the time I was totally lucid and cognizant.
JK

annettebc | @annettebc | Nov 30, 2022

I just found this site. I was told last November I had cirrhosis- I had a nominal Ct in Nov and then this past Aug. it was recommended then to have the EGD. I didn’t until yesterday. 3 bands. And then the GI DR said he wanted to do another EGD in 3 weeks. What!! I had Hodgkins at 26, mantle radiation. Thyroid cancer and aortic valve replacement. Pacemaker too.Feeling pretty frustrated. Then as I was googling banding I came across this site. Thank you all for sharing your experiences.
I work full time. I’ve of course had upper and lower GI over the years . This banding feels weird. I’m sure I’ll feel fine in a day or two.

Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Nov 30, 2022

In reply to @annettebc "I just found this site. I was told last November I had cirrhosis- I had a..." + (show)

Good Morning, @annettebc. I want to Welcome you to Mayo Connect, and to say that I am happy that you have joined this discussion. A topic like Esophageal Varices is not the top of my list of favorites! I am a liver and kidney transplant recipient. I remember having the banding procedure for my esophageal varices before my transplant. and I have to agree that it does feel weird afterward. I remember asking for some Tylenol for some discomfort and and a sort of tightness/pulling inside of me. I also remember feeling completely exhausted after the procedure and flopping across the bed to rest and not be disturbed; I just wanted to fall asleep where I landed. I think that I kicked my husband out of my hospital room early that afternoon. I hope you were a kinder patient than I was!

During my liver disease/cirrhosis time, I had my share of esophageal scopes, and my varices were closely watched. But one day I began to have that warning 'black sign" and was admitted to hospital on a Saturday for observation and possible emergency surgery. Luckily, my bleeding stopped and the handing was delayed until Monday. My varices were observd to have been oozing, and I had (I think) 7 banded. I never had another episode.

My experience tells me that your doctor wants another scope to check the current state of the varices.
How long have you been diagnosed with cirrhosis?
How do you feel today?