Banding Esophageal Varices

Hi Rosemary,
Friends of mine are expecting their first child - later in life and they plan on naming her Rosemary!
I don’t as told last November that I had cirrhosis- yes. The banding feels tight.
My friend who has been my gastroenterologist sent me to the young doctor who did the EGD yesterday. They are both referring me to a Dr at University of Illinois.Who can make suggestions about next step for me.

@annettebc, I'd like to add my welcome. I hope you'll add that lovely picture of you to your profile here http://connect.mayoclinic.org/account

Thank you - I didn’t know how to add the picture

Hi, @annettebc. With your successful posting of your profile picture, I feel as if I am sitting in the same room as you!
Have you been scheduled for an appointment at University yet?

You are sweet. I do like the color fushia. After my 3 varices were banded last Tuesday and the Dr said I needed another scope in 3 weeks. I said nope. Then after I read other posts, I figured I needed to help him help me. I left a message to schedule another scope if I can between Christmas and NYE.
I think both GI Drs are in the process of setting up the referral to the specialist Dr Giuliuanotti at University of Illinois. I expect that will take a little time.

@annettebc, I am definitely in favor of going ahead with the scope. You surely don't want to be caught in an emergency situation, especially over the holidays. I presume it is local and that you won't need to travel very far.

FYI I used to and I still do hate those scopes. However, the peace of mind of a clear scope, or getting treatment is worth the inconvenience. 🤍

Greetings from Florida:
My name is Yamina Burleson. My older son of 49years old was diagnosed with Cirrhosis mid October of this year. Got hospitalized twice and is on Medication. He had one endoscopy And undergo Parantescis once a week. He had varice bandage?? once. He has a doctor appointment on the 20th. I don’t know what next. Any information or advice will be greatly appreciated 🙏

@yaminaburleson, Welcome to Connect. With your son's recent diagnosis with cirrhosis, and the hospitalizations, new medications, and procedures, you must certainly be confused and frightened. From my own experience with liver disease and eventual cirrhosis, I assure you that these are part of routine treatment for some symptoms associated with liver disease and cirrhosis.

I see that your son has an appointment on Dec. 20. I think that the doctor will want to discuss the recent tests and events with your son. He/She is the best one to provide information to your son about his current situation as well as the next steps in his care. Now is a good time to begin making a written list of questions to ask at that appointment.

Will he be seeing a specialist like a gastroenterologist or a liver specialist? Will you or someone be accompanying your son to his appointment on Dec. 20?

Yamina, What are some questions that you would like to ask?

Thank you for your prompt response. Yes, she is a gastroenterologist. I will accompany my son who lives with me too. I really don’t know what to ask for. My son was hospitalized through emergency while we were visiting Virginia. During the 3 days we spent in the hospital, they run all kind of blood tests, ultrasound CAT scans and the y came with the term: cirrhosis with decompensated liver failure. The doctors suggested that he needed a liver transplant, but it depends to his GI to make that decision. I called my son’s GI and explained to the nurse the situation. Once we got here, his GI got the tests results from VA hospital and run her tests against them or referring to them. All I know that the same tests were taken in the hospital here. The only thing in my mind is I have to do what I need to do to save my son’s life. Thank you for your support and advice.

🙏