espheagal varices and portal hypertension

Hi ,

I am an 27yr old male with ideopathic portal hypertension and speelonogalomy (enlarged spleen). The reason for portal hypertension is unknown, i was treated for acute GI bleeding few month's ago. What is the life expectancy in my case and will the life expectancy increase with out any further complications with surgery like spleen-renal (warren) shunt.

Thanks

[Dusty-Crute]

I feel that you need to go an get a second oppinion on your case.  My family and I will pray for you and for thje direction you go to get treatment.
In Christ's name,
George

[stummala]

someone please please please answer me .........thanks

[imkindly]

If you knew what was causing your portal hypertension, this would be an easier question to answer.
The portal vein carries blood FROM the spleen, TO the liver.
If there is anything hindering this blood flow---it increases pressure in the portal vein (and causes "portal hypertension").

Portal hypertension is like having a "traffic jam" in your portal vein. Blood is trying to leave the spleen and go through the liver. The blood that is trapped in the spleen, causes the spleen to enlarge (splenomegaly). As more and more blood is trapped in the spleen---it will try to find an alternate route, and other vessels become enlarged (enlarged vessels = varices). These little vessels (varices) sometimes can't take all that extra pressure, so they burst & bleed. (Upper GI bleeding that you described.)

I am NOT a doctor---there are a couple things that I know of offhand that can cause portal hypertension:
cirrhosis (scar tissue in the liver)...or blocked bile ducts (sclerosing cholangitis)...
But I'm sure there are other causes that I'm unaware of.

You need to know what is causing your portal hypertension. ("Idiopathic" means the cause is unknown.)
Maybe another doctor (a second opinion) would be able to find the cause.

We have some info on portal hypertension at
http://forums.delphiforums.com/liverfailure/messages

You are welcome to take a look at it. (Go there, and then look in the left-hand column for the words "Portal Hypertension & Varices") (Click on that and a list of topics will appear that you can click on.)

Good Luck to you.

[Blue Ribbon]

For the person who is concerned about their spleen---
I had mine removed when I was 12, I am now 48 yrs. old.  No problems, ever after that.  
I was put on MEDICORDIN for one year and Vitamin D and K shots, once a week, with the MEDICORDIN.
If it comes to the point where the Spleenectomy needs done,  piece of cake!!

I had perpura , bruised terribly easy.  There was no onther solution at that time.  Too bad Laproscopic surgery wasn't used in 1966.  What a scar!  But nothing as bad as those bruises I had.

SO, here I am 36 years later and still remember the DR.s names.  Three specialists from WHeeling, W.va.  Dr. Leslie, Lewine, and Lewellyn.  They saved my life.

Hope this helps the  patient with the Spleen problem

[stummala]

Thank you very much blue ribbon, that really helped a lot.