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Endoscopy/Varices

Hope all is well with everyone.

Wondering if anyone knows the frequency of deveoping varices with cirrhosis.  Does everyone with cirrhosis get them?  We are considering an endoscopy for Amanda but hoping she does not have varices...and if she does, can they go away or never cause a problem?  This was just brought to my attention and has us worried, so now not only do we have to get rid of the virus to halt the progression, but if we do, then we have to worry about bleeding varices...I was hoping if we can stop the virus in its tracks than maybe varices wont form or will go away if spleen shrinks.  Amanda does have a large spleen (16 cm) and low platelets 117 (off treatment).  I believe she has mild portal hypertension but never new anything about possible varices until recently.  Would love any information that anyone may have about this...Has anyone with cirrhosis not developed varices?

Still contemplating peg/gamma/riba or infergen/gamma/riba for next round of treatment for Amanda... Her doctor is trying to find researh on the peg/gamma/riba before we make a decision.

Thank you all,
Jodi
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Avatar universal
MY HUSBAND HAS HAD VARISES REMOVED 3 TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR & 1/2. (3-5 AT A TIME) I'M SCARED OF A BLEED & HAVING TO FIND SOMEONE TO DO THE BANDING IN AN EMERGENCY ROOM. I LIKE THAT IT IS DONE AS OUT PATIENT WITH A DR. WHO SPECIALIZES IN DOING IT. I PRAY YOUR DAUGHTER DOESN'T HAVE ANY BUT IF SHE DOES KNOW SHE'LL BE OUT FOR 20 MIN & IT WILL BE DONE. MY HUSBAND HAS PLATELETS OF 46. THEY WENT FROM 70'S 18 MONTHS AGO WHEN HE WAS DIAGNOSED TO 56/57 TO NOW 46. HE TAKES NADALOL & THAT HELPS SOME PATIENTS NOT GET VARISE (BLOOD PRESSURE KINDA MED.) HAVE YOUR DAUGHTER ASK DR. ABOUT PREV. MED. GOOD LUCK - I'LL KEEP YOU & YOUR DAUGHTER IN MY PRAYERS.
WORRIED SPOUSE  
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Avatar universal
hi jodi,
I hope that you and Amanda are doing ok. I think about you both often what a tough pair you two are. i am sorry that i do not know the answer to you ? but i am sure that someone will be along soon that does. lots of info here for sure.
My daughter will be home in a few days and then we will finish up her testing. you are both in my prayers everyday
Be Well
Dottie
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Avatar universal
Hi Jodi,

I sent you an email this morning about some other issues.  Varices and an enlarged spleen are both caused by the build up in pressure when the liver becomes impermeable due to fibrosis and cirrhosis.  Both of these can happen, or neither.  The liver is not uniform and neither is the damage that is caused.  If the more severe damage is in an area where the spleen empties into the liver, then the result can be a back up of blood and platelets in the spleen leading to enlargement.  If the damage is more severe in othere areas, this can lead to varices or blocked bile ducts.  Your Dr. should know a lot more about this and how to check then I do.

I hope you and Amanda are as well as you can be.  Let me know if I can help in any way.

Steve

hope2Bock: Hi.  Gamma refers to a different type of interferon that is being experimented with.  It is used in combo tx with one of the alfa interferons and ribavirin.  While it is a weak antiviral by itself, the hope is that there will be a synergistic effect when combined with the interferon alfas.  In addition, interferon gamma has antifibrotic characteristics and the hope is that this can help reverse any damage that has been done to the liver.

Best,
Steve
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Avatar universal
Gamma Interferon or Actimmune (Interferon) is being prescribed in many centers with daily or 3x/week Infergen for non-responders.  They are getting promising results.  

My daughter did the daily infergen/Riba and really tolerated it quite well..many do, but she didn't respond.  My feeling is you should try it..with or without the gamma before trying just maintenance (low dose peg)...You may still be able to kill the virus before trying to just keep it at bay..

Good Luck,
Jodi
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Avatar universal
Thanks to all who answered my previous post about varices, I am going to hold off on the scope test to look for varices and wait to see if the unltrasound shows any spleen enlargment first.
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Avatar universal
Hi Jody, can you tell me what the gamma means in peg/gamma/riba?
They want me to start the infergen w/ riba, and I'm a little unsure about it. I still have to make a decision to do that, go on a maintenance with peg or do nothing and let it destroy me. I guess the last option is out.
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