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Has anyone actually ever felt a little better after TIPS?
My husband goes in tomoro for the TIPS procedure. On here I've mainly read bad things about it. We have to have it done because of the numerous varicies that are very enlarged. I understand all the complications I guess I'm just wondering of there's anyone who has anything decent to say about how they felt after?
TIPS procedure went well, they did end up keeping him 2 days since he was running a little fever and bled quiet a bit after the procedure. They did a blood culture to check for infections it came back good tho no infections detected.
He's been doing GREAT so far, his mind has been good which I'm thankful for as that's an issue with TIPS I know.
We go back Novemember 16 for another meeting with transplant social worker which is a mess right now. We went to Colorado few months back and since marijuana is legal there my husband decided to smoke with a friend (against my wishes). Long story short it showed up in his blood work and urine so now we have to attend AA and NA classes and be clean 6 months before even starting the listing process. Which in their defense is very understandable. My concern is his insurance company. Now that he's shown to be positive will they drop him as a patient? Even if he's been testing negative after 6 months?
He's been doing GREAT so far, his mind has been good which I'm thankful for as that's an issue with TIPS I know.
We go back Novemember 16 for another meeting with transplant social worker which is a mess right now. We went to Colorado few months back and since marijuana is legal there my husband decided to smoke with a friend (against my wishes). Long story short it showed up in his blood work and urine so now we have to attend AA and NA classes and be clean 6 months before even starting the listing process. Which in their defense is very understandable. My concern is his insurance company. Now that he's shown to be positive will they drop him as a patient? Even if he's been testing negative after 6 months?
COMMUNITY LEADER
Of course you are nervous. While this is a "routine procedure" for the doctors and hospital, it is not a routine for you or your husband. It is normal to be anxious when having any procedure, no matter how non-evasive or safe. Stay hopeful and all should work out for the best.
If you have any questions or concerns, write them down, then ask the doctors when they make their rounds to see how your husband is doing. We often worry about things that are to be expected and have simple explanations and really aren't of concern.
The TIPS should lower the risk of having some of the life-threatening complications of this terrible disease. As Linda said, that is worth a whole lot in itself. Hopefully it will also improve his quality of life if he is having issues with fluid build up as well.
I hope he makes a swift recovery and is soon feeling better.
Hector
If you have any questions or concerns, write them down, then ask the doctors when they make their rounds to see how your husband is doing. We often worry about things that are to be expected and have simple explanations and really aren't of concern.
The TIPS should lower the risk of having some of the life-threatening complications of this terrible disease. As Linda said, that is worth a whole lot in itself. Hopefully it will also improve his quality of life if he is having issues with fluid build up as well.
I hope he makes a swift recovery and is soon feeling better.
Hector
COMMUNITY LEADER
Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is a procedure that is used to reduce portal hypertension and control its resulting complications, especially ascites and variceal bleeding.
Portal hypertension is caused by the reduction of normal blood flow through the liver caused by the scarring of the liver. The TIPS stent forms a shunt that bypasses the scared liver. It connects the portal vein directly to the hepatic vein. This channel reduces pressure in the portal vein. By reducing portal hypertension. Enlarged veins (varices) are less likely to rupture and bleed. And other complications of cirrhosis such as ascites (fluid in the abdomen) and hepatic hydrothorax (fluid between the lungs and the chest wall) may improve or be reduced.
TIPS is commonly used to:
• Treat fluid buildup that continues to occur in the abdominal cavity despite medical therapy (refractory ascites).
•Treat acute variceal bleeding that is not controlled by standard treatment.
•Prevent recurrent episodes of variceal bleeding when sclerotherapy or band ligation has failed.
• Treat variceal bleeding while someone is waiting for a liver transplant.
TIPS is a routine procedure at liver transplant centers used to stabilize patients who are awaiting liver transplantation. TIPS is be a life-saving intervention when other means of controlling portal hypertension and its complications have failed. Without TIPS many people would not survive to make it to transplant. Complications of cirrhosis as variceal bleeds, ascites and hepatic hydrothorax can be fatal.
I have known dozens of folks who have had a TIPS procedure which helped them to survive and receive liver transplants.
Hector
Portal hypertension is caused by the reduction of normal blood flow through the liver caused by the scarring of the liver. The TIPS stent forms a shunt that bypasses the scared liver. It connects the portal vein directly to the hepatic vein. This channel reduces pressure in the portal vein. By reducing portal hypertension. Enlarged veins (varices) are less likely to rupture and bleed. And other complications of cirrhosis such as ascites (fluid in the abdomen) and hepatic hydrothorax (fluid between the lungs and the chest wall) may improve or be reduced.
TIPS is commonly used to:
• Treat fluid buildup that continues to occur in the abdominal cavity despite medical therapy (refractory ascites).
•Treat acute variceal bleeding that is not controlled by standard treatment.
•Prevent recurrent episodes of variceal bleeding when sclerotherapy or band ligation has failed.
• Treat variceal bleeding while someone is waiting for a liver transplant.
TIPS is a routine procedure at liver transplant centers used to stabilize patients who are awaiting liver transplantation. TIPS is be a life-saving intervention when other means of controlling portal hypertension and its complications have failed. Without TIPS many people would not survive to make it to transplant. Complications of cirrhosis as variceal bleeds, ascites and hepatic hydrothorax can be fatal.
I have known dozens of folks who have had a TIPS procedure which helped them to survive and receive liver transplants.
Hector
Hi my husband had a bleed out in 2011, he was on life support for 5 days and in the hospital for 20 days,,, what saved him was they did the tips,, I just wish they would have done it before the bleed out, My husband has been doing great because of the tips, Don't worry it is a easy procedure,, My husband goes in to have his checked in 2 weeks, In and out same day,, good luck and he will be better off
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