belly button bleeding

[moonpearl]

I woke up in the morning and was bleeding severly out of my belly button. When to ER and was told I was having liver failure.  And advance cirrhosis of the liver. low palite of 70. And ask if I was a drinker Which I dont drink. Having a upper and lower GI done on the 28 of this month.  I have easy brusing for about a year now.  But no other signs. But now since bleeding. I do have the full sencetion under my breasts. Can this be wrong or can something else is going on

[Advocate1955]

Hi moonpearl, I am glad to hear that you don't have Cirrhosis as well.  I'm still confused about the bleeding.  Did your gastroenterologist actually diagnose a hernia?  What is the location of the hernia, and why did it cause a bleed from the bellybutton?
Advocate1955

[rpooo]

I am very glad to hear you don't have cirrhosis but I'm not clear what the blood was from .. "hernia"?

Having a fatty liver is the first stage of liver disease but is completely reversible with a healthy diet and exercise (with doctors approval). Abstaining from alcohol will help the most. Failure to adjust your lifestyle could result in more advanced liver disease such as fibrosis.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is now the most common cause of chronic liver disease in the U.S. Some people with excess fat in the liver simply have what's called a fatty liver. Although this is not normal, it is not serious if it doesn't lead to inflammation or damage.

Ultrasounds are routinely scheduled for those with liver disease based on how serious the condition is and may vary by the type of liver disease. It is important to monitor for further progression and/or any abnormalities. Lab testing is normally done every three months. Your doctor is very thorough to involve Bayor hospital with regards to your surgery. I still think your health is in good hands and I hope the best for you :)

Randy

[crossroadsec]

I'm really sorry that you got this news so suddenly! If there was a bleed, they would have kept you in my opinion. 6 months is a long time to wait for ultrasound. Good luck with the diet. Eating liver loving is fairly easy once you get in the swing of it. Did he put you on any medications?
@xtien - what dose of Nadolol is he on? I take it also.
xo Karen:)

[mzkity]

Thanks for posting this. Good your starting on the diet. Keep that sodium low. I hope randy comes by and reads this. Just want to make sure your getting the best care. I hate when a Dr. asks  us to call him and remind him that we're his patient. Keep posting, the best to you!!!

[moonpearl]

well my gastroenterolgist said that I got a fatty liver.  And diet to heal or stop progress of it.  I to go back in 6months for sonicgram and blood work.  And as for my henia. If I dont heard from him to call in 2 weeks.  To see what Bayor liver hostipal says about sugerial on it.   All other blood works he say looks good.  You know all my life I have been told that I need to lose weight.  Like everyone been on diets and off.  Was told when I will lose that baby fat and never did.  So I am now serious about losing it.  

[Xtien]

My boyfriend has PORTAL HERTENSION.  The vein near his belly button is painful & swells.  His doctor is very vague & acts like all my questions are causing Ricky stress. Ricky asked me to ask. He takes NADOLOL once a day for the high blood pressure to keep the blood flowing slower thru the veins. He has lost 45 pounds. Weighs 131 now. Bony & gaunt looking.  No questions hv been answered other than... There's nothing we can do & no stress & his liver is in the mid range and that was vague.
~~~~

[moonpearl]

Thank you Randy I will know the results of the 17 appointment of april. I have non alcohol cirrhosis, no hepatitis all negative. So I am hoping to find out what cause it.  But with family I did found out that My grandfather never knew the guy. Die with cirhosis of the liver and didnt drink. So could this be a gene.  If so It is not fair .  So that One or two drink is deadly for me.  My Ast are normal but my Alt are high. Well keep eveyone posted.  

[emeraldjasperthrone888]

thank you Randy for sharing your knowledge to the community.  I am new  to MedHelp and really appreciate you comment to moonpearl.  Best wishes to you moonpearl and hope you keep us posted.

[Dee1956]

Randy, really good explanation, thanks so much

Moonpearl I wish you the best, hope they can help you.

[ChrisDDD]

Thank you for this wonderful explanation, easy to understand and informative.  Sometimes it's hard to get good explanations.  :)

[Advocate1955]

Thanks for replying Randy.  It sounded like a serious bleed and I figured it must be umbilical varices, but I wasn't sure.  Moonpearl, best wishes to you.  I hope that your gastroenterologist will refer you to a hepatologist in a liver transplant center, so that your care can be monitored by the right kind of specialist.  There are medications that can be prescribed to help reduce your portal hypertension and procedures that can be done to help prevent another bleed.  Keep us posted moonpearl.
Advocate1955

[rpooo]

Portal hypertension is an increase in the blood pressure within a system of veins called the portal venous system. Veins coming from the stomach, intestine, spleen, and pancreas merge into the portal vein, which then branches into smaller vessels and travels through the liver. If the vessels in the liver are blocked due to liver damage, blood cannot flow properly through the liver. As a result, high pressure in the portal system develops. This increased pressure in the portal vein may lead to the development of large, swollen veins (varices) within the esophagus, stomach, rectum, or umbilical area (belly button). Varices can rupture and bleed, resulting in potentially life-threatening complications.

The most common cause of portal hypertension is cirrhosis of the liver. Cirrhosis is scarring which accompanies the healing of liver injury caused by hepatitis, alcohol, or other less common causes of liver damage. In cirrhosis, the scar tissue blocks the flow of blood through the liver and slows its function.

The onset of portal hypertension may not always be associated with specific symptoms that identify what is happening in the liver. But if you have liver disease that leads to cirrhosis, the chance of developing portal hypertension is high.

The main symptoms and complications of portal hypertension include:
Gastrointestinal bleeding marked by black, tarry stools or blood in the stools, or vomiting of blood due to the spontaneous rupture and hemorrhage from varices.
Ascites (an accumulation of fluid in the abdomen).
Encephalopathy or confusion and forgetfulness caused by poor liver function.
Reduced levels of platelets, blood cells that help form blood clots, or white blood cells, the cells that fight infection.

Umbilical varices are very rare and only affect about 9% of cirrhotic individuals. It sounds like your gastroenterologist is on the right track and taking good care of you although if you have advanced cirrhosis I highly recommend you register with a transplant center in your area. This does not mean you need a transplant only that you will receive the best treatment available despite your gastro doctors good intentions. Cirrhosis needs to be treated by a Hepatologist.

I hope this helps you out and please feel welcome to post anything further.

Advocate thank you so much for bumping this post! :)

Randy

[Advocate1955]

Hi moonpearl,
How are you doing this week?  I know that you're scheduled for your upper and lower GI testing this week (is that an endoscopy and a colonoscopy?).  Have you received any more information about what might be going on and why you had that severe bleeding?
Once you find out some more, I would suggest that you find a hepatologist.  A gastroenterologist can help diagnose and deal with the immediate situation, but in the long run, since they have already diagnosed advanced Cirrhosis, you will need to be under the care of a hepatologist.  You can usually find a hepatologist in a liver transplant center in a large research based university medical center.
Also, wanted to bump your thread up to the top to see if Randy or any others with more knowledge of advanced Cirrhosis and bleeding can respond to this.
Advocate1955

[moonpearl]

yes i thought they would put me in the hospital,  but no. I do have abdominal swelling after I eat.  No swelling in my feet or ankles or lower legs. I have been working on lite duty for the last month. I am going have that upper and lower GI. done of the 28.  As for fogetfulness just what I have all my life.  lol No other bleeding from any where.  I was told by the gastogalist that I was rare. He never seen this to someone.  But when he looks inside I guess we will know more I hope. I am not to lift 10 pounds until he knows more.

[Advocate1955]

Wow, this sounds like a pretty serious situation.  I'm hoping someone with more expertise than me will respond quickly to your question.  Are you still in the ER?  Will they be admitting you to the hospital?  Do you have any abdominal swelling or edema in your feet or ankles or lower legs?  Do you have any mental confusion, forgetfulness, or disorientation?  Have you evern had any other bleeding, such as bleeding from the esophagus or blood in your stools?
Wishing you the best, keep us posted, and hopefully someone else on this forum will chime in with a response.
Advocate1955