Esophageal Varices

[Berzerker]

Hello All,

I would greatly appreciate some input, I’m desperately seeking some answers, please help.
I'm scheduled for my 3rd Endoscopy banding April 10, 1st banding 6 were done, 2nd banding
5 were done. I called the doctors office yesterday asking how many were going to
be done this 3rd time and they said "at least 2 more". He said the 1st 11 were of the
larger variety. And yes he did mention that they'll probably need to be redone at
some point. When he found these Varices with the 1st initial scoping, he indicated that
I could never work out again. I can learn not to drink, but taking away my weights
I wasn't going to take lying down; weight training is my life. I went for a 2nd opinion
at one of my areas (Detroit) best hospitals, Henry Ford. The doctor I got to see (Stuart C. Gordon)
is one of Gastroenterology/Hepatology’s best in the country. He told me that how it is widely said that working out with weights will cause Varices to rupture is basically "urban legend".
He personally knows the doctor who originally wrote the paper; a doctor out of Yale
University in the 1960s. He did say that the banding should be done before I do any
weight training. Thank.

Sincerely,

Tim

P.S. Here are the doctor’s credentials that I got a second opinion from:

Specialties:
Gastroenterology
Location:
Henry Ford Hospital
Detroit, MI, 48202

Board Certifications:
American Board of Internal Medicine
American Board of Internal Medicine: Gastroenterology
American Board of Internal Medicine: Transplant Hepatology
Medical School Education:
Wayne State University
Post Graduate Training:
William Beaumont Hospital (MI) - Internal Medicine
William Beaumont Hospital (MI) - Gastroenterology
University of Miami School of Medicine (FL) - Gastroenterology/Hepatology
Clinical and Special Medical Interests:
Transplant hepatology; fatty liver disease; elevated liver enzymes; cirrhosis; Viral hepatitis (B and C); autoimmune hepatitis; primary biliary cirrhosis; primary sclerosing cholangitis; hemochromatosis; wilson's disease; variceal bleeding.

[Berzerker]

Thank you very much for taking the time and answering CalGal.
I appreciate it...

[CalGal]

I believe the answer to this may depend on the causative factors leading up to the varices. If the cause of the formation of the varices was due to portal hypertension - which is a kind of 'back up' of' of flow through the normal channels and an 'overflow' and increased pressure into other channels that lead to the ballooning and possible rupture of vessels in the esophagus - and the portal hypertension has not been addressed, then the addition of heavy exercise might not be in your best interest.

However if the varices are a result of genetics or other causes, then heavy exercise may not be contraindicated. But you really have to use your best judgement in which doc you believe. They are the final authorities.

If you decide to 'go' with the second opinion and continue your weight lifting, you may want to be checked a regular intervals just to put your mind at ease.