Varies in the Esophagus

[wrecksm]

I am a 72 year old husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather suffering from Cirrhosis of the Liver.  This condition was diagnosed in 1994 0r 5 following the discovery of Hepatitis C.  It was suspected that I acquired the Hep. C as a result of a 1968 auto collision requiring a blood transfusion, as the blood screening was almost non-existant back then.  I however was a pretty heavy user of alcoholic products from age 20 to 39 years of age.  I completely went the dry road in 1972.  So I have always wondered if my Hematologist was really accurate.  I had a liver biopsy done that year of discovery revealing scaring.  Since the hep. C seemed to lay dormant at that time and for several years to follow, I chose not to take treatment.  Since the first of this year, my condition has worsend.  I have been fighting fluid retention, abdominal pain, diverticulosis, and other things associated with one in my condition.  Recent exams (colonoscopy, upper GI, a CT & EGD) revealed no cancer or polyps at this time.  The spleen is continuing to enlarge, and VARIES were discovered in my esophagus, which my specialist wants to check periodicly.  They are not too large at this point. I am hoping to have someone explain the sugnificance of VARIES and what part they play in an over all prognosis.  I am also having increasing HICCUPS, causing some difficulties and continue needing Ondansetron for my daily nausea.  I will thank you now for any replies.  My concerns are starting to get the best of me.
Rex

[new-sojourn]

Hey Rex, beleive me things could be worse and will probably get worse....

4 years ago I had a near fatal unstopable massive bleed from the varices.  I had like zero platletts and went into liver failure.  The doctor called my 80yr old bed ridden estranged mother to tell her that I would be dead by morning if not sooner.


i said, but I've never seen Paris.  I was then tested for hep c and dx for hep c and had it-had it since 1967-that blood transfusion thing. since I had no money or insurance and treatment was iffy, I went to Paris, came back and had an appointment w/a hep specialist in the big city.

I was a 2b, and trials for End stage liver diseasers was starting.  All my meds were from Schering-free-I cl'd by day 18!!  Being a 2b, I fin 24wks and have never looked back.

I'm in my late 50's.  I had minimal sx's which I handled w/otc's and medical marijuanna.

All these things I put down to aging  just disappeared.  I had been under tx for deep cronic clinical depression for years-deprression just gone.  I was so crippled up I walked all hunched over, couldn't sit w/o pain for any length of time, couldn't hold a pen or open a door--all gone!

My hair grew back dark and thick and curley-all grey all gone.  Cronic heartbrun-all gone. Extreme emotional reactions-almost all gone.  Still talk to dead people-that white light thing.

My last appointment showed a 'remarked improvment' in liver function, I've more than likely regressed a stage or 2.

B/regardlessly,  tx improved the quality of life-before I had no life in retrospect--I was just accomadating my growing list of ills.

I'm on no medication now.  I follow the dieatary guidelines and supplemental suggestions advocated by DR Andrew Weil and Dr Mellisa Parker, both have current, good books out.  I'm still dependent on books, not idle chatter and incomplete scenarios found on the .net.

I have friends who have met resistance form the VA about hepc treatments.  The attitude is, let'm die off-cheaper in the long run.  which is bs.  Why linger in hell for years when you can tx and have a life.  Would someone let their diabetes go untreated b/c they are over 70 and bound to die anyway?  I think not!

You owe it to yourself to have the best life possible.

I'm one of the people who successfully treated @ end stage.  I'm successfully living w/a very damaged liver.  I have to watch everything so my body stays in balance.

B/the habits I reinforced and started while on tx are the very habits all people should be living by.

So, here I am.  On the 4th anniversay of my near death experience, I'm 3 1/2 yrs clear.  I've had a fabulous 3 yrs.  I travel extensively, fully participate in family functions, have rediscovered the 'joie d'vie'.

I watch my diet to avoid encephalopathy-esp dairy-try to get my rest and exercise everyday.

Insist on treatment.  Quit living a half life and embracce a new day.

[jmjm530]

Hi Rex,

We talked a little before in your previous thread. BTW we usually suggest continuing the topic in the same thread (we're limited to how many new threads we can post a day) but for a 72- year old great grandfather with cirrhosis, I think you have earned the right for a new thread. :)

Alcohol cannot cause hepatitis c. What it can do is make the hepatitis c progress faster. So you probably did get the hep c in that 1968 blood transfusion.

Varisces are bleeding veins in the esophogus. They are indicative of cirrhosis. They should be monitored on a regular basis.

But most important of all, as some of us suggested in the other thread, we'd really like you to get another medical opinion if at all possible. The fact that one doctor or hospital can't offer you a treatment does not mean you can't find a doctor or hospital who won't treat you.

If finances are an issue, many of the larger teaching hospitals offer free trials, clinics and programs. I'd try to get a consultation at the largest teaching hospital in your area that has a transplant center. You may not qualify or need a transplant but it's best to go to a place that offers all services.

-- Jim