Cirrhosis Support Group

Cirrhosis is a consequence of chronic liver disease, most commonly caused by alcoholism and hepatitis C. Ascites is the most common complication of cirrhosis and is associated with a poor quality of life, increased risk of infections, and a poor long term outcome. Liver damage from cirrhosis cannot be reversed, but treatment can stop or delay further progression and...

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Gastrointestinal System
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symptoms of a variceal bleed

rummi
rummi
Im sure somewhere along there are posted symptoms of a variceal bleed but I could not find them so I decided to ask. My boyfriend has cirrhosis and has diagnosed stage 1 espophageal and gastric varices. No ascites and no other symptoms but the varices. He has normal lab values, no hepatomegaly or splenomegaly, no jaundice etc.. Anyway I am always paranoid about being out with him because I fear a bleed. His last bleed was in 2004. What are the symptoms I should look out for when he is about to have a bleed? By the way he drank this past weekend after being sober for about 2 years. He got nautious but did not throw up. I asked him to tell me the color of his stools and to tell me if he vomitted. After a couple of days of nursing a hang over he managed to feel better. He drank plenty of water and ate lots of fruits and refrained from heavy foods and he did well. Hes fine now Thank God!
deleted_user
deleted_user
I am not a doctor but I was also diagnosed with stage one varices with my first endoscopy and my doctor said that put me at low risk for a bleed and that they did not even treat them at that stage. I asked him what the symptoms were if it got worse. He told me if I started bleeding to get to a hospital ASAP because I could die. I am not drinking and at my last endoscopy he said there were no varices. If he is still drinking I would worry that his varices would get worst. He should be worried if he starts bleeding and I would get him to a hospital immediately.

Jan
deleted_user
deleted_user
i also have had several endoscopies my last were not bleeding BUT I DO TAKE THEM VERY SERIOUS BECAUSE I ALMOST BLED TO DEATH FROM THEM ANY TASTE OF BLOOD I WANT TO PANIC MY ADVICE IS TOO NOT DRINK AN NOT GET UR HEART RATE UP SO HIGH THAT THE BLOOD PUMPS FASTER THAN IT SHOULD..COULD CAUSE A BLEED MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU
deleted_user
deleted_user
Agree with Jan and Lee. If he bleeds get him to the ER ASAP and tell them about the varices. I just had an endoscope and found varices in esophogus and gastric area. I am already on a beta blocker that is supposed to help. I guess if you have them you just have to be careful. MY doctor told me the same thing, you can bleed to death. Scarey stuff but I don't think there are symptoms to look for, just bleeding and if that occurs ER.
ChelseyAnn
ChelseyAnn
I agree with everyone above except that my doctor told me and my husband to look for things such as extreme fatigue, nauseau, extreme loss of appetite, abdominal pain, and fever and those could indicate a possible bleed. I realize sometimes those are everyday symptoms for alot of people, myself included, of just having cirrhosis (with the excpetion of fever). I was hospitalized for a severe bleed nearly two years ago and that is what led to my diagnosis. At my last endoscopy my doc said all of my varacies were "flat" and not to worry for the time being though we all know that anything is possible at any time. And yes, he does need to cut alcohol permanently from his life and right away. I'm also on a beta blocker to and low impact regimine for exercise so as not to exacerbate a bleed. Hope this helps a bit and you are in my prayers.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Good info thanks,
deleted_user
deleted_user
I agree with Chelsea on the symptoms of a possible bleed. I've had 2 friends that have passed away due to bleeds and their symptoms were as she indicated. Especially pain in the stomach and fatigue.
These were gastric varices that burst though...which cannot be banded. Not esophagal (sp?).

Of course, the best way to avoid any of it is for him to stop drinking.

*hugs*
Josi