I know I'm an RN and haven't practiced in 10 years,

[ZZTopRN, BSN, RN]

but what is embolization? I have been healthy all my life (breast fed kid) and have recently found out I have GAVE (Gastric antral ventral ectasia).

About 3 years ago, I just happened to be in my doc's office and my cbc revealed my hg was 6. I know I was feeling tired. No one ever told me why I continued to have slow bleeds with transfusions.

I have had about 3 stomach cauteries. Am scheduled again 1st of Sept. So I go monthly for cbc and Ferritin. Hg usually comes back to 10.5 to 11 with Carafate and iron supplements. Ferritin level was always about 14. I have been feeling quite well since my last cautery. However, was shocked when my internist left me a message that my hg was 10.3, ferritin was 5!!! She mentioned maybe I was bleeding from cauteries but have seen no evidence of black or tarry stools.

I understand this GAVE is otherwise called "watermelon stomach." Looks like I not only was not storing the iron, the Ferritin level was going down the tubes.

Anyone had any experience with this? I understand that only 2% of the population has this condition.

It is scary, I have never been sick in my life. After that Ferritin report today, I feel like it's going to be a round of Dr. visits, hematologists, etc. D...n. I feel kind of depressed. Really tired of this. I know there a much worse things, but????????

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

but what is embolization? I have been healthy all my life (breast fed kid) and have recently found out I have GAVE (Gastric antral ventral ectasia).

About 3 years ago, I just happened to be in my doc's office and my cbc revealed my hg was 6. I know I was feeling tired. No one ever told me why I continued to have slow bleeds with transfusions.

I have had about 3 stomach cauteries. Am scheduled again 1st of Sept. So I go monthly for cbc and Ferritin. Hg usually comes back to 10.5 to 11 with Carafate and iron supplements. Ferritin level was always about 14. I have been feeling quite well since my last cautery. However, was shocked when my internist left me a message that my hg was 10.3, ferritin was 5!!! She mentioned maybe I was bleeding from cauteries but have seen no evidence of black or tarry stools.

I understand this GAVE is otherwise called "watermelon stomach." Looks like I not only was not storing the iron, the Ferritin level was going down the tubes.

Anyone had any experience with this? I understand that only 2% of the population has this condition.

It is scary, I have never been sick in my life. After that Ferritin report today, I feel like it's going to be a round of Dr. visits, hematologists, etc. D...n. I feel kind of depressed. Really tired of this. I know there a much worse things, but????????

Embolization is the occlusion of vascular structures using percutaneous puncture (or catheter). A liquid or type of "particulate" matter will be utilized to: (1) tx hemorrhage (2) occlude AV malformations/fistulas (3) ablate tumors/organs.

[ZZTopRN, BSN, RN]

Embolization is the occlusion of vascular structures using percutaneous puncture (or catheter). A liquid or type of "particulate" matter will be utilized to: (1) tx hemorrhage (2) occlude AV malformations/fistulas (3) ablate tumors/organs.

I meant to post this on the previous thread about low H&H. I know this thread is about coronary nursing, not GI, but all the posts have been very interesting.

Thanks for your answer. I am wondering why my doc is not thinking about other methods as you mentioned. I am going to look up the things you mentioned above.