Liver Transplant nine years ago, restriction main artery to liver
I had my liver transplant on December 12 of 2015.
Now I have been told I have a restriction in my main artery to my liver. And have not been able to find out any information on this subject or how critical it is. Also, I have been suffering for nine years with anxiety and depression and still have not been able to find anything in a medical community psychological community For help
It seems there’s such a small minority of Liver Transplant patients as there’s only about 10,000 done a year, from what I’ve read in the medical community and psychological community is not the treatment for these kind of patience. They don’t understand side effects of the SSRI with the Tacrolimus and how to deal with the PTSD side having a transplant.
Nine years I’ve been Looking for some kind of quality of life and have not been able to find help.
And now things have become very complicated and hard to deal with because of this restriction from my main artery to deliver. Which usually happens within a three month period after transplant. Not nine years later. What could’ve caused this? What can be done? What is the prognosis? I have no clue! I’m lost and in dire need.
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@apachanga1, I would like to welcome you to Connect. I'm sad to read that you are experiencing a less that satisfactory life since your liver transplant in 2015.
I have not had any experience related to main artery restriction. I am concerned that whoever told you that you had a restriction in the main artery did not provide you with any details because the questions that you are asking are most appropriate ones.
While I can understand that our primary care physicians do not have the training to handle our (transplant recipients), I have had the good fortune to have a primary care doctor who is willing to work closely with my transplant team when it involves my immunosuppression and my transplanted organs (liver and kidney). I don't want to sound like I am pushing you aside, but I am a patient, and don't have any answers. While we wait for someone to share their related experience, I would like to ask you a few questions: Do you still have connection to your transplant team? Who has been monitoring your liver health since the transplant? and Who told you that you have the restrictioni on the artery? Do you have any pre-existing condition that could be acting up?
If I were in your position, I would go back to those doctors and get the answers that you are looking for. Make a list of the questions that you presented here, and make an appointment to talk to someone. Maybe you have someone who could go with you as a support and an extre set of ears.
@apachanga1, Do you have access to those doctors? What do you think about contacting one of them for an appointment?
I was asking if anybody has had to have the IR which is required with the restriction of the artery. I’m waiting to talk to an IR doctor. I’ve been waiting three or four weeks. So I’ve been simply asking if anybody has experienced this or not, and what Their experience was and what I might be in for.
I do all my due diligence, but this is a kind of situation where something like this happens two or three months after a transplant not nine years later. And I’m wondering why it’s happening now. This is why I’m asking the community. Has anybody experience this and what the outcome would be and what the prognosis would be. Once again, I have not been able to talk to the IR doctor at this time. But the more information I can have the better. So simply put, I’m looking for someone that may have experienced this or known somebody that has or has more information.
Also, I’m wondering if I really need a Transplant doctor doing the IR or a regular IR doctor can do this procedure. Which has been a question in my mind if something does happen while the procedure is being done putting in the balloon and stent in the artery.
@apachanga1, I hope that you will ask these questions to the specialist who will be in charge. As for involvng the liver transplant team - yes and no. Yes - they should nbe notified and involved if necessary, but at least they and the IR should communicate because of your transplant history and your immunosupression medications. Several members who have had knee replacements have involved the transplant team for that reason. No - because they probably do not need to be involved in the actual procedure.
When is your next appointment? Has the procedure been scheduled? Do you know if being a liver transplant recipient adds the need for any extra precautions?