1. < Transplants
Profile picture for azkellyw

Liver disease and emotions

Posted by azkellyw @azkellyw, Sep 17 1:34am

I've been trying to find the best way to write my question. I don't normally seek answers for emotional issues but things are progressing in that area.

I was wondering if anyone else pre-transplant that have had this condition for a long period of time have experienced a lack of emotions and no desire for physical connections with their spouse. My physical I'm only asking about simple acts like holding hands, hugs, kisses or just an arm around the shoulder.

I feel myself pulling away from all of these as I feel mentally drained from just getting through the rest of life each day and I have no room for anything else.

I was told by the Mayo psychiatrist that the encephalopathy can cause this even with medication. I've just not experienced it until the last five or six months. It doesn't bother my husband as he understands the stress all of this has had on me.

I've been on and off the TRX list for 13 years now and I'm just tired of the whole thing.

Can anyone relate?

Thx
KW

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Transplants Support Group.

Profile picture for pgruetz
pgruetz | @pgruetz | Sep 17 8:51am

You should be grateful you have someone right next to you my closest friend was a 1000 miles away I m a Christian which really helps like no end, didn’t have to wait for years 7 months from diagnosis to transplant 2 1/2 years ago I wish my partner was there 24/7 but she was there when she could the worst part is the recovery so get prepared for that I still am but I love being alive and my life, you really need to rethink what you’re doing it’s not healthy for you

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for azkellyw
azkellyw | @azkellyw | Sep 17 10:23am
In reply to @pgruetz "You should be grateful you have someone right next to you my closest friend was a..." + (show)
Profile picture for pgruetz @pgruetz

You should be grateful you have someone right next to you my closest friend was a 1000 miles away I m a Christian which really helps like no end, didn’t have to wait for years 7 months from diagnosis to transplant 2 1/2 years ago I wish my partner was there 24/7 but she was there when she could the worst part is the recovery so get prepared for that I still am but I love being alive and my life, you really need to rethink what you’re doing it’s not healthy for you

Jump to this post

Can you elaborate on what I need to rethink? After 13 years I don't believe there is anything that hasn't been revisited 100's of times. Some fresh input would be nice.

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for benedict66066
benedict66066 | @benedict66066 | Sep 17 10:56am

I completely understand how you are feeling. It sounds to me like you might be depressed, and with reason! I have had feelings of disconnection myself as I await transplant. I would say to just keep doing things together that give you real connection. Bless you.

REPLY
Profile picture for pgruetz
pgruetz | @pgruetz | Sep 17 11:59am
In reply to @azkellyw "Can you elaborate on what I need to rethink? After 13 years I don't believe there..." + (show)
Profile picture for azkellyw @azkellyw

Can you elaborate on what I need to rethink? After 13 years I don't believe there is anything that hasn't been revisited 100's of times. Some fresh input would be nice.

Jump to this post

Don’t think about when I found out I was told I had 5 days to live so I had zero time to dwell on it, I recommend not thinking about 24/7 after the transplant it’s worse just so you know

REPLY
Profile picture for tulsa72
tulsa72 | @tulsa72 | Sep 26 6:12pm

Pre transplant I had some emotional downs but on one of many short hospitalizations to get my ammonia levels back down, I saw the hospital psychiatrist who gave me a med to help my emotions level out.
At the time of my transplant I was down to about 10 percent liver function—or so I was told. That is just about 21 years ago! Even though we humans can handle a lot alone it helps if you have a little hand-holding, the right med, or a surprise human angel along this path.

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for Ginger, Volunteer Mentor
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Sep 26 9:57pm
In reply to @tulsa72 "Pre transplant I had some emotional downs but on one of many short hospitalizations to get..." + (show)
Profile picture for tulsa72 @tulsa72

Pre transplant I had some emotional downs but on one of many short hospitalizations to get my ammonia levels back down, I saw the hospital psychiatrist who gave me a med to help my emotions level out.
At the time of my transplant I was down to about 10 percent liver function—or so I was told. That is just about 21 years ago! Even though we humans can handle a lot alone it helps if you have a little hand-holding, the right med, or a surprise human angel along this path.

Jump to this post

@tulsa72 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect!

Congratulations on your liver transplant! 21 years is a long time. And you're so very right. We aren't meant to go it all alone. Knowing that someone cares makes all the difference.
Ginger

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.