This and That and Talk - My Transplant

@jodeej that's interesting that his nails seem stronger. I would think the two go hand-in-hand. My nails have always been weak though, not just after my transplant.
It seems that biotin has been recommended to many of us so more than likely they will say yes. I do always ask though. Sometimes I think the NP gets annoyed that I ask things like that, but too bad. From what I have read in her background info she is quite bright but to me she is the weak link in my transplant care, and everything goes through her.
JK

@rosemarya My PCP also has a "hands off" approach to anything that involves my transplant, and my transplant team has that same philosophy when it comes to anything that is not transplant related. I think they don't want to step on the toes of the PCPs perhaps.
JK

I think it must be a mutual respect for each other in doing their job well.

I had a frightening experience 13 months after my transplant, I don't think I have ever shared this here before, because it didn't come up anywhere.

One month after my successful 1st year checkup, I developed a terrible vomiting, diarrhea, overnight. I assumed that I ate something or had picked up something related to yard work the previous day, even though I wore gloves. As 8:00 AM approached I knew that I would not be able to take my medicines. My temperature began to rise quickly, and I began uncontrollable shaking, PCP sent me ER. I had developed sepsis. My GI was in communication with Mayo. After 2 nights locally, I was taken to the transplant center to receive next level care. The interesting thing was this: The transplant team at the Univ Louisville was also in contact with Mayo and was following their directions for my care. The Physician at Univ of Louisville, where I had been sent, told me that he would only operate on me if it was completely necessary (emergency or life/death). I think it was 5 days later, I was able to travel, my husband drove us to Rochester Mayo where they discovered that I need a surgical procedure. I found it comforting that my own transplant team took that kind of one-on-one approach, even at 750 miles away.
The physicians proved to me how well they can all work in a coordinated fashion when necessary.

@rosemarya My PCP also has a "hands off" approach to anything that involves my transplant, and my transplant team has that same philosophy when it comes to anything that is not transplant related. I think they don't want to step on the toes of the PCPs perhaps.
JK

My wife received a liver in Jan. of this year. Since then she has had to have stints put in to expand her bile duct. She is itching from head to toe and it's driving her insane(me also!). She takes frequent baths daily with baking soda and takes benadreyl which don't seem to help. Do others suffer from this and if so is there any relief for this? HELP!!

@rosemarya As well he should work you into his schedule right away. Thankfully, even tho he won't answer your transplant concerns, he understands your system is compromised. I'll be forever grateful to my nephrologist who took the extra steps to help me.
Ginger

@sholman459, Welcome to Connect. I am happy to meet you.

Prior to my transplant for PSC (Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis) a disease that affected to bile ducts, I suffered with severe itching for a period of time. If my memory serves me correctly, my itching was a response to bile in my system. I was not yet a patient at a transplant patient. My local GI prescribed a RX named Cholestyramine that offered some relief. Since you have mentioned that your wife has had stints inserted in her bile ducts, I wonder if this is something that is worth asking about.

Have you discussed this with her transplant doctor? Is this an ongoing problem? or Has it just recently started?

My wife received a liver in Jan. of this year. Since then she has had to have stints put in to expand her bile duct. She is itching from head to toe and it's driving her insane(me also!). She takes frequent baths daily with baking soda and takes benadreyl which don't seem to help. Do others suffer from this and if so is there any relief for this? HELP!!

I am glad that you are a determined self-advocate. This is an excellent reminder to all of us, because I feel that we are all bound to run into our own barriers along the way.

@sholman459, Has your wife tried Sarna Lotion? It is for itching and it is the one that worked best for me. I used to find it near the pharmacy counter, but that was at a small local pharmacy. I have seen it in the lotion section of stores like CVS, Kroger, Walmart. If you have time tonight, you might go out and buy a squeeze bottle, or maybe 2.
I hope she can get some relief.