Liver transplant - Let's support each other

Sue, I have located a discussion in the autoimmune group.
Autoimmune Diseases > Psoriatic Arthritis
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/psoriatic-arthritis-257d5c/
Your friend can read thru the posts. I encourage him to join Connect as a member, because then he can actively participate by asking questions that relate to his concerns. He is also welcome to the Transplant group where some members have experienced other autoimmune related conditions that developd into organ failure. .
Regardless of the source/cause for liver failure, we all share similar fears, and symptoms. He is welcome to join us anytime. He does not need to be alone. And, Sue, you are also welcome. I admire your dedication to helping your friend.

@banzai Get on the phone and call whatever doctor is caring for your liver problems. It sounds as if you have extreme ascites. I did not have that until the last month prior to when I finally got my transplant but at that point, I gained 35 pounds from retaining fluid. I know some people have a procedure where the fluid is removed. I never had that.
Please take care.
JK

You're the best Rosemary - thank you so much for taking the time to do this. Thank you for your validation; however, you are the one who has done the legwork. You deserve a medal at the very least.

@rosemarya
Update on my itchy rash
After consulting my PCP and 2 dermatologists the conclusion is ecxema. It is just starting to phase out and I am hoping it continues that way. I have a collection of medications creams shampoos etc and truly none of them gave me much relief. I also have had asthma flare ups and I understand this goes along with eczema and liver disease. Does anyone have more info on how this all works and if they have any advice.

Also...the State of FL is working very hard with our Congressmen and our new Governor DeSantis to fix the environmental disaster with our waterways and Gulf. The red tide, microcystins and blue green algae have put a major dent in our tourism. We now know for sure that the microcystins are very harmful to the liver and that the airborne particles are far more prevalent than first discovered. We are now paying attention...much too late. The rest of the country is comparing notes with their waterways and hopefully we can all get the information we need to be aware of what is a very serious danger to us all...especially those of us with liver disease.

Hoping all of you had a great Valenine's Day!

Hi I am 18 months post liver transplant and struggling to keep it all together. I am physically fine, just emotional, anxiety, and depressed.
no drive left it seems.

michael

Michael, I want to welcome you to Mayo Connect. I am a transplant recipient, a patient like you. I congratulate you for the past 18 months of new life with your new organ. I don't believe that what you are experiencing is unique to liver transplant patients alone.
Have you discussed this with your medical team because it could be relted to mediciation or an underlying cause. Here is something from the Newsfeed that I want to share with you while we wait for others to drop in with their experiences: NewsfeedPost-Transplant Mental Health & Well-being: Q&A with Shelia Jowsey-Gregoire, M.D.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/transplant/newsfeed/post-transplant-mental-health-well-being-qa-with-shelia-jowsey-gregoire-m-d/
@danab, I know that you are a heart transplant recipient. Have you experienced any similar symptoms with your new transplant?

@fyrehoose Hi Michael and welcome to Connect.
Congratulations on your transplant. I had a liver transplant in September 2016 in Boston.
I’m sorry to hear you’re suffering from depression. Can you identify what may be causing it at all? As Rosemary commented, perhaps medications could cause it. I did not have depression but medications can affect each person differently. I do often feel sadness that a family is grieving, but I cannot change that, I can only pray for them. The article in the link that Rosemary sent is very good. I just re-read it to refresh my mind. I hope you can find some worthwhile strategies in it.
If your depression continues you should seek some help. I know many people find great success in counseling.
I will be thinking of you, and hoping that you will feel better soon.
JK

@fyrehoose Hello Michael. I had my liver transplant Nov 28 2018. I also am experiencing depression and anxiety. I believe most of it stems from all the complications I am experiencing post transplant. Ive had surgery twice and three procedures that have not worked leading me to severe pancreatitis and more time in the hospital than out. I keep hoping this will be over soon and I can start living again. Please talk to your doctors. They are there to help. Also support grom thus great Mayo Connect team will help keep you motivated. My thoughts are with you.

Hi @fyrehoose
It hurts to know you are hurting. Our whole community is here online to support you and listen. Your are brave to share your struggles and I have no doubt your bravery will help someone else who comes along in the future with your same concerns. I felt so bad at one point after transplant that I went in to my primary care dr. and told her how tired I was all of the time she was very understanding and referred me to physical therapy and it made a huge difference. Looking back it seems silly that I felt so guilty complaining to her, I guess I knew how lucky I was to have gotten a transplant and I didn't think I had the right to feel bad. You deserve good things, your deserve to feel good, who knows maybe your Dr. will find an easy fix like mine did something small like a change of meds, some PT, a few counseling sessions can make a world of difference. You deserve to feel good.

@gaylea1