Liver transplant - Let's support each other

Posted by lmctif @lmctif, Oct 29, 2018

What topics do people who are waiting for a liver transplant want to talk about? Who has had a liver transplant and wants to talk about?

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

@kltchrmn

@jim1208
I’m at Mayo Rochester. I just started year three on the list. My MELD has been all over the place from my current 11 to 26. At my last check up my doctor stopped my driving due to “overt signs” of Encephalopathy. I have been on medical disability through my employer since January 2nd. Luckily I live in the twin cities and attend a weekly support group for people pre- and post-transplant at the U of M. A little harder now I’m not allowed to drive. I have no idea how long it will be before I’m eligible for transplant.

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Interesting to me that your Doctor diagnosed encephalopathy without a blood test. I had one incident that scared me. I was due for a parasytethis and my temperature went up to 106. I had a momentary black out. Wrote memory took over and I made it home. That day I went in to get drained and they tested for haptic Encephalopathy. Negative. Must have been the fever. Has anyone made it to Meld 40 without being on the transplant list?

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@gaylea1

@kltchrmn my license was suspended Dec 2016 for the same reason. The doctors just signed the forms today to reinstate my license at our ministry of transportation. I lived in a fairly rural area - no buses and taxis were expensive to get into the city. I was literally imprisoned at home all that time. Got pretty lonely stuck in the house day after day, month after month and being ill and waiting for the "call". I can't wait to get my license back!

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That is a big milestone for you, @gaylea1. This has been one big rollercoaster year for you.
Be careful driving. When I returned to driving after my transplant and recovery, I learned that distractions became a problem for my focus. Even today, I find that I need quiet in my car.

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@jim1208

Just seems like its never gonna get worse or better. Frustrating

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The doctor told me not to drive since I was impaired. I have been dizzy since my ammonia levels went up. My own ammonia levels were so high that I had to go to the ER.

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@livertrex

The doctor told me not to drive since I was impaired. I have been dizzy since my ammonia levels went up. My own ammonia levels were so high that I had to go to the ER.

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Hi, @livertrex, and Welcome to Connect. I am happy that you have chosen to participate by sharing your experience. Before my transpant, I did not have HE, but I did not drive because I becamem physically too sick. My husband, who was retired, was my caregiver and my driver when I needed to go somewhere. That was 10 years ago.

How are you getting along since the HE episode? Are you waiting for a liver transplant?

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@kltchrmn

@jim1208
I’m at Mayo Rochester. I just started year three on the list. My MELD has been all over the place from my current 11 to 26. At my last check up my doctor stopped my driving due to “overt signs” of Encephalopathy. I have been on medical disability through my employer since January 2nd. Luckily I live in the twin cities and attend a weekly support group for people pre- and post-transplant at the U of M. A little harder now I’m not allowed to drive. I have no idea how long it will be before I’m eligible for transplant.

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@kltchrmn, Waiting for a transplant is a true test of patience. I think that you are most fortunate to be a patient at Mayo. And you are fortunate to be so near to a support group! I live in Kentucky, and there is no support group here, I felt completely alone when I was developing liver failure. I was flown to Mayo from ICU where I did live for a while and receive my transplant. When I returned home afterwards, I began looking for someone to talk to, that is when I found Mayo Connect.
@kltchrmn, What kind of things do talk about in a support group?

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@rosemarya

@kltchrmn, Waiting for a transplant is a true test of patience. I think that you are most fortunate to be a patient at Mayo. And you are fortunate to be so near to a support group! I live in Kentucky, and there is no support group here, I felt completely alone when I was developing liver failure. I was flown to Mayo from ICU where I did live for a while and receive my transplant. When I returned home afterwards, I began looking for someone to talk to, that is when I found Mayo Connect.
@kltchrmn, What kind of things do talk about in a support group?

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I’ve learned so much. The group noticed my trembling hands and suggested I look into lactulose. We have guest speakers sometimes. New transplant patients come while they’re still hospitalized. Caregivers ask a lot of questions. It’s so nice to be able to talk to and listen to a group that totally understand. We laugh a lot.

I’m very glad to be at Mayo and really like my team.

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@jim1208

Well I am 3 years sober now so I go to meetings, I sponsor men when I can and I have a sponsor. Talking about things helps some. I wish I would have seen this support group sooner. Thank you everyone for your kind responses!

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@luckonetj and @jim1208, I appreciate your sharing about sobriety, recovery and life. Did you know that there is an Addiction & Recovery group on Connect here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/addiction-recovery/

I would welcome your participation in that group.

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Thank you for the link!

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@rosemarya

That is a big milestone for you, @gaylea1. This has been one big rollercoaster year for you.
Be careful driving. When I returned to driving after my transplant and recovery, I learned that distractions became a problem for my focus. Even today, I find that I need quiet in my car.

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@rosemarya yes it has been a long 2 years for me but now I can look back and be thankful, grateful for where I am today. I remember members who told me to hang tight and that my time will come. Now I am advising others that the call will come. I never thought I'd get to this other side. Thank you for your guidance snd unfailing support ❤

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@rosemarya

Hi, @livertrex, and Welcome to Connect. I am happy that you have chosen to participate by sharing your experience. Before my transpant, I did not have HE, but I did not drive because I becamem physically too sick. My husband, who was retired, was my caregiver and my driver when I needed to go somewhere. That was 10 years ago.

How are you getting along since the HE episode? Are you waiting for a liver transplant?

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Yes, I am waiting.went to ER for this twice. Hard to work 40 hours a week. My last episode and ct scan they found tumor. I have had a tace procedure.it didn't work. Going through radiation now.

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