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.

@gaylea1

@joanaiken I didn't realize there could be levels of being immunosuppressed? I thought either you are your not. As best as I know I am completely immunosuppressed. As for the ERCPs they told me that they don't put people all the way out. That we have to be conscious the whole time. I always ask to be put out but they won't do it.

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I guess that was a silly question. We are all immunosuppressed based on our responses to medications/ labs. Propofol is used for sedation during procedures. I had it when I had cataract removal and still felt aware but completely sedated. It is also frequently used pre induction of general anesthesia. When I had the ERCPs, I don't remember being aware. So much to learn ! And we all have some interesting experiences.

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@stella25

My son has had 5 ERCPs in the last 2 years. They always give him anesthesia. He has never experienced a problem with any of the procedures. He is always prescribed an antibiotic to avoid infections, pancreatitis, etc.

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That sounds like a good precautionary measure to prescribe antibiotics. I never was post ERCP, but I did not have as many in that period of time.

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@gaylea1

@joanaiken my ERCP is scheduled for March 16th. I hope it doesn't mean another week in the hospital.

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Sending you positive vibes and healing thoughts. I now have an ERCP scheduled for March 18th. I wonder if antibiotics would help you ?

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@gaylea1

@joanaiken are EGDs the same as ERCPs? I'll have to look it up. I always tell the nurses about the sedation but they say that they give me the maximum I can have. Unfortunately I have been on so much pain medication that I seem immune to it. I need a stronger dosage than most people. Go figure? My main concern is the pancreatitis. That takes morphine, demerol, and trazadone with Tylenol in between. Most are delivered via IV or a shot in the butt. For the ERCP they give you a muscle relaxant and a numbing throat spray. That's all. I'm just past my one year anniversary and it's been quite a ride!

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EGD = esophagogastricduodenoscopy. ERCP= endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram EGD is more for looking at the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. I had multiples of these when I had bleeding esophageal varices. This is more of an upper GI exam. The ERCP goes down further and can look at the liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts. The first year IS quite the ride as your new organ settles in and your docs find the right combination of meds. Sorry about the need for strong pain meds. Maybe write down all of your concerns prior to the procedure and discuss with the transplant team.

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@joanaiken

Sending you positive vibes and healing thoughts. I now have an ERCP scheduled for March 18th. I wonder if antibiotics would help you ?

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@joanaiken what they told me that when an ERCP is done there is always a chance of the disturbment or movement against the pancreas which can lead to the pancreatitis. It's not infection it is a physical act which disrupts the pancreas. As I'm have a bile duct stent removed ( or replaced) the chance of this is very high.

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Ohhhh. So sorry. I hope this upcoming one goes more smoothly.

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@gaylea1

@joanaiken are EGDs the same as ERCPs? I'll have to look it up. I always tell the nurses about the sedation but they say that they give me the maximum I can have. Unfortunately I have been on so much pain medication that I seem immune to it. I need a stronger dosage than most people. Go figure? My main concern is the pancreatitis. That takes morphine, demerol, and trazadone with Tylenol in between. Most are delivered via IV or a shot in the butt. For the ERCP they give you a muscle relaxant and a numbing throat spray. That's all. I'm just past my one year anniversary and it's been quite a ride!

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As I understand it, during an ERCP they can look at bile ducts and pancreatic ducts in a retrograde fashion from the duodenum. In an EGD, the duodenum is visualized, but the main thing they look at is all of our varies and see if any are bleeding. If you have more info or different info, I am open to all advice. I guess like many, I’m just praying to be put on a list. I’m already past that point but no one is receiving proper care where I’m at.

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@gaylea1

@jeanne5009 with the ERCP they only give you a muscle relaxant and numbing throat spray. They won't put you out...believe me I've asked. It's brutal!

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I have had ERCP's at 3 different locations. And each time I was given an IV sedation. Propofol is the name that stands out in my mind. However whatever I had for my early ones at 1st location left me feeling nauseous the entire next day.
Always, it was my doctor and anesthesist who had the final say in how I would be sedated.
@gaylea1, I hope you have a better experience this time.

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While I have never had an ERCP, I have had many EGDs to have varices banded. They do them under Verced, but I never tolerated it well so I was put completely under with Propophol. Never a problem after that.

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@jeanne5009

@ please tell them to make sure you are out..
I know they don't want you to have any more anesthesia than necessary but that is ridiculous! Happened to me once with an EDG...awful!!! Have one next Mon. I will be telling them and thinking of you.
...

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Just please tell them that you have issues with versed. This is what they typically to use. It is "consciese sedation" which means you will be awake but you won't remember anything. I always go full sedation with propophol. They don't like to do that because you an anesthesiologist, but it makes it far more comfortable.

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