Pre/post liver transplant with flu/cold

Posted by johnshaw @johnshaw, Nov 17, 2019

I have done so well that my liver doctor has me on 6 month labs to monitor my liver. So far so good, yet I know down the road I will need a transplant . . Several days ago, I developed a severe cold. High fever coughs chest congestion. Being immune compromised I have stayed away from ibuprofen, Motrin, and Advil. Finally called the nurse advice line. They allowed me to take Motrin, which has helped with this fever. What do other patients pre and post transplant to deal with this. I had this cold 4 days now and if I didn’t get better they were going to hospitalize me.

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Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Nov 17, 2019

@johnshaw, You are indeed blessed by your good results as you seem to be approaching a possible transplant. Keep up the good effort. It will be to your benefit both physically and mentally as you journey forward.

With my liver disease, both pre and post transplant, I was approved to take Tylenol, Sudafed, Robitussin, and Benadryl. And to stay within the recommended daily dosage of the plain - not combination - versions. (Unless my doctor approved)

When you called the Nurse advice line - Do you mean one connected with the liver team? Or a general /non specialty nurse line? If I may share a tip that I learned: The general nurse line is not always up on the complexity of liver disease and the specific needs. Please (if you haven't done so) contact your liver team or your PCP who knows your situation.

Other members have shared some information in - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-do-you-do-when-youir-temperature-goes-up-up-d/
I hope that by the time you read this, that you will be feeling better. Take it easy, rest, stay hydrated. Keep in touch.

JK | @contentandwell | Nov 17, 2019

@johnshaw I have not yet had a situation where I had to do something beyond acetaminophen for a fever. I did have a very high fever at one point and my transplant center had me come right in. I ended up being inpatient for a few days with Legionnaire's disease.
I would have liked to have been able to take ibuprofen after my knee replacement and after fracturing my femur but could not, and of course opioids are being administered very conservatively these days.
As @rosemarya mentioned, make sure you call the transplant team, or hepatologist since you are pre-transplant, not a different medical provider. My PCP himself would tell me to call them since he would not want to be responsible for recommending something that might be contrary to what they would want.
JK

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Nov 24, 2019

How are you doing, @johnshaw? Have you been able to get rid of the nasty cold?

johnshaw | @johnshaw | Nov 24, 2019

In reply to @colleenyoung "How are you doing, @johnshaw? Have you been able to get rid of the nasty cold?" + (show)

Well I’ve been ill now 12 days with fever cough lungs filled up. I am getting better, didn’t see my doc, and have been resting drinking water. Thanks for asking.

JK | @contentandwell | Nov 24, 2019

In reply to @johnshaw "Well I’ve been ill now 12 days with fever cough lungs filled up. I am getting..." + (show)

@johnshaw I hope that nasty cold gets better quickly. With all of the medical advances, it seems there is still not much that can be done for a cold! I guess it's low priority.
JK