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Liver transplant - Let's support each other

Transplants | Last Active: 2 days ago | Replies (1617)

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@jackie421blfdgurl

This is for transplant patients. I am a liver transplant 2yrs.i take tacrolimys. My Dr. Has me do blood every 3 mos. To ck everything. MRI and CT every 4 mos.- 6mos.sibce I have a new liver and other organs seem fine why can't I have a glass of wine maybe once a week...I don't smith or do drugs ..never been a drinker but do occasionally like a glass of wine or a glass of cold beer...can anyone answer that!

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Replies to "This is for transplant patients. I am a liver transplant 2yrs.i take tacrolimys. My Dr. Has..."

Hi Jackie, The question about alcohol is especially important for us with a liver transplant. Your doctor has said "no" and there is a good reason why, even though your other organs are doing well, and you are having routine labs.
It is unfortunate that many people assume that alcoholism is the reason for all liver diseases. That is not true. My understanding is that alcohol (as well as some over-the- counter meds and supplements) are/can be toxic to the liver which is your body's filtration system.
Your new liver is happy right now, and you want to keep it happy. To do that you have to proactively take care of it by taking your immunosuppressant meds, getting routine labs and tests, and avoiding anything that will put added stress on it like alcohol.
When I was first diagnosed with liver disease 18 years ago, my PCP thought that an occasional beer or glass of wine would be okay. However my GI, said, "No" because, knowing that alcohol was toxic and that my liver was struggling, there was NO safe amount. He said that risk of tipping the scale toward liver failure was just too big of an issue, and that there was no measurement for a 'safe' amount. This message has been repeated by my early transplant team and my current Mayo Team.
For liver patients it is a standard, however with some other organs it is different. I have a liver and a kidney and I have a No Alcohol protocol. In fact, after y 10th anniversary check-up, I asked the attending Kidney Doctor, what I needed to do to live for another 10 years. His reply: 1) Take your medications; 2) Get your routine Labs; 3) No Alcohol.

Here is a good discussion that is filled with ideas:
-Celebrating without alcohol
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/celebrating-without-alcohol/

jackie NEVER drink any alcohol please doctors find out this and if you need second liver transplant you are not a good choice when you even wash your mouth with Listerine