1. < Transplants

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.

khh | @khh | Feb 28, 2020
In reply to @gaylea1 "@joanaiken are EGDs the same as ERCPs? I'll have to look it up. I always tell..." + (show)
@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!

Jump to this post

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.

REPLY
joanaiken | @joanaiken | Feb 27, 2020

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

REPLY
gaylea1 | @gaylea1 | Feb 27, 2020
In reply to @joanaiken "Sending you positive vibes and healing thoughts. I now have an ERCP scheduled for March 18th...." + (show)
@joanaiken

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

Jump to this post

@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.

REPLY
joanaiken | @joanaiken | Feb 27, 2020
In reply to @gaylea1 "@joanaiken are EGDs the same as ERCPs? I'll have to look it up. I always tell..." + (show)
@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!

Jump to this post

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.

REPLY
joanaiken | @joanaiken | Feb 27, 2020
In reply to @gaylea1 "@joanaiken my ERCP is scheduled for March 16th. I hope it doesn't mean another week in..." + (show)
@gaylea1

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

Jump to this post

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

REPLY
1 reply
joanaiken | @joanaiken | Feb 27, 2020
In reply to @stella25 "My son has had 5 ERCPs in the last 2 years. They always give him anesthesia...." + (show)
@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.

Jump to this post

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.

REPLY
joanaiken | @joanaiken | Feb 27, 2020
In reply to @gaylea1 "@joanaiken I didn't realize there could be levels of being immunosuppressed? I thought either you are..." + (show)
@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.

Jump to this post

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.

REPLY
gaylea1 | @gaylea1 | Feb 27, 2020
In reply to @stella25 "My son has had 5 ERCPs in the last 2 years. They always give him anesthesia...." + (show)
@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.

Jump to this post

@stella25 I guess I'm just not one of the lucky ones 😯

REPLY
gaylea1 | @gaylea1 | Feb 27, 2020
In reply to @joanaiken "I trust my Mayo liver team so much. I am a retired RN and have always..." + (show)
@joanaiken

I trust my Mayo liver team so much. I am a retired RN and have always been my own advocate and questioned treatments and conditions. With recent events, I have finally let go. Still paying attention and trusting them has decreased my stress levels so much. There may be issues with my bile ducts, so ERCP scheduled for March 18th. Sedation can be a wonderful thing ! LOL. My Mom has also expressed that she wish she had learned more about the internet. However she has low vision and I am her seeing eye daughter.

Jump to this post

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

REPLY
1 reply
gaylea1 | @gaylea1 | Feb 27, 2020
In reply to @joanaiken "Wow. I am so sorry to hear that !!!!! Pancreatitis 3 times is 3 times too..." + (show)
@joanaiken

Wow. I am so sorry to hear that !!!!! Pancreatitis 3 times is 3 times too many. I have had several ERCPs and was given Propofol. I was out the whole time and no bad after effects. I also had shingles 1 year post 2nd liver transplant. How immunosuppressed are you ?

Jump to this post

@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.

REPLY
1 reply
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.