MELD score goes up and down, does anyone else have this?

Posted by azkellyw @azkellyw, 5 days ago

I've been on and off the waiting list for twelve years now with no transplant as of today. My MELD score doesn't stay stable long enough to remain on the waiting list for the last two years. It jumps between 20 to 8. Yesterday's labs show it's back to 8. I need several other surgeries once the transplant is healed but I just can't get there. My heptologist at Mayo called it MELD purgatory as I have all the crummy parts of needing a transplant without having one. I'd be glad it was low if I didn't need so many other issues fixed; degrading discs in my lumbar needs fusing, collapsed nasal passages needs balloon surgery, pinched nerve in my neck on going nerve studies to determine best way to correct, carpel tunnel release both wrists (second time) and shoulder correction. I'd like to get these fixed since my quality of life is in decline but I'm stuck with the low MELD. It's too low for any exception points to make a difference. Does anyone else have an irratic (or have had) MELD scores? I'm getting discourged and feel like ditching the whole thing.

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@azkellyw, My own MELD was steady for years, then began a steady decline that made me eligible to be referred to a transplant center. Then for me, it dropped rapidly. Primary Schlerosing Cholangitis (PSC) was the cause of my liver failure and the resulting transplant.

Here is some information about MELD score. I hope that it provides some information that applies to your situation. We are all different, and our MELD scores seem to sometimes have a mind of their own.
- Liver Transplantation: Understanding the MELD Score
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/transplant/newsfeed-post/liver-transplantation-understanding-the-meld-score/
This is a discussion in which other members share their MELD scores.
- MELD Score went down
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/meld-score-went-down/
Azkellyw -You are welcome to jump right into the conversation.

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I've never drank. It's not alcohol related. That's a stigma.

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My numbers often go up and down depending on how much or how abstinent my alcohol use is. Do you binge drink or eat or something else that may account for it? An "8"? That's AWESOME!!

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You may want to have any procedures done pretransplant. I think the recommendations are to wait at least a year post transplant for any procedures or even back injections. The risk of infections post is real.

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@mkhogan

I am curious why you can't proceed with other issues. Does blood labs, platelets, INR count interfere with you qualify for surgeries?

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Yes, platelets in the 20's and PT/INR at 12

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I am curious why you can't proceed with other issues. Does blood labs, platelets, INR count interfere with you qualify for surgeries?

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