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Cirrhosis - Liver Transplant Candidate?

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Posted 5/6/2018 11:35 AM (GMT 0)
A close relative has been sick for the past few months. Diagnosed with cirrohsis and resulting ascites. Non-malignant. Early 60's. He is overweight and drank heavily for many years. Had Hep C many years ago. Some memory loss now.

Awful ascites. Drained 3 times - first two times about 2 months apart and then 2 week interim. 17 liters first 2 times and 21 liters last week.

Stopped drinking since being diagnosed about 4 - 5 months ago and closely monitored salt intake.
Did not help with the ascites.

Filled out the paperwork for a liver transplant and cannot see that doctor for 6 weeks.

Questions:
1. Is it possible to continually get drained? Worried that he filled up again in just a 2 week period. The doctor told him there is nothing more he can do for the symptoms he is experiencing.
He is dizzy, legs feel weak, has trouble sleeping, had diarrhea after last draining a few days ago. Very depressed and verbally combative.

2. I read about qualifications for a liver transplant, but wondering how long it would take to get all the tests required and how he can prove he hasn't drank in the period mentioned above. He hasn't gone to AA meetings and I don't think he'll go because he is just too uncomfortable and can lucky walk to his car.

3. Is there any "guess" as to how long getting a new liver would take if he is approved?

Thank you for any information you may provide.
Posted 5/6/2018 6:15 PM (GMT 0)
Hi njtofl2 and welcome,
Sorry to hear about your relative. is your relative being seen at a transplant center?

in response to your questions:
yes he will be drained when necessary. has he been rxed a diuretic? With his combative behavior, has he been evaluated for HE(high ammonia levels). With the symptoms he has, I would discuss a diet with his dr., to eliminate sugar, as well as salt. Eliminating red meats and hard to digest foods.

He will need to go through a transplant evaluation. You have read the qualifications, including the sobriety poetion. He will not get approved without documented proof of sobriety. start a qualified AA program or rehab, that will give you the necessary documentation. Start the process now.. let your dr know you are starting.

He will be assigned a MELD score, that will place him on the TP list. But even if he qualifies by meld score, he will not likely be transplanted, till 6 months of documented sobriety.

let us know how things go
Posted 5/6/2018 8:40 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your input. I believe he has done all the items referred to in your Paragraph 2.

I'm so worried that since his visit with liver transplant doc isn't until 6/15 and then he'd have to get 6 months proof of sobriety starting soon, it may be possible that he may not live long enough for a transplant.

Wonder how many times one could get drained (21 liters last time!) before complications set in.

So worried.

Thanks for your input.
Posted 5/6/2018 9:18 PM (GMT 0)
Do you know his meld score? That will give you an idea where he is at. The state you live in will also determine the meld youre transplanted at. In California, patients may be transplanted at a meld of 35. In Arizona, you may be transplanted at a meld of 25..
Posted 5/6/2018 10:21 PM (GMT 0)
No. I will ask his wife though. They live in NJ.

Thanks again.
Posted 5/20/2018 7:38 PM (GMT 0)
My husband would get drained once a week usually 5 liters a week, also ask doctors about Lactalose it will help remove toxins in body through bowel movements.
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