Another transplant evaluation question

[Guest guest]

Hi again everyone. I'm going to the UAB transplant center on 10/20 to

start the evaluation process for a liver transplant. I set the

appointment up today with the transplant coordinator, but she said

something that really concerned me. When I first went to the GI doc

after my first tests showed elevated LFT's, alk phos and bilirubin, he

asked about any alcohol and drug use. Well, I've never been much of a

drinker, and I told him as much. But, before I started to get treated

and evaluated for my PSC, I smoked weed occasionally, maybe once or

twice a month, if that. Mostly just for fun with friends at a party,

and that was pretty much it. Since I found out that I had all of

these health problems, tho, I have completely stopped all substances

and focused on keeping my liver and the rest of my body healthy. The

note in my chart noted occasional marijuana use, but did not have a

date of last use. Because of this, when I go to UAB in a couple of

weeks, I'm going to go through all of the tests for transplant

evaluation except a neuropsychological evaluation, and I'm not going

to meet with the transplant surgeon on this first day. One of the

tests is, of course, a drug screen, as the center requires six months

of abstinence. Well, I have abstained for at least that long for

alcohol and marijuana, and I have no doubt that my drug screen will be

clean. And when that's back, I will meet with the transplant surgeon

and have my neuropsych evaluation and complete the evaluation.

However, this is just one more thing that I get to worry about now,

and it's making me kinda mad and really upset. I think part of it is

that I'm just mad about this whole thing in general and this gives me

something specific to pin my emotions on, but I'm mostly worried that

that little note in my chart is going to somehow predjudice me in

getting on the transplant list. Any advice? Am I overreacting? Help!!!

Larry (31), PSC 9/04, UC 10/04

[Guest guest]

Larry

hi, my husband Mike had his transplant this past may.......we live in Canada

so I don't know how the rules apply compared to the U.S.

Mike hasn't had a drink in over 20 years so alcohol was never really an

issue, but the last couple of years before his transplant he found it

increasingly important to have some sort of release, he did smoke pot on a

couple of occasions. We still laugh about it, first time he ended up

talking to himself and eating almost a lb. of cheese and the second time, on

xmas eve, he stayed in the basement all evening for fear somebody would

know.....he did mention it to the transplant coordinator when those

questions came up and basically she told him to stay clean - I don't think

occasional use would cause them to deny you a liver if you needed one, but

the way I see it, don't take any chances.....Mike just told them, he would

stay away from it and that was good enough for them.....

he was on the waiting list for 7 months......and he hasn't touched anything

since getting his liver and doesn't plan on it......

take care and good luck

Patti

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>Reply-To:

>To:

>Subject: Another transplant evaluation question

>Date: Wed, 06 Oct 2004 19:38:02 -0000

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>Hi again everyone. I'm going to the UAB transplant center on 10/20 to

>start the evaluation process for a liver transplant. I set the

>appointment up today with the transplant coordinator, but she said

>something that really concerned me. When I first went to the GI doc

>after my first tests showed elevated LFT's, alk phos and bilirubin, he

>asked about any alcohol and drug use. Well, I've never been much of a

>drinker, and I told him as much. But, before I started to get treated

>and evaluated for my PSC, I smoked weed occasionally, maybe once or

>twice a month, if that. Mostly just for fun with friends at a party,

>and that was pretty much it. Since I found out that I had all of

>these health problems, tho, I have completely stopped all substances

>and focused on keeping my liver and the rest of my body healthy. The

>note in my chart noted occasional marijuana use, but did not have a

>date of last use. Because of this, when I go to UAB in a couple of

>weeks, I'm going to go through all of the tests for transplant

>evaluation except a neuropsychological evaluation, and I'm not going

>to meet with the transplant surgeon on this first day. One of the

>tests is, of course, a drug screen, as the center requires six months

>of abstinence. Well, I have abstained for at least that long for

>alcohol and marijuana, and I have no doubt that my drug screen will be

>clean. And when that's back, I will meet with the transplant surgeon

>and have my neuropsych evaluation and complete the evaluation.

>However, this is just one more thing that I get to worry about now,

>and it's making me kinda mad and really upset. I think part of it is

>that I'm just mad about this whole thing in general and this gives me

>something specific to pin my emotions on, but I'm mostly worried that

>that little note in my chart is going to somehow predjudice me in

>getting on the transplant list. Any advice? Am I overreacting? Help!!!

>

>Larry (31), PSC 9/04, UC 10/04

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[Guest guest]

Larry,

I went through the same anxiety before my evaluation. I had done some

heavy drinking off and on and even some pot use years earlier. Had not

done any drinking whatsoever for at least 12 yrs and not pot for 20+. Like

you this did not make me feel any better about the evaluation, but, I

discovered that I was overreacting. They will ask you about your history in

fine detail, but there is a great differance in the past and what your

current lifestyle is. They are experts in detecting whether someone is

lying to them and they take blood tests to check anyway. There is also a

zero tolerance policy about alcohol and drugs and they will do random

checking. I tested positive once and it scared the crap out of me. I was

so worried about the test, before the false positive that I wouldn't even

take tylenol. My test had been done elsewhere so they retested at their lab

and it was ok. WHEW! So, mad and upset are understandible emotions as long

as you keep in the back of your mind one thing. Whatever it Takes. Tim L

Another transplant evaluation question

>

>

> Hi again everyone. I'm going to the UAB transplant center on 10/20 to

> start the evaluation process for a liver transplant. I set the

> appointment up today with the transplant coordinator, but she said

> something that really concerned me. When I first went to the GI doc

> after my first tests showed elevated LFT's, alk phos and bilirubin, he

> asked about any alcohol and drug use. Well, I've never been much of a

> drinker, and I told him as much. But, before I started to get treated

> and evaluated for my PSC, I smoked weed occasionally, maybe once or

> twice a month, if that. Mostly just for fun with friends at a party,

> and that was pretty much it. Since I found out that I had all of

> these health problems, tho, I have completely stopped all substances

> and focused on keeping my liver and the rest of my body healthy. The

> note in my chart noted occasional marijuana use, but did not have a

> date of last use. Because of this, when I go to UAB in a couple of

> weeks, I'm going to go through all of the tests for transplant

> evaluation except a neuropsychological evaluation, and I'm not going

> to meet with the transplant surgeon on this first day. One of the

> tests is, of course, a drug screen, as the center requires six months

> of abstinence. Well, I have abstained for at least that long for

> alcohol and marijuana, and I have no doubt that my drug screen will be

> clean. And when that's back, I will meet with the transplant surgeon

> and have my neuropsych evaluation and complete the evaluation.

> However, this is just one more thing that I get to worry about now,

> and it's making me kinda mad and really upset. I think part of it is

> that I'm just mad about this whole thing in general and this gives me

> something specific to pin my emotions on, but I'm mostly worried that

> that little note in my chart is going to somehow predjudice me in

> getting on the transplant list. Any advice? Am I overreacting? Help!!!

>

> Larry (31), PSC 9/04, UC 10/04

>

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