Bruce, Leanne

[Guest guest]

My doc recommended Nashville or St. Louis. But, unfortunately, I was

turned down for a transplant. They said no because of Bipolar

Disorder. Not sure why that is? Hope everyone is having a great

day. Well wishes for those that aren't feeling well. Leanne, glad

you got medicine.

Shirley

[Guest guest]

Shirley

I also expect my history of mental illness might exclude me from

transplant consideration. However, my understanding is that they go on

the basis of current status, but it could be different with bipolar.

Did you actually ever go to either center? I ask because it seems a lot

of doctors calling or making assumptions and people getting turned away

without being seen or talked to, when the center itself should be

making the decision and makes it based on individual evaluation.

Now. as to why bipolar may well be a major issue, the entire process is

mentally very tough, but the medications required post-transplant would

be a significant concern, especially prednisone. Have you ever tried

prednisone for your PF and, if so, were your mental health doctors able

to control your bipolar with it successfully? I was told that they

might require me to use prednisone before to see if I could tolerate

its mood swings. But, again, I haven't actually met with the center yet.

I don't know how satisfied you are with your current doctor. But,

you're quite eligible to be seen in the ILD Clinics at either Nashville

or St. Louis and I sure think it would be worth a trip sometime just

for reassurance to go to one for a second opinion and thorough testing.

It's like my planned trip to Chicago. Even if I don't end up qualifying

for the sildenafil study, I feel that having a complete, independent

diagnosis and evaluation by one of the best groups there is will be

more than worth my time and effort. They may strictly confirm word for

word what I've been told already and, if so, fine. But they may have

something different to say. Who knows. I do know that the ILD centers

at any of the 13 Centers of Excellence have more expertise than either

of the single doctors I've seen.

>

> My doc recommended Nashville or St. Louis. But, unfortunately, I was

> turned down for a transplant. They said no because of Bipolar

> Disorder. Not sure why that is? Hope everyone is having a great

> day. Well wishes for those that aren't feeling well. Leanne, glad

> you got medicine.

> Shirley

>