Lynn-transplant questions

[Guest guest]

Hi Lynn,

I had my transplant 4 1/2 years ago and I'm very

delighted with the results. The only surgeries I've

ever had previously were tonsils (As a child) and a

lapra-something (tubes tied) in the 70's. For me,

ignorance was bliss.

It was definitely well worth it, especially

considering the alternative. I had two choices - do

it or die.

It took me about 6 months to start to feel like myself

again. Some people are back to work in 2 to 3 months.

The way I feel about transplants is that you trade one

set of problems for another. On the down side, I have

to take an anti-rejection drug. I got high blood

pressure from the drug so I also take a blood pressure

pill. I have to be careful about bacterial and viral

infections. I used to be hyper and only needed 4 to 6

hours of sleep, now I need the full 8hrs. And there

are other fairly minor things that I'm not too

thrilled with.

On the up side - I'm not sick anymore, I have no pain

nor do I know of anyone with a liver tx who has liver

pain. I can pretty much eat whatever I want. I try

to watch the salt, sugar and high fats, but I would be

doing that anyway. Since the transplant I have been

white water rafting and horseback riding so I don't

feel physically limited. Even though I don't have the

energy level I used to, I have more than most people

my age (I'm 55) so I guess I shouldn't complain.

I was in very good physical shape and was sick with

symptoms for a very short time (2mos) so I had high

expectations of recovery. I do know people with other

types of liver disease who've been sick since they

were teenagers but didn't need a transplant until 40

years later. They are absolutely thrilled with their

transplants, so a lot depends on your perspective and

where you're coming from.

Transplants are really for those of us who will die

without one. Hopefully, there will be a cure for

liver diseases especially for people in our group,

before a transplant becomes a necessity...That's my

wish.

I would be happy to answer any other questions you

have, just let me know. Nothing's too personal.

Just curious, have your doctors spoken about a

transplant for you?

Barbara Ann

AIH Transplant Recipient

[Guest guest]

Thanks Barbara Ann, that helps me a bunch. No they haven't, he said when

the meds quit I have 2 years to get a liver, they would put me on the list

and would have about 2 years. Which I am going to have to ask him a lot

more questions now, that I have all of this info. I had been going along

just fine on the meds, but my count was " up " this time so I thought I better

start looking into it more. I had already read as much (which wasn't much)

that I could find, but most was on past experiences with transplants. So

now I am going to get more involved and find out what is going on.

I have had a lot of surgeries, for me anyway, and didn't know how I would

feel with one so major, is why I was wondering. It is heartening to hear

someone is happy and that I can talk to them about it. I am trying to get

my ducks in a row I guess, after all this time (4 or 5 years)so to speak!

Thanks so much, Lynn in Wa.

barbara ann wrote:

> From: barbara ann <barbara99ann@...>

>

> Hi Lynn,

> I had my transplant 4 1/2 years ago and I'm very

> delighted with the results. The only surgeries I've

> ever had previously were tonsils (As a child) and a

> lapra-something (tubes tied) in the 70's. For me,

> ignorance was bliss.

> It was definitely well worth it, especially

> considering the alternative. I had two choices - do

> it or die.

> It took me about 6 months to start to feel like myself

> again. Some people are back to work in 2 to 3 months.

> The way I feel about transplants is that you trade one

> set of problems for another. On the down side, I have

> to take an anti-rejection drug. I got high blood

> pressure from the drug so I also take a blood pressure

> pill. I have to be careful about bacterial and viral

> infections. I used to be hyper and only needed 4 to 6

> hours of sleep, now I need the full 8hrs. And there

> are other fairly minor things that I'm not too

> thrilled with.

> On the up side - I'm not sick anymore, I have no pain

> nor do I know of anyone with a liver tx who has liver

> pain. I can pretty much eat whatever I want. I try

> to watch the salt, sugar and high fats, but I would be

> doing that anyway. Since the transplant I have been

> white water rafting and horseback riding so I don't

> feel physically limited. Even though I don't have the

> energy level I used to, I have more than most people

> my age (I'm 55) so I guess I shouldn't complain.

> I was in very good physical shape and was sick with

> symptoms for a very short time (2mos) so I had high

> expectations of recovery. I do know people with other

> types of liver disease who've been sick since they

> were teenagers but didn't need a transplant until 40

> years later. They are absolutely thrilled with their

> transplants, so a lot depends on your perspective and

> where you're coming from.

> Transplants are really for those of us who will die

> without one. Hopefully, there will be a cure for

> liver diseases especially for people in our group,

> before a transplant becomes a necessity...That's my

> wish.

> I would be happy to answer any other questions you

> have, just let me know. Nothing's too personal.

> Just curious, have your doctors spoken about a

> transplant for you?

> Barbara Ann

> AIH Transplant Recipient

>

> ---------------------------