Hepatitis Forums
Advanced Liver Disease Main Forums => Advanced Liver Disease => Topic started by: Debula on August 13, 2015, 02:43:51 pm
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Hi all
I was wondering what the next step for me should be
Lately I have been having a lot of pain in my liver area that radiates to my back. It feels like my insides are inflamed and swollen so I am thinking maybe it is time to find out more about liver transplants. I know I am probably not at that stage yet but how does one go about getting on a list?
Does anybody know what the requirements are?
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It starts with a diagnosis of cirrhosis. If you aren't there, then you aren't anywhere near the listing process. If you are there, then ask your doctor to refer you to the closest liver transplant center for evaluation. Pain, in and of itself, is generally not a predominant symptom of end stage liver disease.
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Thanks for your reply. I have been diagnosed with cirrhosis . I will talk to my doc next time I see him. Glad to know that the pain may not be what I'm thinking.
Thank you for all that you do. If it wasn't for one of your articles I never would have found this forum :)
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Do you know your MELD score?
From what I understand you have to have a MELD of at least 12 and more likely 15 to even be on the liver transplant list depending on the transplant center and most people being transplanted have a MELD around 30.
That being said with having cirrhosis a liver transplant center is best equipped to follow patients with advanced liver disease so it is a good idea to get on the radar of a liver transplant center even if you are not to the point of needing a transplant. My liver doctor is part of a liver transplant center in Seattle.
Good luck
Lynn