Cirrhosis Support Group
Cirrhosis is a consequence of chronic liver disease, most commonly caused by alcoholism and hepatitis C. Ascites is the most common complication of cirrhosis and is associated with a poor quality of life, increased risk of infections, and a poor long term outcome. Liver damage from cirrhosis cannot be reversed, but treatment can stop or delay further progression and...
I have been going to the same GI spclst for aprrox 5 yrs.. I don't know the stage I'm in how much of my liver is damaged.. he doesn't tell me much, at first i didn't question because I really didn't want to know (too scared) but now I find myself questioning the type of tx I am getting I don't even know if I qualify to be on transplant list.. my doc said he submitted the paper work to Mt Sinaid 3 times but states that he has not recvd a reply from them Imagin three times!! cld this be true .. I have been feeling soo weak for the past year or more I do not function like i used too had to stop working.. so hard to take care of my family :0(.. but I carry on I do the best I can If anyone is in the NYC area and can advise me of a good liver spclst to see I'd appreciate your inpute ... hugs and love to all .
god bless :0)
god bless :0)
of course is the Measure for Endstage Liver Disease.
Is the doctor you are seeing for your liver concerns a "liver specialist" or "transplant specialist" or is he a gastrointerologist who would have to refer you to someone else should you situation warrant?
It is unfortunate when our doctors won't share our protocol for treatment and seem happier by our being in the dark. That way, we don't ask questions that they perhaps, are not equipped to answer.
That is not a good thing to let go by indefinitely......you need to know.
My suggestion is to schedule an appointment with your treating physician and take someone with you to that visit and write down these questions that you need answers to. If you don't get enlightenment, then by all means, seek out a liver transplant specialist to check to see if your liver is decompensated or not and find out just where you stand.
As for his submitting paper work to Mt Sinaid several times; you need to know "what kind of paperwork" and how did he come up with the information to include on the paperwork. If he doesn't answer these questions for whatever reason, you need to find another doctor who will take the time to keep you informed.
I have been in your position so many times and have found it a losing proposition every time but I did not want to know the real answers and kept telling myself that if there was anything serious that the treating doctor would find it and seek out the proper care. Not necessarily the case as I found out.
Now, there are times that I leave the doctor's appointment without asking "all" the questions I really wanted to ask so have made a point of writing down the questions and handing the list to the doctor when I first go into the office and tell him that these are concerns I want addressed one by one. Remember, he is getting paid to take care of your medical need and therefore, works for you. Don't be intimidated and for sure don't think you will sound silly to ask a question. There is no such thing as a dumb question asked..........only dumb questions that never get asked. I do hope you find out what you need to know and will pray for you and your concerns. Hugs and prayers......CarolLentz