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...

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DeniseAP 08/28/2009

My husbands GI recommended a Dr. Gordon at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington, MA. Dr. Gordon does not have any appts available until Dec. He can see a Dr. Zachariah in Sept. She must be new to this area because she is not listed on their website. Should I wait til then or schedule for Sept.

deleted_user 08/28/2009

Is it a consultation or an evaluation?

I guess how quickly you do things depends on how ill you believe he is. A transplant evaluation is a whole long series of tests, medical, psychological and financial to determine how appropriate your husband is for transplant. In my own case, because my MELD score was low (at 9) I had minimal tests and asked to reschedule for more tests 6 months later.

If, on the other hand he is on death's door, you may want to expidite things a bit :-)

Craig

DeniseAP 08/28/2009

It's for an initial consultation.

deleted_user 08/28/2009

Then if it was me, I'd get it done sooner rather than later - if only for peace of mind. Also it will give you a chance to learn a bit about what goes on and ask questions. Who's to tell which is the better doctor?

Craig

DeniseAP 08/28/2009

I'd rather get it done sooner.
I also sent ALB123 a message. He had his transplant done there.

deleted_user 08/29/2009

I agree. You don't say how sick he is. But, if they want a hepatology consult, sooner seems better to me than later. Did you ask the GI how urgent it was?

DeniseAP 08/29/2009

He was in the hospital end of June for an endoscopy, couldn't eat so his ammonia level went up so upped his lactulose 30cc 3x a day. Saw his PCP on July 1st. He had gained 10 lbs in 1 wk. Checked his weight every day. He started losing weight slowly. Went to GI dr. on July 20. So now aldactone 2x a day and lasix 1 1/2 pills 2x a day. Went for blood work 1 wk later, his potassium was up. Went back for blood work on Aug 22. Drs. office called will be going back for blood work on Sept. 3. Called GI friday and he is out of town til Thursday so I don't even have those results yet. Hopefully he calls when he comes back because now he weighs 141 lbs down from 163 since July 1st.
Also, GI told him he has less than 20% of liver function left.
I will be calling Lahey Clinic back on Monday for the earliest appt. in September. My daughter is driving us so she needs to ok time off with her job.

karenm57 08/29/2009

I'm not an expert, but based on the information provided, I too think the sooner you start the transplant process the better. Good luck!!

~Karen:)

deleted_user 08/29/2009

I would certainly recomend you go - get the consultation started because the docs will work on a team basis - so if he is in the transplant group the entire transplant team will over see him.

DeniseAP 08/31/2009

We have an appt. scheduled for October 19. That is the earliest because my daughter is driving and Monday and Wednesday are her late days, but Dr. Zacharias does her procedures on Wednesdays.

deleted_user 08/31/2009

Would the referring doctor be willing to make a call for you? When my hub was first sent to transplant ctr we were given an appt. in 4 months. When hub mentioned he was just diagnosed with stg 4 cancer they called back and moved appt up to 3 mos away. When hub's GI called and spoke directly to the dr at transplant ctr, we were seen within the week. Just a thought. Good luck!

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