Complications after a Liver Transplant

I just signed up here online and have questions that my Doctors either are not answering or don't know the answers. The most important one is about higher than normal ammonia levels. They happened to have admitted me 31 times to the hospital because I get so loopy and confused. Are they as dangerous to my health as I assume they are?

[Thomas D Schiano, MD]

high ammonia levels themselves are not dangerous but are indicative of hepatic encephalopathy, which can be precipiated by numerous different things.  If you have been admitted this many times for hepatic encephalopathy (symptoms of confusion, etc.) rather than just an elevated ammonia level, then you need a transplant ASAP or the symptoms are due to something else

[sgt_ike74]

That's what I thought. Some days I simply don't feel good and my VA GI doctor won't even tell what's in my future. I drank most of my life and now I've been a recovering alcoholic 3 years come the 14th of July and I've been scared bad since 2007..Mark

[Thomas D Schiano, MD]

congratulations on your sobriety.  make sure you get a transplant evaluation arranged.

[sgt_ike74]

I am doing this as we speak. I knew I was a very bad state so I asked for a transplant. Only thing I lack is going to be done on May 1st and thats a lower GI.. Other than that is the fact that I'm kind of forced to use the Doctors and facilities at the Dayton Veterans Hospital located here in OHIO. I always feel like I'm on the backburner, but I have no other options so I think that if I die oh well. Another one buys the dust. It gets me upset to think that I'm not worth a plug nickle since I did this to myself. I admitt that I made a mistake but I don't want to die.... That's why I'm sober today...I serviced this country and have a honorable discharge but I now don't know why

[Thomas D Schiano, MD]

hang in there.  they will probably want you to go to 1 of the 4 VA liver transplant centers in the nation--pittsburgh, nashville, etc.  keep up the good work.