Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
787047 tn?1242665415

MELD Scores

My MELD score is 8.  I asked my doctor what score I need before I can get on a transplant list.  He said mid to upper 20's.  I feel so bad now.  I can't imagine how I will feel when I get to that point.  I have brain fog and am taking Enulose but all it does is give me gas.  I have read post on this site from loved ones whos spouse, mates MELD Scores are at 16 and all their partners do is sleep and a lot of them continue to drink.  Sometimes I feel like drinking just to get away from how I feel.  But of course, that would only make me feel worse afterwards.  Physically and mentallly.  So the question is,  what do you think, know about MELD Scores?  What have your doctors told you?  
11 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
787047 tn?1242665415
Thanks Bill.  Yes, I have been seeing Gish's Group sense 1993.  Their outreach clinic is fantastic.  No more drives to San Francisco.  They have an office here in Modesto.  What a blessing!  

I have 2 and 1/2 years clean and sober and with God's help, plan to stay that way.  I quit drinking before treatment and have had no desire to go back after.  The only good thing to come out of that awful, suicidal, make your hair go thin and fall out, rage inducing drug, Interferon!  LOL!

Blessings,
Randy
Helpful - 0
87972 tn?1322661239
Hi Randy,

I just wanted to wish you well. I’ve treated with Gish’s group in Sacramento, and think they’re outstanding. Hopefully, everything will work out; stay of the booze, though… if you start to consider it seriously, reread your own words above. It really won’t make you feel better.

Take care—

Bill
Helpful - 0
787047 tn?1242665415
Thanks for the info. Sounds like your husband has a good attitude.  I need to watch my fat intake and sodium.  I am single and it's hard to cook for only one.  Get lazy and want to go for the easy, quick meal a lot.  Take care and thanks again to you and everyone else who responded!

rkw599 (Randy)
Helpful - 0
408795 tn?1324935675
Yes Dr. Gish I've certainly heard that name as I'm in Sacramento.  Hopefully everything comes together for you.  good luck and God Bless
Helpful - 0
787047 tn?1242665415
I have 2 Hepatologist.  A local one and Dr. Robert Gish, Cal Pacific Med Center, S.F.  I have mild abdomen swelling and pain in my decending colon but colonoscopy and CT's don't show anything. Doc's think it is spastic colon.   Thanks for the site and help!
Helpful - 0
408795 tn?1324935675
Are you certain your doctor is doing all that can be done for you and are you seeing a hepatologist?  Also have you seen more than one?  I read your profile and you almost made tx last time.  Is your abdomen swollen, personally I don't know anything about a swollen belly but I was reading this post and learned alot.  good luck  

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-Social/somethings-been-bugging-me/show/936894
Helpful - 0
568322 tn?1370165440
Transplant centers have their own guidelines.  Some transplant at lower MELDs than others.  

Co
Helpful - 0
419309 tn?1326503291
I'm sorry to hear that you're feeling bad -- I hope you can find strength to not drink and do all you can to keep your liver functioning as long as possible.  

From my limited understanding, the MELD scoring system is pretty straightforward.  It's a number that's determined by your labwork, not how you feel.  There are things that can raise your MELD points, like hcc (liver cancer), but as pointed out above, a high MELD means also higher chance of mortality sooner.

My husband has cirrhosis too, and his MELD is a 7.  His doctors also say that listing usually starts in the high teens and transplants usually happen in the mid-high 20s.  To be perfectly honest, my husband doesn't want a transplant -- he'd like to keep his original equipment if at all possible -- so he's doing his best to prevent liver problems.  He drinks NO alcohol, he limits red meat to 3-6 oz a week, he keeps a low-sodium diet, low fat diet, sees doctors regularly, and he's currently treating his hepatitis.  He's fighting to keep his liver because it's an even harder fight to keep a donated liver.

If you really want the nitty-gritty of transplantation guidelines in the US, you can find them on the web:
http://www.unos.org/policiesandbylaws/policies.asp?resources=true

Best of luck to you,
~eureka

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Forgot the link

http://www.mayoclinic.org/meld/mayomodel7.html
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
A score of 8 is not all that bad.  On the meld mortality scale you only have a 0.05 chance of death in the next 90 days.    You can go to this link at mayo clinic to  calculate scores.  I think you will find most people on this board have scores of 8 or even worse.  Good Luck
Helpful - 0
184420 tn?1326739808
i dont know much about MELD scores, im not cirrotic ... yet... but i just wanted to say... DONT DRINK...  

hang in there...
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Hepatitis C Community

Top Hepatitis Answerers
317787 tn?1473358451
DC
683231 tn?1467323017
Auburn, WA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Answer a few simple questions about your Hep C treatment journey.

Those who qualify may receive up to $100 for their time.
Explore More In Our Hep C Learning Center
image description
Learn about this treatable virus.
image description
Getting tested for this viral infection.
image description
3 key steps to getting on treatment.
image description
4 steps to getting on therapy.
image description
What you need to know about Hep C drugs.
image description
How the drugs might affect you.
image description
These tips may up your chances of a cure.
Popular Resources
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.