good hepatologist and liver DR?

[ponies24]

I HEP C and stage 4 liver cirrohsis, so far the GI dr I have has done a bunch of blood work and an ultra sound, I just found out about all of this last friday, so yah, I'm in a little shock right now. The GI is recommending a transplant, any advice ?

[ponies24]

I do bruise easily, and have had one platelet transfusion, the rest is on m list to ask my MD at the end of the month

[nan535]

Liver  Transplant Centers in Houston TX:

Memorial Hermann Hospital, University of Texas at Houston, Houston, TX

St Luke's Episcopal Hospital, Houston, TX

The Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX

Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX

[flyinlynn]

Hi ponies
Fatigue is the number one most common complaint for hep c and cirrhosis so we are all with you there. Do you know your platelet count or your INR test results? Low platelet count is also common and can result in longer bleeding times. Also INR is a measure of bleeding time and tends to have higher numbers for those with cirrhosis. INR is one of the tests used to determine your MELD score along with creatinine and bilirubin. The  score is how patients are rated for transplant by those with higher MELD points.

Can't really know what is going one with your nose bleeds but that could be the explanation. Do you bruise easily? That is another symptom of low platelets and rising INR test as a result of cirrhosis.

Good luck
Lynn

[ponies24]

thank you so much for all the info my friends, was hoping to find a location in
Houston, but it doesn't look like there are that many. Another question, has any one had severe nose bleeds and extreme fatigue?

[nan535]

I know it was quite a shock to learn you had Hep C and cirrhosis. The same thing happened to my husband. What really helped us get through all this is learning as much as we could about Hep C and cirrhosis. Thank God for the internet which provides so much information.  It gives you a feeling that you have some control over a situation you really have little control over. This forum really helped me the most.  So I would suggest you keep coming back here where you will get lots of support.

All the best,
Nan

[nan535]

I wish your friend the best in finding the right transplant program. This registry was a God-send. I just happened to find it while doing some research back in 2011 when he was waiting for his transplant at the NYC program.

When I compared the transplant rates of both programs for the prior year, it became immediately evident that we needed to relocate if he was to have the best possible opportunity for a life saving transplant. At our request, his hepatologist at the NYC transplant program wrote the referral to the the director of the transplant program in NC. He had to go through the entire evaluation again once we arrived but it was worth it.

Most people don't realize that you do not have to be a resident of the state where the transplant takes place. But you do have to make sure your insurance company will cover the transplant in the other state.   My husband belongs to a Medicare Advantage Plan and his transplant was covered as if he were in network with the same co-pays he would have had had it been done in NYC.

Best of luck to your friend
Nan

[Dee1956]

Hi I wanted to come back and tell you how sorry I am.  I can only imagine the shock you are feeling at finding out you have HCV and cirrhosis on the same day.  I remember being told I had HCV then a few months later cirrhosis.  It was more than my brain could wrap around.  It took me a couple of months to be able to discuss it without crying.  I hope you will stick around and let us know how you are doing.
There are many here who will help you along the way.  I could not have gotten through it all without the people here.
Take Care
Dee

[Dee1956]

Thanks so much for sharing this, I have a friend in the Hospital right now and he will need this information.
Dee

[nan535]

PS  We returned to our home city one year after transplant. He is being followed by the NYC liver transplant program we started with.

[nan535]

Here is a link to the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients.  It includes the transplant reports filed by every transplant program in the country by organ transplanted.

http://www.srtr.org/csr/current/Centers/Default.aspx

      We live in NYC which has a very large population. All transplant programs here have a large number of candidates waiting for transplants. Meld scores of over 30 are the norm for getting a liver transplant here.  
    My husband and I used this registry to find a good liver transplant program in the state where his extended family resides (NC).  We looked for a program that had a high percentage of transplants in relation to the total number of candidates waiting. We also looked at the survival rates for the 1st year post transplant.  He received his transplant within 5 months of our relocating to that state. His MELD score was 24 at the time of transplant.  It would never have happened then had we still been in NYC. Many end up dying from infections or complications of end stage liver disease while they wait.
     There is much to consider when selecting a program.
I hope this registry of transplant reports will help you to decide the best place for you.

Good luck.
Nan

[ponies24]

I live in Austin Texas, but most of my family is in Houston. The gastroentologist is saying they will send me to Dallas or San Antonio, but I hear Houston (Baylor) has some outstanding DR's. I would much rather go there.

[Dee1956]

Hi not sure where you are in TX but in Houston there is Baylor Medical College and in Dallas there is the Liver Institute Methodist Hospital, a Dr Mubarak was recommended.

Good luck :)

[ActingBrandNew]

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/Who-is-your-good-doctor-/show/1715783

[candyce1953]

What state and city are you located in? For an md and transplant center

[flyinlynn]

About your question "Good Hepatologist and liver dr "
A hepatologist is a liver doctor. Hepa meaning having to do with liver like hepatitis literally means liver inflammation. Hepatologists are liver specialists who often work in liver transplant centers. A gastroenterologist is a specialist who deals with problems related to the stomach and intestines basically a gut doctor.

Hope that helps
Lynn

[dontworry_behappy1]

Sounds like your going to be seen at a transplant center.  If your doctor is referring you to where transplant are done....you will be seeing a specialist.
Start getting your list of question together so you get all the information you can get.  I would give your doctors office a call and ask where you will be referred to.   This my give you some direction to what to expect.  It also, will give other on the forum additional information to give more advice.


Best to you