Do I need a liver transplant?

[diane_306]

I had a gallbladder surgery (dysfunctional gallbladder),since then I have had 6 or 7 ERCP's.My liver function tests are up and then drop down to normal range.I am in terrible pain all of the time,and on strong pain meds that does not even relieve the pain all the way.Morning's are just awful,also alot of vomitting.I have not been sucsessful yet,toget a biopsy.I don't know why,my Dr. said it is probably because I am so sick,which really does not make any sense to me.I hardly doubt if a healthy person would want a liver biopsy.I also have 13-24 surgical clips on my liver bed from that surgery,I am not sure if that is why my bile ducts keep scarring down,I also have alot of allergies and wonder if I am allergic to titanium,since I cannot wear any jewelry sometimes it does not bother me to much if I wear 14K. gold. Thanks So Much!    

[Thomas D Schiano, MD]

sometimes people can have retained stones or sludge in the bile duct.  sometimes patients are diagnosed with cholecystitis when in reality they may have cholangitis which would continue after the gallbladder is removed.   sometimes a biopsy is necssary to see if there is inflammation in the liver. i do not think your symptoms are allergic in nature.

[Thomas D Schiano, MD]

kris kowdley is a wonderful doc and i believe he is at virginia mason.  Please contact him--OK to name drop and say I recommended you contact him.  he is an accomplished liver expert.

[diane_306]

My M.D. (Dr.Lawrence Eastburn),and myself have tried numerous times to get a liver biopsy ordered.The last time we tried was when I was at Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle having my last ERCP,my liver specialist at Virginia Mason retired,and also my ERCP Surgeon moved to Chicago and is the head of Gastro-Dept at 5 or 6 different Hospitals.I am very worried about all of this change.There is no way I can run to Chicago every time I need something done.I just know if I would have asked for a biopsy while he was still there he would have got it done one way or another,now that he is gone,and my liver specialist is retired,I guess I cannot,any way we tried my last appt. over there.Is there anyway since you are in a Liver Dept. there that they(Virginia Mason) would accept you're order for a biopsy?Dr.Eastburn was thinking about calling another M.D. that also wrote me,like you did,I wish I would have had you're # at his office this week with me.I just drew a blank,I have been forgetting everything lately! It's kinda of a spooky feeling forgetting so much all of the time!I think why he was thinking of calling Mexico is they said I would be accepted to come there as a patient for a liver transplant if I needed one.