Lung transplant

[doug41]

I have just been reading about transplant lists i am 76yrs old and have suffered with copd for close on 20yrs and have had all the medication available to me and i didn't even know there was a transplant list i wonder why i haven't been informed maybe it's to late for me now if it isn't how do you get on the list?

[mrsmummy]

My understanding is that there is an age barrier which kicks in at 65 years. There are also tight criteria that the patient must be at a very severe stage but also that they are fit enough to withstand and survive the operation. It's a cruel world at times.

[doug41 in reply to mrsmummy]

Thanks for that mrs mummy it looks like i wouldn't qualify now but may have done had known about it when first diagnosed

[Helen6]

Hi Doug, I have recently been put on the transplant list after a 4 day assessment at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle. As Mrs M says, you have to be ill enough to warrant the risks involved in a transplant but well enough to survive the procedure. I have just turned 60 and was told by my consultant that transplants are done up to the age of 65 but when I asked about this at Newcastle I was told that they would consider every case on its merit and would not rule someone out just because of age.

Best Wishes,

Helen

[doug41 in reply to Helen6]

Thanks for that Helen i willhave to do a bit more research.

[sibkev]

i had mine at 57 they did not think id survive it i was so ill sometime you have to talk em into it

[doug41 in reply to sibkev]

Hi Sibkev glad you had and survived hope all is going well for you i will keep trying to persuade the consultant but it feels like hitting your head against a wall just because it's nice when you stop !!!

[Petto]

I asked my GP when I was 60 if I could go on the list She said I was too old I didn't believe her She sent me to see a specialist I asked the specialist and she put me forward I was accepted and put on the list I am 64 now I asked my Transplant nurse what the age cut off was and he said there wasn't So don't give up Don't believe your doctor Arrange an appointment with a Specialist They have a pro-forma to complete Please don't give up until you tried that far Very good luck

[doug41 in reply to Petto]

Thanks Petto i will keep trying but at 76yrs i think i will be at the end of the queue sorry to be such a pessimist.

[mason in reply to Petto]

hi peto have you had your lung transplant my mum is in hospitail she had her lung transplant a week ago she is in intensive care my brother is with her i have to stay at home to look after her dogs my brother said she is sleeping a lot lots of tubes i asked him to send me a photo but the nurses said no i rearly want to see her what did you look like just after surgery sorry just worried ,

[Petto]

Great to hear from you Doug41 Please don't be a pessimist as there is no "end of the queue" Once accepted you're on the list but not in any order, I believe. They've told me there's no order but that the correct/matching lungs find you. If your tissue type/size and other criteria is correct, it's correct.........it's yours. I was at Harefield Hospital (My Transplant hospital) and I was talking to a very fit looking man who said he'd had a lung transplant 3 years ago and ......................... he'd been on the waiting list for 18 days when he got 'his call'

Good luck Doug41 Wishing you all the best

Petto

[winniemckinnon]

Dont understand either I am 63 with COPD for about 10 years and have been told I wont be considered for a lung transfer

In fact 18 moths ago I was asked if I got so bad did I want resusitated.

Myself and my son were amazed that at my age he would ask me that.

Good luck investigating more. Post your findings it could help others.