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Lung transplant

doug41 profile image
11 Replies

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?

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doug41 profile image
doug41
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11 Replies
mrsmummy profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
doug41 in reply to Helen6

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

sibkev profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
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.

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