My partner has been removed from the transplant list as he started drinking again (he did have a warning first).
Will they ever allow him back on it or is that game over?
He drains 12 litres ascites fluid every week, he's been told to get his affairs in order, he has stopped drinking again (we had some pretty awful life events last year including daughter's suicide attempts and my mother's cancer diagnosis - that kicked him off again)
His breathing is appalling when he is full and I am terrified I'm going to lose him.
Does anyone have any advice?
Thank you
Written by
loupygb
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It's probably unlikely that he'll be reconsidered for transplant after such a serious slip into alcohol use again. It had to be a lifelong commitment to sobriety & falling back into alcohol use at testing times (sorry to hear of those) it kind of shows he can't deal with stuff without the crutch of alcohol.
You can ask the question of the t/p team but obviously there is that 6 month (minimum) period of proven abstinence required before assessment can take place but sadly you have to consider whether or not your partner is fit enough to get there. He's obviously very, very poorly with decompensated liver disease.
The BLT has a page about planning for the future which very sadly may be at the stage you are at. britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...
Look after yourself in all this because no doubt you are in for a bit of a rocky road. Thoughts with you.
I am so sorry about the situation that you find yourself in. But the criteria for an alcohol related transplant are made very clear. You need to do six months abstinence to get considered for an assessment and then they look at your psychological assessment, along with the medical ones, before deciding if you are a suitable candidate. It is made very clear that you must not touch any type of alcohol, including mouthwash, red wine gravy etc, otherwise you are removed from the list with no right of appeal.
Your partner will continue to receive the best possible treatment available but it will exclude a transplant. Hopefully if he follows all the advice and stays away from the alcohol, things may improve.
I apologise for being so blunt but you need to prepare yourself for the journey ahead of you and serve as a warning to others who are reading this.
Best wishes for your journey ahead,
Mark
Can you or your partner arrange a meeting with the liver consultant and direct these queries to them? They have all the information needed to answer you both. Keep us posted.
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