Liver Cirrhoses

[JimmyJackson]

The hepatology dept in Cornwall is not good thinking of going privately to Nuffield in Plymouth or Exeter can any one suggest a good specialist

[AyrshireK]

Hi Jimmy, what aspect of your care are you not happy with? Obviously there is no way of actually treating your cirrhosis only dealing with the symptoms that might occur because of it. Your basic care should be 6 monthly scans and 6 monthly bloods plus monitoring for any side effects from having cirrhosis.

In your mid 80's they probably wouldn't offer any major interventions and I just wondered why you feel you need to go private unless of course you just arn't getting your minimum required monitoring (and even that sometimes means you have to do the chasing .................. I certainly ping hubbies consultant's secretary a ping just to make sure 6 monthly scans are ordered etc.)

Katie

[JimmyJackson in reply to AyrshireK]

Hi Firstly the dept @ Treliske Cornwall seems to have only one very good consultant. I do get regular follow ups but recently unfortunately (I think) had a mild case of food poisoning, since then I dont seem to be able to eat even the plainest of food without reflux, especially at night giving very bad sleep patterns. I now have elevated enzymes for the first time & yesterday passed a stool, that was ⅓ black, so symptoms seem to have got worse I thought a second opinion would be a good idea

I take on board that there is probably not cure & obviously at 84 a transplant is a no no, but hoped perhaps that there might be something to alleviate the problem, which is mainly at night.

[AyrshireK in reply to JimmyJackson]

I wonder if you need an endoscopy? - obviously acid reflux pain and black stool could potentially indicate bleeding in your oesophagus. If you are able to see your consultant, give his secretary a ring to tell them of these new symptoms. If you are having a bleed it needs dealt with as an emergency - black (tarry) stools are an A&E job if you can't get hold of consultant.

My hubby was prescribed omeprazole to protect his oesophagus after his initial bleed and one of his key symptoms at the time was reflux and really bad heart burn. Your GP should be able to prescribe this to you but better if you get checked out by your consultant

[JimmyJackson in reply to AyrshireK]

Hi againMany thanks tried omeprazole & others but can’t tolerate them, Gaviscon is still ok but not much help.

Up until my suspected food poisoning, I was managing by eating a Gluton/lactose free diet, which was largely vegetarian together with fish/chicken, but now even that doesn’t seem to work.

I have also never been a drinker, always kept extremely fit, not overweight either, such is old age.

I have spoken to my consultants secretary & hopefully he will phone, but as I said he is vastly overworked & has recently been ill himself.

The NHS in Cornwall is at present staffed by wonderful dedicated people, but to quote one of them is at present, “not fit for purpose”.

[Lam1e in reply to JimmyJackson]

Hi Jimmy

Can you ask to be referred to Derriford Hospital. That is where the South West Liver Unit is based and they are the specialist Centre for the South West and I have friends from Cornwall who have their liver care there. We also have a Facebook Group and also we have the South West Liver Buddies website where we are supportive and friendly 🙏

Lesley

[JimmyJackson in reply to Lam1e]

Many thanks Lesley, this is one of the requests that I am going to ask my consultant when i finally get to speak to him. I will find your site on F/B & website Best wishes

Jimmy

[Hidden]

Hi Jimmy,

Our forum does not allow the discussion of specific liver specialists for legal reasons. If you would like to call our nurse helpline we can have a chat about any concerns you have regarding care and access to other liver teams.

Best wishes.

[JimmyJackson in reply to Hidden]

Many thanks do you have a phone number to contact her regards Jimmy

[AyrshireK in reply to JimmyJackson]

BLT Helpline is :- Call 0800 652 7330 between 10am and 3pm Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays)

[Hidden in reply to AyrshireK]

Thank you!

[Ubwa]

I go private and only use the NHS for things that can’t be done privately. I would do it all privately, one for convenience and two to let someone else take my resources as I am fortunate enough to be able to go that route. If you have a NHS doctor you like they more than likely have a private practice too.

Unfortunately, and I have been unlucky enough in my life to have a lot of experience with this, you do get better individual care when going private. I don’t say that to bash the NHS, well Ok I’ll say my local trust is next to useless, but the one I do go to, which has a transplant center attached, is awesome.

[Kristian]

Just one thing to bear in mind, many of the private specialists are also NHS specialists. So there may be other options open to you. I see the trust has already advised you to give them a call so they should be able to explain those far better than I can.

[hadenuf23]

Hi Jimmy, it maybe worth having a word with them. I have to say I'm very lucky with my liver consultant, he has been very supportive and informative.