Psych evaluation

[Bikafella]

Hi! This is for those of you who are either on the liver transplant list or who have had a transplant. What I'd like to know is whether you were given a psychological evaluation or a one-to-one conversion with a trained therapist as to how to deal with serious organ rejection should it occur.

[Katt12340]

Hi, I'm on the transplant list. I did have an evaluation as part of my work up for transplant but it didn't specifically focus on organ rejection. It was more an all round look at how I would cope psychologically with the whole process. I think the questions you're asked have a lot to do with the professional you're dealing with - everyone has their own approach.Hope this helps 😊 x

[Rshc in reply to Katt12340]

same with my partner, it wasn't focused on rejection at all it was very general and talked a bit about his anxiety and coping mechanisms. The other thing to say is that of all the issues that can happen post transplant, rejection seems to be the one patients fear the most and medical professionals are not too worried about. As long as you take your medication as prescribed most instances of rejection can be managed and treated.

[Yellowsydney]

Never had a psychological evaluation pre or post transplant. When I was discharged after my transplant the transplant coordinator just said if you hear rejection mentioned at any time don't worry as we can deal with it by changing drugs. In 5 1/2 years it's never happened.I hope you are ok

Hilary

[Bikafella in reply to Yellowsydney]

Thanks for your concern but it wasn't an issue I had personally. I just wondered if it was covered wherever you had (or are going to have) your procedure. For my part I only focused on the operation outcome and had full confidence in the transplant team that whatever happened after that would be dealt with by them.

[Transplantboy]

Had liver transplant 3years ago,and I was seen by therapist about my mood pre and post transplant not rejection,however they will get you into hospital and put you on steroids and increase your immune suppressants,first 3months is where your most likely to have a organ rejection,blood's taken every day in hospital and every week thereafter up till 6months then after first year every 3months. Rejection usually shows in blood's as such you don't normally have any severe symptoms,acute rejection is when your own immune system attacks the new organ and chronic rejection is when antibodies in the blood against the new organ. Hopefully this will help Bikafella

[Subi21]

Neither do I , I had two liver transplants and I haven't had psychological evaluation during the both transplantations. However, I have practiced my own coping mechanism and stayed positive as my first transplanted liver rejected due to an infection. I am all fine after my second liver transplant and I am living with it almost 5 years now. :). As far as I know most of the rejections can be treated and you have to take the medications as prescribed and regular blood tests will help you to understand if you are going through a organ rejection. I hope this will help you and I hope you are going ok.

Subi x

[Superbly]

I can’t remember but what happen to me I end up with PTSD and had icu derlium I was in icu for 21 days I have still got PTSD .

[Bikafella in reply to Superbly]

Sorry to hear that - I hope it can be resolved quickly

[Jans1953]

No assessment but regular chats with the Liver Coordinators. If you feel you need to take to a professional therapist I'm sure it would be arranged but when you reach the point of transplant you know you are in their hands and they will deal with problems as/if they occur. No point in worrying yourself about things that MIGHT happen. Just know that you have experienced people around you who have dealt with it all before.Good luck my friend xx

[Bikafella in reply to Jans1953]

Thanks - it was just out of curiosity that I asked the question. I believe in some areas/countries it is part of the standard assesment procedure.

[Hidden]

I didn't have a psych eval, but there are a lot of emotions to work through!