Referral

[TyiseChar1]

I'm in stage 4 cirrhosis but confused about my doctor referring me to a transplant clinic while in a compensated condition! I thought it had to be absolutely an emergency for a transplant.

[AyrshireK]

It is best to 'touch base' with a transplant clinic early rather than too late, they can then give guidance on keeping you as well as possible and it'll be them that make any decision as to whether you are at the stage for transplant assessment and listing. I don't know how the system works in the USA but here in the UK my hubby was sent to transplant hospital a full year before it was thought he should go through transplant assessment.

* If they decide to assess you for transplant - have the tests because it's the best full body examination you'll ever have. During my hubbies one they found out he had aneurysms in his splenic artery which had never been noted previously, had they potentially bled that would have been it for him but thankfully they were found and dealt with.

Best wishes,

Katie

[TyiseChar1 in reply to AyrshireK]

Thank you your explanation summed it up for me. I'm in USA I know stage 4 is serious itself just thought something more serious was going on.

[Yellowsydney]

Hi, I never felt ill before my transplant, only symptom was vomiting up blood. Doctors use your MELD score to determine when you will be referred to a transplant center, Google MELD to find out more. It is a very fine line between being ill enough to need a transplant but we'll enough to survive one of the hardest surgeries there is. You won't just be put on the list, you will have to go through an assessment process to assess whether you need a transplant and your fitness.Hilary.