Why my Medicaid was Deferred?? Smoking can keep you from getting tx?

[Pjmr1019]

Need info on rules regarding smoking while waiting for liver tx..I believe my tx was Deferred by Medicaid because of this..and if so..how long before nicotine is negative in blood test?

[AyrshireK]

Sorry to hear of your situation, being UK based I am not sure how your medicaid system works in the USA but I do hear it is very difficult it is to get them to pay for transplants over there and I guess they look at every little detail and potential back out clause.

In the UK when a patient goes for transplant assessment it is really thorough with lung and heart health being a major decider on whether you are 'fit enough' to endure the lenghty anaesthetic and intubation period. Smoking is a risk to lung health and will affect oxygenation of the blood etc. so it is detrimental to the health of the transplant patient and in UK patients are advised they should take steps to stop smoking though I don't think i've ever seen it written that it is a 'requirement'. Obviously post transplant when you are on immune suppressant medication it can be difficult to fight off illnesses and there is an increased risk of some cancers so smoking is a real no no really.

As to how long it takes to clear the system I have no idea but smoking and it's effects are definitely a risk to the transplant patient and so it would be a good idea to quit and then recontact your medicaid system etc.

All the best, Katie

[Millie09]

Sorry to hear that, i was a smoker. Not heavy but i soon stopped when my dad god bless him was diagnosed with cancer in 2011, what i saw him go through was enough.. been smoke free 4 yrs now. It does take a good couple of years to reap the benefits so to speak.. good luck

[Chelle_]

I had my transplant assessment back in nov 2016 with another guy. The anaesthetist came round to see us to talk through procedure. She told the guy that unless he stopped smoking he wouldn’t go on her operating table. She also warned him about sorting his teeth out; they were very poor. She told him 6 months no smoking at least before she’d look at him again....

I’m not sure what the rules are but regardless, good luck x

[Pjmr1019 in reply to Chelle_]

Thank you so much for answering ..but it is so hard to do.. Would 0 nicotine vapor pen work??

[Chelle_ in reply to Pjmr1019]

I don't know to be honest. But if your inhaling 0% nicotine through a vape pen then is there any point to smoking? I think the worry for surgeons is that because you inhale via your mouth and the liver can cause so many mouth and teeth issues that once transplanted they want you to have the best chance of getting better and suffering with no issues. If you smoke on any level this is classed as not only an addiction but increases the chance of cancer of the mouth and teeth being removed. I would suggest giving up. Speak to your GP or transplant team.

[Wass71]

Hi, I am also in the UK so can't answer Medicaid question. Smoking affects the bodies ability to heal, with surgical procedures a smoker has a higher chance of bleeding, slower healing and increased chance of infection. These are facts that any insurance would take into account. Smoking also affects all blood vessels so the liver is affected by the damage to blood vessels, additionally dealing with the 4,000 chemicals in a cigarette.

Nicotine is not necessarily the enemy ( it does increase heart rate and in turn affect blood pressure), however its the tar and other inhaled substances that cause the problem.

The most effective way to quit is to use a nicotine replacement medication, ( patches etc) and have support from a stop smoking specialist. The problem with vaping,, although way better than smoking, is you could end up with a higher nicotine dependence. When you smoke a cigarette it contains a set amount of nicotine, once you've smoked it that's it, you've dealt with the craving. But when people vape, they can just keep puffing away, with nothing to tell them to stop.

I know from personal experience how hard it is to stop. But its so worth it. I rate quitting as one of my best achievements. I felt so much healthier, and I didn't stink either.

If you are unwell, the most positive thing you can do to help yourself is stop. Remember its controlling you, and that's not nice. I hope you are able to give it up, and get the help you need to get your health back on track.

Good luck.

E

[-Janell]

Sorry to hear, quitting smoking isn’t an easy thing to do.

I wouldn’t recommend a vape pen however to help quite. When I became ill (I was diagnosed with hep c and decompensated cirrhosis) I asked my doctor about medical marijuana for pain as it’s legal in my state and prescription pain meds will just further damage my liver she told me no due to the fact that if I was to need a transplant I would be on immunosuppressant drugs after which increases your risk of infection. So no smoking of any kind to avoid lung infections. It’s a balance between rejection and infection in a way; you need the drugs so your body won’t reject the new organ, but also must take extra steps to protect yourself and that new organ, if that makes sense?

I would of course check with your doctor first, but ask about getting the patch or gum/mints to help curb the cravings while quitting to lessen the chance of lung infection.

Hope that helps some, and good luck!!

~Janell