Transplant

[Ellyne]

I was wondering when is transplant not an option according to your age? I am 71 years old.

[ninjagirlwebb]

transplantliving.org/before...

Are there age limits or medical conditions that rule out organ transplantation?

There is no standard age limit to be transplanted. Each transplant program sets its own practice. For example, one program may not accept anyone older than 80 years of age; another may have no age limit.

A few medical conditions might rule out a transplant. The transplant team will discuss these with you when you start your evaluation. In general, health issues that may keep you from having surgery or taking long-term medication may be reasons not to list you. Examples can include current or recent cancer diagnosis or morbid obesity. Depending on the medical issues involved, the program may have another specialist examine you and advise whether transplantation would be a safe option.

In some cases, even if a transplant program doesn’t accept you immediately for a transplant, it may reconsider you later if your condition improves (for example, you lose weight as directed, or your cancer goes into remission). You might also consider applying to a different transplant center, since each hospital has its own criteria for accepting transplant candidates.

[Ellyne in reply to ninjagirlwebb]

Thank you

[ninjagirlwebb in reply to Ellyne]

Sure.

[mrspeffer2 in reply to Ellyne]

I was reading that most insurance companies have the magic number of 70. Something to do with younger people with greater chance of life span are in need of transplant. Plus, apparently the list is a very long wait for a donor match. Guess us old folks are last years model. This sounds very similar to a previous Presidents thoughts on insurance where after a certain age, your worth would be evaluated and the powers to be would decide your fate. Big Brother stuff. Thank goodness that plan isn't in effect yet. Anyway...Maybe some of the folks here who have actually had a transplant might shed some light on this.

[Ellyne in reply to mrspeffer2]

It has taken me some time to wrap my head around this disease. Adjusting to taking meds and coming to the realization of my age and it implications.

[mrspeffer in reply to Ellyne]

I know what you mean...in my head I'm still 20. My body tells me that there truly is an expiration date on this physical existence. Breathe.

[Ellyne in reply to mrspeffer]

Good advice!

[Hidden]

Ellyne- I wonder if you ask because you are naturally very curious, or if you are concerned about your condition, or something else? Few people, even with cirrhosis, progress to needing a transplant and I believe you are in early stages and may never even progress to cirrhosis. (That seems especially true of people who are diagnosed at our age.) I was told 8 years ago at diagnosis by my specialist (UK) that I would not qualify for a transplant because the cut-off point was 65yrs. I didn't feel a need, then or now, to check if this is true. I am in early stages, and doing what I could have been doing always, healthwise. Are you a member of PBC Foundation? They host this site and are experts in living with PBC and they have direct access to 3 world-renown hepatologists who specialise in PBC. It's free to join the organisation and they can arrange skype for instance if you'd ever like to speak to Collette, who herself has PBC and who started the PBC Foundation because there was no info available, and no-one she knew who had the condition. A lonely place to be for her. No need for anyone to be in that place now. Best wishes

[Ellyne in reply to Hidden]

I am curious and in early stage. Meds are working with regard to blood work but the disease continues to progress and I’m thinking at my age and asking the question