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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Treatment For Liver Cirrhosis

I know this is a difficult question, but, how can 2 doctors have such opposing views? My hepatologist/liver doctor is saying i need a liver transplant, based on the bilirubin (13) and Meld score (22). My brother in law, vascular surgon, says remove the spleen and everything else will resolve itsself. The brother in law keeps asking for fractionated bilirubin count, hepatologist says it does not matter, its way too high. Brother in law says put a shunt into portal vien and hepatologist says it would kill me. I am 46 year old male and currently have cirrhosis from years of drinking too much alcohol. I have been clean for 90 days and will remain that way. Not proud of of current situation, but, it is what it is. My father said not a damn thing you can do about the past, live, learn, and make the most going forward.
Tue, 30 Jun 2015
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Pain Medicine & Palliative Care Specialist,  's  Response
Hi there,
Thanks for posting in HCM.
Cirrhosis is an irreversibel condition.
Liver transplantation is the only definitive treatment.
The suggestion given by your hepatologist is the right one.
Whatever your brother in law has suggested is only supportive care to prevent complications of cirrhosis. But unfortunately some of these options like shunt itself would lead to many other complications.

Yes fractionated bilirubin not needed.
I hope that answers your query.
Regards.
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Suggest Treatment For Liver Cirrhosis

Hi there, Thanks for posting in HCM. Cirrhosis is an irreversibel condition. Liver transplantation is the only definitive treatment. The suggestion given by your hepatologist is the right one. Whatever your brother in law has suggested is only supportive care to prevent complications of cirrhosis. But unfortunately some of these options like shunt itself would lead to many other complications. Yes fractionated bilirubin not needed. I hope that answers your query. Regards.