Liver Disease Symptoms: Itching Skin After Diagnosis
Here’s a breakdown of the information from the provided text, focusing on Kidd’s condition and her need for a liver transplant:
kidd’s Condition: Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC)
What it is: PSC is a chronic liver disease that slowly damages the bile ducts, eventually leading to liver failure.
Early stages: kidd was “fairly asymptomatic” for nearly a decade after diagnosis. PSC often progresses slowly and is initially detected through blood tests or x-rays before noticeable symptoms appear. Symptoms (as they developed for Kidd):
Initially,just worsening liver enzyme levels in blood tests.
Then, ”the itch” – an unbearable itching caused by a buildup of bile acids in the skin.
Later stages can bring fatigue, yellow eyes, abdominal pain, fever, chills, weight loss, and an enlarged liver/spleen.
Progression: Her condition worsened in her 30s, impacting her ability to travel and leading to her being placed on the transplant list.
Her Need for a Liver Transplant
MELD Score: Her MELD score (Model for End-stage Liver Disease) is currently 10-12. This score indicates the severity of her liver disease and her urgency for a transplant.
The problem: A low MELD score means she’s not prioritized for a deceased donor liver. She’s unlikely to receive a call for a liver from a deceased donor at this point.
Her Only Option: A living donor – someone who can donate a portion of their liver.
Time Sensitivity: While her MELD score is low, PSC can progress rapidly, meaning she may need a transplant sooner than her score suggests.
Other Details
She has traveled extensively (12 countries, including 3 years in Scotland).
Family and friends have been tested as potential donors, but none were a match. If she receives a transplant, she plans to take her mother to Ireland.