If treatment has been delayed or the case becomes more severe, a patient might need a new liver. In this case, a doctor will talk about your eligibility and likely put you on a list to receive a liver transplant.
Being informed about treatment
Your healthcare journey belongs to you. Although friends, families, and healthcare professionals may give their suggestions and advice; it is important to maintain your agency.
The best way to do so is being informed. Be prepared to ask questions and talk with your specialist. A few questions to consider:
- What does a typical treatment look like?
- How will my treatment plan be specialized for me? What factors do you consider?
- Will anyone else be part of my care team? How will you work with my primary healthcare professional?
- Do you have recommendations on support groups I can attend?
The most important questions are the ones that you want to ask. What do you want to know from your potential specialist? What is most important to you in treatment? Figure out what you want from an initial appointment and tailor questions around it.
Once you get a treatment plan, leverage your social network and platforms to do some investigation.
If you were prescribed a specific medication, ask others in support groups or pages about their experience with the medication.
Note that their experience might not match yours, but their comments can provide a baseline. Nevertheless, be vigilant about being informed on your treatment and your care team.