Hello all!<br><br>I was just wondering what effect a diagnosis of, or even just a history of, depression has on being able to get a transplant? I know that when undergoing the tx assessment there's a mental/emotional aspect to it, but to what degree? I thought I remembered reading somewhere that being hospitalized for a suicide attempt would make someone completely ineligable for any transplant at any time. Is this true? Is there a level of depression that is considered treatable and "safe" for a potential transplant? I understand the importance of being emotionally stable when talking about something as huge as a transplant, but it seems like there are so many of us on antidepressants or anxiety medications and depression differs so much from one person to another that makes me wonder what exactly goes into account when assessing the mental health of someone who may end up needing to prepare for a transplant?<br><br>Thanks.<br>
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does depression diagnosis or history make someone ineligible for transplant
- Thread starter ej0820
- Start date
Hello all!<br><br>I was just wondering what effect a diagnosis of, or even just a history of, depression has on being able to get a transplant? I know that when undergoing the tx assessment there's a mental/emotional aspect to it, but to what degree? I thought I remembered reading somewhere that being hospitalized for a suicide attempt would make someone completely ineligable for any transplant at any time. Is this true? Is there a level of depression that is considered treatable and "safe" for a potential transplant? I understand the importance of being emotionally stable when talking about something as huge as a transplant, but it seems like there are so many of us on antidepressants or anxiety medications and depression differs so much from one person to another that makes me wonder what exactly goes into account when assessing the mental health of someone who may end up needing to prepare for a transplant?<br><br>Thanks.<br>
Hello all!<br><br>I was just wondering what effect a diagnosis of, or even just a history of, depression has on being able to get a transplant? I know that when undergoing the tx assessment there's a mental/emotional aspect to it, but to what degree? I thought I remembered reading somewhere that being hospitalized for a suicide attempt would make someone completely ineligable for any transplant at any time. Is this true? Is there a level of depression that is considered treatable and "safe" for a potential transplant? I understand the importance of being emotionally stable when talking about something as huge as a transplant, but it seems like there are so many of us on antidepressants or anxiety medications and depression differs so much from one person to another that makes me wonder what exactly goes into account when assessing the mental health of someone who may end up needing to prepare for a transplant?<br><br>Thanks.<br>
We were just told by a transplant doc (although not at an official transplant eval) that the diagnosis of depression does not make you ineligible for transplant IF the depression is being successfully managed. He said if you are stable with counseling and medication before the transplant, then you will mostly likely be ok during and after. If not, then it would be more difficult to stay stable through all of the steps required for transplant.
That may be just at our hospital.
I love your quote btw.
That may be just at our hospital.
I love your quote btw.
We were just told by a transplant doc (although not at an official transplant eval) that the diagnosis of depression does not make you ineligible for transplant IF the depression is being successfully managed. He said if you are stable with counseling and medication before the transplant, then you will mostly likely be ok during and after. If not, then it would be more difficult to stay stable through all of the steps required for transplant.
That may be just at our hospital.
I love your quote btw.
That may be just at our hospital.
I love your quote btw.
We were just told by a transplant doc (although not at an official transplant eval) that the diagnosis of depression does not make you ineligible for transplant IF the depression is being successfully managed. He said if you are stable with counseling and medication before the transplant, then you will mostly likely be ok during and after. If not, then it would be more difficult to stay stable through all of the steps required for transplant.
<br />
<br />That may be just at our hospital.
<br />
<br />I love your quote btw.
<br />
<br />That may be just at our hospital.
<br />
<br />I love your quote btw.
coltsfan715
New member
For my evaluation and the evaluation of many people I know that are listed you are put through a psych eval of sorts before being approved for listing. I have never heard of anyone being denied because of a depression or anxiety issue. I personally had a lot of anxiety issues pre transplant and have had a few bouts of depression since but nothing too crazy.
<br>
<br>As Jane mentioned, I am sure "well controlled" depression is the key, but they will likely work with you as well if it isn't very well controlled when you are evaluated. For me the doc I saw thought I had depression and wanted to medicate me. I took her medicine for a few days then just stopped. I called her and told her I didn't want to take it. They scheduled me another visit and I was honest with her - I didn't think the way I felt was abnormal I was dying I had a right to be upset. I also told her that I needed to process everything and at the time I felt I could manage what I was dealing with on my own. The docs agreed and were okay with it.
<br>
<br>The psych also told me that they try to put most of their patients on something for depression, even in small amounts, in order to get them adjusted for post transplant and in helps of avoiding some of the post transplant depression that many people get. It isn't necessary though I didn't take anything pre transplant and didn't have any problems until my one yr post transplant date.
<br>
<br>Good luck with everything. I am sure if this is something you are worried about because you deal with it you will be fine. I have seen some pretty questionable people (mentally stable meaning) come through our center. People that have made other patients think if anyone needs to be denied for mental reasons it's "them" and they still get listed. So I am sure you are fine.
<br>
<br>Lindsey
<br><br>edited to add: I think whether or not you are seriously/truly at risk for harming or killing yourself is the biggest concern as to whether or not you might not be listed. That may just be my opinion, but I say that cause of my sense of humor. I tend to say things like I am so blah the idea of driving my car off a bridge is appealing and when I do I normally get a call asking if I am okay and I have to go in and see someone to make sure I am not at risk for harming myself.<br>
<br>
<br>As Jane mentioned, I am sure "well controlled" depression is the key, but they will likely work with you as well if it isn't very well controlled when you are evaluated. For me the doc I saw thought I had depression and wanted to medicate me. I took her medicine for a few days then just stopped. I called her and told her I didn't want to take it. They scheduled me another visit and I was honest with her - I didn't think the way I felt was abnormal I was dying I had a right to be upset. I also told her that I needed to process everything and at the time I felt I could manage what I was dealing with on my own. The docs agreed and were okay with it.
<br>
<br>The psych also told me that they try to put most of their patients on something for depression, even in small amounts, in order to get them adjusted for post transplant and in helps of avoiding some of the post transplant depression that many people get. It isn't necessary though I didn't take anything pre transplant and didn't have any problems until my one yr post transplant date.
<br>
<br>Good luck with everything. I am sure if this is something you are worried about because you deal with it you will be fine. I have seen some pretty questionable people (mentally stable meaning) come through our center. People that have made other patients think if anyone needs to be denied for mental reasons it's "them" and they still get listed. So I am sure you are fine.
<br>
<br>Lindsey
<br><br>edited to add: I think whether or not you are seriously/truly at risk for harming or killing yourself is the biggest concern as to whether or not you might not be listed. That may just be my opinion, but I say that cause of my sense of humor. I tend to say things like I am so blah the idea of driving my car off a bridge is appealing and when I do I normally get a call asking if I am okay and I have to go in and see someone to make sure I am not at risk for harming myself.<br>
coltsfan715
New member
For my evaluation and the evaluation of many people I know that are listed you are put through a psych eval of sorts before being approved for listing. I have never heard of anyone being denied because of a depression or anxiety issue. I personally had a lot of anxiety issues pre transplant and have had a few bouts of depression since but nothing too crazy.
<br>
<br>As Jane mentioned, I am sure "well controlled" depression is the key, but they will likely work with you as well if it isn't very well controlled when you are evaluated. For me the doc I saw thought I had depression and wanted to medicate me. I took her medicine for a few days then just stopped. I called her and told her I didn't want to take it. They scheduled me another visit and I was honest with her - I didn't think the way I felt was abnormal I was dying I had a right to be upset. I also told her that I needed to process everything and at the time I felt I could manage what I was dealing with on my own. The docs agreed and were okay with it.
<br>
<br>The psych also told me that they try to put most of their patients on something for depression, even in small amounts, in order to get them adjusted for post transplant and in helps of avoiding some of the post transplant depression that many people get. It isn't necessary though I didn't take anything pre transplant and didn't have any problems until my one yr post transplant date.
<br>
<br>Good luck with everything. I am sure if this is something you are worried about because you deal with it you will be fine. I have seen some pretty questionable people (mentally stable meaning) come through our center. People that have made other patients think if anyone needs to be denied for mental reasons it's "them" and they still get listed. So I am sure you are fine.
<br>
<br>Lindsey
<br><br>edited to add: I think whether or not you are seriously/truly at risk for harming or killing yourself is the biggest concern as to whether or not you might not be listed. That may just be my opinion, but I say that cause of my sense of humor. I tend to say things like I am so blah the idea of driving my car off a bridge is appealing and when I do I normally get a call asking if I am okay and I have to go in and see someone to make sure I am not at risk for harming myself.<br>
<br>
<br>As Jane mentioned, I am sure "well controlled" depression is the key, but they will likely work with you as well if it isn't very well controlled when you are evaluated. For me the doc I saw thought I had depression and wanted to medicate me. I took her medicine for a few days then just stopped. I called her and told her I didn't want to take it. They scheduled me another visit and I was honest with her - I didn't think the way I felt was abnormal I was dying I had a right to be upset. I also told her that I needed to process everything and at the time I felt I could manage what I was dealing with on my own. The docs agreed and were okay with it.
<br>
<br>The psych also told me that they try to put most of their patients on something for depression, even in small amounts, in order to get them adjusted for post transplant and in helps of avoiding some of the post transplant depression that many people get. It isn't necessary though I didn't take anything pre transplant and didn't have any problems until my one yr post transplant date.
<br>
<br>Good luck with everything. I am sure if this is something you are worried about because you deal with it you will be fine. I have seen some pretty questionable people (mentally stable meaning) come through our center. People that have made other patients think if anyone needs to be denied for mental reasons it's "them" and they still get listed. So I am sure you are fine.
<br>
<br>Lindsey
<br><br>edited to add: I think whether or not you are seriously/truly at risk for harming or killing yourself is the biggest concern as to whether or not you might not be listed. That may just be my opinion, but I say that cause of my sense of humor. I tend to say things like I am so blah the idea of driving my car off a bridge is appealing and when I do I normally get a call asking if I am okay and I have to go in and see someone to make sure I am not at risk for harming myself.<br>
coltsfan715
New member
For my evaluation and the evaluation of many people I know that are listed you are put through a psych eval of sorts before being approved for listing. I have never heard of anyone being denied because of a depression or anxiety issue. I personally had a lot of anxiety issues pre transplant and have had a few bouts of depression since but nothing too crazy.
<br>
<br>As Jane mentioned, I am sure "well controlled" depression is the key, but they will likely work with you as well if it isn't very well controlled when you are evaluated. For me the doc I saw thought I had depression and wanted to medicate me. I took her medicine for a few days then just stopped. I called her and told her I didn't want to take it. They scheduled me another visit and I was honest with her - I didn't think the way I felt was abnormal I was dying I had a right to be upset. I also told her that I needed to process everything and at the time I felt I could manage what I was dealing with on my own. The docs agreed and were okay with it.
<br>
<br>The psych also told me that they try to put most of their patients on something for depression, even in small amounts, in order to get them adjusted for post transplant and in helps of avoiding some of the post transplant depression that many people get. It isn't necessary though I didn't take anything pre transplant and didn't have any problems until my one yr post transplant date.
<br>
<br>Good luck with everything. I am sure if this is something you are worried about because you deal with it you will be fine. I have seen some pretty questionable people (mentally stable meaning) come through our center. People that have made other patients think if anyone needs to be denied for mental reasons it's "them" and they still get listed. So I am sure you are fine.
<br>
<br>Lindsey
<br><br>edited to add: I think whether or not you are seriously/truly at risk for harming or killing yourself is the biggest concern as to whether or not you might not be listed. That may just be my opinion, but I say that cause of my sense of humor. I tend to say things like I am so blah the idea of driving my car off a bridge is appealing and when I do I normally get a call asking if I am okay and I have to go in and see someone to make sure I am not at risk for harming myself.<br>
<br>
<br>As Jane mentioned, I am sure "well controlled" depression is the key, but they will likely work with you as well if it isn't very well controlled when you are evaluated. For me the doc I saw thought I had depression and wanted to medicate me. I took her medicine for a few days then just stopped. I called her and told her I didn't want to take it. They scheduled me another visit and I was honest with her - I didn't think the way I felt was abnormal I was dying I had a right to be upset. I also told her that I needed to process everything and at the time I felt I could manage what I was dealing with on my own. The docs agreed and were okay with it.
<br>
<br>The psych also told me that they try to put most of their patients on something for depression, even in small amounts, in order to get them adjusted for post transplant and in helps of avoiding some of the post transplant depression that many people get. It isn't necessary though I didn't take anything pre transplant and didn't have any problems until my one yr post transplant date.
<br>
<br>Good luck with everything. I am sure if this is something you are worried about because you deal with it you will be fine. I have seen some pretty questionable people (mentally stable meaning) come through our center. People that have made other patients think if anyone needs to be denied for mental reasons it's "them" and they still get listed. So I am sure you are fine.
<br>
<br>Lindsey
<br><br>edited to add: I think whether or not you are seriously/truly at risk for harming or killing yourself is the biggest concern as to whether or not you might not be listed. That may just be my opinion, but I say that cause of my sense of humor. I tend to say things like I am so blah the idea of driving my car off a bridge is appealing and when I do I normally get a call asking if I am okay and I have to go in and see someone to make sure I am not at risk for harming myself.<br>