Fact vs Fiction: What patients with Chronic Liver Disease want to know about COVID-19 Live Webinar is coming up. April 22 at 6 PM EST. This Free Q & A is designed with the patient in mind. I’m like you, and have come a long way in managing liver disease. This whole virus ordeal has thrown me into a tailspin. I’ve talked to my medical provider a lot in the last year while making decisions. You have too…. and yet we still wonder. You can ask the Expert: Liver disease and COVID-19 and as of today, the link to the Vaccine Q & A Webinar on Youtube is right here.
What is fact or fiction. Here’s your chance to interact with the experts
In my association with doctors from the AASLD, I’ve seen such a genuine desire to make the best choices for each patient’s individual needs. They compile numbers from all over the country to try and find a trend in symptoms and side effects. These men and women have devoted their lives to studying liver disease. Now they’re holding another webinar just to help us better understand COVID-19.
What do you want to know? Have you heard an opinion that leaves you feeling scared or anxious? This webinar is a sincere attempt to hear and understand your concern. You can submit questions ahead of time when you register here. You can also type them in to the chat or have a discussion during the webinar. I’ll be there co-moderating.
About me moderating, we’re having a rehearsal. That way I can learn how to click all the right buttons. Attending any AASLD meeting always leaves me feeling supported and cared for. You will too. Guaranteed.
Presentations
COVID-19 Variants: What does it mean for me? How can I protect myself pre and post vaccine? Corrie Berk, Family Nurse Practitioner, has her MBA from Loma Linda University Medical Center. She is the director of the Loma Linda Transplant Institute and has years of experience with hepatology and liver transplant in Las Vegas, Nevada. For those of us who have benefited from a NP while being treated, listed, or post transplant – you know her heart.
Why is Liver Disease Considered to have Increased Risks of Complications from COVID-19? Su Wang MD is the Medical Director of the Center for Asian Health at Barnabas Medical Center. Su is a long time Hepatitis Advocate. She did her residencies at Georgetown and with the Epidemiology branch of the Centers for Disease Control, (CDC). She’s a sought after speaker and champion for the Hepatitis community. Every time I’ve had the joy of hearing her speak, she brings expertise and enthusiasm.
The Co-Moderators:
Nancy Reau MD is currently the Associate Director of Solid Organ Transplantation and Section Chief of Hepatology at Rush University Medical Center. She has long been involved in ushering in treatments for Hep C. She’s a write and lecturer who has heart for Hep C patients. Her work focused on for patients with all stages of liver disease and transplantation. She’s brilliant, and has been so nice to me. She knows how to help patients feel included in the conversation.
Elizabeth Goacher is a Physicians Assistant – gastroenterology who is associated with Duke University Hospital. For over 20 years she has been a health care provider who has helped many patients. She has intensive experience with Hepatitis C and loves to meet patients where they are. Working in North Carolina during the COVID-19 pandemic has given her a lot of experience with liver disease and she will help field the questions. In addition, you’ll learn about her experience administering the vaccine.
Panelist
Dr. Oren Fix is a transplant hepatologist and clinical informationist. He’s known for his great love for patient care and research. In his current position he is able to use his leadership, communication, and scientific knowledge to inform and transform both medical providers and patient’s lives in the field of liver disease. He’s extremely patient when helping this patient advocate find just the right words and tone while writing patient facing docs for the AASLD. It’s great to write with someone who understands the long term effects of hepatic encephalopathy. Here’s the AASLD Covid documents for patients again.
Ask the Expert: Liver Disease and COVID-19
Those of us living with chronic liver disease want answers. We live with enough uncertainty to add another virus, co-morbidity, symptom, or side effect to our list. So, yes – we’ve got questions. I’m so honored to be co-moderating a Live Webinar called Next Steps: Fact vs Fiction: What patients with Chronic Liver Disease want to know about COVID-19. I’m typing this with a very stiff left arm. Yes, I got my 2nd vaccine yesterday. Just like you, I was worried about getting COVID-19 and then I survived it without a hospitalization.
I look forward to seeing you all there and hope that you will be ready with all of those questions that run through the back of your mind. It will be great to be together in a Webinar. xo Karen
8 thoughts on “Ask the Expert: Liver Disease and COVID-19”
I’ve heard the vaccine is not effective in 70-90% of us that take immune suppressants. Is this true and how will we ever get back to normal if that’s the case?
Hello Eileen,
This is a good question and one I’ll submit for the webinar. I’ve sat in on a lot of discussion and felt good taking the vaccine, even after having COVID-19. I was reading about variants this morning and can’t wait to hear that presentation.
Great to see you friend. I hope you’re staying safe and doing well.
xo Karen
From John Hopkin’s University. The Vaccination only protects 17% to 20% in patients with solid organ transplants 🙁
Mindy,
Thanks for your comment. I read that article. SO much is unsure with COVID-19 and the Johns Hopkins study for solid organ transplant recipients is the just the latest in changes. I’m glad that our hepatologists and the AASLD are looking at all the current data. What we want is a longer life and to have safety – in spite of liver disease.
I wish that they would have done my testing. I had the virus and now 2 vaccines. I was out of it with both of the vaccines for a bit. I’m thinking immunity for sure.
You’re still making your decision, and I hope your doctor in Florida added some insight to that. Maybe the Johnson & Johnson for you.
Love you much and always happy to see you here on the site,
xoxoKaren
Are there any additional risks having the covid vaccination if you are HepC TypeA positive? Just had the 2nd Moderna vax and in addition to a sore arm, I’ve got an elevated temp, headache 10+ hours and increasing stomach pain. Just curious cause I have to take care of my own symptoms as there is no affordable medical care where I live. Thanx
Hello and welcome to the Best Friend’s Guide. I’m not a doctor, but I’ve been working on the COVID-19 task for and we just completed the Vaccine recommendations for patients TODAY. I have not heard of any additional risks regarding specific genotypes of Hep C.
I got my second Moderna 2 weeks ago and ran a low grade fever and had a headache for about 3 days. I was sluggish for a week.
Facts: The vaccine can mimic the actual COVID-19 virus. The difference is that the side effects going away within a couple of days. You didn’t say what day you got your 2nd dose of Moderna, but keep a count. I made a deal that if I felt WORSE and had a prolonged fever over 101 I would call the doctor. Sure enough I felt better the 3rd day. A little low grade.
The stomach pain is something else. Do you have chronic liver disease from Hepatitis? I sure understand taking care of yourself. I’m so sorry you don’t have affordable care. A little tylenol is what I took on days 3 and 4 post vaccine. I also drank ginger ale and slept a lot. Drank a lot of water, and tried to exercise and stretch my arm.
I sure hope this helps. If you are in the US, then you can go to an ER and ask for medical help. I’m sending love and hugs and hopes that this will all be over for you soon.
xo Karen
Very informative article. Coronavirus still affecting the liver.
Thank you for stopping by. I appreciate it.
Yes, Covid continues to have an effect on the liver disease community. It is very sad that even more people are being diagnosed with cirrhosis because of drinking more alcohol and also Fatty Liver, NASH, Hepatitis and other things.
This is the best time to get in shape and heal your liver. The virus is still dangerous. I’ve had it 2xs and it made my liver lab work go up. It is important to take care of yourself now.
xoxo Karen
Comments are closed.