Congrats on Becoming a Transplant Champion! Much of the success of your transplant depends on your commitment to diligently care for your new kidney. Post-transplant instructions can be a overwhelming at first. Yet, as you’ll soon discover, caring for your new kidney can be one of the most rewarding ways to demonstrate gratitude for your gift of life.   

From trying to find the right balance of immunosuppression, to living a mindful life that includes good nutrition, exercise and a bundle of safety precautions – each and every one of your efforts will be well worth your attention.  As a TransplantStrong Champion, we invite you to use the smart tips below to stay at the top-of-your-game while you care for your newly adopted kidney.  

 

Doctor Visits & Lab Tests. While your transplant team and outside doctors will monitor your health and function of your new kidney, it’s your job to keep yourself healthy, take your medications and show up for appointments and lab draws.

Ever question something that you think you should run by your doctor, but your appointment was weeks or months away? Request a phone consult, or ask your questions in the patient portal. Has it been a while since your last labs? Be the one to request standing orders. Don’t put off anything just because someone else dropped the ball. You’re in charge. The key is to initiate proactive action. Your health depends on your commitment and desire to protect your quality of life. Learn more here.

 

Anti-Rejection Medication. As a post-transplant patient, you will be taking anti-rejection medications known as immunosuppressants for the life of your transplant.* Immunosuppressant medications keep your body from sensing that your new kidney is a foreign invader and prevent it from attacking it.  These medications must be taken in the prescribed dose at the same time every day so  immunosuppression levels remain stable.

The goal is to ensure your levels are not too high or too low. When your levels are too high, your transplanted kidney could be harmed. When they are too low, your body may recognize it as foreign and attack it. It’s also important to avoid potential drug interactions with supplements that can cause kidney damage.  Be sure to update your doctor about all the supplements you are taking. (See Below)

*If you need financial assistance for medications, request financial assistance resources.

Staying Out of Harm’s Way. The anti-rejection medications that prevent your body from fighting against your new kidney transplant can also increase your risk for an infection. Recognizing the warning signs can be key, though keeping yourself out of harm’s way can be equally, if not more important to long term transplant success.

You need not live your life in a bubble, though you do need to remain mindful of high-risk situations so you can stay clear of exposure to infections and disease. The best thing to do is stay away from individuals with active infections or disease to lower your exposure rate. You may also wish to avoid crowds so you can protect yourself from unanticipated coughs and sneezes.

Wearing a face mask in waiting rooms, at the pharmacy and when traveling, can offer extra protection. Washing your hands often and promptly cleaning cuts are also good practices, along with wearing bug repellent to prevent insect bites that might cause West Nile Virus or Lyme Disease. Also avoid changing diapers without gloves, and if you have pets, refrain from changing kitty litter boxes or birdcages. Gardening, while harmless for most, can also put you at risk for exposure to molds, bacteria and fungus in soil and from lawn clippings.  

Sun Exposure & Sensitivity. Transplant recipients are at a substantially increased risk for developing skin cancers due to immunosuppression. Prednisone can also make your skin more sensitive to the sun. For these reasons, it is recommended to see a dermatologist annually for a full skin cancer screening, and more often for areas of suspicion.

Due to skin sensitivities, transplant recipients need to limit their exposure to sun, and protect themselves with UV protective hats and clothing, in addition to sunscreen.

 

 

Nutrition & Exercise. Good nutrition can keep your body strong and protect you from illness. Limiting the amount of sugar is important, as immunosuppressants can cause your body to process sugar poorly which can lead to high glucose levels and diabetes. Limiting high sodium foods is also essential to prevent difficultly in regulating your blood-pressure. 

Food Warnings: Grapefruit, pomegranates and Seville oranges can also interfere with immunosuppression, so they are to be avoided. 

Supplement Warnings: There are supplements and herbs that can interfere with anti-rejection medications as well. Those herbs include, but are not limited to Echinacea, Ginseng and even herbal teas. Always check with your transplant team.

Hydrating with water (approximately 3 liters per day, or the equivalent of 6 (16 oz) bottles per day) is also very important post-transplant. Information on nutrition and renal transplant dietitians can assist you in planning healthy meal choices. Avoiding pre-packaged and canned foods with high sodium contents, limiting alcoholic intake and hydrating with non-caffeinated liquids is recommended. Exercise is also very important for your overall health. Check with your doctor before beginning any routine.

Food Safety. Immunosuppression can also increase the risk for foodborne illnesses. Be sure your meat and eggs are cooked well and stored at the proper temperatures. Do not eat raw or undercooked meats, eggs or fish, including sushi. Avoid unpasteurized dairy products (milk/cheese) and juices—and stay from raw bean sprouts and alfalfa sprouts. It is also recommended to keep foods properly refrigerated and discard leftovers after 1-2 days.

Transplant recipients are encouraged to stay away from buffets, salad bars and potlucks where food may be out for longer periods of time or handled by multiple people.  For more information on food safety click here.

 

Managing Stress and Well-Being. Transplant procedures and medications can cause emotions to heighten.

When dealing with emotional stress and anxiety, look to seek help from social workers, family counselors, psychiatrists, patient mentors, and kidney patient online communities.

Give yourself permission to make time everyday just for you, even if it’s just 10 minutes of deep, mindful breathing. Explore and discover what helps you relax, and schedule time to do those activities.   

 

Watch for Signs of Rejection. Be mindful of signs of potential infection and rejections, such as pain, tenderness or swelling over the area of your transplanted kidney. A fever over 100 degrees F, decreased urine output, pain or burning during urination, discolored or foul-smelling urine, fluid retention, increased blood pressure and flu-like symptoms that make you feel not like yourself could be signs.

Promptly report any noticeable signs to your transplant team. Timing is important, because in most cases rejection can be reversed if diagnosed and treated promptly. Click here for more information on signs of rejection. Learn about the future of non-invasive surveillance tests, a blood test that helps your transplant team monitor the health of your transplanted kidney.  

 

Protecting Your Rights. Honor your gift by taking care of your health and the health of your transplanted kidney. Advocate for patient protections for all kidney disease patients and living donors.

While you may know very little about politics, you have first-hand experience with your own kidney transplant journey. Learn about initiatives and become passionate about them. Make live-donor protections and transplant recipient anti-rejection drug coverage a priority.

When sharing your story, talk about the importance of immunosuppression and the risk of not having ongoing coverage for the life of your transplant.  

Write your legislators or visit them locally, or in DC. Blog, tweet and social media post.

Learn More Here