Heart Transplant

[Curryandchips]

Has anyone on here had a heart transplant?

If so, can they tell me what its like to live after the operation? What changes do you have to make? What drugs do you have to take and are the side effects debilitating?

Thanks in advance.

[Thanksnhs]

Hi I had a transplant on 26th July this year, in the middle of the pandemic, I was 8 hours in surgery but the transplant went well, after a couple of days in icu I was back in the ward with the lovely physio getting me out of bed and up walking, less than four weeks later I was discharged, I live alone and they made sure I could manage by myself, all personal care and able to get up and down the stairs, I don't have a downstairs toilet unfortunately, they gave me a seat for my shower and other aids are available if needed, my new heart is doing really well but I am not going to lie about the drugs, the side effects are not great but I am very small and have low tolerance to them, the steroids at the moment are causing the most but eventually I will come off them, so it's not forever and they are vital, the immusupprestants cause a few issues but everyone is different, and other people have no issues at all, I attend the clinic most weeks and my lovely consultant adjusts them as needed to see what helps, once again the dose will be reduced as time goes on, it's early days and I am very grateful to my hospital, the golden jubilee near Glasgow, for giving me this chance and care that is second to none, I am female age 62, please message if you want to ask me anything at all, Its a scary journey waiting on a transplant, take care char

[Curryandchips in reply to Thanksnhs]

Have sent you a message