Kidney issues post liver transplant

[TBSW]

Hi I'm 1 year post liver transplant, but my kidneys seem to be taking a hit. My GFR is reducing at each blood test. It is now 39 and drops by about 5 every time. They've not said if it's now CKD but I'm worried as the internet says 39 is stage 3B. They have reduced my tacrolimus to 1mg twice daily, but again I'm not sure if this is because of my kidney issues. I've now got pain over my left kidney and I think I may have an infection. Has anyone else had issues with their kidneys post LT. Thanks

[Hidden]

Good evening,

I am sure you will get a reply from other forum users at some point but in the meantime let me just say that it is not at all uncommon to have kidney problems post transplant. Sometimes a change of immunosupressant is required but in the end it can usually be managed. Hopefully you have spoken to your GP/transplant team about your pain and ? infection...

regards

[ballie52]

Hi TBSW yes my husband has had lower kidney function after his transplant!His consultant isn't too worried about it!

I think maybe as you said it could be related possibly to your immune suppression drugs!

I don't know his GFR right now but it did go down post transplant!

[Huggy7614]

Hi, pretty much the first conversation I had with a doctor when I woke up after surgery was that they were worried about my kidneys as they seemed to go into shock during surgery. They picked up again while in hosp but my eGFR kept falling after release, slowly. After about 6-8 months it went down to 59, and so they reduced my tacrolimus from 3 to 2.5. Since then it has stabilised and gone up again, think it was around 70 at my last blood test.

Mine isn’t anywhere near as significant as yours, but I understand how concerned you will be. Keep it current during your follow ups, but it sounds like they’re keeping it in check too.

Good luck, andy.

[Yellowsydney]

Hi, I had kidney problems within weeks of my transplant due to tacrolimus and valganciclovir, spent many weeks in Addenbrookes in a drip and drug changes. Now 4 years post I take 0.5mg tacrolimus twice daily and have 40% kidney function stage 3b, doesn't effect me no pain but doctors get concerned. Drink lots of water to help flush tacrolimus through your system, minimum 2 litres per day.This is a very common problem and frequently comes up in Facebook groups @liver transplant support uk. Good luck

Hilary