hi everyone just wondering did anyone else had problems with kidneys after transplant and also now needing insulin ..as much as you feel prepared nothing prepares you ..at the moment stes acting like a different person but to be expected he's shaking like mad not eating anything was anyone else the same x
thanks for any advice
It's very common for the kidneys to take a bit of a hit post t/p and some folks need dialysis for a short time to give them a bit of support. Did Ste have diabetes before the op? Quite common to need insulin post op too. He'll no doubt be on loads of steroids which can cause diabetes type symptoms. Trust the docs, probably no issues they haven't seen before and they'll get him sorted.
wasn't diabetic before but now is so being given insulin and today they trying a drug on him if it doesn't work they said he will go on dialasis. He also got an infection .so today been a but of a crappy day he also very confused but they said it could be the infection causing that. We thought we were ready and prepared but it really is a big op and a shock to his body. But thanks katie for your response
Hi Lippy,
As soon as I came round the doctors were concerned about my kidneys, and that they’d been shocked by the operation.
They kept a very close eye on them through my 9 day stay in hosp, and they did settle down!!
Looking at pics of me while I was still on morphine, I looked completely spaced out and loved the food. As soon as the morphine stopped, the food became horrible!!!
The doctors are keeping a very close eye on him now, and will continue to do so, especially over the next three months, be ready for lots of visits to clinic!! But, as you said, he is already better. Other challenges will most likely come along in future, but he’s alive!!
Wish him well from us all.
Andy.
No advice but wanted to send love and good thoughts. I know all the things you mention seem to crop up frequently in post TX patients so I am sure they have a tried and tested path to treat everything he is going through. He is in the safest of hands x
Yes. My kidneys stopped working for a few days after operation. Hence why I spent 4 days in ICU while they attempted sorting them out. Ironically, as soon as they ended the intervention they restarted almost immediately. Nearly 10 years later they're still ok, but the doc's still keep a close eye on kidney function.
I can't comment on insulin as I'm still diabetes free, thank God.
Yes my husband did last Christmas, 4 & half years after transplant, he had an acute kidney injury caused by his body storing his immuno suppresant which had to be gradually reduced then changed. He went from 4mg to 0.5mg. He was also given insulin to take
My kidneys were badly damaged within weeks of my transplant due to tacrolimus and valganciclovir, lots of intravenous fluids and drug changes, now 5 years post I have 40%kidney function but they are stable and doctors not worried. I'm also diabetic, had insulin for the first couple of weeks post but now just take pills, caused by the steroids which can also cause the mood problems. Tacrolimus can also cause high sugar levels. His transplant consultant will be monitoring him and will adjust medication
if you use Facebook please feel free to join out friendly and knowledgeable Facebook group called liver transplant support uk.
Hilary
As others have said, the kidneys do take a bit of a hit as they are starved of blood flow for quite a bit during the transplant and can take a while to recover. The meds post transplant can also have an effect. I too had a bit of an extended ICU stay while my kidneys recovered.
The post transplant medication can give you the shakes too, usually though that's in your arms and writing is almost impossible for the first week or so and making a cup of coffee gets a bit messy, lol. If its an all over body shake then that may just be down to the infection. Hopefully they can get that sorted.
The infection may also be putting him off his food too, or if he is on strong antibiotics then that too could have an effect. When I had sepsis I remember everything tasted like cardboard and sawdust, so not that appetising. Hopefully his appetite will return once he gets over the infection.
Keeping my fingers crossed for you both 🤞🤞.
Hi Lippy 42. I had my transplant in 2010, I too had a kidney injury they called it during operation. After being home a week I had a short stay in my local hospital for rehydration for my kidneys. All got much better fairly quickly. One thing I wanted to say was about nutrition. I too had shaking from Tacrolimis in my case advagraf. I had no appetite either but this wasn’t helping taking meds on little food nor was it helping my kidneys. So I wanted to suggest perhaps asking for a supplement drink or eating very small amounts often. I didn’t realise at the time how important it was to keep some nutrition going. I’m absolutely sure he’s in good hands, keep them informed and things I’m sure will improve. All the best to you both.
thankyou everyone for sharing your experiences and your kind thoughts.Ste has had some meds for kidneys they are improving and Dr has said on discharge they will be monitored at appointments. He has had a blood transfusion and infection now gone . On Monday the diabetes nurse is talking us through his insulin the liver team are explaining all his meds and fingers crossed home tues. He is very very wobbly on his feet so thinking ahead may need a frame short time to support him.But the main change is personality he id so rude and demanding and swearing this is so not like him and seeing things that are not there he was taking rifaximin for H.E I'm wondering if he still has this ?? Anyway what a journey so far and once again we are forever grateful
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