Post-Op Experience

[Donor0218]

Hello friends! I recently donated a kidney. My first 3 weeks seemed to go just fine but the next 2 weeks that followed, I seemed to regress. It seemed to be triggered by my menstrual cycle arriving, but I'm having a hard time getting answers from the medical team I am working with about what I am experiencing and if it is normal. Has anyone here experienced anything like this?

[STLtoCLT]

Hi! I’m about 4.5 weeks post-donation and can agree it hasn't been a “linear” progression for me. My second week was great and the third I went downhill a bit and then recovered —and then went downhill once more. I’m doing okay now, but have learned I need to be more careful than I thought not to overdo it. Even just working from home on the computer, visiting with friends at home, etc., which felt easy, I think I should’ve gone slower. The second thing: at one point I thought I was past the pain when the incisions started to hurt less…but there was definitely a second “phase” of new pains which my doctor described as my nerves repairing internally. They also reminded me that I got may have gotten poked around by the laparoscopic tools a bit so some muscles, etc. may still be healing.

Can’t say if my menstrual cycle impacted much other than perhaps an addition later of fatigue at the time.

Hang in there!!

[Sambaraj]

How did you get Nkfa Donor Card?

[MAV86]

Hello! I donated in December of 2020 and it took me a while for the swelling and pain to go away especially with my menstrual cycle. Try not to over do it but I can tell you there are ups and downs the first year. I hope it’s gets better

[Oxford888]

Hi I hit three weeks post donor op and think I have become a little bit too confident in getting straight back to normal. This from a guys perspective. I have a nagging dull pain similar to when I had the onsett of a kidney stone years ago and slight tescular swelling which appears not uncommon. I think slow(er) and steady definitely the way to go.

[SoniaBrummer]

I don't recall having that experience. Everyone can be so different. I hope you are doing well today and feeling more like yourself.

I see you posted this about 3 months ago and your surgery was about 4 months ago. I think when I was at about 4 months I was pretty much my regular self, I could exercise but not to vigorously until about 6 months. I'm 13 years post-op and have not had any effects since surgery.