Pain near transplant site

[kimosabi1961]

I am 13 months past my transplant, and I sometimes still have a pain now and then near the incision, sometimes an ache and sometimes it's sharp. It lasts only a second or so. My transplant team has told me it is from the nerves and muscle that were cut and it can take a long time to heal, often a year to 14 months. My labs look good and everything seems to be working, but I still get nervous when it happens. Anybody this far out from surgery have such pains?

[AndrewT]

Dear kimosabi1961,

Your Transplant team are right! Anywhere from six months, to eighteen months, after Transplant, your Cut Nerves, do re-grow! Sensations vary, from person to person, I initially had numbness- due to the cut nerves- then Strange (for want of a better word) feelings, shooting 'pains', alternating Numb and Sensitive areas,,,,, and so on. Six and a half years on, I was Transplanted in July 2013, I am- pretty much- back to Normal. (the odd numb/ sensitive area, if I really 'explore it.)

So despite your, quite understandable reservations, your 'Fine' kimosabi1961- Yup 'A' Ok, there Boy, or Girl (more likely). In actual fact, your 'Team' would probably worry FAR more, if you WEREN'T getting these 'feelings'- truth be told.

So run yourself a nice bath, if you have one- 'lollop' in bed if not- and enjoy your returning sensations, no REALLY! (Normally I would have recommended, a good soak, in a Spa... but perhaps NOT, at the Moment….) By the way....If you Do get any Unpleasant Effects/ Feelings...Which you won't,,,. then contact, your Transplant Team immediately.

Otherwise enjoy your Yourself...

Very Best wishes

AndrewT

[kimosabi1961 in reply to AndrewT]

Thanks!

[Dara3351]

The information given is correct. Usually scar tissue forms and can be a culprit. 10 months after my transplant I ended up having an endoscopy and my gall bladder removed. I get the same pain feeling (very brief) feeling like a peeling away... hard to explain .. but it’s part of the healing .

[Mary928]

Yes I agree. It’s normal. Don’t worry especially your labs are good. Thank God. I’m going on almost 3 years and I think I pulled a muscle around it and plus I have a slight hernia and I get worried myself . My kidney doctor has me wear a brace. God bless you

[chicago17]

Yes I'm 16 months in an still get pain and sometimes its very itchy . When I walk far I get an aching feeling my transplant team told me the same that it takes time to heal .

[Transplant314]

I am 12 months out today. I have not had the pain lately but I have had the same quick sharp pains and my team told me the exact same thing, it is the muscles and nerves. I am aware of every twinge, pain and sensation. I have had a couple routine ultrasounds of my abdomen and kidney and everything is fine. Hang in there.

[kimosabi1961]

Thanks to everybody!

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador]

Everyone is right. Your transplant was an extensive surgery. Scar tissue forms and the nerves in that area are not happy. Takes awhile but does go away. As someone else said, sometimes it feels like you pulled a muscle.

Later, many years after my transplant, I started getting that same pain. Then however, I had developed an incisional hernia in my transplant incision. Had it repaired. All fine now.

[pops81]

I couldn't agree more with what everyone has said, I would feel it on the treadmill and thought, oh great I have overdone it and damaged the kidney. call it growing pains with the new kidney...As like Mary928 and WYOAnne i did develop an incisional hernia about 12 years out and had it repaired.. but still occasionally feel a sharp pain or too, I think that is just a reminder to take it easy once in a while..just take note if it should change overtime or intensify and let your doctors know of the changes..always communicate with them, as most of my anxiety over the years has been over nothing once i explained it to a doctor. . Thats after almost 40 years...hang in there and enjoy it!