Blood work

[hotat1992]

Who is still going for Blood work? Mine is every 3mo, and that is coming up.

[Trident6656]

I'm 4 months post transplant and have been to the hospital 3 times this week. Mon for blood draw I am at once a week. Tue for anti coagulation testing due to warfarin and then today (Thur) I had a follow up to debridement surgery I had on the 10th.

I'm wearing a mask and hand sanitizing like crazy!

[Dara3351]

I am 13 months post transplant. I am now once a month unless something shows up that needs attention.

[Sunflowerlady1]

I am 4 months post transplant and have had one over the phone consultation without bloods in place of my last appointment. At that point i had gone 6 weeks with no bloods. They told me to come back 2 months.. which means i will have gone 3.5 months without bloods :/ worrying at this stage as i am so recently transplanted. On the other hand, they are treating covid patients at my hospital and i feel very healthy, so maybe this is the lesser risk. Thoughts?

[Hidden in reply to Sunflowerlady1]

That sounds scary for a newly transplanted patient. They told me not to come in either, and to wait. They kept trying to reassure me that if I keep taking my meds, my kidney will be okay, if I go later. I am scared to wait, and scared to go. They said if the tac level is a little elevated for a while, I should be okay. If you go it is scary, if you don't, it is scary. I am trying to see if I can get someone to draw blood at home. Nothing is 100% safe.

[Sunflowerlady1 in reply to Hidden]

This is my exact thoughts.. nothing is completely safe. I want to do everything in my power to not contract this virus but also desperate to keep my kidney safe. It's such a difficult time really. I am trying to do the best with what is in my control.. take meds on time, eat healthy etc. I know my doctor understands the risk of me not getting bloods so I assume he is worried about how serious the virus would be for me

[Hidden in reply to Sunflowerlady1]

I am with you on this. I feel the same. All of us who are immune compromised have to worry. Hang in there.

[Tarzan5]

I go every 2 weeks thanks to my friend BK Virus. It sucks

[Donaldson0007]

Im at every other mo and this was the reply from the clinic if I am to go: "I advise you to continue to have labs drawn but if you go, if its crowded then LEAVE!!!!!. Ask the lab what day is the least crowded. This situation with Coronavirus is very real. Please be safe." Turns out my lab has been shut down so I am working on getting an appointment elsewhere but - as you know - the labs are stupid complicated. It is tough enough going to the same palce with techs that are used to the orders. Finding someplace and someone else is going to be interesting at the least.

[Drdetroit]

I went yesterday to Quest. No one else there, But I still wore gloves & mask. I am 8 yrs post transplant. Be careful, best of luck

[lkhenderson]

I am 1.5 years post transplant and am still doing monthly labs. I went this week without any issues or delays. I was prescreened upon entering facility for fever and questions but it was routine during this time.

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador]

My labs are done every 3 months. For me, as long as I take proper CDC & NKF precautions I will go to the lab next month for my usual renal panel. I feel that the risk to me is minimal - but if something shows up in my blood it could really be life changing. I continue to go to the grocery store when needed and pharmacy.

Each of you will have to make that decision for yourselves along with your doctor's advice. I go to a lab in a small clinic, never seems to be very busy. I may feel differently if I lived in a large city and had to go to the area hospital for my labs.

Newly transplanted people are also having labs done for the blood level of their immunosuppressants. This is essential so you are on the right dose!! Too high could damage your new kidney and too low a dose could not protect you from rejection.

I had my transplant 20 years ago, but there is still always that worry that something could go wrong.

Take care.

[kimosabi1961]

I have to go monthly to the lab in our local hospital, and I now wear a mask due to Covid-19. My next time will be April 14.