Anxiety post transplant?

[Byoung]

Has anyone experienced severe treatment resistant anxiety after there transplant? I’m 2 years post transplant on my second kidney and the anxiety began shortly after that. It continues to worsen.

[PostivelyJo]

Pause. Think about what you’ve been through, are continuing to go through, think about the medication and the side effects. The implications on your life Android your family. It’s enormous. Yet wether you feel it or not you are coping .

Anxiety is a natural response to this, but if it is interfering with your day to day living I would seek some help, possibly with someone experienced in chronic illness or transplants . My hospital offered this.

The important thing is you acknowledge your anxiety which you have, the first step towards lessening it is to be aware that anxiety is present

I found Guided mindfulness an immediate help although it takes practise. I can recommend a site if this would be something you’d like to pursue.

You are not alone in your feelings and it will pass.

Anchor yourself momentarily in awareness of the tiniest things and slowly you will chip away at the whole.

I’ve just been through a transplant , a divorce and a house move ,and found it completely overwhelming at times .... but one foot in front of the other , reducing the enormity of each day to completing tasks no matter how small is keeping me moving forward.

When I look back I see progress .

You will be ok , you really will.

Jo

[LisaSnow]

Could you clarify what you mean by treatment resistant? Are you under the care of a competent psychiatrist for your anxiety?

[Eyak1971]

Experiencing the same. Since I had few problems with dialysis and was functioning with little symptoms i was content. And my kidney problem rarely too center stage. I had waited 5 years for a kidney transplant and did not anticipate it would happen my age. Then at the age of 70 I got the call. I was happy but I really did not understand the side medication side effects I would experience and the viruses and cancers I could experience because of my anti rejection medication. Now at the age of 71 I should be ready to move on and be happy but I still question every bodily change. The best I could say to you is honor your feelings. You are human and you have the right to feel anxiety particularly in the age of covid. Your medication may be part of the problem and your are experiencing what others are feeling. I find I can set aside those feelings when I take time to communicate with others. They don't go away they just don't take center stage. I was happily surprised when my doctor shared with me that it was ok to have these feelings so reach out to anyone who will listen and be open. I listened and talking to you right now benefited me also.