Biopsy on Wednesday

[kimosabi1961]

2 1/2 years post transplant, and this Wednesday I have to undergo a kidney biopsy due to increase in creatinine. If it's a rejection episode maybe they can treat it, but I'm worried it's something else.

[Hidden]

Hi…I’m sorry to hear about your anxiety over the biopsy. Just remember, medical diagnostic tools, such as a biopsy, are there to maintain the health of your kidney. I’m ten months post snd have yet to have a biopsy. But, my labs just detected BK so I’m not a happy camper. My wife tells me to enjoy my life with my new kidney — something I still have trouble doing. I know it’s difficult but try and let your doctors do the worrying for you.

Sending positive vibes your way.

Christopher

[LisaSnow]

I haven't had one but heard it is really common and painless. Only thing is you have to lie flat for a few hours after.to prevent bleeding. It is anxiety provoking indeed but the results will help the clinical team to understand what is needed to reverse back to the top shape. Will be sending healing thoughts your way on Wednesday!

[Eyak1971]

Share your anxiety with your team. They are there to help you through times like this. We can offer support on line but you really need human contact from people you know and trust. We need to be just as open to them as we are with people on the web. That can be difficult but give it a try. You might be surprised. Take care and enjoy the life you have been given. Try reciting the serenity prayer aloud.

[Hidden]

I am interested to find out the cause. My creatinine spiked from 1.0 to 1.6 and has hovered around this level for a year. Did your GFR drop? Did your BUN elevate? Were you sick with anything prior? Did you have an ultrasound first? Very interested to hear the outcome. Hang in there and let us all know how you are doing.

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador]

Sorry to hear that you need a biopsy of your transplant! I know that it is scary, but the process is a whole lot easier than when they did your "native" kidneys. It is pretty common those first few years. Be glad they are doing it now, because they can stop a rejection episode if that is why your creatinine has increased. My first couple of years I had 2-3 biopsies of my transplant. For me it was never a rejection episode and hope the same will be true for you.Prayers!

[kimosabi1961 in reply to WYOAnne]

After looking at my meds, the center decided to have me do labs again before they might have to do the biopsy. It might happen next week unless I have a good lab reading Thursday. Wish me luck!

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador in reply to kimosabi1961]

I know if you are on too high a dose of your immunosuppressant meds, it can make your creatinine go up. My dose was changed several times those first couple of years because of that. Now, at almost 22 years post transplant my creatinine varies very little. Now if it goes up, so does my BUN - so am dehydrated.Make sure these next few days that you hydrated and don't vary the time you take your meds. Best of luck to you. Let us know how your labs turn out.

[Gardner-NY]

Hello kimosabi1961, my spouse of over 40 yrs had his first kidney biopsy 3 months after his transplant due to what his labs showed happening. The procedure was not that bad and he had to lay flat a few hours and his biopsy results showed ' low grade rejection'. He was in the hospital for 4 days on high levels of steroids (don't recall what kind) by IV to reverse this rejection and it worked. I brought him home and oral steroids of prednisone at a higher level were given for him to take for a few months and then lowered in time. While in the hospital it was found his red blood cell count was lower than it should be, so that is when they gave him a shot to boost that issue and for 8 months 3X a week I gave him that medication (name escapes me now). It is very good your medical team is keeping a close look at you. I can feel your anxiety through what you wrote and though I'm a wife caring for my husband with the transplant, I understand somewhat how you feel. Sounds like you have caring medical team. I'll add you to my prayer list and hope with your more recent post you don't need this biopsy.All my best.

[Transplant2018]

Any results yet? We all well understand your anxiety.

[Waqar5000]

Are you done with your labs? What are the results?

[Alfredmynewkidney]

Thinking of you!! Have you had an allosure test? My center looks at that before doing a biopsy. I hope your labs are good and you can stop worrying!