Kidney transplant 17 yrs. survived Covid 3/2020 and still have antibodies. Unvaccinated wondering if others concerned with immune response.

[homerontherange]

Unsure if I should get the vaccine as I have antibodies.

[Hidden]

I would get the vaccine.

[LavenderRabbit]

I would get the vaccine. The more protection, the better!Also, I would like to hear about your Covid experience, if you want to share. I’m very curious to know what transplant patients experience with Covid.

[homerontherange in reply to LavenderRabbit]

Covid was horrible and my younger brother who also had a kidney transplant for 27 years contracted covid and died within 10 days. He got the respiratory issues and ended up on a ventilator, he died on 04/06/2020, one of the first 3,000 or so deaths. My own experience was different, I never had any breathing difficulties but had severe headaches, body aches and heavy muscle pains. I also had diarrhea and was bed ridden for 12 days. Unfortunately I still have many post covid symptoms like fatigue and now am short of breath. (Long hauler) My doctors initially told me to avoid getting the vaccine since I still have antibodies. Their concern is with the vaccine causing an immune response that might trigger a rejection. I am now thinking with the delta variant and possible others it may be time to get vaccinated anyway as the reward may be greater than the risk. Thanks for your response, I appreciate it.

[LavenderRabbit in reply to homerontherange]

From your reply, talk to your doctors!

[LisaSnow in reply to homerontherange]

I am very sorry for your loss.

[homerontherange in reply to LisaSnow]

I do quite often. Thanks

[Gardner-NY]

From my research on covid19 when a person has the virus, the antibodies do not last a long time in the body to protect you. I've read reputable stories where people had covid and chose not to be vaccinated and ended up in ICU. Please ask your kidney doctors what they think. My spouse had his transplant Nov 18 and his kidney transplant doctors told him to get all three shots, which he did. The sad news is the research I 'm reading is not promising that most whole organ transplant recepients due to antirejection meds are not making any or enough of the antibodies for protection BUT more research is being done on this group of people. Please call your doctor.

[homerontherange in reply to Gardner-NY]

I was just hoping someone else was in my predicament too. Having survived a covid infection and being on anti-rejection drugs. I am part of a study following people with antibodies, unfortunately they don’t have information on if I’m still protected or what level is needed for protection. Thanks for your response.

[Gardner-NY in reply to homerontherange]

I had also read in the John Hopkins medical study on antibody production in whole organ transplant recepients that one thing not known yet is how many antibodies does a person need to be protected from covid19 and not end up in the hospital very ill. That is what they are still trying to find out, what is the minimum antibody level a person needs to have for protection.

[homerontherange in reply to Gardner-NY]

Yes this is the question I’m trying to get answered and I guess my doctors are being cautious. In the meantime my wife is vaccinated and I don’t go out. Thank you for your response.

[Darlenia]

My hubby's transplant center is routinely monitoring my husband's antibody status and informed him his antibodies are high and, as soon as his drops, they will give him the third shot. My hubby received the Moderna vaccine while still on peritoneal dialysis. I suspect some vaccines were developed to activate your spike proteins against a number variants. I have two brothers who contracted Covid and they both subsequently got themselves vaccinated apparently for this reason. However, neither of them were immunocompromised. But ask your team, they're the knowledgeable ones who know how these vaccines operate and also the value of you receiving them. Feel free to share the feedback.

[homerontherange in reply to Darlenia]

Will do, thank you.

[LisaSnow]

Yes just like vaccinated individuals are still at (a very small) risk of contracting COVID-19, having had the infection does not guarantee that your body is remembering it well enough (especially for the "new" variant) to protect you from getting very sick if you catch it again. It is especially problematic as an immune-compremised individual. I would be very surprised if your care team recommends against vaccination.

Do you have any specific reason for the hesitation?

[homerontherange in reply to LisaSnow]

I have been advised to hold off on the vaccine by my nephrologist due to the fact I have antibodies. I am just asking to see if anyone else is in my similar position. Thanks for your response.

[LisaSnow in reply to homerontherange]

I have S antibodies after two vaccines and nephrologist advised me to get the 3rd booster regardless.

[homerontherange in reply to LisaSnow]

Thank you for your response.

[Gardner-NY]

I read by using google searches the John Hopkins medical study on whole organ transplant and the spring 2021 results after this category of volunteers had their 2 covid19 shots, the study talked about specific antirejection meds , in particular mycophenolate mofetil medication is much less able to allow the body to make antibodies and my spouse is on this drug and two others. This information with John Hopkins this summer with 3rd vaccine is not much better with results. Most people did not make antibodies or they made very few. I read this study and a few others for my own knowledge to know what I should be doing to protect my spouse. We just continue to live an isolated lifestyle, but we've been doing this since his transplant Nov2018 due to so so many serious problems he had with donated kidney for almost 14 months. Not a fun way to live, but we have no choice.

[homerontherange in reply to Gardner-NY]

Thank you so much for your response. I will be sure to read that study and make sure my doctors are aware of it also. Sending positive thoughts and our prayers for your husband as well. Thanks again, Rick

[Gardner-NY in reply to homerontherange]

Thanks. Knowledge is power.

[bluekidney]

Hi, I just had my kidney transplant July 6th. I had COVID back in January at first all of the doctors were hesitant to give me the vaccine because there wasn’t enough information out there in regards to getting vaccinated after contracting it in immunocompromised individuals. They eventually gave me the go ahead and received my second dose early in April. Once they announced the third dose I spoke to my transplant team and they tested my antibodies which came out really high so they advised to wait eight months after my second dose which will be in December to receive the third dose. They did mention to me that transplanted individuals had a harder time making the antibodies after receiving the vaccine. You can definitely ask your team what is best for you individually. I’m sure they will give you the best advise.

[homerontherange in reply to bluekidney]

Thank you very much.

[Bax509]

I would get the vaccine. Transplanted this June. Docs all recommended I get all three shots. Got the first two prior to transplant in March. Third just recently. I've had no issues.

[homerontherange]

My first dose of Phizer on 9/3/2021. So good to hear positive stories, thanks.