Should a person who had a mental history but is on remission now get a transplant?

[mingmiley]

My friend told me because she had some mental problem so her doctor don't recommend her get a transplant, says it will make it worse. Is that so? I had a transplant some years ago, because somebody put drugs in my food, I became a schizophrenia, having illusion and hearing voice. later they forced me into mental hospital, inside they abused me, didn't let me to out to see my once a month doctor follow up, later when i came out, my kidney got worse and then I lost it. But then I saw a psychiatrist, he prescribed me risperidone, that took away my illusion and voices. Thank the Lord. I wonder if I should go get a transplant now? I'm 72 now, have osteoporosis, I don't know if i should ? And I do need take prednisone if I got a transplant. Ming

[Gardner-NY]

Hello Mingmiley, I have no experiences like you discuss with serious mental health, but I just wanted to say I am so very sorry that you experienced this in life. I wish you all the best in life.

[mingmiley in reply to Gardner-NY]

Thank you for your kindness. Ever since I take risperidone the illusion and voice gone away. Thank the Lord.Now I live in a Senior apt, thank the Lord I got a view in my room, I go church and do Bible study on zoom and go dialysis. Thanks the Lord.

[Oceansideup]

So sorry to hear of your terrible experience but glad that you eventually got effective treatment for your mental health. You said a friend told you what her doctor said about not getting a transplant. But what about you?

Have you asked your doctors? You didn’t say. Everyone is different, so what is advised for one person could be different for what might be advised for you. So many factors that are considered before moving forward with a transplant, so starting the discussion with your doctor seems to be the first logical step.

Best of luck to you moving forward.

[mingmiley in reply to Oceansideup]

Thank you. I got transplant once with prednisone and I got very emotionally distraught, got in a lot of trouble until I lost the kidney, got back on dialysis, then one dialysis friend told me why she's not on waiting list, it's because she had some mental problem, her doctor told her not to get a transplant because prednisone's gonna make her worse. The second time I got on transplant list, I told the transplant doc my experience and my concern, hoping he will encourage me to do it, but no, he never encourage , seemed he agreed with what I said, and he wanted it to be my own decision. afraid that my mental state will become worse, so I came out from top the list two times. Right now this is my 14th years of dialysis, even though I have to endure 4 hours sitting there, but basicly my life is calm and peaceful. I thank the Lord I have a view in my room, and I thank the Lord I have a nice computer(it's a gift from my kind nephew) that I can get on zoom Bible studies, and I can serve the Lord by going to church, Christian fellowships. Praise the Lord.

[Oceansideup in reply to mingmiley]

Thanks for providing more detail. Now I understand why the transplant decision has been so hard. AND you are getting through your 14th year on dialysis. I am sorry that this is so difficult and full of uncertainty with no clear answer for you. In spite of this, you still find gratitude that you have a view in your room, a computer that helps you stay connected, and a church community. “Basically my life is calm and peaceful…” I admire your ability to embrace what is good when your circumstances have been so challenging.

[mingmiley in reply to Oceansideup]

Thank you. You write very good.............

[mingmiley in reply to Oceansideup]

ank you Oceansideup, I like to read your writing, You brought out the good of others which i myself did not capture. Thank you.

[Oceansideup in reply to mingmiley]

[SadMad in reply to mingmiley]

14 years on hemodialysis, wow, God is surely in your corner to keep you going! I pray that you can continue to get thru each day. I could never do 14 years of hemo. 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador]

As part of a transplant work-up at a medical center they usually include an exam with a psychiatrist. It would be up to the transplant center to determine if you are healthy enough for a transplant.

[mingmiley in reply to WYOAnne]

Thank you. The hospital I went to, they didn't bring up the psychiatrist. I talked to transplant doctor about my last transplant experience and prednisone, he just listened but said nothing. I was hoping to get some positive encouragement but i didn't get any. Out of afraid that my mental state will become worse, so I came out of the waiting list.

[SadMad in reply to WYOAnne]

Yes I had to be seen and get approval from their psychiatrist as part of the evaluation to be put on the list.

[mingmiley in reply to SadMad]

IliveonGod'sstrength.justinthemorningwhenidon'thavetogodialysis,Itrytoreadhisword,tr ytobewithHim.andgotobiblestudiesthosethings.godisfaithful.Sorrymycomputernotworki ngright,ican'tseperatethewords.

[LisaSnow]

Thank you for sharing your story. Please don't beat yourself up about having lost your transplant. Many patients lose theirs for many different reasons. Medicine is just not perfect. I think you should discuss your concern and ask these questions directly with your nephrologist. They may have other medication options to offer you if you really want to get another transplant. Don't make decision on your own due to fear. Allow your clinicians to do their job and advise you point on point. Stay healthy and joyful!

[mingmiley in reply to LisaSnow]

Thank you. I will remember your advise.

[SadMad]

I too have had a history of mental illness and have been in mental hospitals more that than six times in my life due to depression and suicidal. I am on 2 different antidepressants of and 3 different anxiety medications. I am do to get a kidney any time. I was on Prednisone once and was really really happy and then went downhill. I try to take each day at a time and sometimes each hour at a time. I see a therapist once a month. My married life has suffered the last few years. I guess my husband has grown distant from me after the mental episodes and this damn ESRD. Most of my family are very supportive. You do need to have someone in your life that will listen and support you. I can't really exercise as both my knees are shot and can't even think about knee replacement surgery at this time. I do love my dogs and cat and keep busy taking care of my fish and mystery snails. One Day at a Time! Yesterday is gone and tomorrow isn't promised so I try to live each day and not make a lot of plans for the future. God Bless You and All of Us on Here!!! 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[mingmiley in reply to SadMad]

Thank you for your writing. I hope you won't need prednison when you get a transplant, You see all the anti- rejections will knock down our body functions little bit from what i experienced ( for example, I got more acid reflux episodes, i got molds problems and Osteoperosis, and some emotional outbursts). but maybe some other transplant receivers they dealt fine. overall i still glad i had that transplant for 16 years, it lengthened my life for 16 years. i still hoped that i didn't lose that kidney. and I should get the anti- psychosis pills sooner) Now i'm on dialysis, i'm only getting older. I'm glad your transplant team will let you get an kidney. I did lost my husband because my mental situation. I hope you will doing fine with a transplant. I will be praying for you. God bless you.

[mingmiley]

Hi,i'msorryaboutmycomputernotspacing,ijustkeepitshort.todearSadMad,ipraythatyou'llgetatransplantwithminimalsideeffects,andyouwilldealitwell.sorryaboutyourhusbandsituation.... ..........justkeeponreadingGod'swords,keeponprayingandgetintosp,getintosomeChristiancommunityorfellowship,theywillshareyourworryandprayforyou.MayJesusblessyou.