Antidepressants post-transplant

[RavaSpirit]

Hi! This community has been really helpful for me to navigate the post-transplant journey as I close in on my 1 year. Though recently things have been getting tough mentally and my transplant nephrologist asked me to see a psychiatrist who specializes with transplant patients. After a long conversation, her diagnoses was that I had severe anxiety and depression. And recommends medication.

I have read a lot of conflicting information on how antidepressants can help. So I was wondering if anyone in this community has experience with Antidepressants after getting a transplant? And are open to sharing what was the experience like? 🙏

[Zinnia70]

Hang in there RavaSpirit. I don't know the answer but someone here will.

[RavaSpirit in reply to Zinnia70]

🙏🙏

[LisaSnow]

I believe getting your anxiety and depression under control is important enough to not worry about the side effects before starting the treatment. This is so that you can take better care of yourself. If you do experience side effects, the professionals can change or alter your prescriptions. It is also helpful if you find a therapist you like and meet with them regularly just to talk about your worries. You had one of the major life changing events and coping with it is never easy. It is courageous of you to get help, and it will help you feel empowered and in control again.

[RavaSpirit in reply to LisaSnow]

Thank you for sharing your perspective and reassuring words. 🙏

[SOct91]

let me clarify I’ve had a kidney transplant and I’m on antidepressants but I didn’t start them *because* of my transplant. I was only 5 years old when I had my transplant and I come from a family who unfortunately has a stigma against therapy and mental health medications. But I’ve always been anxious transplant or not (although everything that comes with it certainly doesn’t help!) and I grew up, started therapy, and realized if I didn’t get some of my thoughts and mental state under better control I’d sabotage myself and my relationships. I’m not going to lie to you, it was a bit of a journey trying to find the right one and combo. Some affected my sodium levels too much, some had side effects I refused to live with, but after trial and error I have found the right combo and I do believe help me better manage through life. Know the journey is worth it and feel free to reach out if you need, you (nobody) should have to feel alone in this.

[RavaSpirit in reply to SOct91]

Thank you for sharing your experience. The trial and error business of the medical world is quite frustrating but it is nice to know it is worth the journey. 🙏