side effects of medications

[catwoman0005]

Hi

I have had a kidney transplant 10 months ago,does anyone suffer from a chronic cough and ice cold toes due to medication

[bigbuzzard]

That does ring a bell. I've had two transplants (2007 & 2012). The cough I had was caused by Ramipril (for high BP) – this was easily changed to a different hypertension drug that is just as effective. Cold feet I had – though I can't remember what changed that made them go away.

[catwoman0005 in reply to bigbuzzard]

could you please tell me what the rampiril was changed too, also I am not sure but I think it is the bisopiril that is causing my cold feet

[Hassmac in reply to catwoman0005]

HI Catwoman,

I had problems with ramipril and was changed to candesartan, no problems now! All the very best.

[Hassmac in reply to bigbuzzard]

HI big buzzard, Do you mind telling me what happened to you in 2012 and how the kidney is doing at the moment? I am very lucky to be fourteen years into my first transplant, but it has dipped in function recently and I may need another transplant- I don't want to ask family members as I know what my dad went through for me, but I have a rare blood type, having had a transplant already makes it more difficult to match me, as you presumably know and will probably go on the waiting list for some time. I am worried that the next transplant will fail and I would hate to ask someone in the family (although there are those who have offered) for there to be rejection- I would struggle with that. It would be very helpful to gain an insight from someone who has had more than one transplant. Thanks in advance.

[bigbuzzard in reply to Hassmac]

Hi Hassmac

My first transplant, which came from a good friend, gradually reduced function over 4 years, and then declined (chronic rejection & bad reaction to one of immunosuppressant drugs) until I had to start dialysis again. At one of these sessions, I checked in using the Foursquare app, forgetting that I had connected it to my Facebook account. A couple friends saw I was 'in hospital' and asked how I was. I used this as an opportunity to let FB friends know what was happening (my first donor already knew). I'm in the UK. My cousin in the US saw this, and got in touch a couple of weeks later and offered to be a donor. About 11 months later in Nov 2012, he came over to the UK and the transplant went ahead – and all has been well since then – much smoother in fact than the first transplant. Perhaps the fact that my cousin and I are a much closer HLA (tissue type) match.

During the four years since my first transplant, my partner got pregnant and gave birth to our amazing daughter, we got married, we moved to a wonderful place. Basically that transplant transformed my life in so many ways, so even though we were unlucky that the function declined sooner that average, I see it as only a truly amazing thing that my friend did – and I think he feels the same.

I'm conscious of how lucky I was for a 2nd living donor to come along, and for that to have had such a positive outcome – not just for a successful transplant, but also because my family and my cousin's family have become so close, in a way that I doubt would ever have happened.

Both transplants have been such an amazing experience, not just for me, but also for all the other people involved. In 2011 I was really sick – lost loads of weight, and had no energy. I'm now back to full strength, living a full, active life and able to (just about) keep up with my 7 year-old daughter!

Of course it's impossible to know how anything will turn out. But I am so confident that the doctors will never let anyone become a living donor unless they're as convinced as they can be that they'll have no long-term bad consequences. So statistically, the chances are that going ahead with a second transplant from a living donor will be successful, both for you and the donor, and the good results won't just be for you, but also for your close family and friends.

I hope that helps. Feel free to ask more if you like.

[Hassmac in reply to bigbuzzard]

Dear Big Buzzard, I am SO pleased for you that the second transplant was a success. I am also a mother ( daughters are wonderful aren't they?) because my father donated me a kidney. It's good to hear that you are confident that the doctors wouldn't let someone donate if they didn't think that person would be ok after the operation. Everything is a lottery when it comes to health isn't it? I agree with what you say about the results being good for everyone, my father is in excellent health and he feels a real sense of emotional well being , as well as delight that I am well. I really hope that things work out well for you. You have made my day! Finally, do you mind if I share your story with a friend? She has recently been put onto haemodialysis and won't consider a living related transplant, because she doesn't want to put her family through discomfort. I can relate to the emotions, but wish I could persuade her to consider it at least. Once again, thank you.

[bigbuzzard in reply to Hassmac]

Of course – feel free to share.

For every kidney donor I've met, the discomfort they may feel for a few days or weeks is as nothing to the joy they have in seeing their recipient able to live a full and active life, without having to rely on dialysis with all that that entails.

I do know people who actively choose to be on dialysis (usually home haemo) rather than take anti-rejection drugs, and of course everyone is free to choose (if those choices are available).

I feel that allowing people to give such a precious gift can be a great gift in itself.

[Hassmac in reply to bigbuzzard]

I agree with all that you say and definitely feel it was a gift; one which is and has been treasured. My father actually feels privileged to have done it.

[suzanne63]

I had bad cough too and it was the ramipril changed to losarten and cough went within 2 weeks

[dananski]

I similarly got a bit of a cough after starting ramipril. I think the body gets more used to it over some time, but you could always ask the GP to suggest an alternative.