1. < Transplants

COVID-19 and Transplant Patients

Posted by jolinda @jolinda, Mar 14, 2020

As a kidney transplant recipient I have been extra vigilant/worried about protecting myself as COVID-19 spreads. Like most transplant patients I am used to washing my hands, carrying hand-sanitizer, avoiding sick people, getting flu shots, etc. The COVID-19 outbreak has caused me to take additional steps to try to remain safe but I am worried for my health. I would like to hear what you are doing to stay safe and how you are feeling.

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mayofeb2020 | @mayofeb2020 | Feb 5, 2021
In reply to @athenalee "This is a general information post of a story on NPR about an immunosuppressed individual and..." + (show)
@athenalee

This is a general information post of a story on NPR about an immunosuppressed individual and his battle against Covid. It is both terrifying and fascinating what his doctors have found - https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/02/05/964447070/where-did-the-coronavirus-variants-come-from

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Very scary indeed.

REPLY
JK | @contentandwell | Feb 5, 2021
In reply to @athenalee "This is a general information post of a story on NPR about an immunosuppressed individual and..." + (show)
@athenalee

This is a general information post of a story on NPR about an immunosuppressed individual and his battle against Covid. It is both terrifying and fascinating what his doctors have found - https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/02/05/964447070/where-did-the-coronavirus-variants-come-from

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@athenalee Very interesting, but as @kedwards73 commented, frightening, particularly for us immunocompromised patients. Up until now, I had read those immunocompromised patients could catch Covid easier but once they had they did not fare worse than other people. There has also been some speculation that being on tacrolimus has helped some patients.

I cannot imagine having it for so long and then not defeating it.
JK

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1 reply
kedwards73 | @kedwards73 | Feb 5, 2021

I read similar reports, that Tacro and possibly other immunosuppressants seem to inhibit the Cytokine storm which occurs in Covid-19 Stage III patients. That sounded like an “up side” but this report seems to somewhat contradict that information. My own, likely worthless, opinion is there is so much unknown about the propagation of this virus that most information is purely speculative! I saw a fantastic NHK documentary on YouTube about this insidious virus. Its very clear that individuals can have widely varied responses to the disease. Its all very frightening to me and I just try and live each day in the best way I can...much like pre-transplant...

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2 replies
Mentor
Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor | @artscaping | Feb 5, 2021
In reply to @contentandwell "@athenalee Very interesting, but as @kedwards73 commented, frightening, particularly for us immunocompromised patients. Up until now,..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@athenalee Very interesting, but as @kedwards73 commented, frightening, particularly for us immunocompromised patients. Up until now, I had read those immunocompromised patients could catch Covid easier but once they had they did not fare worse than other people. There has also been some speculation that being on tacrolimus has helped some patients.

I cannot imagine having it for so long and then not defeating it.
JK

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Good evening @contentandwell Hi there.......just wondering. I am on tacrolimus topical. Just how does that work against Covid?
Thanks,
Chris

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tasher3433 | @tasher3433 | Feb 5, 2021
In reply to @kedwards73 "I read similar reports, that Tacro and possibly other immunosuppressants seem to inhibit the Cytokine storm..." + (show)
@kedwards73

I read similar reports, that Tacro and possibly other immunosuppressants seem to inhibit the Cytokine storm which occurs in Covid-19 Stage III patients. That sounded like an “up side” but this report seems to somewhat contradict that information. My own, likely worthless, opinion is there is so much unknown about the propagation of this virus that most information is purely speculative! I saw a fantastic NHK documentary on YouTube about this insidious virus. Its very clear that individuals can have widely varied responses to the disease. Its all very frightening to me and I just try and live each day in the best way I can...much like pre-transplant...

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Good to hear there is some sanity, and yes! Your opinion is valuable!

REPLY
JK | @contentandwell | Feb 6, 2021
In reply to @kedwards73 "I read similar reports, that Tacro and possibly other immunosuppressants seem to inhibit the Cytokine storm..." + (show)
@kedwards73

I read similar reports, that Tacro and possibly other immunosuppressants seem to inhibit the Cytokine storm which occurs in Covid-19 Stage III patients. That sounded like an “up side” but this report seems to somewhat contradict that information. My own, likely worthless, opinion is there is so much unknown about the propagation of this virus that most information is purely speculative! I saw a fantastic NHK documentary on YouTube about this insidious virus. Its very clear that individuals can have widely varied responses to the disease. Its all very frightening to me and I just try and live each day in the best way I can...much like pre-transplant...

Jump to this post

@kedwards73 if these immunosuppressants do help I hope it’s more than tacrolimus because I was switched to sirolimus due to my creatinine being high.

You are right, there is still so much that is not known. This virus seems to be a bit of an enigma.
What you are doing is all we can do, just live each day with awareness and caution. We have been highly isolating, everything gets delivered and sanitized or left unopened for a few days before putting it away. After my husband and I have both had the two vaccine doses and waited the required time I’m hoping to at least go to get out to buy my own produce. I’m also considering getting my hair done. My stylist has his own small shop and has won an award for their sanitizing practices. I would double mask.

@artscaping I have no idea about topical tacrolimus, I didn’t even know that there is such a thing!
JK

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1 reply
athenalee | @athenalee | Feb 6, 2021
In reply to @contentandwell "@kedwards73 if these immunosuppressants do help I hope it’s more than tacrolimus because I was switched..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@kedwards73 if these immunosuppressants do help I hope it’s more than tacrolimus because I was switched to sirolimus due to my creatinine being high.

You are right, there is still so much that is not known. This virus seems to be a bit of an enigma.
What you are doing is all we can do, just live each day with awareness and caution. We have been highly isolating, everything gets delivered and sanitized or left unopened for a few days before putting it away. After my husband and I have both had the two vaccine doses and waited the required time I’m hoping to at least go to get out to buy my own produce. I’m also considering getting my hair done. My stylist has his own small shop and has won an award for their sanitizing practices. I would double mask.

@artscaping I have no idea about topical tacrolimus, I didn’t even know that there is such a thing!
JK

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I’m with you...I can’t wait to feel more comfortable about going to my local salon. I found out how hard it was to cut my hair with tremors. At least when I walk I can wear a hat!

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bosco17 | @bosco17 | Feb 6, 2021

Liver tx people who have had vaccine and what side effects ,interactions,or problems did you have (ex.- rejection)

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1 reply
Moderator
Amanda Roe | @amandajro | Feb 6, 2021

@bosco17 I understand you are interested in hearing from liver tx members regarding vaccine experiences. Because of that, you will notice I have moved your post into an existing discussion for transplant patients with questions on COVID.

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JK | @contentandwell | Feb 6, 2021
In reply to @bosco17 "Liver tx people who have had vaccine and what side effects ,interactions,or problems did you have..." + (show)
@bosco17

Liver tx people who have had vaccine and what side effects ,interactions,or problems did you have (ex.- rejection)

Jump to this post

@bosco17 I had my first shot two weeks ago. That afternoon I had some fatigue and a mild headache. I took an acetaminophen and a short nap and was fine afterward. I did have a headache again a couple of days later but I’m not sure if it was vaccine-related. The headaches were mild, not the type that would prevent me from doing anything. I actually exercised with one,
JK

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