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Transplant anti-rejection medications. What's your advice?
Transplants | Last Active: 5 days ago | Replies (362)Comment receiving replies
I agree and even after many years taking an immunosuppressant, suddenly your lab numbers are off. I am 19 1/2 years post kidney transplant and have been on Sirolimus since day one but still, after some labs, my level is suddenly too high or in the low range, prompting the transplant dept. nurses to ask if I'm forgetting to take it on time or did I not wait 24 hrs. after last dose for the lab draw. So, even after these many years, some months they have me take 2 mg., then maybe 1mg., then maybe 2mg., alternating with 1mg.
Same with Cellcept. Taking it since day one, initially 500mg. twice daily, then tapered to 250mg. twice daily. No issues until about a year ago when I developed bad gut issues. Now on Mycophenylate 180mg. twice daily with no issues.
Anyway, used to frustrate me...as if this is my fault when I'm questioned if I'm taking my meds properly. But then I figure, they're just probably following protocol by asking the questions in order to rule out patient error or misunderstanding. And, beats dialysis or worse any day!
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@charlie5454 I so relate to your post. Another thing I discovered in the process of post transplant lab level draws is that the phlebotomist is sometimes unfamiliar with the test & / or is following protocol by rote instruction. They don’t always ask the date and time of the last dose of immune suppressant. Who knows what or if anything is recorded? That can make the level seem falsely high or low! I make a point of telling them the date and time and ask them to make sure to record it. Later if the level seems wonky, that is one reason that can be ruled out.