Anyone dealt with multiple squamous cell surgeries post transplant?

Posted by hello1234 @hello1234, Dec 19, 2024

Hi Transplant Family!
Happy Holidays to everyone. I hope you are doing well. I have a question. I take Envarsus XR (TAC) and Myfortic for anti-rejection. I am now at my 4 year kidney transplant anniversary. I have had several squamous cell carcinoma surgeries (face, chest, head). Has anyone had a similar experience and has anyone had their immune suppression meds changed due to multiple squamous cell surgeries?
Thanks everyone!

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@hello1234

Hi @danab
It's so great to hear from you! Thank you for letting me know about your experience with skin cancer surgery too.
Yes, my early days on the beach as a teenager was definitely a mistake! Now that I am a transplant patient on immune suppression meds, I am starting to pay the price for all that foolishness of tanning and sunbathing. Is your only anti-rejection med a low dose of Tacrolimis?

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Yes due to an ongoing tendency to a virus called parvo B19 I had a pretty bad bout of it and it caused my blood counts to get too low. So I was taken off of the other commen one I'm trying to remember the name it starts with a M so to help keep me from B19 from coming back they only have me on Tac

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@danab

Yes due to an ongoing tendency to a virus called parvo B19 I had a pretty bad bout of it and it caused my blood counts to get too low. So I was taken off of the other commen one I'm trying to remember the name it starts with a M so to help keep me from B19 from coming back they only have me on Tac

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Hi @danab
It sounds like you may have been on Mycophenolate or Myfortic. My story is similar. After each infection, my immune suppression has been reduced. I currently take Envarsus XR and Myfortic. My guess would be the Myfortic may be switched after I speak with my doctor regarding the squamous.
What is your target range for Tacrolimis? Do you also have Allosure tests every once in a while?
After 7 years, it sounds like they have everything perfectly adjusted for your system. Wonderful!

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@hello1234

Hi @danab
It sounds like you may have been on Mycophenolate or Myfortic. My story is similar. After each infection, my immune suppression has been reduced. I currently take Envarsus XR and Myfortic. My guess would be the Myfortic may be switched after I speak with my doctor regarding the squamous.
What is your target range for Tacrolimis? Do you also have Allosure tests every once in a while?
After 7 years, it sounds like they have everything perfectly adjusted for your system. Wonderful!

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Yes it been very stable at 1.5 twice a day. Once in a while it may get below the trough of 5-6 range at they may add an additional 0.5 but it's rare.

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@hello1234

Thank you @ckomis 😊 I will definitely call my transplant coordinator tomorrow to discuss. Is there a Sirolimus blood test similar to the Tacrolimis blood level test? Are you given a target range, like our Tacrolimis?
I guess you will have both tests moving forward to make sure you are in range for both drugs?

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Yes I am on 2 week blood draw to get sirolimus levels. So far they have been perfect with the initial dose of 2mg dly.

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