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My wife still has terrible shakes 5 months post Liver Transplant.
Transplants | Last Active: 4 days ago | Replies (6)Comment receiving replies
@katebw thank you so much for responding, it's a big relief to hear your experience and eventual stop of the shakes. My wife's case is very similar to yours. About a month ago, after a very difficult first month and half with 4 surguries, her liver started a mild rejection/infection, and she was admitted again, but felt ok. After 4 days in her numbers starting improving again, as they put her back on prednisone 40mg, and the shakes never really left, but got worse being back on the prednisone. As the numbers came back in line, we slowly lowered the dose weekly per our team's instructions, and this should be her last week on them. Additionally, about 10 days ago, the exact extended release capsules of tacrolimus was finally traded out for the traditional version, and I read good things about it, but it takes time, and she about out of gas in patience, in terms of being limited to sitting in a chair all day, but some research we read, and your great information, hopefully will give her some relief in the coming months. We just went past 5 months post transplant, I'm hoping 6-9 months, we see some drastic improvement in the reduction of the shakes. I'm curious if you also had difficulty walking much more than a few minutes without having to sit down also? Anything, you can share is most appreciated.
Replies to "@katebw thank you so much for responding, it's a big relief to hear your experience and..."
I also had the Tacro Tremors post transplant. I found that strengthening exercises helped a LOT. Even if it is very small weights or a plastic water bottle, start with the arms and also eventually strengthening the legs by more walking or getting out of the chair (chair squats) as much as she can. Even if it is only 1-2 times every hour, it is a start on the road to rebuilding her muscles which will really help with strength, reducing the tremors and also reducing her risk of falling.
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@kim1965 it sounds like you are having some positive movement- that’s great. It’s hard to be patient, especially after all you’ve been through. A month feels like a year when you’re unwell, but 5 months out is really early. I did experience trouble with walking in the beginning- I’m remembering now that I feared I’d never be a normal or brisk walker again! But I am, gratefully so. My transplant was in late October and by March I took a Zoom class on strength and balance from a local physical therapist offering which helped me turn a corner. It took about 9 months post transplant for me to take a solid walk without trouble but several months after -perhaps a year post surgery I could walk for 45 mins-1 hour without needing to rest from fatigue. Today, I walk without feeling like anything terrible had happened! For context, I became ill at age 53, transplanted age 54 and I’m now 57. I had few medical problems before my acute liver disease and have always had good basic health habits though I’m human. Everyone’s recovery is different. Take your time, as much as you can. Healing doesn’t like to be rushed, apparently ❣️