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Switching CellCept (mycophenolate mofetil) for Sirolimus (rapamycin)?

Posted by hello1234 @hello1234, Oct 14 7:05pm

Hi Transplant Family!
I am celebrating my FIVE year kidney transplant anniversary. Everything is going great except all of the sudden I am now dealing with lots of MOHS surgeries on my scalp and face for squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell. My doctors are discussing swapping my Cellcept for Sirolimus (Rapamycin). I wanted to see if anyone in our community is successfully dealing with these types of skin cancers and also if anyone switched to Sirolimus (or Rapamycin) and what was your experience with the switch. It makes me nervous to switch immune suppression meds since my kidney transplant is nice and stable. Please let me know your thoughts and any experience you may have with these skin cancers and possibly switching to Sirolimus or Rapamycin. Thank you so much everyone!

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charliesilberman | @charliesilberman | Nov 13 6:39pm
In reply to @hello1234 "@charliesilberman Wow, you have really done it all! I received my kidney transplant five years ago..." + (show)
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@charliesilberman
Wow, you have really done it all! I received my kidney transplant five years ago and in the last year the skin cancer problem has really fired up. How long have you had your transplant? I am on Cellcept and Envarsus XR.
Did you find that one type of treatment was more effective than another in keeping things under control? I was thinking of trying the blue light?
How often do you go the dermatologist for check ups?
I have discovered that my dermatologist can not find the squamous. I find them by the way the feel.
Is your dermatologist able to find the squamous or do you find the problem areas yourself by the way they feel?
Thank you for sharing your experiences. It's very helpful to meet someone going through a similar issue with immune suppression meds.

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@hello1234 we have similarities. I had a kidney transplant. I inherited pkd from my dad's side. What caused your kidneys to quit? I was transplanted 16 years ago. Around year 5 the cancers began. When I suspect skin cancer I make an appointment with my derm. She does the biopsies and if necessary mohs surgery. There are preventative measures but no effective treatment. Because of the immunosuppressants we are at a high risk for reoccurrence.

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hello1234 | @hello1234 | Nov 13 8:56pm
In reply to @charliesilberman "@hello1234 we have similarities. I had a kidney transplant. I inherited pkd from my dad's side...." + (show)
Profile picture for charliesilberman @charliesilberman

@hello1234 we have similarities. I had a kidney transplant. I inherited pkd from my dad's side. What caused your kidneys to quit? I was transplanted 16 years ago. Around year 5 the cancers began. When I suspect skin cancer I make an appointment with my derm. She does the biopsies and if necessary mohs surgery. There are preventative measures but no effective treatment. Because of the immunosuppressants we are at a high risk for reoccurrence.

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@charliesilberman
I am so happy to hear that you are on your 16th kidney transplant anniversary. How wonderful! I received a deceased donor kidney and I pray that my kidney has a nice long life like yours. 👍
Other than the skin cancers, have you experienced any other challenges or are things pretty much smooth sailing?
I needed my transplant because of childhood nephritis (most likely caused by a childhood illness that ended up in the kidney).
Are you enjoying the cooler weather in sunny Miami. Florida is having delicious weather!

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Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | 2 hours ago
In reply to @rachel5239 "@hello1234 I have appointments on Dec 8 to see. An oncologist and a couple of other..." + (show)
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@hello1234 I have appointments on Dec 8 to see. An oncologist and a couple of other appointments. I hope I get some direction on Tuesday. Thanks for your support.

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@rachel5239
Thinking of you. Hope all of your appointments go well.

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