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← Return to Lifestyle while on tacrolimus for 6+ months
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Lifestyle while on tacrolimus for 6+ months
Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) & CAR-T Cell Therapy | Last Active: Nov 24 9:37pm | Replies (7)Comment receiving replies
@katgob thanks so much for the detailed insight! Very helpful. I realized my initial post was not super clear, sorry! We are definitely staying quarantined and practicing food safety for the first 100d — I was more so curious about the period post-100d, but still on tacrolimus. Your response covers it though! Thanks, and really great to hear you’re doing well.
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Hi @jcpenney, You mentioned that your husband will be taking tacro for about a year or so to help keep his immune system reined in a bit until the new cells and body start playing well together. If it’s any consolation, I took tacro for 2.5 years…along with the various meds required while on that immuno-suppressant. It worked amazingly well to keep peace between my over-zealous new immune system and my old-lady body. ☺️ Finally a détente was reached and I’m off all meds…living super active and healthy with my 2nd chance at life!
I’m post allo transplant +6 years. I still practice food safety and follow many of the guidelines outlined in the initial recovery period. Yes, our new immune system matures to that of an adult within the first year or two post transplant. But as my transplant doctor told me, it will never be as robust as the original factory installed model and to always be vigilant. Not that we have to live in fear, just be mindful. @katgob gave you great advice as she’s had a remarkable recovery from her MDS/BMT!
So, personally, I don’t eat sushi or raw oysters and avoid buffets. There is still a-3 second rule in our house for food that drops on the floor…it’s in the lava! LOL
When we’re at a family gathering, they make sure I’m always first to be served if we’re ‘spooning’ food ourselves. When in confined or crowded situations, I still mask up. Those little extra steps have kept me safe and healthy for years. One misstep this year finally let Covid catch up with me. So I know that masks do work, extra handwashing, sanitizing, washing fruits, veggies, avoiding undercooked meats…all of that pays off.
This first year post transplant can challenging with all the abrupt changes. And there’s usually a brief mourning period for our past life. But the amazing gift is we get a 2nd chance for a new life…making any of the hardships worthwhile! Gradually, life will resume a level of normalcy and activities. Eating well, drinking lots of water daily, and exercising are vital to continued recovery. So hang in there!
I see your husband had sickle cell anemia. Having a new, working immune system should really make a difference for him. Is he noticing a change in his energy and stamina level?