Kidney Transplant age late 60s, early 70s

@mrainne My husband had a kidney transplant at age 62, his deceased donor was 36. He is still going strong with no signs of rejection, ten years later!

I am not sure that anyone can estimate how long a transplanted organ will last. There are simply so many variables! Knowing your kidney issues stemmed from Lithium use, you probably are no longer on that medication. What protocol do you use now for your mental health, may I ask?
Ginger

Not a kidney transplant but I had a liver transplant. Not the same but for what it is worth. I am 69 also. I was very hesitant before my liver transplant. But it already has extended my life. The recovery was no walk in the park but not to terrible. They had me on 24 different meds 2.5 years ago but I am down to 10 have the routine down pat easy peeze (sic). If your prognosis is mid 70s a kidney transplant is probably better sooner rather than later. If Mayo suggests it I would go for it. They are the best and really know their stuff. Best of luck whatever you decide.

@mrainne, I received my transplant in 2009 when I was 61. Mine was a simultaneous liver and kidney transplant at Mayo in Rochester. I have done well, and my 'secret' is to do what the transplant team tells you art each step of the journey. I have been able to return to my favorite activies, plus some. I even continue to hike with my husband to enjoy hiking with my husband!

I am looking at the book, "Mayo Clinic Guide to Organ Transplant" ,(which I strongly recommend) and see this statement related to age being a factor: "Overall, Mayo Clinic experts say that when older transplant candidates are carefully screened and selected, they can experience excellent results."

I hope this helps, and please remember that any questions - anytime are welcome!

@gingerw
Lamotrigine since 2014. Works beautifully and I wish I had gotten on this medication sooner. 2014 is when my eGFR dropped a tiny bit .1. My PCP and psychiatrist changed my medication immediately. I am concerned about steroids and bi polar disease. I was diagnosed in 1973 and was very lucky to have a good medical team. Lithium just got approved for this disorder. Been married 42 years, had a career and graduate degree. So I’m not mad at lithium. It gave me a long happy life.

@mrainne I am 68 years old and 7 months out from transplant. I can understand your hesitation. For me the recovery with these medications has been quite traumatic. I felt fairly well before transplant; just tired. When I transplanted my GFR was 12. Honestly? I might have waited a few years before transplant had I known how difficult the rejection medications would be on my body. But! Here's the thing and it is really something to be considered. Something could happen, physically, at any time that might make you OR your donor ineligible for the surgery. Accident, cancer, or other unexpected circumstances. I wish you all the best, friend. It's a big decision. One note of encouragement. Mayo is awesome, I mean really.

@mrainne I wholeheartedly agree with @benedict66066 to get the transplant as soon as you’re eligible if you have an approved donor! You never know if this opportunity will still be available to you if you wait. You are healthy now, your donor is young, you would be very fortunate! Your transplant team will support you and adjust meds if needed.

Hi Mrainne, I had a kidney/liver transplant last year when I was 3 months short of turning 70 years old. I did have nausea for 3 months after my surgery but I don't know if it was from the anti-rejection medications. They did decrease my Myfortic to see if it helped which it didn't really help. The nausea just went away on it's own after 3 months. I did have some hair fall out with the tacro for about 6 mo. after my surgery but after that it quit falling out. I read that once your system gets used to the tacro your hair doesn't fall out anymore. I did get a seroma after my kidney surgery that was draining but I had a wound vac on it for drainage & healing & it wasn't so bad. It stopped draining & healed nicely after about 4 months. I am obese & you can get a seroma with obesity. I did have alot of fatigue & weakness after surgery but it also improved greatly after the first 3-4 months after surgery. My gfr was down to 10 when I had the surgery. I did have acute tubular necrosis to my kidney after my surgery so I had to be on kidney dialysis for 3 months & then out of the blue my new kidney started working. Yay! With ATN the kidney tubulars can heal itself. My donor kidney was from heart failure donor. It's been 1 year & 3 months since I had my surger. I feel really good now! The fatigue & weakness are long gone. I'm driving, going to doctor appts. on my own & went out to dinner with my husband. Any complications from surgery was well worth the chance for an extended life! As my surgeon told me after surgery "You have to be strong"! Good Luck on your journey!