Kidney transplant - The Journey from the Donor's Side

Kidney patients, should never take Advil, as it is filtered by the kidneys. I usually take a lot of Vit.C when I get sick, stay away from junk food and unnecessary sugar, as it inhibits your immune system. Drink plenty of fluids, no soda!

Thanks!
I got a message from a transplant nurse to also stay away from non steroidal drugs like Advil, Motrin & Naproxin.
Those seem easier to stay away from than junk food but I'm working on it!

I was recently in contact with my transplant nurse team because my tacro was was too high. I was asked if I’d changed or added any meds or supplements. I said that I’d added vitamin C. I was told that vitamin C is not recommended because it strengthens the immune system, working against the immunosuppressants. I stopped taking it.

I don't go against, the transplant team, but their are different areas of the immune system, and our drugs are focused on a certain area, I have been taking Vit.C for years and it has never affected my kidney transplant, and Vit.C would not have any effect on tac. level, you do need to stay away from grapefruit juice, as it will affect the way your tac. is absorbed be diligent in how you eat and what you drink as there are many things that can have an effect on your total health, but you are doing the right thing by having a conversation with your transplant team.

I didn’t get the impression that she was implying that vitamin C was affecting my tac levels, but that they don’t recommend it in general because it boosts the immune system. The subject came up when I was contacted because my tac level was too high and she asked if anything I was taking had changed.

I was at Mayo-Rochester in mid March for the 2 day screening. Everything went well except the CT scan showed I had appendicitis with a mass where the appendix met the colon. They said it should probably come out. When my case went to the board it was put on hold until my appendix was taken care of. It got removed this week and the pathology was negative/normal and I am being resubmitted to the board next week. All that is background information. I'm wondering if there are any donors on here who participate endurance activities (like distance running/marathons, long cycling or mountain biking events, etc.) that I could talk to to hear their experience with their ability to participate in their sport before and after donation. Thanks so much!

Hi! I’m a liver donor and an endurance athlete. I would be happy to discuss. Also, check out kidney donor athletes website - lots of stories and experiences there.

Thank you so much for the reply! that website is exactly what I needed!

@mtbiker, Welcome to Connect. I am glad that you have joined and that you have already met @rebekahinvt and that she was able to provide you with the specific information that you were looking for.

Since you mentioned that you are being screened to be a donor, I have another discussion that you will want to visit -
From a Living Donor: One year later, what is your life like now?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/a-post-donation-check-in-one-year-later/
We hope that you will share your donor experience with us on Connect. Especially your return to endurance events.

Thank you Rosemary! I will check it out.