← Return to Liver transplant - Let's support each other

Discussion

Liver transplant - Let's support each other

Transplants | Last Active: 12 hours ago | Replies (1623)

Comment receiving replies
@contentandwell

@mostlybill That's too bad that changing the immunosuppressants that you are taking didn't help as it did for me. Are you drinking a lot of water as I was advised to do? Those two things did it for me, thankfully.
I also did not have a blood pressure problem before transplant although I had a slightly elevated BP back around 2001. I have since read that it is not uncommon to have a BP problem after transplant, presumably from the immunosuppressants. Now that my kidneys are under control the worst problem is that the prednisone apparently caused a lot of bone thinning problems when I was on a high dose of it. Now I am on a very small dose.
Regarding the appointments, I always schedule mine in the late morning or early afternoon so I can get in and out of Boston in between the rush hours. At least you don't have Boston traffic to deal with going to Lahey. I may have mentioned, I did go to Lahey first but neither my husband nor I liked the doctor we saw so I chose to do my own research and find a different place. My PCP had suggested Lahey. They do have a nice facility there.
JK

Jump to this post


Replies to "@mostlybill That's too bad that changing the immunosuppressants that you are taking didn't help as it..."

JK, I know, Boston traffic is crazy, but the minute we hit the old 128 leg of 95 it is at a dead stop at certain times. It all backs up at the I-93 junction and the Lowell Connector. At peak traffic it can take close to an hour to move ten miles. Today my first appointment is at 10:00, so we are allowing three hours for an hour and forty minute drive. I hope we get out early enough--after 3:30, we get the traffic the other way.

I met a woman at a Christmas party the other night who had a heart transplant at Mass General. She always take the train in from Dover NH, Pretty smart. She loves Mass General.

I feel at home in Lahey after these past five or so years. I think the world of my surgeons and the transplant nurses. I will be seeing the Nephrologist today as well as the surgeon. I have been making an effort to drink water and limit potassium and salt, so I'll see what the blood work shows. I have my list of questions and intend to ask the kidney doctor about a referral to a nutritionist. There is some question whether this is covered by Medicare, but I think it is. Blood pressure is my biggest question for the kidney doctor. In spite of two BP meds each day, exercise and diet, it remains really high. I never had this issue pre-transplant. I'm almost at four months--at six months some of the meds get dropped. I am especially eager to get rid of Valcyte and prednisone, Both of these cause dizziness, Valcyte can also affect BP I believe. I live and learn and continue to endeavor to live my best life. Best wishes.