1. < Transplants

COVID-19 and Transplant Patients

Posted by jolinda @jolinda, Mar 14, 2020

As a kidney transplant recipient I have been extra vigilant/worried about protecting myself as COVID-19 spreads. Like most transplant patients I am used to washing my hands, carrying hand-sanitizer, avoiding sick people, getting flu shots, etc. The COVID-19 outbreak has caused me to take additional steps to try to remain safe but I am worried for my health. I would like to hear what you are doing to stay safe and how you are feeling.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Transplants Support Group.

zon | @zon | Mar 23, 2020
In reply to @rosemarya "@zon, Welcome to Connect. I am glad that you found us in this discussion dedicated to..." + (show)
@rosemarya

@zon, Welcome to Connect. I am glad that you found us in this discussion dedicated to living with COVID-19. It sounds like you have a fantastic family who has learned with you and supports you.
You mentioned running, do you encounter many other runners when you are out? I walk, and I am noticing fewer runners and walkers out and about. I wonder if some people are afraid to get out due to fear of coronavirus. Of course the weather plays a major role, too.

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I’m very fortunate to back up to a large park. With everything going I’ve been walking/running on animal trails. It’s a bit tricky but it keeps me separate from paved walking trails. On those trails it just as busy or touch busier with lots of people home.

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jdlogan65 | @jdlogan65 | Mar 24, 2020

Greetings Jolinda, I am a liver transplant recipient and have to do weekly labs. I make appointments at LabCorp and login when I arrive. I wear a face mask and take a Clorox wipe with me to open the door and wipe down the kiosk screen. I give them my cell # and self quarantine in my vehicle until they are ready to draw my samples. I wear sunglasses to protect my eyes. After my visit I go home and take my shoes off and sanitize them. I immediately take a shower and wash my clothes. Be sure to wipe down your steering wheel and door handles as well. I am cautious with my mail box and mail. I have also informed my other Doctors so I avoid the coughing people in the waiting room. They have adapted to my special needs and some have changed their policies and procedures for immune suppressed patients. Be proactive and healthcare professionals will help keep you safe. We are all in this together and need to inform our doctors that we have special needs during this COVID-19 Pandemic. Perhaps they will continue to isolate us from waiting rooms full of sick patients. Best wishes! JDLOGAN

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3 replies
jolinda | @jolinda | Mar 24, 2020

@jdlogan65
You are AWESOME! These are bold steps towards staying safe and protecting your transplant. Talk about being your own advocate, well done my friend!

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almula | @almula | Mar 24, 2020
In reply to @jdlogan65 "Greetings Jolinda, I am a liver transplant recipient and have to do weekly labs. I make..." + (show)
@jdlogan65

Greetings Jolinda, I am a liver transplant recipient and have to do weekly labs. I make appointments at LabCorp and login when I arrive. I wear a face mask and take a Clorox wipe with me to open the door and wipe down the kiosk screen. I give them my cell # and self quarantine in my vehicle until they are ready to draw my samples. I wear sunglasses to protect my eyes. After my visit I go home and take my shoes off and sanitize them. I immediately take a shower and wash my clothes. Be sure to wipe down your steering wheel and door handles as well. I am cautious with my mail box and mail. I have also informed my other Doctors so I avoid the coughing people in the waiting room. They have adapted to my special needs and some have changed their policies and procedures for immune suppressed patients. Be proactive and healthcare professionals will help keep you safe. We are all in this together and need to inform our doctors that we have special needs during this COVID-19 Pandemic. Perhaps they will continue to isolate us from waiting rooms full of sick patients. Best wishes! JDLOGAN

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Hi, I do agree with that we must be careful in the waiting room some people coughing and don't care about others. You did great job by informing doctors. You are awesome.

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Mar 24, 2020

As some of you know, my husband is a kidney transplant recipient. He is supposed to retire this year and has today decided it is probably 4/30. Escrow closes tomorrow on his condo, and he will be driving up here and stay for two weeks then return back. His work-from-home schedule is a bit unique as his work is 800 miles from here. He will be working from here during those two weeks so social distancing is not an issue! When he returns he will be probably working off-site most of the time. After his full retirement he will be taking off about 3 weeks and then return for chunks of time back to that company. He finally understands the importance of washing your hands and keeping everything clean! That's something we have practiced since late 2016 when he was transplanted. Now it is more important than ever!
Ginger

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livertrex | @livertrex | Mar 24, 2020
In reply to @jdlogan65 "Greetings Jolinda, I am a liver transplant recipient and have to do weekly labs. I make..." + (show)
@jdlogan65

Greetings Jolinda, I am a liver transplant recipient and have to do weekly labs. I make appointments at LabCorp and login when I arrive. I wear a face mask and take a Clorox wipe with me to open the door and wipe down the kiosk screen. I give them my cell # and self quarantine in my vehicle until they are ready to draw my samples. I wear sunglasses to protect my eyes. After my visit I go home and take my shoes off and sanitize them. I immediately take a shower and wash my clothes. Be sure to wipe down your steering wheel and door handles as well. I am cautious with my mail box and mail. I have also informed my other Doctors so I avoid the coughing people in the waiting room. They have adapted to my special needs and some have changed their policies and procedures for immune suppressed patients. Be proactive and healthcare professionals will help keep you safe. We are all in this together and need to inform our doctors that we have special needs during this COVID-19 Pandemic. Perhaps they will continue to isolate us from waiting rooms full of sick patients. Best wishes! JDLOGAN

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They closed our LabCorp branch. Now I have to go to the hospital, more expensive and more people.

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wildcat | @wildcat | Mar 25, 2020
In reply to @rosemarya "@zon, and all new members- I want to let you nknow that there is a Discussion..." + (show)
@rosemarya

@zon, and all new members-

I want to let you nknow that there is a Discussion Group that is about many other Transplant topics.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/transplants/
I invite you to click on the following blue link, choose a topic, then post a question, comment, or a "Hi". Your experience makes each one an expert by experience. We are here to learn from each other and with each other. .

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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21752960
This is the paper I mentioned which discusses the possibility that cyclosporin inhibits some coronavirus. Please note that it is dated 2011 and, of course, makes no mention of Covid 19. Even then, it applied only to some of the many coronavirus types.There are other papers which suggest that tacrolimus has the same properties. I mention these papers, not to give anyone false hope, but to suggest that our wonderful scientific community will, I'm sure, be looking at all these connections.

Here in Scotland, life has become very different especially for transplant patients. We are to be ' Shielded' - a new term to describe these strict measures- and must not leave home for the next twelve weeks. We must also practice social distancing, as much as possible, from our family members. It is okay but I already seriously miss having a cuddle! i am lucky as my husband is doing all our shopping and taking his 'hygiene' duties very seriously.

My thoughts and prayers are with you all in these difficult times.

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2 replies
jolinda | @jolinda | Mar 25, 2020

@wildcat
Thanks for finding this.
Great info and very relevant.

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jerrynord | @jerrynord | Mar 25, 2020
In reply to @wildcat "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21752960 This is the paper I mentioned which discusses the possibility that cyclosporin inhibits some coronavirus...." + (show)
@wildcat

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21752960
This is the paper I mentioned which discusses the possibility that cyclosporin inhibits some coronavirus. Please note that it is dated 2011 and, of course, makes no mention of Covid 19. Even then, it applied only to some of the many coronavirus types.There are other papers which suggest that tacrolimus has the same properties. I mention these papers, not to give anyone false hope, but to suggest that our wonderful scientific community will, I'm sure, be looking at all these connections.

Here in Scotland, life has become very different especially for transplant patients. We are to be ' Shielded' - a new term to describe these strict measures- and must not leave home for the next twelve weeks. We must also practice social distancing, as much as possible, from our family members. It is okay but I already seriously miss having a cuddle! i am lucky as my husband is doing all our shopping and taking his 'hygiene' duties very seriously.

My thoughts and prayers are with you all in these difficult times.

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Good to know as I was worried about the opposite effect of taking Tacrolimus. Reading into further articles mentioned I get the impression Tacrolimus is twice as strong as Cyclosporin for inhibiting certain viruses. I will bring this up at my Mayo appointment, if it isn't cancelled, and let everyone know.

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1 reply
JK | @contentandwell | Mar 25, 2020
In reply to @jerrynord "Good to know as I was worried about the opposite effect of taking Tacrolimus. Reading into..." + (show)
@jerrynord

Good to know as I was worried about the opposite effect of taking Tacrolimus. Reading into further articles mentioned I get the impression Tacrolimus is twice as strong as Cyclosporin for inhibiting certain viruses. I will bring this up at my Mayo appointment, if it isn't cancelled, and let everyone know.

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@jerrynord I would love to know if my immunosuppressant, Sirolimus, has the same effect.
I did read in studies that people taking immunosuppressants did not seem to have a greater risk if they contract COVID-19.
JK

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