Post Transplant Surgery and Early Recovery: What's normal?

I know it can be a side effect of Tacrolimus. I feel so much better since my liver transplant it’s a minor inconvenience for me. If it’s a problem the doctor may have something to mitigate it.

@btwest6 I am 3.5 years post-liver transplant. Initially, I was on tacrolimus but now I am on sirolimus. I too have hot flashes, mine are primarily at nighttime but I do occasionally get them during the day. They have abated somewhat just recently, although they are not entirely gone. I think, as @gphetteplace commented, it's just an inconvenience you learn to live with. You should of course mention it to the transplant team, just in case they have some advice or feel that it is not typical.
When I get them in bed I can feel the heat rising from my body. I just hate that it is something that disturbs my sleep.
JK

@btwest6, Welcome to Connect. I want to say how thrilled I am to hear about your husband's transplant and his ongoing recovery.
You are not alone to ask questions. On Connect, we are recipients and caregivers, and we have a unique shared experience that makes us all experts of our experiences. We always advocate for being proactive in our health, and we rely on our transplant teams for medical advice. Have you mentioined this to the transplant team? It could very well be from medications that he is currently taking and as time goes forward, dosages and his reaction might change. It also might be something that he will have to learn to live with.

You will notice that the title has been changed. I requested this because all organ transplant recipients share a similar post transplant period of adjusting and healing. I hope that this gives the newly transplanted patients and caregivers a place to meet each other and to share what is happening as recover they recover.
I would like to invite some members who have mentioned that they have recent experiences as organ transplant caregivers or recipients.
@seahorstmayo, @nkdonahue, @tjgisewhite, @stephanierp, @bobbayers, @jsw, @brenwhite, Did any of you experience post transplant hotflashes?
Do you have anything that you would like to ask or share about your post transplant experiences?

Here is a discussion where our members have shared quite a lengthy and informative conversation: Transplants > Living Life after your Transplant
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/living-life-after-your-transplant/
You can also access it in this blog that was created afterward by the transpoant team!
Pages > Transplant > Top Transplant Hacks: Patients Share Their Best Tips and Tricks
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/transplant/newsfeed-post/top-transplant-hacks-patients-share-their-best-tips-and-tricks/
Enjoy your day. Enjoy your life.

Good morning all. I got my liver transplant in December 2019 and have experienced hot flashes post transplant. Heck I thought I was going through menopause, now I wonder...hmmm

I honestly never thought about it—I assumed it was the temperature in my mom’s house—but yes, I definitely have hot flashes. Post transplant, I used to wake up multiple times every night while I was still undergoing dialysis and my kidneys were deciding whether or not they wanted to awaken and participate with my new liver (READ: to pee), so I can’t remember if the hot flashes were also a factor. As of today, though (one year on 5/10/2020!), the hot flashes are the obvious variable.

(So thank you for asking this question bc I never knew to ask it and now I know what I didn’t know I needed to know! 🙃)

They don’t wake me up every night but when they do, it’s only once or twice. I also wake up earlier than planned most days because I’m way too hot. Even in the winter.

My suggestion is to point a fan directly at your bed. On high.

Congrats on a successful transplant! I promise it gets easier 😊

@jsw Early congratulations on your transplantiversary! I might not remember it next Sunday, so bear with me.

I wonder if the hot flashes have anything to do with a side effect of medications and your body'e hormone levels? Just a thought.
Ginger

I get those too. It was worse at first but not so bad now

What's Normal - @btwest6, @gphetteplace, @tjgisewhite, @jsw, @michaelswaim, Learning to adjust to life with our new organs is both exciting, and also confusing, as we begin a new normal post transplant life. In this current environment of change, I think we all can find comfort in knowing the basic do's and don'ts for transplant patients.

Here are the basics, as shared by fellow transplant recipients -Top Transplant Hacks: Patients Share Their Best Tips and Tricks
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/transplant/newsfeed-post/top-transplant-hacks-patients-share-their-best-tips-and-tricks/
What questions do you have about living with a transplant? For those who have to go out for appointments, how are you handling it? What about your family, do they understand your need to be vigilant about your health and safe practices?

My family is extremely supportive, as are my friends, and probably more vigilant than necessary. I’m only “allowed” to be around my mom, brother, SIL, and nieces. My dog and I go on drives so we can both put our heads out of the window 😂. I’m a bit frustrated because I had to move into my mom’s house—can’t live alone for one year post-transplant—and had plans to move into an amazing apartment but had to cancel that plan once this hit. I feel like a brat even complaining since I’m very fortunate to be healthy and have a safe place to live.

Regarding my healthcare, I go to LabCorp once a month. I was worried at first but they are amazingly safe and aware. I can’t go to Georgetown because my doctors want to keep me away from any COVID patients, so my clinic appointments are all tele-health at this point.

I’d like to add one note to the hacks/tips and tricks: I have a 7-day pill set that I fill every week so I only have to carry one day’s worth at a time, and I set a reminder in my phone (8am, 12pm, 8pm) just in case.

@jsw, Yes! That is a great idea! A 7-day pill set is extremely helpful. A note of caution: make sure that the lids on those little compartments close securely. After I had mine for a while, the lids didn't fit tightly, and I had pills scattered everywhere in my purse.

I am laughing at my image of you and your dog riding along with your heads out the window!