Your best tips for raw food safety post transplant.

Thanks as always Lori! I do have to chuckle though, even though I know it’s serious. Guess I’ve been lucky so far.

I’m assuming you do your vinegar rinse for lettuce…even if it says it’s triple rinsed? I only by local, organic and typically hydroponic mixed greens. Probably double bad! Ugh.

I actually read a research paper on microgreens, which makes me concerned now. So, I’ll heat them when I eat them. They are definitely safer than sprouts though.

My traveling days to Mexico are certainly over…wouldn’t want to get giardiasis again!

I had severe hair loss from Tacrolimus. I started taking 5-10,000 mcg/day (highest recommended dosage). My hair gradually stopped falling out shortly thereafter. Since my Tac dosage has been reduced I now take 1,000 mcg biotin/day. My hair is healthy and growing nicely.

Be sure to stop taking biotin at least three days prior to labs, and a week prior if you are having thyroid tests (TSH), as it interferes with the lab results,

Hi @athenalee thanks so much! I purchased a bottle of the 5,000 mcg biotin. Did you take two tablets at the same time each day for a total of 10,000? Do you think the biotin helped or did you start to see your hair return back to normal when your Tac dosage was reduced? Also, thanks so much for letting me know to stop biotin days before lab work!!!

Yep! I’m the skeptic who gives a triple washed bag of lettuce even another one! LOL. I grew up eating carrots right out of the garden. Just dust those babies off and gnaw ‘em off. But my immune system came from some ‘guy I never met’ so I have to be careful how I treat it! 😂

I agree. I’m very strict on my diet and exercise to keep my donated liver healthy. So, this conversation has been very helpful…and while I’ll complain about washing my lettuce, I’ll be grateful for the opportunity! Especially since this time last year I was planning my wake.

@athenalee what type of exercise do you do? I am one year post kidney transplant. I have been so concerned about the possibility of creating a hernia that I have only been walking. Matter of fact, after doing some significant walking I developed sciatica pain and shortened my walking time. I also have osteoporosis so I am concerned about that too. Are you able to use a small trampoline, do jumping Jack's, try to learn pickleball? Are these okay exercise ideas after transplant or are there better exercise ideas for us to work towards? Thank you!! 🙂

I am almost one year post liver transplant…congrats to us both!

I walk 2-4 miles each day, plus I do some Tai Chi/Qigong exercises. I also do a lot of foot exercises, standing on my toes, hoping, etc. as I have neuropathy and it’s supposed to help. I like to dance and move while cooking, doing dishes, and just to get in more movement. I’d prefer dancing to loud rock music than trampoline or something like that. As long as your kidney doctor says it’s ok, the most important thing is for you to do the exercise or activity you like to do.

I started doing Zumba last winter, but was told not to as it is too strenuous. I didn’t mention my dancing, but I try not to get too wild. When I see my liver doctor in the fall I’ll revisit the topic as I live in Vermont and I don’t do snow stuff.

I too have a hernia. It has grown some, but doesn’t hurt…so, I pleasantly ignore it. And, I have osteoporosis…ugh. My endocrinologist didn’t have trouble with walking, but said not to do any wild stretching. I’ll ask her about Zumba and dancing too. Probably a good idea to ask your endocrinologist as well, particularly about jumping.

Due to Sjogren’s I have constant back and joint pain, which is worse as the day wears on. But, walking and exercise is supposed to be healthy so I do it first thing in the morning. Definitely ask your doctor though about exercise and sciatica.

There are people in my liver support group who do running and hiking. In fact one of them runs in the transplant olympics. So, onward and upward as they say!

Thanks so much for the exercise ideas! I love to walk outside, but currently Florida is soooo hot everyday! I also love to dance... That's a great idea. I think I will turn on some loud rock music too...and revisit some of my 1974 Bruce Springsteen dance tunes. 🙂 Another question- do you eat dessert? Lately, I crave dessert every night after dinner but I am also trying to watch my sugar and fat content. (I think the whole Florida covid epicenter is stressing me out!). I have been eating Weight Watcher popsicles, yogurt covered raisins, pretzels, marshmallows as different nightly ideas for dessert... Do you have any favorite desserts or treat ideas? I know you try to eat super healthy! 🙂

I don’t eat any refined sugar. Occasionally I have a little rice syrup or barley malt, which are high complex carbohydrates, and, if I’m really having a craving, maple syrup. I’m really paranoid of getting diabetes…Tacrolimus can lead to diabetes and I do not want to get it. I make chia pudding with fruit and a little barley malt for an occasional treat. Chia seeds are highly nutritious. And, I have fruit for breakfast. Sugar is definitely addicting, so I find it easiest to just not give in.

Dancing is a great way to exercise and be happy! I walk at 6:15 every morning, so helps to avoid the heat.

Do you have an activity tracker, fit bit or something? When I go out dancing, I can dance 3-4 miles! I have two flights of stairs too, so I get extra steps on laundry and grocery days. It helps to keep track so you can get excited when you make or exceed your goal.