1. < Transplants

New Study Reveals DANGER for immunocompromised.

Posted by lizzy102 @lizzy102, Aug 21, 2021

New England Jorurnal of Medicine: to paraphrase, 55% of those hospitalized nationwide with breakthrough Covid infections are immunocompromised. Delta Variant. I am taking super precautions!! Please be excruciatingly careful about your safety out there folks.

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

JK | @contentandwell | Aug 22, 2021
In reply to @athenalee "Attached is a pdf of the article and the research cited, which is on research into..." + (show)
@athenalee

Attached is a pdf of the article and the research cited, which is on research into the effacing of booster shots.

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Thank you for posting this, @athenalee. It's good info to have but frankly depressing. I really hoped this third shot would put me in a similar category as non-immunocompromised people but perhaps not.

I hope to fly to Denver in the fall after the birth of my first grandchild and as it is I've been dreading the flight. I thought this third shot would be a big help but perhaps not. It will be a dilemma, for sure.
JK

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1 reply
athenalee | @athenalee | Aug 22, 2021
In reply to @nanmargaret "Yes, thanks so much to @lizzy102 and @athenalee for the posts. Here's a synopsis of CDC..." + (show)
@nanmargaret

Yes, thanks so much to @lizzy102 and @athenalee for the posts.

Here's a synopsis of CDC findings:

ACIP Data and Clinical Considerations for Additional Doses in immunocompromised patients

"Immunocompromised patients are more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19
 Higher risk for:
*Prolonged SARS-CoV-2 infection and shedding
*Viral evolution during infection and treatment (hospitalized patients)
*Low antibody/neutralization titers to SARS-CoV-2 variants
*More likely to transmit SARS-CoV-2 to household contacts
*More likely to have breakthrough infection:
*44% of hospitalized breakthrough cases are immunocompromised people in US
*40% of hospitalized breakthrough cases are immunocompromised people in Israel"

...rather sobering, and living in Florida in a college town with students beginning classes tomorrow, it's reasonable to think that the situation will become even worse here, before it gets better. I'm pretty much homebound.
I'm 3 yrs out from heart transplant and taking Cyclosporine, Myfortic, low dose pred. Will get a third vaccine soon but can't rely on any response. So fortunate to have my family and my heart 🙂

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Yes. I find it very discouraging that we are dependent on other people, many of whom do not want to get vaccinated and/or wear a mask. I fear this is going to go on this way for a while the way things are going.

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athenalee | @athenalee | Aug 22, 2021
In reply to @contentandwell "Thank you for posting this, @athenalee. It's good info to have but frankly depressing. I really..." + (show)
@contentandwell

Thank you for posting this, @athenalee. It's good info to have but frankly depressing. I really hoped this third shot would put me in a similar category as non-immunocompromised people but perhaps not.

I hope to fly to Denver in the fall after the birth of my first grandchild and as it is I've been dreading the flight. I thought this third shot would be a big help but perhaps not. It will be a dilemma, for sure.
JK

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Firstly, many congratulations on the pending birth of your first grandchild! I think airplanes are better about their air flow, but that is a long flight, plus I’d be even more concerned in the airport!

PreCovid I use to fly to the west coast once a year for vacation. Always came down with a cold upon landing, until I discovered SinuOrega™ Nasal Spray. I would spray it in my nostrils before boarding and upon landing. Then afterwards for a few days. No more cold. I’ve started using it again now when I’m going out in public. As the delta variant hangs out longer in the nasal passages, I think it’s worth a try for it’s antiviral qualities.

And, eat a big meal before you get to the airport, so you don’t have to take off your mask 😷 until you get through the airport at Denver. I know that’s a drag, but doable; sanitize, and hold your breath when TSA makes you lift up your mask at security check!

Hang in there JK, think of the tales you can tell your grandchild about your first visit.

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3 replies
Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Aug 22, 2021
In reply to @athenalee "Firstly, many congratulations on the pending birth of your first grandchild! I think airplanes are better..." + (show)
@athenalee

Firstly, many congratulations on the pending birth of your first grandchild! I think airplanes are better about their air flow, but that is a long flight, plus I’d be even more concerned in the airport!

PreCovid I use to fly to the west coast once a year for vacation. Always came down with a cold upon landing, until I discovered SinuOrega™ Nasal Spray. I would spray it in my nostrils before boarding and upon landing. Then afterwards for a few days. No more cold. I’ve started using it again now when I’m going out in public. As the delta variant hangs out longer in the nasal passages, I think it’s worth a try for it’s antiviral qualities.

And, eat a big meal before you get to the airport, so you don’t have to take off your mask 😷 until you get through the airport at Denver. I know that’s a drag, but doable; sanitize, and hold your breath when TSA makes you lift up your mask at security check!

Hang in there JK, think of the tales you can tell your grandchild about your first visit.

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Our son flew last week and had only good things to say about how well the airports were doing to provide a safe environment, and he had a layover in the Atlanta airport. He flew Delta and said that they were amazing in how well they adhered to CDC safe guidelines. All on board wore masks. and everyone was given packets of sanitizer and wipes. Lots of people spaced while boarding and while exiting.

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mollyv | @mollyv | Aug 23, 2021

Hi All! It is indeed a double edged sword. My new kidney saved my life, but now the drugs I take to protect it have made me so vulnerable to this disease. I’ve been very careful, masking, hand washing and distancing. I got my third shot, but it doesn’t change a thing for me. I just haven’t felt any relief. I’ve had 2 new granddaughters born in the last year. One is in daycare and is sick constantly, so I can’t be around her. The other, along with her sister, have a father who won’t mask at work, went to Vegas for a long unmasked weekend, and continues to do risky (for me) things. It’s too dangerous for me to be around them. I know that I have no control over how others are living. It’s just so darn frustrating. Will this ever end for us?? And the people who could get a shot but won’t, puts me right over the edge. Sorry to be such a downer, but thanks for letting me vent.

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3 replies
Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Aug 23, 2021
In reply to @mollyv "Hi All! It is indeed a double edged sword. My new kidney saved my life, but..." + (show)
@mollyv

Hi All! It is indeed a double edged sword. My new kidney saved my life, but now the drugs I take to protect it have made me so vulnerable to this disease. I’ve been very careful, masking, hand washing and distancing. I got my third shot, but it doesn’t change a thing for me. I just haven’t felt any relief. I’ve had 2 new granddaughters born in the last year. One is in daycare and is sick constantly, so I can’t be around her. The other, along with her sister, have a father who won’t mask at work, went to Vegas for a long unmasked weekend, and continues to do risky (for me) things. It’s too dangerous for me to be around them. I know that I have no control over how others are living. It’s just so darn frustrating. Will this ever end for us?? And the people who could get a shot but won’t, puts me right over the edge. Sorry to be such a downer, but thanks for letting me vent.

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@mollyv - it’s okay to vent on Connect. I like to think of us as sitting around the kitchen table and enjoying a cup of coffee and sharing the good and the bad times that we are experiencing. I can recall the many times where I have done that with my real life friends and it is the same with us here. Extra benefit is coming free is available 24/7. We “get it”. We understand from a transplant patient point of view.

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Aug 23, 2021
In reply to @athenalee "Firstly, many congratulations on the pending birth of your first grandchild! I think airplanes are better..." + (show)
@athenalee

Firstly, many congratulations on the pending birth of your first grandchild! I think airplanes are better about their air flow, but that is a long flight, plus I’d be even more concerned in the airport!

PreCovid I use to fly to the west coast once a year for vacation. Always came down with a cold upon landing, until I discovered SinuOrega™ Nasal Spray. I would spray it in my nostrils before boarding and upon landing. Then afterwards for a few days. No more cold. I’ve started using it again now when I’m going out in public. As the delta variant hangs out longer in the nasal passages, I think it’s worth a try for it’s antiviral qualities.

And, eat a big meal before you get to the airport, so you don’t have to take off your mask 😷 until you get through the airport at Denver. I know that’s a drag, but doable; sanitize, and hold your breath when TSA makes you lift up your mask at security check!

Hang in there JK, think of the tales you can tell your grandchild about your first visit.

Jump to this post

Great tips. Somehow I don't think my digestive tract and bladder would take kindly to that timetable for eating, since I need to "eat a bit of something" every couple of hours!

But, I like your ideas!
Ginger

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1 reply
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Aug 23, 2021
In reply to @mollyv "Hi All! It is indeed a double edged sword. My new kidney saved my life, but..." + (show)
@mollyv

Hi All! It is indeed a double edged sword. My new kidney saved my life, but now the drugs I take to protect it have made me so vulnerable to this disease. I’ve been very careful, masking, hand washing and distancing. I got my third shot, but it doesn’t change a thing for me. I just haven’t felt any relief. I’ve had 2 new granddaughters born in the last year. One is in daycare and is sick constantly, so I can’t be around her. The other, along with her sister, have a father who won’t mask at work, went to Vegas for a long unmasked weekend, and continues to do risky (for me) things. It’s too dangerous for me to be around them. I know that I have no control over how others are living. It’s just so darn frustrating. Will this ever end for us?? And the people who could get a shot but won’t, puts me right over the edge. Sorry to be such a downer, but thanks for letting me vent.

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@mollyv This COVID pandemic has changed our basic lives in so many ways. My husband is a kidney transplant recipient [Oct 2016], and I am active cancer/kidney disease patient. There have been so many things we had planned to do in retirement that have to be on hold. It's frustrating, to say the least. But we who are compromised have to be strong in watching ourselves, so we can be around to get back to life on a more normal basis. Is it tough, emotionally? You bet. Can we hang in there? You bet! We're in this together!
Ginger

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Mentor
Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Aug 23, 2021
In reply to @mollyv "Hi All! It is indeed a double edged sword. My new kidney saved my life, but..." + (show)
@mollyv

Hi All! It is indeed a double edged sword. My new kidney saved my life, but now the drugs I take to protect it have made me so vulnerable to this disease. I’ve been very careful, masking, hand washing and distancing. I got my third shot, but it doesn’t change a thing for me. I just haven’t felt any relief. I’ve had 2 new granddaughters born in the last year. One is in daycare and is sick constantly, so I can’t be around her. The other, along with her sister, have a father who won’t mask at work, went to Vegas for a long unmasked weekend, and continues to do risky (for me) things. It’s too dangerous for me to be around them. I know that I have no control over how others are living. It’s just so darn frustrating. Will this ever end for us?? And the people who could get a shot but won’t, puts me right over the edge. Sorry to be such a downer, but thanks for letting me vent.

Jump to this post

As you can see, this is a hot button for so many of us! You’re definitely not flying solo with concern for this virus and how people are dealing with it. It’s so frustrating to always be on guard and compensating for the lack of consideration by those around us who have no clue that they could help get this under control by wearing masks and getting the vaccine. Yes, there are a few exceptions for not getting the shots. But most excuses are based on non-factual anecdote.

As a bone marrow transplant patient, my world is just like yours. So grateful to be given this second chance and I’ll be darned if I’m going to risk it with some virus I can avoid. Getting the vaccine was crucial!
I had reactions to my first shot. After an MRI, bloodwork and a neurological work up, I was cleared for shot #2 by my transplant team, neurologist and an allergist at Mayo. They all felt the risk of actually contracting the virus was way more dangerous than the possibility of a reaction to the shot. My 2nd dose went off without a hitch. But again, just like all of us with compromised immune systems, I have no idea the efficacy of the vaccine for me.

While I’m venting, our local school board changed the policy for a mask mandate…having all children wearing masks. Immediately one mother complained that her children will NOT be wearing masks and that she’s already informed the school board that this is the case. I’m not one to get angry very easily but that just had me seeing red! I wanted to grab her through the TV by the shoulders and scream that this is much bigger than her and her family! That her actions to deny that this virus is dangerous puts so many other people at risk. She is very selfish as this isn’t just about her!

After learning the educational level of this woman in her interview on the news, I’m also bewildered how she could possibly think she knows more than all the degreed scientists and doctors and apparently can interpret the research, statistics and data in a whole new light! Shaking my head…

So pull up a chair with @rosemarya and @gingerw and the rest of us and we’ll have an old fashioned gab session! LOL.

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2 replies
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Aug 23, 2021
In reply to @loribmt "As you can see, this is a hot button for so many of us! You’re definitely..." + (show)
@loribmt

As you can see, this is a hot button for so many of us! You’re definitely not flying solo with concern for this virus and how people are dealing with it. It’s so frustrating to always be on guard and compensating for the lack of consideration by those around us who have no clue that they could help get this under control by wearing masks and getting the vaccine. Yes, there are a few exceptions for not getting the shots. But most excuses are based on non-factual anecdote.

As a bone marrow transplant patient, my world is just like yours. So grateful to be given this second chance and I’ll be darned if I’m going to risk it with some virus I can avoid. Getting the vaccine was crucial!
I had reactions to my first shot. After an MRI, bloodwork and a neurological work up, I was cleared for shot #2 by my transplant team, neurologist and an allergist at Mayo. They all felt the risk of actually contracting the virus was way more dangerous than the possibility of a reaction to the shot. My 2nd dose went off without a hitch. But again, just like all of us with compromised immune systems, I have no idea the efficacy of the vaccine for me.

While I’m venting, our local school board changed the policy for a mask mandate…having all children wearing masks. Immediately one mother complained that her children will NOT be wearing masks and that she’s already informed the school board that this is the case. I’m not one to get angry very easily but that just had me seeing red! I wanted to grab her through the TV by the shoulders and scream that this is much bigger than her and her family! That her actions to deny that this virus is dangerous puts so many other people at risk. She is very selfish as this isn’t just about her!

After learning the educational level of this woman in her interview on the news, I’m also bewildered how she could possibly think she knows more than all the degreed scientists and doctors and apparently can interpret the research, statistics and data in a whole new light! Shaking my head…

So pull up a chair with @rosemarya and @gingerw and the rest of us and we’ll have an old fashioned gab session! LOL.

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@loribmt Unfortunately in this little town [pop 800] we are in the vast minority of those who feel a mask is appropriate, or that a vaccination is a good thing. And around here it is more a political thing than a health thing. I have let people know I mask and socially distance because I value my health and future, and they have no right to criticize me for that. When I went in to a local chain store that said "masks required" at the door, but customers were not, I asked the manager why they would not enforce the rules. Her response was the sign was required, she didn't care if people were masked, or not. Last time I went there.

It is indeed sad to see how divisive all this is. But I, for one, would like to stick around for a while more...
Ginger

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