Transplant: No or Few Antibodies after COVID Vaccination

Posted by nkdonahue @nkdonahue, Feb 27, 2021

My daughter received a kidney from her father 15 months ago. She is participating in the Johns Hopkins study of transplant patients undergoing vaccination. The study required that she be tested for antibodies just before she received her second shot. The test results showed that she had no antibodies to Covid-19. I wonder if anyone else on this list is participating in the Hopkins study and can share their experience. I know the study will be asking participants to repeat the antibody test four of five more times over the year after being fully vaccinated. Thank you

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

One more question @banksnc49 Were you taking Cellcept and Tac during your covid experience? Did they lower your dosage to fight the virus or did you stay at your regular dosage and medications? I think you did amazingly well!! 😊

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@hello1234

One more question @banksnc49 Were you taking Cellcept and Tac during your covid experience? Did they lower your dosage to fight the virus or did you stay at your regular dosage and medications? I think you did amazingly well!! 😊

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I take myfortec which I believe is cell pet and a monthly infusion called belatecept. They did cut my myfortec dose in half so I could fight off the virus. I want to say they cut it at least 2 mos but I’m not sure.

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@banksnc49

I take myfortec which I believe is cell pet and a monthly infusion called belatecept. They did cut my myfortec dose in half so I could fight off the virus. I want to say they cut it at least 2 mos but I’m not sure.

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@banksnc49 Good to know about the reduction of Cellcept! I assume you were switched to the monthly injections because of a reaction or negative side effect to Tacronlimis....or is there a special benefit to the injection?

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@banksnc49

I got covid from my husband who got it at work. I got the kind that caused me to have pneumonia. I spent a total of 10 days in the hospital. Thankfully, I did not need a ventilator but I did have some oxygen. It left me very weak. I had visiting nurses and visiting PT’s for a month. I used a walker for about 3 months. It was a slow recovery. My husband had the kind of body aches and loss of smell and taste. He was better after 2 wks. It was hard going through it but the Lord really protected my kidney throughout it. I was thankful to get antibodies and I’ll find out Tuesday if I’m still positive. I’m hesitant to get the shots because I have painful neuropathy in my feet and I don’t want it to get worse. It was a hard experience but I’m glad it turned out well. I’m hopeful you won’t ever get it. God bless. ❤️

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Nancy, I'm relieved to hear that both you and your husband have recovered from COVID. It can be a very slow recovery peppered with setbacks. But it sounds like patience, faith and small steps forward, you have put the hardest part of that journey behind you.

In the Post-COVID Recovery group, there are many fellow members who would appreciate hearing from you. They are in the middle of recovery. Knowing that there is a light at the end of the tunnel would mean a lot to them. Perhaps you'd be interested in participating in the group here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/post-covid-recovery-covid-19/

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@colleenyoung

Nancy, I'm relieved to hear that both you and your husband have recovered from COVID. It can be a very slow recovery peppered with setbacks. But it sounds like patience, faith and small steps forward, you have put the hardest part of that journey behind you.

In the Post-COVID Recovery group, there are many fellow members who would appreciate hearing from you. They are in the middle of recovery. Knowing that there is a light at the end of the tunnel would mean a lot to them. Perhaps you'd be interested in participating in the group here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/post-covid-recovery-covid-19/

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I’d love to but I’m not sure how to go about it. I clicked on the link you sent and I wasn’t sure where my story would be helpful.

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@banksnc49

I’d love to but I’m not sure how to go about it. I clicked on the link you sent and I wasn’t sure where my story would be helpful.

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Thank you, Nancy. I bet you would have some helpful tips to share with others in this discussion:

- Any tips to help recovery for a COVID Long-Hauler? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/long-hauler/

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This is good news -

An international phase III trial presented at the 2021 virtual IDWeek conference found that a 3-day course of intravenous remdesivir (Veklury) in COVID-19 outpatients at high risk of progression to severe disease significantly reduced the risk of hospitalization by 87% versus placebo
https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/idweekvideopearls/95391

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@athenalee

This is good news -

An international phase III trial presented at the 2021 virtual IDWeek conference found that a 3-day course of intravenous remdesivir (Veklury) in COVID-19 outpatients at high risk of progression to severe disease significantly reduced the risk of hospitalization by 87% versus placebo
https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/idweekvideopearls/95391

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Hi there. U r a wealth of info.thank God. How r u? I still have my dirreaha going on 5 months. Had a colonoscopy and endoscope two weeks ago still waiting for results. Dr. Took me off CellCept mayb culprit...feel like a prisoner can't go out. I got a job someone wants me! Part time In school co teach. But feel weak ..u all take care...

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Interesting article today regarding the efficacy of the Pfizer and Moderna Vaccines on immunocompromised patients. No surprise to those of us with with impaired immune systems but there are now statistics for people with organ and stem cell transplants. Suggestions of a booster are still being touted as our best bet.

An excerpt “ But not all immunocompromised people even reached a 77% effectiveness, the researchers pointed out, noting, “vaccine effectiveness varied considerably among immunocompromised patient subgroups.” Specifically, people who had organ or stem cell transplants were more likely to have a 59% efficacy, while those who had a rheumatic or inflammatory disorder like rheumatoid arthritis saw efficacy numbers up to 81%. ”
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/study-pfizer-moderna-shots-less-185600106.html

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@loribmt

Interesting article today regarding the efficacy of the Pfizer and Moderna Vaccines on immunocompromised patients. No surprise to those of us with with impaired immune systems but there are now statistics for people with organ and stem cell transplants. Suggestions of a booster are still being touted as our best bet.

An excerpt “ But not all immunocompromised people even reached a 77% effectiveness, the researchers pointed out, noting, “vaccine effectiveness varied considerably among immunocompromised patient subgroups.” Specifically, people who had organ or stem cell transplants were more likely to have a 59% efficacy, while those who had a rheumatic or inflammatory disorder like rheumatoid arthritis saw efficacy numbers up to 81%. ”
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/study-pfizer-moderna-shots-less-185600106.html

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Yes, now that I’m back to dressing for the office, I’m investing in a wider array of masks 😷 so I can be color coordinated! Masks are becoming like socks, good to be matching, but also stand out. I expect they’ve become a permanent feature of our attire.

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