Transplant: Amoxicillin for dental appointment

Good morning @leahdrose 😊 Is today the day you have your appointment with your UCLA transplant nephrologist? I am thinking of you and looking forward to hearing about your visit! Please remember to ask about the protocol biopsy schedule at UCLA. I am interested in comparing it to Mayo's protocol schedule since I am very apprehensive about so many biopsies too. I hate the idea of an even tiny possibility of upsetting my fabulous new kidney. I know you feel the same way. Good luck on your visit! ❤

@hello1234 My apologies for not keeping in touch soon. I just got a part-time remote job, and it has been hectic.
They identified the rejection was elevated through the Prospera blood test. It is more comprehensive and detects early rejection which later shows up on the usual creatinine test. I was told it is fairly new and existed a couple of years ago. I did another test today. The creatinine is better from 1.12 last week to 1.04. I also did another Prospera test as recommended by my UCLA nephrologist. If it goes further up, then they will schedule biopsy. In looking at the five test results, they were all in upward pattern. Most likely, the test today is up too. Last week, they also took antigens test. It came out good as no antibodies were detected against the antigens. There's always good news and bad news. Like everyone else, I entrust our doctors recommend the best course of action to keep us on the right track.

@athenalee I had no idea that you experienced such an ordeal post-transplant. Over a month in the hospital. (And on top of all of this, due to covid you had no visitors). After the month and a week was over, did you go home or did you need to live close to the hospital in nearby long term housing? I'm not sure how far you live from Boston?
My post kidney transplant experience was pretty textbook (I am very, very,
very grateful!). I had my surgery on Thursday and I was discharged on Sunday morning. They were talking about Saturday, but it became Sunday morning which was no problem. Then I stayed at long term housing (rental) in Jacksonville for one month to be close to Mayo for my regularly scheduled 6am lab work and afternoon doctor appointments. They took great care of me! Of course my Tac was adjusted regularly too. The great thing about Mayo's lab is they have the Tac number in a few hours and my nurse would call me with any adjustment. At my local lab in South Florida, they have the Tac results in 5 DAYS, not five HOURS! My local hospital sends the blood vial to Labcorp on Monday and I normally get the Tac result on Friday. (That's another wonderful thing about Mayo...their lab and testing centers are extraordinary.) All in all, it was a great experience and I happily left with my new kidney! My only concern now is my elevated LIVER enzymes that are probably caused by the immune suppression drugs. My fear is ultimately they may need to further adjust or reduce my meds, which can increase the likelihood of rejection. My kidney numbers are doing so well. I wish the same was happening with the liver. I am not sure if they can just keep the liver enzymes running high without ultimately damaging the organ. I assume they are always weighing the pros and cons, similar to your awful prednisone side effects. They decided to keep you on the drug in spite of the adverse reactions. I am not sure if the liver will be same thing or if they will be forced to make an adjustment since these meds are lifetime and may cause damage to the liver after time?
I am so happy that you are through that early experience and now back to long chilly walks and dancing in the kitchen!! 💃😊💃

Hi @leahdrose 😊 No need to apologize! I am so happy to hear from you!
It's nice to hear that you have a remote part time job that you are enjoying. With covid, a remote job is perfect and recovering from the kidney transplant makes the part time hours advantageous too!
It sounds like your appointment at UCLA went well. I know what you mean about a mixed bag of good test numbers and a few test numbers that need to be watched.....That's my experience too.
It's great to know about the blood test that monitors for signs of rejection! My doctor recently mentioned a test called "Allosure" which sounds very similar to the test you mentioned. (Maybe it's just a different brand or manufacturer).
It sounds like you will continue to monitor and the good news is nothing sounds urgent. I like the idea that you will only biopsy if the blood test shows it's needed.
I was also happy to hear that you have great confidence in your UCLA transplant doctors and team. They have an excellent reputation!
Please keep me posted on your results from today and whether things are calming down or you need the biopsy.
A lot of your blood work results sound really good so I am hoping that you will be pleasantly surprised.
Will you receive the results from today's blood work this week?

@hello1234. I assume today's tests include Tacrolimus, BK and CMV viruses. It takes a few days for the results to come. Last week's Tacrolimus was high, so dosage was reduced from 6 and 6 to 6 and 5. My nephro thinks the Cellcept, currently 1 and 1, is too low. However, it's the most I can tolerate. Otherwise, I'll end up again with nasty on and off infections and diarrhea. He mentioned about switching it to Mycofortic. I read it is usually given with Cyclosporine. If that's the case, I smell another adjustment. Hayst 🙁

I like the way you were discharged and had long term housing. Was that through Mayo? Sounds better than a hospital. But I had too many issues, or they would have booted me out earlier. Since I live alone, me and FT (feeding tube) went to friends for two weeks, before I got to go home.

You go for the MRI this week for your liver, right? Try not to worry too much. Eat healthy, watch your salt, plenty of water. And, dance! 💃🏼

Good morning @athenalee 😊 Yes, you are correct!
This Friday morning are my liver tests to try and diagnose my elevated liver enzymes.
I think everyone is pretty confident that it's the medications that are causing it, but I think they also want to check for any damage since the enzymes have been elevated since my transplant over a year ago. I will definitely keep you posted on my results!
Also, I started Fosamax and I think it's causing even higher liver numbers and I may need to change to Prolia for my osteoporosis.
Thank you for always being so supportive Athena!!
Talk to you soon...and Happy Thanksgiving Day! ❤ I am thankful for your friendship.

Good morning @athenalee 😊 Yes, you are correct!
This Friday morning are my liver tests to try and diagnose my elevated liver enzymes.
I think everyone is pretty confident that it's the medications that are causing it, but I think they also want to check for any damage since the enzymes have been elevated since my transplant over a year ago. I will definitely keep you posted on my results!
Also, I started Fosamax and I think it's causing even higher liver numbers and I may need to change to Prolia for my osteoporosis.
Thank you for always being so supportive Athena!!
Talk to you soon...and Happy Thanksgiving Day! ❤ I am thankful for your friendship.

@hello1234, Tests tomorrow? I'll be thinking of you and hoping for successful diagnosis of your cause of elevated liver enzymes.
@leahdrose, I have my fingers crossed that your doctors will find information in your tests so that your problem can be treated.

I look forward to hearing your updates.
I hope that you both had a pleasant Thanksgiving Day.

Thank you so much @rosemarya 😊 I will definitely keep you posted on the test results as I find out more. Thanksgiving dinner was delicious. Tonight we ordered a take-out turkey dinner from a restaurant. It was my first restaurant meal since my transplant. I have been super nervous about eating restaurant food, but since the food was hot and cooked I felt pretty safe about it. And of course I spent today reflecting on all my blessings with a special focus on my new kidney and everyone that made it possible....I am so grateful.
I hope you had a pleasant Thanksgiving Day too! And thank you again Rosemary for always being so caring! ❤