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What helps with post liver transplant fatigue?
Transplants | Last Active: Oct 4, 2022 | Replies (73)Comment receiving replies
Thank you so much for responding. I was not with him when he had his transplant. We are old childhood sweethearts. I have been in a long distance relationship with him for a year and a half. I know he is good about getting his labs done. My main concerns are I don’t think he realizes how important it is to monitor his diabetes. I have a hard time getting straight answers out of him. For example I may ask how was your reading this morning and his response is I took my insulin but didn’t check my level. I believe he is to check it 3 times a day. I don’t know if he is to take more insulin. Very confusing. I also think this may play a large part with his extreme fatigue. I’ve been after him to find a primary care physician. I don’t think he understands how vital that is. He doesn’t like to discuss his health a lot. I know if I was with him he would be feeling better due to the fact I would make sure he was following a regimen. He always brags about how healthy he always was. I told him if he was getting routine physicals all along he wouldn’t be in the position he is in. I worry constantly.
Replies to "Thank you so much for responding. I was not with him when he had his transplant...."
Hello @karenmarian2, let me also welcome you to Connect. And, thank you for your support of your boyfriend! Being a transplant recipient isn’t easy, obviously. And, it’s vital that we take extra great care of our health and eat well. In particular, it’s vital that we really do what is needed to address common health issues, including diabetes.
Our medications can compound these common diseases. After my transplant I did a lot of research about post transplant complications. I found my glucose was rising, even though I had a good diet and seldom ate refined sugar. Now, I avoid all refined sugar and white flour, etc. Here’s a blog I wrote that introduces some of the impacts that our immunosuppressants can have on our health and how healthy eating may help - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/transplant/newsfeed-post/whats-on-my-plate-a-transplant-recipient-perspective/
As a transplant recipient, I also recognize the value of speaking with my team doctor and nutritionist about addressing these concerns. Perhaps your boyfriend can be persuaded to check in with his team about diabetes care.
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I'm tagging fellow transplant caregivers like @gingerw @tasher3433 @jodeej who might offer some tips.
Karen, I rather like @rosemarya's suggestion about asking your boyfriend if he could review his care with you, specifically his diabetes care. It's obvious that you care about him and his health, but asking daily questions might be frustrating for both you and him. When I asked my dad too much or too often about his blood sugar levels, the less he told me. It was a catch-22.
How might your concerns be put at ease? What could he change in his communication with you? What might you change?