Transplant: Tacrolimus, What’s Your Target Range?

Hi @jennifer0726 It's great to hear from you! I am at my 2 year kidney transplant anniversary and I take 500mg Cellcept twice a day and 6mg long acting Envarsus XR once a day. I have always taken my medication with food in hope of avoiding gastrointestinal problems, but I am now experiencing some acid reflux, etc so the "with food" idea is not working perfectly. I am hopeful that at my visit my Tac will be reduced slightly too. What dosage of Cellcept do you take each day? Has the slightly reduced Tac helped your GI issues and hair loss any? Do you take Protonix, Pepcid or Prilosec each day for your stomach? Wow, we have so much in common during this journey!! I love to compare notes 😊

Hi @hello1234! For Cellcept I take 750 mg in am and 500 mg in pm. My hair has been holding steady, still thinner than before on top, but better than the first 6-12 month post tx. So odd you mentioned Gerd, I have had much more issues with this in last month or two. I have been taking Lansoprozole after my Protonix ran out post tx. I have learned recently for me it is more effective to take in the evening as mornings were not helping. I also tried these new “melt” version from Walgreens that do not agree with me. (headaches, joint pain, etc) My new kidney was back down to 30 GFR last labs, but as long as it doesn’t decline I am ok. That new kidney is supplying hormones for increased hair oil like a teen, and faster growing and healthier nails. So funny the things that change. Thankful always for my new kidney, but being post tx isn’t without challenges.

@jennifer0726 ...You are soooo right about the oily teenage hair and healthier nails. I thought it was just me Jennifer!! I am so glad that you mentioned it. 😊
You mentioned your 30 GFR blood test. What is your creatinine running? And what is transplant saying about the cause of your 30 GFR...are they comfortable that things appear stable now that your norovirus and c diff resolved? They may be confident now that your infection is resolved. (I know you had a very hard time after that pizza delivery).

Hi @jackie421blfdgurl 😊 Congratulations on your upcoming October anniversary! In addition to your Tacronlimis, what is your Cellcept dosage? I forget Jackie, are you a 2 year anniversary kidney transplant patient too?

Hi @hello1234, my creatinine was 1.77 6/13, which was up from March, but very similar to when I went for my one year. When I went home one month after tx it was 2.10. So I have never had that great of numbers post tx, but no rejection at either of my biopsies at 4 and 12 months. The low numbers may contribute to my lower energy. On another note, I have a favorite author Laura Bradbury who had a living liver tx due to PSC who wrote a rom/com called An Unlikely Match. If you are a reader it is interesting and entertaining read. She has written memoirs and fiction. I thought it might be a fun summer read for those who might identify. I hope this is allowed to share on here! 😊

Hi there..Jackie here..2 yesrs October is anniversary.
As of 5-12-22 my tac level was 5.2.. taking 3 mg in am and 3 mg in pm.so far the dose has been the same for awhile. But I need blood wk every 2 months so levels can b monitored.

In may my creatinine level was 2.6.

Hello1234
Well anniversary didn't come up yet!!! I know positive...tacronlimis is only drug I take . Celcept had bad effects on me.don't want to go down that road again. Just liver is new!!

@jackie421blfdgurl
Hi Jackie,
Yes, you are correct! I should wait until the "official" transplant anniversary to celebrate everyone's anniversary...but I get too excited!! 😊 When it gets closer I will need to send another "Congrats!" (I have been celebrating my 2 year kidney anniversary for the last 6 months...my real date is later this month). PS. It's wonderful that all you take is the Tac (no Cellcept). Less meds is definitely a good thing when possible.

Hello ..at one time Dr. Thought of putting me on cellcept too but I said no..if it wasn't life threatening I would prefer not to. We r all grateful what had been done for us. And we all know the alternative.
But this road sure is not an easy one and only we know that. Cannot explain how we feel in our bodies or in our head...to others...only to each other and thank goodness for u all.....