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Transplant anti-rejection medications. What's your advice?
Transplants | Last Active: 4 days ago | Replies (324)Comment receiving replies
I had a kidney transplant 3 years ago and have been taking 3 mgs of Prednisone once a day ever since. My numbers are stable but recent test results indicate that I'm developing Diabetes. I'm not overweight (5' and 107 lbs.) and it appears that my condition is related to the medications that I take. My nephrologist recently reduced my Mycophenolate from 1500 mg a day to 1250 mg. I've read that some Transplant Centers do not use Prednisone because of the side effects. I'm also taking 3.5 mg. of Everolimus. My question is: which medication contributes to a high blood sugar level and what can I do about it.
Replies to "I had a kidney transplant 3 years ago and have been taking 3 mgs of Prednisone..."
hi, @amkaplin. I am happy that you asked this question about meds contributing to your high blood sugar. I am recipient and I have always been told that each of us comes to transplant with a unique set of health issues and backgrounds. I don’t know if there is a definitive answer to your question about which med is affecting you. Have you raised this question to your doctor? He/she was s going to be the best one to give you answers about you.
In the meantime, I am interested in the experiences that other members are sharing! I think that by sharing, we can go to our provider with a sense that we are not the only patient with questions-kind of like assurance that we are validated to ask questions. Connect is a place to share experiences and to support each other. When will you see doctor again? Was this a sudden change or gradual over time?
@amkaplin I had a pancreas transplant 17 years ago at a center that had a protocol to not use steroids (prednisone) because of the side effects. I believe I had some other steroid med once or twice in an IV infusion early on but never had any ongoing oral steroid meds long term. That was a long time ago. I think newer and better immune suppressants have been developed since then.
I take mycophenolic acid 360mg twice daily and tacrolimus 1.5mg twice a day. I used to take 5mg of prednisone immediately post transplant, but I was, like you, developing diabetes as well as the start of a cataract in the right eye. Even though the dose of prednisone was small, they decided to take me off of that and that’s when I began the mycophenolic acid instead. I had a liver and kidney transplant and I am almost 9 years post transplant.
A frank discussion with your nephrologist and transplant team should lead to a solution for you. I hope all the best, and hang in there.
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Hi @amkaplin 😊
Congrats on your kidney transplant! What was the cause of your original kidney failure? I think many times transplant patients are given a low dose of Prednisone to prevent the original cause from hurting the new kidney. Is that why you are taking Prednisone?