Anyone experience personality change post solid organ transplant?

During my evaluation for heart transplant the psychiatrist noted that this can happen but she doubted that it would happen to me. When I asked why she said with a wry smile, "You like yourself too much." We both laughed so hard and then she said, "I cannot be so direct with most patients."

That said, my wife was hopeful for a personality change but she failed to get her wish and is stuck with the same old me.

Best always,
s!

@footballmum,
I have located some past comments and discussions where other transplant recipients have shared similar experiences. I have chosen these in no particular order, and I have chosen based on the title of the discussion. I suggest that you scroll and skim thru the conversations. As always you can ask a question anywhere/anytime. If directing a question to a particular member, use their @name in your response.

Here is a Transplant Newsfeed article from the past that contains valid information related to your inquiry:
- Post-Transplant Mental Health & Well-being: Q&A with Shelia Jowsey-Gregoire, M.D.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/transplant/newsfeed-post/post-transplant-mental-health-well-being-qa-with-shelia-jowsey-gregoire-m-d/
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Here are some member support discussions:
- What do kidney transplant pts take for anxiety/depression?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-do-kidney-transplant-pts-take-for-anxietydepression/
- Tacrolimus induced psychosis post liver transplant.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tacrolimus-induced-psychosis-post-liver-transplant/
- Struggling mentally post op. Feeling isolated
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mentally/
- Changes after Transplant
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/changes-after-transplant/
- Mood changes after transplant
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mood-changes-after-transplant/
@footballmum, Have you discussed your concern with someone on your transplant team?

Thank you for all the information. I will be busy reading. No I have not. I'll be honest being so far out from transplant I don't want to bother them. They have more important things to do.

@footballmum, you are never “less” important than another transplant patient to your transplant team. At any number of years post transplant you are important and the health and well-being of your gifted organ is a priority. Your health includes your mental health is equally as important as your physical health.
Do you have a patient portal where you can contact your coordinator? Since this is not an emergency, you will probably need to wait a few days for a reply. Or you might want to call and leave a message with your return contact info. (Make sure that you adjust your call blocker so that the return call gets thru to you). When is your next appointment?

Good afternoon. Thank you for your response. I have both telephone and email access to my nurse. I just didn't feel it would be a priority.😔

Hi @footballmum 😊
It's nice to hear from you!
I have a question regarding your personality change.
Do you mean you are grumpier than normal? More nervous? What kinds of symptoms are you experiencing?

@footballmum Hello again. I hope you are doing well physically. I am on tacro & mycrophenolate. I too suffer from personality changes 1 year post liver transplant. I struggle with many mental changes. I have not been given a clear understanding as to why. So I say it's my new normal. I am better in that I recognize i am not the same as before tx. And it's okay. I mistakenly said i was on progesterone but it was actually Prednisone!! Part of my new normal is that I'm not as sharp as I was before. But I love life and am happy to answer any questions you specifically ask. Sieze the day.

I am anxious, more so than before, fatigued, hard to make decisions, a bit foggy brain, shaky in hands and body from tacro.
does anyone take a medication for the anxiety from tacro? That is the worst side effect from tacro/envarsus VR. My psychiatrist is trying to find an anti-anxiety med that works and the TC accepts. Have a peaceful and joyful holiday with friends or family. Stay in the light and sunshine if you can. BB

Hey, I get it. If my transplant Hospital would listen, I would give them an earful about pre-transplant preparation for emotional changes after transplant. Mine was just over two years ago. After going through all of the things associated with cirrhosis, I don’t know what normal is. I even had my PCP send me to a psychologist for a few months to help, and that didn’t go far. I still try to figure it out. My medical guys blow that off, wish they would not do that. But for them, my angels, I wouldn’t be here today. I have a case manager RN at my hospital that answers any questions I may have on their messaging system. Except for this one. The amount of care they have for me is over the moon, but this is a hard question. I’m glad you asked.