Liver transplant - Let's support each other

So sorry to learn you are going thru this Melissa. I had my liver transplant about 20 months ago (deceased donor) - but have not experienced any rejection as of now. I also have several transplant friends who have gone through bouts of rejection - and their transplant teams have been successful in stabilizing them. I too will pray for the same result for you. As silverwoman says above - we will be fighting rejection for the rest of our lives - and storms will certainly come along. I believe that God does not give us more than we can handle.

So sorry to learn you are going thru this Melissa. I had my liver transplant about 20 months ago (deceased donor) - but have not experienced any rejection as of now. I also have several transplant friends who have gone through bouts of rejection - and their transplant teams have been successful in stabilizing them. I too will pray for the same result for you. As silverwoman says above - we will be fighting rejection for the rest of our lives - and storms will certainly come along. I believe that God does not give us more than we can handle.

Melissa0919: Hi there! I received my liver tx at Mayo in Jacksonville 5 years ago and I appreciate what you are going through. For the first time at the beginning of this year, I experienced a bout of rejection and needed to go to Mayo (500 miles away) for anti-rejection treatment with SoluMedrol. That brought my LFT's down to acceptable range and I was able to go home on prednisone. I've been able to taper to 5 mg. of prednisone a day and, while I dislike the side effects, I'm glad to be able to take it and hang on to my tx liver. It has been my understanding from the very beginning that I will be fighting rejection to one degree or another for the rest of my life and this will not be smooth sailing, but I'm on the green side of the grass and able to do almost everything I enjoy doing most days. The way I figure it, I would have been dead from liver cancer 5 years ago this month and everyday is a gift to be delighted in and treasured. Keep your sunny side up.

@alh4, One of the side effects of Tacrolimus is that it can cause dizziness. I see that you had surgery 6 weeks ago, and this could be a complicating issue with the introduction of other medications and healing.
I have had tremors after my morning dose , but not dizziness or lightheadedness . I do remember some dizziness and lightheadedness that was related to blood pressure, though.

When did last have labs and tacrolimus level checked? I would encourage you to ask this question to your transplant team. Have you mentioned this to them?

Here is a discussion about dizziness:
- Dizzy still after my liver transplant
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/dizzy-1/

I had a liver transplant 3 years ago. My oldest daughter blessed me with a part of her liver. Basically, have done well. Had colon resection six weeks ago due to diverticulitis. Done well. As of now tac level is 2.6 and alt and ast slightly elevated. 29/33
Those had been in the low 20’s.
I take 2 Tacrolimus AM and PM
It seems that a couple of hours after I take Tac, I seem to be weak and lightheaded. Does anyone else experience this side effect?

I hope that today brings some uplifting news to you about your current status. I am aware of how overwhelming this is for you. And I know how frightening it is when our precious organ is at risk. I imagine, too, that the medical terms and activities are confusing as well. I know it was for me. If you are feeling up-to-it, try to engage in conversation with your nurses, as doctors can be quick in /quick out due to their schedule. Are you at your transplant hospital?

@rickherman @silverwoman @gaylea1 @hdillon7 @ajdo129 @gerryp
I want to invite you to visit this conversation and meet @melissa0919 who is in hospital with signs of rejection of her recently transplanted liver. I know that she would appreciate your expressions of hope and encouragement during this difficult time, also Do you have an related experience to share? Have you dealt with rejection?

I hope that today brings some uplifting news to you about your current status. I am aware of how overwhelming this is for you. And I know how frightening it is when our precious organ is at risk. I imagine, too, that the medical terms and activities are confusing as well. I know it was for me. If you are feeling up-to-it, try to engage in conversation with your nurses, as doctors can be quick in /quick out due to their schedule. Are you at your transplant hospital?

@rickherman @silverwoman @gaylea1 @hdillon7 @ajdo129 @gerryp
I want to invite you to visit this conversation and meet @melissa0919 who is in hospital with signs of rejection of her recently transplanted liver. I know that she would appreciate your expressions of hope and encouragement during this difficult time, also Do you have an related experience to share? Have you dealt with rejection?

Thank you. It is a lot to cope with. I figured once I got my liver and went through the initial recovery I would be ok. But that’s not the case at all. If there is anyone on here that has went through rejection please connect with me. I am extremely overwhelmed, because like I said I figured I would be better after recovering the initial part.