1. < Transplants

Quality of Life after Kidney Transplant.

Posted by kandyh @kandyh, Jun 1, 2023

Do most kidney transplant recipients live a normal life once they recover from the surgery or do most suffer continuous health challenges as a result of the transplant.? I am trying to evaluate the choice between continuing dialysis as a way of life or kidney transplant. Quality of life and the ability to live a normal life is my concern. Dialysis is obviously restricting but healthy otherwise. I am not sure I would trade my current limitations for continuous health problems as a result of a kidney transplant just to be free of dialysis.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Transplants Support Group.

simba2018 | @simba2018 | Jun 21, 2023
In reply to @helpkathy "My sister is on dialysis at 71. The transplant center at Yale told her she is..." + (show)
@helpkathy

My sister is on dialysis at 71. The transplant center at Yale told her she is not a candidate. I don't understand why not and am very concerned for her. Are there any ways that she can get opinions on this within her insurance plan? Any help or words would be appreciated.

Jump to this post

There are certain criteria for an individual to be a candidate for a transplant, they run alot of test on them to determine their decision some are examples such as: they check her heart to see if it's strong enough to withstand the surgery, it could be a number of things, if she smoked or still had nicotine still in system the arteries will not cooperate when attaching a new kidney, could be multiple reasons why they told her that she is not a candidate, were they able to provide you any information as to why? They are obligated to inform her at least why she's not able too and would think there would be some paperwork to say as well. Contact them to try and find out but good luck HIPPA prevents us from knowing anything without patient giving consent which is usually done in person or by signing a release of medical information on her. Let me know what you were able to find out.

REPLY
kandyh | @kandyh | Jun 21, 2023
In reply to @simba2018 "How long have you been doing dialysis? Are you doing in clinic or at home dialysis?..." + (show)
@simba2018

How long have you been doing dialysis? Are you doing in clinic or at home dialysis? My fiance has been on n off back on now almost 8-10 years. Was going to do home dialysis but it didn't work out as being the right time to do it so he's back in center but he is very high on the transplant list he just has to get some paperwork turned in to do evaluation process and he also needs to quit smoking which has been very challenging for him since he doesn't have anything for his anxiety right now so not sure when it will come about but I'm hoping he will quit in time and gets this kidney transplant before Christmas. Battling stage 5 kidney disease so it's crucial he stops smoking asap to be rid of his system when they do the nicotine blood test on him.

Jump to this post

Been on dialysis for a year and a half. Foot wounds have been a problem with getting qualified. Also having had radiation treatment over 3 decades ago has been a problem and a disqualify er at two transplant centers.

How long will you fiancée need to stop smoking to get a transplant? Is nicotine a problem after transplant? Stopping smoking can be very difficult.

REPLY
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Jun 21, 2023
In reply to @simba2018 "How long have you been doing dialysis? Are you doing in clinic or at home dialysis?..." + (show)
@simba2018

How long have you been doing dialysis? Are you doing in clinic or at home dialysis? My fiance has been on n off back on now almost 8-10 years. Was going to do home dialysis but it didn't work out as being the right time to do it so he's back in center but he is very high on the transplant list he just has to get some paperwork turned in to do evaluation process and he also needs to quit smoking which has been very challenging for him since he doesn't have anything for his anxiety right now so not sure when it will come about but I'm hoping he will quit in time and gets this kidney transplant before Christmas. Battling stage 5 kidney disease so it's crucial he stops smoking asap to be rid of his system when they do the nicotine blood test on him.

Jump to this post

@simba2018 My husband was on dialysis for 5.5 years before his transplant. He did peritoneal dialysis, at home each night. He had quit smoking 20 years before starting dialysis, which was a checkmark in the positive category for him! Most centers will tell you there needs to be 6 months to a year off nicotine to even be considered for a transplant.

I hope your fiance can figure out something else to address his anxiety. Drawing, or writing, maybe even chewing um? Smoking can be an extremely difficult habit to break. It's considered an addiction. Perhaps his primary care doctor can recommend a plan to stop smoking to him?
Ginger

REPLY
ella | @ellakoch | Dec 4 11:52am

I was on dialysis for several months while waiting for a transplant. Dialysis made me feel better, but I was still felt very tired and would get sick after eating.
I received my transplant 1988 and it has been life changing. My creatine is still normal levels 36 years later!
My life returned to pre kidney failure, both in stamina and health. I did not match any family members and my transplant was a cadaver perfect antigen match.
Dialysis is a wonderful stop gap but a transplant is life changing !

REPLY
2 replies
my44 | @my44 | Dec 4 2:38pm
In reply to @ellakoch "I was on dialysis for several months while waiting for a transplant. Dialysis made me feel..." + (show)
@ellakoch

I was on dialysis for several months while waiting for a transplant. Dialysis made me feel better, but I was still felt very tired and would get sick after eating.
I received my transplant 1988 and it has been life changing. My creatine is still normal levels 36 years later!
My life returned to pre kidney failure, both in stamina and health. I did not match any family members and my transplant was a cadaver perfect antigen match.
Dialysis is a wonderful stop gap but a transplant is life changing !

Jump to this post

Thank you for sharing your story @ellakoch, and congratulations on 36 years of “new life.”
I am just one year post kidney transplant and hope I can enjoy the same level of continued success with my transplant as you have with yours.
I was never on dialysis before transplant, but transplant has been life changing for me, as well.
All the best to you!

REPLY
2 replies
my44 | @my44 | Dec 4 2:49pm
In reply to @my44 "Thank you for sharing your story @ellakoch, and congratulations on 36 years of “new life.” I..." + (show)
@my44

Thank you for sharing your story @ellakoch, and congratulations on 36 years of “new life.”
I am just one year post kidney transplant and hope I can enjoy the same level of continued success with my transplant as you have with yours.
I was never on dialysis before transplant, but transplant has been life changing for me, as well.
All the best to you!

Jump to this post

Sorry...meant to "like" @ellakoch's post...not my own!!! 😳

REPLY
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Dec 4 7:25pm
In reply to @ellakoch "I was on dialysis for several months while waiting for a transplant. Dialysis made me feel..." + (show)
@ellakoch

I was on dialysis for several months while waiting for a transplant. Dialysis made me feel better, but I was still felt very tired and would get sick after eating.
I received my transplant 1988 and it has been life changing. My creatine is still normal levels 36 years later!
My life returned to pre kidney failure, both in stamina and health. I did not match any family members and my transplant was a cadaver perfect antigen match.
Dialysis is a wonderful stop gap but a transplant is life changing !

Jump to this post

@ellakoch Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! It's always so great to hear from a transplant patient, and wow! 36 years with the same gift is awesome! Thank you for sharing your story.

Yes, cadaver matches are often done, as are family members or an other living donor. Dialysis and transplants are treatment options for kidney disease.
Ginger

REPLY
1 reply
ella | @ellakoch | Dec 4 10:16pm
In reply to @my44 "Thank you for sharing your story @ellakoch, and congratulations on 36 years of “new life.” I..." + (show)
@my44

Thank you for sharing your story @ellakoch, and congratulations on 36 years of “new life.”
I am just one year post kidney transplant and hope I can enjoy the same level of continued success with my transplant as you have with yours.
I was never on dialysis before transplant, but transplant has been life changing for me, as well.
All the best to you!

Jump to this post

Great to hear about your transplant! Yes you certainly can there alot of people who have transplant for many years... you life will only get better as the year go on !
Just be sure to not be afraid go to the hospital with fevers or call doctors with concerns..... but for the most part you get to live like before your kidney failure... be sure to enjoy life !!!

REPLY
1 reply
ella | @ellakoch | Dec 4 11:41pm
In reply to @gingerw "@ellakoch Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! It's always so great to hear from a transplant patient,..." + (show)
@gingerw

@ellakoch Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! It's always so great to hear from a transplant patient, and wow! 36 years with the same gift is awesome! Thank you for sharing your story.

Yes, cadaver matches are often done, as are family members or an other living donor. Dialysis and transplants are treatment options for kidney disease.
Ginger

Jump to this post

Ginger, my family and I felt defeated when I was not same blood type as siblings or my mother , my father had died when I was a child. However the kindness of another family who chose to donate their sons organs saved my life and several others also needing the "gift of life" I am certainly thankful.
dialysis was a life saver as well while I waited on the list.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Dec 5 5:28am
In reply to @ellakoch "Ginger, my family and I felt defeated when I was not same blood type as siblings..." + (show)
@ellakoch

Ginger, my family and I felt defeated when I was not same blood type as siblings or my mother , my father had died when I was a child. However the kindness of another family who chose to donate their sons organs saved my life and several others also needing the "gift of life" I am certainly thankful.
dialysis was a life saver as well while I waited on the list.

Jump to this post

@ellakoch Ella, my husband had a deceased donor for his kidney October 2016. He was on PD dialysis for 5.5 years prior to that. Thanks to the generosity of a grieving family, he has been able to continue his volunteer work, see his grandchildren grow up, and enjoy retirement.
Ginger

REPLY
1 reply
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.