Kidney Post Transplant Care – Allocare Content

841510login-checkKidney Post Transplant Care

Introduction

The long term success of a kidney transplant depends on many things. You should:

Be seen by your transplant team on a regular basis and follow their advice
Take your anti-rejection medications daily in the proper dose and at the right times, as directed by the transplant team, to keep your body from rejecting your new kidney.
Follow the recommended schedule for lab tests and clinic visits to make sure that your kidney is working properly.
Follow a healthy lifestyle including proper diet, exercise, and weight loss if needed

Rejection and Transplant Medicine

What is rejection?

Rejection is the most common and important complication that may occur after receiving a transplant. Since you were not born with your transplanted kidney, your body will think this new tissue is “foreign” and will try to protect you by “attacking” it. Rejection is a normal response from your body after any transplant surgery. You must take anti-rejection medicine exactly as prescribed to prevent rejection.

Are there different types of rejection?

There are two common types of rejection:

Acute Rejection – Usually occurs anytime during the first year after transplant and can usually be treated successfully.
Chronic Rejection – Usually occurs slowly over a long period of time. The causes are not well understood and treatment is often not successful.

What are anti-rejection medications?

Anti–rejection (immunosuppressant) medications decrease the body’s natural immune response to a “foreign” substance (your transplanted kidney). They lower (suppress) your immune system and prevent your body from rejecting your new kidney.

Why do I need to take anti-rejection medication?

Kidney rejection is hard to diagnose in its early stages. Rejection is often not reversible once it starts. You should never stop taking your anti-rejection medication no matter how good you feel and even if you think your transplanted kidney is working well. Stopping or missing them may cause a rejection to occur.

How should I take anti-rejection medication?

Here are some tips to help you take your anti-rejection (immunosuppressant) medication as directed:

Make taking your medicine part of your daily routine
Use digital alarms and alerts to remember when to take your medication. Be creative because it is easy to forget, especially once you are feeling wellKnow all of your medications by name and dose. Know the reason for taking each medication. Click here for form.
Ask for and review all written instructions for any change in medication dose or frequency
Tell your transplant team of problems and concerns about medications during every clinic visit
If a doctor other than a member or your transplant team gives you a prescription, notify the transplant team before taking. Certain medications can interfere with your anti-rejection medications and keep them from working.
Continue to take your anti-rejection medication no matter how great you feel, even if you think your transplanted kidney is working well. Stopping them may cause rejection to occur.

Do anti-rejection medications have side-effects?

Anti-rejection (immunosuppressant) medications have a number of possible side-effects which are usually manageable for most patients. Blood levels of anti-rejection medications will be checked regularly to prevent rejection and lessen side-effects. If side-effects do occur, your doctor may change the dose or type of medications.

What are the side-effects of anti-rejection medications?

Some of the most common side-effects of anti-rejection (immunosuppressant) medications include high blood pressure, and weight gain, an increased chance of having infections, and increased risk of some forms of cancer.

What are the types of anti-rejection medications?

There are 3 groups of anti-rejection (immunosuppressant) medications:

Induction agent – Powerful anti-rejection medication used before the transplant in the operating room, or immediately after the transplant surgery
Maintenance agents – Anti-rejection medications you will take daily for as long as you have your transplanted kidney
Rejection agents: Medications which are used for the treatment for rejection episodes

Infection

Why is infection a concern after kidney transplant?

The anti-rejection medicines that help keep your body from rejecting your transplanted kidney also lower your immune system. Because your immune system is lowered, viral and other infections can be a problem.

What is the best way to stay healthy?

Finding and treating infections as early as possible is the best way to keep you and your transplanted kidney healthy. Exposure to diseases such as the flu or pneumonia can make you very sick. Receiving vaccines as determined by your transplant team can help you stay healthy. It is also important to frequently wash your hands or use an antimicrobial gel during cold and flu season.

What problems should I report to my doctor?

You should report any of the following problems to your doctor as soon as possible:

Sores, wounds, or injuries; especially those that don’t heal
Urinary tract infection symptoms such as frequent urge to urinate, pain or burning feeling when urinating, cloudy or reddish urine, or bad smelling urine
Respiratory infection symptoms such as cough, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore or scratchy throat, or fever

How can I avoid getting infections?

To avoid getting infections you should:

Wash your hands regularly
Maintain good hygiene habits especially around pets
Avoid close contact with people who have contagious illnesses
Avoid close contact with children recently vaccinated with live vaccines (see section on Vaccines). Also, no one in the household should get the nasal influenza vaccine
Practice safe food handling. For more information on safe food handling go to USDA: Basics for Handling Food Safely
Inform your doctor well in advance of any travel plans

Vaccines

Can a vaccine be harmful after kidney transplant?

Vaccines help your body protect you from infection. Some vaccines are not good for you when you have a transplant. For example, you should avoid all “live vaccines.” Check with your transplant team before receiving any vaccines or boosters.

What are some general rules for getting vaccines such as Hepatitis B, live vaccines, or a flu shot?

You should:

Get Hepatitis B vaccine before transplant
Avoid all live vaccines
Avoid the nasal influenza vaccine
Wait at least 3-6 months after transplant before getting a flu shot; then get a yearly booster (injection only)

What if someone I know receives a live vaccine?

You should avoid direct contact with anyone who has received a live vaccine. Examples include:

Children who have received oral polio vaccine for 3 weeks
Children who have received measles or mumps vaccines
Adults who have received attenuated (a-TEN-yoo-ated) varicella vaccine to prevent zoster (attenuated means weaker strength)
Children or adults who have received the nasal influenza vaccine

What if I travel to another country?

Contact your transplant physician if you plan to travel to another country. You may need to receive certain vaccines to prevent diseases that are common to the area.