If You Get a Kidney Transplant Can You Ever Drink Alcohol Again

Intendance after kidney transplant

Tabular array of Contents

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 communication
Take your anti-rejection medications daily in the proper dose and at the correct times, every bit 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 certain that your kidney is working properly.
Follow a good for you lifestyle including proper diet, exercise, and weight loss if needed

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Rejection and transplant medicine

Rejection is the most mutual and important complexity 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 volition try to protect you by "attacking" it. Rejection is a normal response from your body after whatever transplant surgery. You must take anti-rejection medicine exactly as prescribed to forestall rejection.

Are there different types of rejection?

In that location are ii mutual types of rejection:

Astute Rejection – Usually occurs someday during the first year later on transplant and can usually exist treated successfully.
Chronic Rejection – Unremarkably occurs slowly over a long menstruation of fourth dimension. The causes are not well understood and handling is often non successful.

What are anti-rejection medications?

Anti–rejection (immunosuppressant) medications decrease the trunk's natural allowed response to a "foreign" substance (your transplanted kidney). They lower (suppress) your immune system and forestall your body from rejecting your new kidney.

Why practise I need to take anti-rejection medication?

Kidney rejection is hard to diagnose in its early on stages. Rejection is ofttimes not reversible once it starts. You should never terminate taking your anti-rejection medication no matter how good you feel and fifty-fifty if yous 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 assist you take your anti-rejection (immunosuppressant) medication as directed:

Make taking your medicine function of your daily routine
Use digital alarms and alerts to remember when to take your medication. Be artistic because it is easy to forget, especially once you are feeling wellKnow all of your medications past 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 issues and concerns near medications during every clinic visit
If a md other than a member or your transplant team gives you a prescription, notify the transplant squad before taking. Sure medications can interfere with your anti-rejection medications and keep them from working.
Continue to have your anti-rejection medication no matter how great you feel, even if yous call back your transplanted kidney is working well. Stopping them may cause rejection to occur.

Do anti-rejection medications have side-furnishings?

Anti-rejection (immunosuppressant) medications have a number of possible side-effects which are usually manageable for most patients. Blood levels of anti-rejection medications volition exist checked regularly to prevent rejection and lessen side-effects. If side-effects do occur, your medico may change the dose or blazon 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 proceeds, an increased hazard 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 have daily for as long every bit you accept your transplanted kidney
Rejection agents: Medications which are used for the treatment for rejection episodes

Infection

Why is infection a business organization afterwards kidney transplant?

The anti-rejection medicines that help continue your body from rejecting your transplanted kidney besides lower your allowed arrangement. 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 equally possible is the all-time way to keep you and your transplanted kidney healthy. Exposure to diseases such every bit the flu or pneumonia can brand you very ill. Receiving vaccines as determined by your transplant team can help you stay healthy. It is too important to often wash your hands or use an antimicrobial gel during cold and flu season.

What issues should I report to my doc?

You should report any of the post-obit problems to your doctor as soon as possible:

Sores, wounds, or injuries; peculiarly those that don't heal
Urinary tract infection symptoms such equally frequent urge to urinate, hurting or burning feeling when urinating, cloudy or ruby-red urine, or bad smelling urine
Respiratory infection symptoms such as cough, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore or scratchy throat, or fever

How tin can I avoid getting infections?

To avert getting infections you should:

Wash your easily regularly
Maintain good hygiene habits especially around pets
Avoid close contact with people who accept contagious illnesses
Avoid close contact with children recently vaccinated with alive vaccines (see section on Vaccines). Likewise, no one in the household should go the nasal influenza vaccine
Practice rubber food handling. For more than information on prophylactic food treatment become to USDA: Basics for Handling Nutrient Safely
Inform your dr. well in accelerate of whatsoever travel plans

Vaccines

Can a vaccine be harmful afterwards kidney transplant?

Vaccines aid your body protect you from infection. Some vaccines are not good for you when you have a transplant. For example, you lot should avoid all "live vaccines." Bank check with your transplant squad before receiving any vaccines or boosters.

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

You should:

Get Hepatitis B vaccine before transplant
Avoid all alive vaccines
Avert the nasal influenza vaccine
Wait at least 3-vi months after transplant before getting a flu shot; then become a yearly booster (injection but)

What if someone I know receives a alive vaccine?

You should avoid directly 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-10-yoo-ated) varicella vaccine to foreclose zoster (attenuated ways weaker strength)
Children or adults who take received the nasal influenza vaccine

What if I travel to another state?

Contact your transplant doc if you programme to travel to another country. You lot may need to receive certain vaccines to foreclose diseases that are common to the surface area.

Which vaccines are safe to get?

Ever talk to your transplant coordinator earlier getting any vaccines or boosters. The following vaccines are recommended:

Diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus
Haemophilus influenzea B
Hepatitis A (for travel or other hazard)
Hepatitis B (receive before transplant)
Pneumovax (single booster at five years)
Inactivated polio
Flu types A and B (booster every year)
Meningococcus (if at loftier adventure)
Typhoid Half dozen

Which vaccines should I avert?

You should Non receive the post-obit "live" vaccines:

Varicella zoster
Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG)
Smallpox
Intranasal influenza
Alive oral typhoid Ty21a and other newer vaccines
Measles (except during an outbreak)
Mumps
Rubella
Oral polio
Live Japanese B encephalitis vaccine
Yellow fever

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New-onset diabetes later transplant

What is new-onset diabetes later transplant or NODAT?

Even if you did not have diabetes before, yous may develop diabetes after transplant. This type of diabetes is called new-onset diabetes after transplant or NODAT. This tin occur as a side consequence of the medications that yous need to prevent rejection of your new kidney.

What are my chances of having new-onset diabetes after transplant?

Your chances of having new-onset diabetes afterward transplant volition be higher if you are obese. Your chances are also increased if others in your family have diabetes.

Why should I worry about diabetes?

Having a high blood saccharide level due to diabetes or due to NODAT tin can cause serious damage to your heart, claret vessels, optics, feet, and nerves.

How can I find out about my blood saccharide?

Blood sugar levels will be closely watched while you are in the hospital after the transplant and in the outpatient dispensary. If needed, your doctors will help you develop a plan to keep your claret sugar nether control. If you are on corticosteroid medication (such as prednisone), your claret sugar levels will improve as the dose of this medication is decreased in the first ii months later on transplant.

If I have diabetes, how can I control my blood carbohydrate?

Your transplant team will assist y'all manage your claret sugar. High blood carbohydrate is usually done with:

A carbohydrate-controlled nutrition
Exercise, equally immune by your doctor
Diabetes medications

Eye disease

What are my chances of getting centre disease after a kidney transplant?

People with kidney transplants are at greater risk for middle disease. At that place are many causes for center disease including: smoking, diabetes, overweight, hypertension, high cholesterol and claret lipids, and number of years on dialysis.

How can I lower my chances of getting heart disease?

Here are some important things for y'all to do at present to lower your chances for getting heart disease later (see information on each topic):

Control high blood pressure
Manage cholesterol and claret lipids
Stop smoking
Exercise, equally immune by your doctor
Maintain a healthy weight by following a healthy diet
If you have diabetes, piece of work to keep it well controlled

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High blood pressure

What are my chances of having high blood pressure after a kidney transplant?

If you had high blood pressure level before getting your new kidney, information technology may go along after your transplant. High blood pressure might also occur as a side-issue of anti-rejection medications, organ rejection and/or obesity (from weight gain after transplant).

Should I bank check my blood force per unit area?

You should check your claret force per unit area as directed by your transplant squad. The target blood pressure for people with a kidney transplant is less than 130/80.

How can I control my blood pressure?

Your doctor will help you manage your blood force per unit area. High blood pressure is usually controlled with:

Weight control including regular practice
A low salt diet
Blood force per unit area medication

High cholesterol and claret lipids

What are my chances of having high cholesterol and claret lipids after kidney transplant?

Many people may have higher cholesterol and lipid levels in the blood after transplant due to medication side-effects , weight gain, poor diet, family unit history, or lack of exercise. Kidney-related issues that cause poly peptide in the urine (proteinuria) can besides increment blood lipids.

Why should I worry almost high cholesterol and blood lipids?

High claret lipids tin can lead to clogged blood vessels. When this occurs it increases chance of heart disease and stroke.

How can I command my cholesterol and claret lipids?

Your doctor will assist yous manage your cholesterol and blood lipids. Controlling high cholesterol and blood lipids is usually done with:

A heart healthy diet
More practice equally allowed by your physician
Lipid lowering medication

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Stop smoking

Why should I terminate smoking?

Smoking cigarettes significantly increases your take a chance for center illness, cancer and lung disease. Information technology may besides decrease the amount of fourth dimension your new kidney will work.

How tin I get help to stop smoking?

Enquire your dr. about medication to aid you quit smoking if you are having a problem quitting on your own. Also ask your transplant team almost programs in your area. There are too online programs and Apps you may want to effort. Here are some examples:

BeTobaccoFree.gov
NCI QuitPal App

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Healthy weight

What are my chances of gaining weight after kidney transplant?

It is very probable that you volition gain weight after your kidney transplant. Weight gain after transplant is common due to medication side-effects and a less strict nutrition (every bit compared to the diet for dialysis).

Why should I worry virtually gaining too much weight?

Gaining too much weight tin can lead to having too much total body fat. This is known as obesity. Obesity increases the risk of heart illness and new-onset diabetes after transplant (NODAT).

How can I keep a healthy weight?

Your transplant squad will include a dietitian. Your doctor and dietitian will help you develop a programme to proceed a healthy weight. To control weight, work with your dietitian to reduce calories. Besides, you lot should exercise regularly equally allowed by your doc

If I have Medicare, can I ask my dr. for a Medical Nutrition Therapy referral to run across a registered dietitian?

Medicare covers Medical Diet Therapy services prescribed by a doctor for patients with diabetes or chronic kidney disease, and includes transplant patients. The services provided past a registered dietitian include:

An initial cess of your diet and lifestyle
Diet counseling
Information on managing lifestyle factors that bear upon your diet
Follow-up visits to check progress on managing your nutrition

Bone affliction

What are my chances of having bone disease after kidney transplant?

Os affliction (besides known every bit chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder or CKD-MBD) may continue even subsequently your kidney transplant. CKD-MBD occurs due to medication side-furnishings, previous kidney disease, diabetes, smoking, lack of exercise, menopause, or number of years on dialysis.

Why should I intendance about bone disease?

Os affliction can crusade weak and brittle basic and increase your hazard for fractures.

How tin I find out if I have bone disease?

To bank check your bone health your medico volition test your blood levels of calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and vitamin D.

How can I lower my chances of having bone disease?

Weight bearing exercise such as walking, biking and using weights is a good manner to increase bone and muscle strength. If your blood level of vitamin D is low your doctor may prescribe a vitamin D supplement.

Can I have bone density medications?

Os density medications are not unremarkably used after kidney transplant. If your md suggests this option a bone biopsy may be needed to bank check your os wellness earlier starting this medication.

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Anemia

What are my chances of having anemia after a kidney transplant?

Following a kidney transplant you may take anemia (low red blood cell count) due to the surgery, medication side-effects, infection, aberrant breakup of red blood cells, or organ rejection. Blood pressure medication can crusade your body to make fewer reddish blood cells.

Why should I intendance about anemia?

Mild anemia can cause modest problems like feeling tired and having pale skin. If left untreated, anemia can cause a lack of oxygen to organs and atomic number 82 to serious health bug such as heart failure.

What should I do if I have anemia?

If you have anemia your doctor may prescribe an iron supplement or other medications. There are many choices for iron pills; if you do not tolerate i iron supplement, ask almost other choices. Your medico will work with you to decide on the all-time treatment. Information technology is likewise important to consume a healthy diet.

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Gout

What is gout?

Gout is a condition that occurs when high blood uric acid levels cause crystals to build up in the joints, causing painful swelling.

What are my chances of having a high blood uric acid level (hyperuricemia) after kidney transplant?

Your torso may have a hard fourth dimension getting rid of uric acid (a normal waste product in claret) afterwards your kidney transplant. This is often due to side-effects from medications, such as cyclosporine, leading to a high uric acid level in claret.

What do I do if I have high blood uric acid levels or gout?

Your medico will help you manage loftier blood uric acid levels or gout. This is usually done with:

Medication (avoid not-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) whenever possible)
A diet that limits certain foods and beverages including red meat, seafood, sugared soft drinks and alcohol (especially beer)
Keeping a healthy weight
Controlling high blood pressure, high blood lipid levels and diabetes, if nowadays

Sexual action and fertility

What happens to sexual function after kidney transplant?

Near sexual functions return after a successful transplant if the problem was due to kidney disease or dialysis. You and your spouse or significant other should talk to your transplant team about whatsoever problems with sexual role, or if you take questions about prophylactic sex activity, contraception or pregnancy.

If I am a woman of child bearing age, can I become pregnant later kidney transplant?

Women of child bearing historic period should consult with their transplant physician regarding pregnancy and/or contraception. If you are thinking nearly becoming pregnant, talk to your transplant team. Before becoming pregnant you should:

Wait at least i year after your transplant
Wait until your kidney function is stable
See an obstetrician who specializes in high gamble pregnancies
Learn about the risks and benefits of breastfeeding. If you are interested in breastfeeding, it is very of import to discuss the medications yous are taking with your obstetrician. Some medicines can be passed on through your chest milk and can be harmful to your baby.

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Mental health

What if I feel feet or depression after kidney transplant?

Anxiety and depression are mutual following kidney transplant. Y'all may even become overwhelmed because of all the new things and changes that are happening to you following your transplant. This is a normal feeling for some transplant recipients.

What are the causes of depression and feet?

Low and feet may be due to prior health bug, sleep disorders, or stress from the transplant itself. For example, it is normal to worry about the health of the living donor or the tragedy the deceased donor'due south family felt. Some anti-rejection medications may also crusade depression or mood swings until the dose is decreased.

What should I do if I feel anxiety or depression?

Discuss these issues with your transplant team to determine if treatment is needed. They can plan the correct handling for you to assistance you through this menses.

Healthy lifestyle

Why is a healthy lifestyle of import after kidney transplant?

A good for you lifestyle is important for many reasons. Many atmospheric condition such as new onset diabetes after transplant (NODAT), high cholesterol, and loftier blood pressure can be improved through living a healthy lifestyle. A salubrious lifestyle likewise helps bring about a feeling of wellness.

How do I follow a healthy lifestyle?

Your transplant squad will assist you make the correct choices to develop and live a healthy lifestyle. You should:

Return to your normal routine, such as work, school or housework.
Increase physical activity with regular practice. Check with your dr. earlier yous first an practise program.
Eat a proper diet. A dietitian can assistance you make the right heart healthy food choices for a healthy lifestyle.
Lose weight, equally needed, to reach and maintain a healthy weight. Consult with your dietitian and transplant team for a healthy weight loss diet. Fad diets should be avoided. Once yous get to your healthy weight yous will feel ameliorate.

Patient assistance programs

What if I have Medicare and demand help paying for my transplant medications?

If you have Medicare and are having trouble paying for your prescriptions there is extra assistance available. You lot should apply for "Extra Help" with Medicare Prescription Drug Program Costs through the Social Security Administration. Larn more and use online. Or phone call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local social security part.

Are there any other prescription assist programs?

Yes, here are some websites that permit you to search for prescription assist programs by medicine:

The Partnership for Prescription Assistance or call at 1-888-4PPA-At present (1-888-477-2669)

Helps qualifying patients without prescription drug coverage get the medicines they need for free or nearly gratis.

Expert search tool when looking for prescription aid programs.

RxAssist Patient Assistance Program Centre

RxAssist can help yous larn almost ways to utilize pharmaceutical company programs and other resources to assistance reduce your medication costs.

Needy Meds

This program helps people obtain prescription assistance and offers a discount card for those eligible. It tin can help people save up to fourscore% on the cost of their medications.

Practise drug companies offering prescription assistance programs?

Aye, many drug companies offer prescription assist programs for their medications to those who qualify. Click here to see some common medications and companies for kidney transplant.

Do any states offer prescription assistance programs?

Aye. Check with your transplant social worker to see if your state offers a prescription assist program and to see if you authorize.

How can I find out virtually other community resource and medication assistance programs?

Call NKF Cares, sponsored by the National Kidney Foundation. This patient hot line offers help for people afflicted by kidney disease, or those with questions on organ donation or transplantation. Speak with a trained professional who will respond your questions and listen to your concerns. Call toll-gratis at 855.NKF.CARES (855.653.2273).

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More information

Definitions

Anemia – Depression cherry-red blood cell count

Attenuated – Weaker or lower forcefulness

Bone biopsy – Used to diagnose os disease by taking a small sample of bone from the body and looking at it under a microscope

CKD-MBD (Chronic kidney disease bone and mineral disorder) – Affliction that affects the bones and blood vessels

Corticosteroid – A type of medication used to treat inflammation

Gout – A weather condition that occurs when high blood uric acid levels cause crystals to build up in the joints, causing painful swelling

GFR (Glomerular filtration rate) – A measure of kidney office

Heart good for you nutrition – A diet low in fat, cholesterol and sodium

Hepatitis B (HepB) – A disease that causes irritation and swelling of the liver

Hyperuricemia – High uric acid level in blood

Immunosuppressants – Medications to help prevent transplant rejection

Lipids – A fatty substance than tin can build upward in claret

NODAT (New onset diabetes after transplant) – Diabetes that develops afterwards a transplant

NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs – A type of medication used to treat inflammation and balmy to moderate pains. NSAIDS are harmful considering they reduce blood flow to your transplanted kidney. You should avert NSAIDS

Obesity – Having also much total body fat

Obstetrician – A medical doctor who offers a variety of women'southward health services and specializes in the management of pregnancy, labor, and birth.

Proteinuria – Protein in the urine

UVA and UVB (Ultraviolet radiation) – Radiations from sunlight that tin cause skin cancer

Varicella zoster – Herpes virus that causes chicken pox and Herpes zoster (shingles)