When kidneys fail, treatment is needed to replace the kidney function itself. One may choose between the two kinds of treatment– either to undergo dialysis or kidney transplant. Numerous individuals think that a kidney transplant offers more opportunity for better living conditions than with dialysis. In any case, it will be helpful for you to talk to people who had kidney transplants for insights that will help you decide whether it is the best treatment for you. Speaking to your doctor, medical caretaker and relatives will likewise provide you with important points to consider for your choice.
Brief Overview of Kidney Transplant
A kidney transplant is a surgical procedure wherein your damaged kidney is being replaced with a healthy one. The new kidney from other person will now function as your own kidney doing the work your former kidney can no longer do.
The advantage of it lies on the successful kidney transplant. It allows you to enjoy the life you had before having kidney failure. Research shows that individuals with successful kidney transplants live longer than those who stay on dialysis. However, there are some restrictions on foods that you may eat and drink. A healthy diet is highly encouraged to improve health conditions.
On the other hand, the disadvantages involve the dangers of surgical procedure. Patients will have a higher risk of infection and cancer. Moreover, anti-rejection medicines should be taken inasmuch as the new kidney is working. This will bring side effects as well.
While most patients have successful transplants and live their life for a number of years, their survival period varies for each person. Numerous individuals are obliged to undergo more than one kidney transplant in their lifetime.
Definition of Preemptive and/or Early Transplant
Preemptive transplant is getting a transplant before you need to begin dialysis. It permits you to avoid dialysis at all. An early transplant is getting a transplant not long after the kidneys function deteriorates, but patient has started dialysis shortly. Both have advantages. Some studies suggest that a pre-emptive and/or early transplant, with short period of dialysis to none at all, can result to long-term wellbeing. It might likewise permit an individual to continue working, save time and money, and have better standard of living.
Who are qualified for kidney transplant?
Kidney patients of any age may get a kidney transplant.
From children to senior, all have the privilege to get an operation provided that patients are healthy enough without any complications. One must be free from cancer and infection. Full medical and psychosocial evaluation is required for every person who wants to get a transplant to ensure that he/ she is a good candidate for a transplant. The assessment helps discover any issues, so they can be dealt accordingly before the transplant. Majority believes that getting a transplant can be a good treatment decision.
What happen if a patient is older or has other medical issues?
There are several instances wherein individuals who are older or have other medical issues like diabetes can still have successful kidney transplants. Cautious assessment is required in order to understand and manage any special risks. There might be some things to be done to reduce the risks and increase the chances of a successful transplant. For instance, a patient might be required to reduce weight or stop smoking.
A patient who has diabetes may be likewise given an option to have a pancreas transplant. It is best to ask professional advice from a specialist about pancreas transplant along with a kidney transplant.
Payment Aid for a Transplant
Medicare covers about 80% of the expenses related to medical evaluation, transplant procedures, follow-up check-ups, and anti-rejection prescriptions. Private insurance plans and state programs may take care of certain expenses also. In any case, the post-transplant costs may just be covered for a limited number of years. It’s essential to examine inclusion with your social worker who can address your inquiries or direct you to other people who can help.
Preparation for a Kidney Transplant
First thing to do in getting a kidney transplant
Request assistance from your healthcare provider to direct you to a transplant center for an evaluation, or contact a transplant center in your community. Any kidney patient can request for an evaluation.
Overview of the Evaluation Process
Clinical experts will let you have a complete physical exam, check your health records, and request a series of tests and X-rays to know more about your overall health. All things and conditions that can influence how well you can deal with the treatment will be checked. The evaluation process for a transfer is extremely intensive. It is needed that your medical care team should know a lot about you for them to decide if a transfer is appropriate for you. The result of the assessment will help you make better judgment whether to continue the transplant or not. If you want the process to be completed earlier, you need to get all the series of tests done as fast as possible. You also need to stay in close contact with the transplant team. In case you’re advised that a transplant might not be ideal for you, don’t be hesitant to inquire for the major and/or possible reasons; or in any case that you may be qualified at some future time or at another center. Just keep in mind that being active and involved in your own care is perhaps the most ideal approach to remain healthy.
In case somebody you know might want to donate a kidney to you, that individual will likewise have to undergo screening to see whether he is a match and fit enough to donate.
By any chance that it’s your child who has kidney illness, you’ll need to give an earnest regard about him or her getting a transplant evaluation. Transplantation permits normal growth and development among youngsters and adolescents especially in their early years. It can be the best treatment option for them.
If you or your child are lucky enough to pass the evaluation process which suggests that a transplant is appropriate for you or your kid, the next stage is getting a suitable kidney.
Looking for a Kidney Donor
Types of Kidney Donors
A kidney may be donated by somebody who has passed away or by a living person. An individual who has died and donated a healthy kidney is known as a deceased donor. On the other hand, a person who is still alive and donated one of his kidneys is called a living donor.
A living donor may be a blood relative (like a sibling) or non-blood relative (like a spouse). A friend or a stranger may even become a living donor.
When a kidney is donated by a living individual, the operating procedures for both patient and donor are performed on the same day and can be scheduled at their convenient time. A healthy donor can carry on with a normal life even with only one kidney left. Yet, the operations for both the donor and recipient are major type of medical operations. Thereby, some risks are involved that need to be considered.
Difference between Kidneys from Living and Deceased Donors
Kidneys from living and deceased donors both function just right. Yet, getting a kidney from a living donor can work quicker and better. Likewise, a kidney from a living donor may last longer than a kidney from a deceased donor.
In order to get a kidney from a deceased donor, you will be put on a waiting list after you have been cleared for a transplant. It may take a number of years to wait for a good kidney donor. Before a kidney is found, you may be required to undergo some form of dialysis. Regular blood tests must be done while waiting to ensure that you are prepared when a kidney is found. In case you’re on dialysis, your center will arrange for these tests. You should always keep in touch with your transplant center and they should know how to contact you at all times. Once a kidney become available, the surgical procedure should be done at the earliest possible time.
Are there any negative effects to the living donor?
Aside from losing one healthy kidney, the living donor has to face the risks associated with surgical operation. He or she will need some time for recovery before getting back to work or doing any other activities. However, there are recent advances in surgical procedure like minimally invasive or laparoscopic surgery. This requires small incisions during operation which implies less pain, shorter hospital stays, faster recovery and quicker return to normal activities. Living donors usually obtain positive emotions about their act of courage.
Are there any expenses for the living donor?
The expenses of surgical operation and evaluation process are covered by Medicare or the recipient’s insurance. The living donor does not have to pay for anything regarding the medical procedure. Nonetheless, neither Medicare nor insurance covers his or her off duty from work, travel costs, lodging, or other miscellaneous expenses.
Donors may be entitled for sick leave, state disability, and other similar benefits under the federal Family Medical Leave Act. Moreover, federal workers, some state workers, and other specific workers may be qualified for 30 days paid leave.
Kidney Transplant Operation
It may be surprising to know that your own kidneys usually are not taken out from your body when you get a transplant. They are left from where they are unless the specialist finds medical reason to remove them. The donated kidney is put into your lower abdomen wherein your significant blood vessels and bladder can be easily connected to it. Moreover, placing the new kidney in your abdomen makes it simpler to deal with any issues that may come up. The transplant operation usually takes around four hours.
After the surgery, you’ll be aching at first. However, you ought to get up from bed in a day or so and get home within a week. A kidney from a living donor typically functions very quickly. In contrast, a kidney from a deceased benefactor may take more time to begin working. It may take about two weeks to a month or longer. If that occurs, a dialysis may be required until the kidney starts to work.
In addition, you’ll be instructed about the medicines you’ll need to take and their side effects. You’ll be given diet instructions as well. If you’ve been on dialysis, you’ll discover that there are fewer limitations on the foods that you can eat and drink when getting a transplant. This is one of the advantages of a transplant.
Anti-rejection Medications after Transplant
Typically, your body wards off whatever isn’t part of itself especially those that could harm its parts like viruses, bacteria, and foreign bodies. This system of defense is known as your immune system. To prevent your body from attacking or resisting the donated kidney, you should take medications that will keep your immune system less active. These medicines are called anti-rejection medications or immunosuppressant medicines. They must be taken as long as your new kidney is working. Without them, your immune system would view the new kidney as foreign body that needs to be eliminated. Thus, your immune system will constantly attack and destroy the donated kidney.
Anti-rejection medications can have some negative effects. You should refer to your medical care provider about them to be informed on what to expect. Though most patients experienced side effects to be manageable, changing the dosage of intake or the type of medication can often reduce some of the side effects.
Other than the immunosuppressive medicines, you will have to take different kinds of medicines also. For instance, medicines against infections should be taken as well. Most people viewed the intake of these maintenance medicines is just a little trade for freedom and wellness that a successful transplant can offer.
Concerns after Kidney Transplant
What to do when I return home?
When you get home from the hospital, the main work begins— that is the follow-up. It involves regular check-ups, particularly during the first year, for your transplant to be effective. During the early period of follow-up, you may be required blood tests several times each week. Later on, you’ll need fewer check-ups, yet enough to ensure that your kidney is functioning well and that you have the right amount of anti-rejection medication in your system.
What happen if my body tries to reject the new kidney?
One thing to watch for after the transplant is acute rejection. It means that your body is suddenly trying to reject the new kidney. This may occur any time from the first week to three months after the transplantation. A rejection episode may not have any obvious indicators or symptoms. Thus, it is essential to have normal blood tests to check if your new kidney is functioning well. But somehow, there are few common signs of rejection like fever, reduced urine output, inflammation, pain over your kidney, and weight gain.
The probability of having a rejection episode is highest during the earliest period after your operation. Afterwards later, the chances that it will occur will become lesser. However, there are few occasions wherein a rejection episode still happens regardless of whether you’re doing all that you need to do. In some cases, the body simply doesn’t acknowledge the transplanted kidney. But even so, if rejection episode happens, there are numerous approaches to treat it so you don’t lose your transplant. It is very important to immediately inform your transplant team whenever you think you have symptoms of rejection.
Does rejection episode happen regularly?
Rejection episodes happen less often these days due to numerous improved immunosuppressive medicines. Even so, the risk of rejection is different for each individual. For the vast majority, it can be stopped with special anti-rejection medications. Regular check-ups should be done to see how well your new kidney is functioning, and to ensure that you are not having rejection episode.
When would I be able to get back to work?
Your recovery period, other medical conditions, and the kind of work you do are the basis to determine how soon you are allowed to get back to work. Numerous individuals can get back to work two months or more after their transplant. Your transplant team will assist you in deciding the best time to return to work.
Will the kidney transplant affect my sex life?
Individuals who had less satisfying sexual relations due to kidney illness may see an improvement after the transplant as they begin to recover. Moreover, fertility tends to increase. Men who had kidney transplants have fathered healthy children. Likewise, women with kidney transplants have successful pregnancies. It’s ideal to talk to your healthcare expert when thinking about having a child.
For women, getting pregnant too early after a transplant is not ideal. Most centers advised women to wait for a year or more. In this case, all pregnancies should be planned. Certain medications that can harm a developing baby should be stopped six weeks prior to getting pregnant. It may be helpful for you to consider birth control counseling. It’s critical to protect yourself against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Make sure to use protection during sexual activity.
Will I need to pursue a specific diet?
Generally, transplant recipients need to eat heart-healthy foods that are low fat and low salt, and drink a lot of liquids. If you have diabetes or other medical problems, you may be required to follow some dietary limitations. A dietitian can assist you with healthy meals that are appropriate for you.
What are other things to do?
Help yourself gain more knowledge as much as you can about kidney transplant by reading books and articles about it. Talk also to your medical care team and to patients who undergone kidney transplants for more insights and wisdom.
