Alpha-1 Advocacy Alliance - Healthy Living Post Transplant

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Healthy Living - Post Transplant

The following very good advice comes from Novartis, maker of Neoral and Sandimune Cyclosporin, an anti-rejection drug.

Remember! Do not change anything
in your medical routine without checking with your health professional FIRST!

Protecting your transplant Receiving a transplant means a new lease of life. Most people who receive a transplant can return to normal work, social and leisure activities within a few months. Living with a transplant, however, does mean that you need to take some sensible steps to protect your new organ and to stay healthy. The body regards a transplanted organ as in invader, in the same way as it sees a germ. It fights the new organ in the same way it would fight infection - this is called organ rejection. Many transplant patients experience some organ rejection in the first few weeks after transplantation. However, rejection can also happen months or even years after transplantation. This is why everyone who receives a transplant must continue to take anti-rejection drugs for the rest of their lives. One of the most common reasons for a transplanted organ to fail is that the person stops taking their anti-rejection medication as directed by their doctor. To help to protect your transplant from being rejected: Always follow the instructions your doctor gives you for taking your medication Never change your dose or stop your medication yourself Try to take your medication at the same time every day If you forget to take your medication, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for your next dose, in which case continue as normal Make sure that you always have enough medication - for example to last over weekends or public holidays If you purchase any medication on your own, check with the pharmacist that it will not affect your anti-rejection drugs Avoid herbal remedies such as St John's Wort, which is known to affect some anti-rejection medications Tell any doctor you may consult that you have a transplant and what medication you are taking It is also important to tell your doctor if you experience any new symptoms, or if you develop an infection.

The full web site can be viewed at: http://www.transplantsquare.com/main.jsp;jsessionid=
PwiMivRg6OEiFPiWtdnRogcgC2KBCZds5e2pDxznaKIiQm
SNBTDj!799319526!174479238!7934!7002?p=2&st=3&ct=2301

Nutrition is a major concern after transplant especially for those on higher doses of steroids. We tend to grab many of the higher fat and caloric foods and gain some unwanted weight. Try to remember the food pyramid when selecting snacks and preparing meals. The Food Pyramid and the recommended portion allowances from the US Government can be viewed at:
http://www.nal.usda.gov:8001/py/pmap.htm

In addition, drink water, water and more water unless told otherwise by your doctor. Keeping the kidneys healthy is always another concern of the transplant patient. But, check with your doctor before changing any routine or establishing any new dietary plan.

Exercise is another way to help raise your chances for a successful transplant. Daily walking strengthens your body. This can be easily established early in your recovery process by listening to your rehab counselor. They will encourage you to get exercise everyday. Additionally, weight-training exercises have a major impact on the development of osteoporosis. The following article discusses a lung transplant study done at the University of Florida on exercise: http://www.napa.ufl.edu/2001news/lung2.htm

Remember how it was before transplant. A little goes a long way, especially at the beginning. Building up an exercise routine begins with a few minutes at a time so do not expect to become an Olympic athlete over night. Set yourself goals and record your results on a routine basis. This way you will be able to chart your progress and share it with your doctor, transplant coordinator and support group. Check with your doctor about establishing a program for you. Make it fun. Find a buddy to walk with at the local mall, the school athletic track, around the park, in a neighborhood or join a local gym or athletic club. Many of the hospital pulmonary rehab programs also have programs for non-monitored patients at a greatly reduced rate. Call and ask them if they offer such a program.

One of our local malls has a walking time set up before the regular mall hours. From 7 to 9 each morning, many people (especially seniors) can be found zipping around, all at their own rate. If your mall does not have such a program, check with them.

You may also want to check with any area senior centers, fitness centers or the Y for special rates for recovering patients. There are often programs for short term commitments and trial periods so that you will not have to sign up for long contracts without finding out if it works for you.

For a good book that covers lung transplantation, pre and post and includes guides to exercise and healthy living, consider the following book by Karen Couture, a double lung transplant recipient. You can read about it and find ordering information at:
http://www.2ndwind.org/LTBook.htm

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