Steroid Based Anti-rejection

[BASSMAN]

At my consultation with the transplant surgeon to conclude my transplant evaluation.  The surgeon said I would be on a steroid based regime.  I should have asked him but I didn't.  Why/how/what could have made him decide that?  I have membranous glomerulonephritis and I did tell him that I took prednisone as part of a treatment early on in my diagnosis some 20 years ago.

If you have been on or are on a prednisone/steroid based regime.  How much prednisone a day do you take or did you take right after transplant.  I took 40mg a day during the treatment years ago and tolerated it fairly well.  Just a little puffiness in the checks and no a lot of weight gain.

Just a little concerned about it.  Any answers would be greatly appreciated.

[kellyt]

The week I was in the hospital I was on 40 mg.  They may have been taking me down daily, but I'm not sure.  I discharged on 30 mg and was 30 for a while, then started going down.  I hit 20 mg somewhere around March or April 2009.  I transplanted in Nov 2008 and I'm on 2 mg now.  I'll go down to 1 mg in April and hopefully 100% off in May.  I've said it a million times on this site, but I can say it again - I hate Prednisone!  Some folks stay on a permanent dosage of anywhere from 10mg to 2 mg.  It depends on the doctor I guess.

Good Luck!

[jbeany]

U of Michigan in Ann Arbor uses 10 mg as a maintenance dose.  They step down from 40 or 50.  (I was pretty out of it with all the complications, so I'm not sure what the starting dose was.)  I would love a non-steroid protocol, but it's not likely to happen unless I move out of state and transfer to a different transplant hospital.  Now that most of my hair has grown back, and the only real side effect I'm fighting all the time is an increased appetite, it's not bad.

[Chris]

Bassman, one thing to consider is that each center has their own protocol on what anti rejection regiment they prefer to use and how. Since you still have a question, the translant coordinator should allow and have told you that if you had any questions to give them a call.
 
I can't answer your question though, my center prefers not to use steroids unless medically necessary. So I never have been on them.
 
Good luck in getting your answer and don't be hesitant to ask your center.

[monrein]

I've been on prednisone since 1985 when I had my first transplant.  Higher doses at first but tapered pretty quickly and since I never had any rejection episodes my maintenance dose has been 5mg for many many years.  When that trx failed in 2008 I came off all anti-rejection meds except the pred and with my new trx I am again back down to 5 mg a day.  I'm with the Toronto General Hospital and their protocol includes the pred.  All in all, I'm OK with it although I do work very hard to choose my foods wisely to avoid weight gain and I exercise regularly, at least 4-5 times a week for two hours at the gym plus gardening and other stuff around the house or cottage.

I've been very, very lucky I think.

[BASSMAN]

Thank you all for your responses. 

[jennyc]

I'm on 20mg and have been since the transplant. First few weeks I was hungary after 6pm and couldn't stop eating. Its ok now and in 8 odd weeks I've gained 2 ks. Just lost a little thanks to celcept.