What is required of a donor?

[IrishGirl]

My brother is getting set up for home peritoneal dialysis. He is young and does not have diabetes and never had a heart attack..his kidney disease is his only real health issue. I keep telling him he is a great candidate for a transplant! And so far, he has had 6 offers from folks who are happy to give him a kidney! , (Myself, if I dont have the disease, my husband, my cousins husband, my aunt, my mother, and his wife!) Yet he is very adamant about not doing it....why would someone refuse a transplant while they are still healthy enough to get one? He is quite depressed and worrying about the regular stuff like disability, etc...but to not want a transplant seems counter productive to me. I cannot understand him. Do you think he will change his mind once he starts the PD?  Also my mom and my aunt are both extremely healthy but they are both over the age of 70 and I keep hearing they are too old. We have not actually talked to a transplant team yet....are they really that picky? Good God ! A 70 year old kidney has another 25 good years on it...what gives with that ??



Edited: Moved to appropriate section - okarol/admin

[kellyt]

My transplant team is very picky and that's why my nephrologist uses them.  I've only tested one live donor and I think they are too picky.  He was perfectly healthy, but he had a small amount of protein in his 24-hr urine.  Their cut-off is 150 mcg and he spilled 168 mcg.  Now, I know that could be "the start" of kidney disease and I have told him to go get checked by a nephrologist.  But to hear that their cut-off "used" to be 200 (and there are a lot of hospital's who's cut-off is still 200) and they lowered it still urks me a little.  My 2nd donor will be admitted for testing on the 24th.  If he is not eligible then my 1st donor will definitely go to a nephrologist and get a kidney biopsy.  If that's negative we will attempt to resubmit him.

The testing in my opinion is fairly easy.  The age cut-off for my hospital is 60 yo for donation and 76 yo for a recipient.  Over the age of 45 they have to have a colonoscopy, but that's the only invasive test I know of.  Everything else is blood work (lots of blood work), urine, chest x-ray, and cardiovascular.  I think that's it.  They have to be in good general health otherwise, as well (teeth, skin, preferably non-smoker, etc.).  I hope your brother is doing well and makes whatever decision is best for him.

Also, my coordinator says she's never had a donor come back with kidney problems.  They have a follow-up following hospital discharge and she never sees them again.  Look at www.livedonorsonline.com.  You will find alot of donors with both good and bad experiences.  I find that a helpful site.

Good Luck!

[okarol]

Some patients cannot live with the idea that another person has to take a risk on their behalf. They'd rather wait for a deceased donor kidney. Some people do not want a transplant at all, preferring to avoid immunosuppressants and continue dialysis.

Transplant teams should be concerned with the long-term health of the donor AND recipient. The goal is to be sure the donor doesn't become a patient later on due to his donating a kidney. Each transplant center has their own guidelines, so it's a good idea to find out what they are before bringing a donor to them.


General Information on Living Donation http://www.livingdonorsonline.org/general.htm

Have questions about living kidney donation? http://www.livingdonorsonline.org/kidney/kidneyfaq.htm

Read about the experiences of others who have actually gone through the living donation process http://www.livingdonorsonline.org/experiences/experiences.htm

[paris]

Yes, they are extremely picky and you want them to be.  For the sake of the donor and you.  I have had 5 people tested (or is it 6 now?) and one was ruled out for 20 pounds extra weight, another because his blood sugar level was 100 on 3 seperate tests and they believe he is pre-diabetic. Both these people are in their 30's.  I know they are looking out for everyone involved.            As for not wanting a transplant, we go through a wide range of emotions during this journey.  I was so eager for a transplant at the beginning.  Took months to get approved for the "list".  Now, 2  1/2 years later, well, I just need to focus on now and not what might happen tomorrow.  Your brother may change his mind as time goes by.  Depression is a big part of what we deal with.  I hope it gets better for him and their will be good solutions for everyone in the future.