are transplantees at higher risk in extreme heat?

[Falkenbach]

Just wondered about this. Today it had already reached 45 degrees C (113 degrees F) here in Adelaide's northern suburbs, by midday.

Knowing that those of us with transplants have to be more vigilant about or water intake at the best of times, does anyone know if we are at increased risk of dehydration or heat stroke in this kind of weather? I had to turn my car's air con off yesterday as it was overheating my engine, and when I got home I was as red as a tomato and felt ill.

[RichardMEL]

I was thinking about that too and I believe you have to be extra hydrated.. I imagine if it was me I would be drinking extra amounts just in case and if I ever felt remotely thirsty to drink extra water even if I didn't want to. Unless the docs suggested that could be bad. I'd potentially even consider talking to the transplant co-ordinator or renal registrar for any specific suggestions they may have.

41C here right now....

[Wattle]

Cocobully, Can you stay home the next few days? If not freeze some water bottles and take them in the car.

This heat is ridiculous!!!   

[RichardMEL]

When I went in yesterday I was only 1.3 over which is crazy after a weekend.. wish I'd known I would have sunk another can watching the digrace that was the cricket. Still I wonder how I will go in this heat. I know you should drink more (as a dialysis patient) but clearly not too much.. so where do you make the limit? *sigh* it sucks!!!

[Falkenbach]

Cocobully, Can you stay home the next few days? If not freeze some water bottles and take them in the car.

No, Wednesday (today) is my day off. I have to work the next two days, which are both forecast to be 41 degrees. I always carry cold water.

[deafman]

Hello cycobully

Sound like you were dehyrated,  Make sure you drink plenty of drink.

 

[pelagia]

My husband seems much more sensitive to heat than he was before his transplant.  I have been assuming that this has something to do with taking prednisone (or maybe it's the Italian kidney  ).  Do you take prednisone?

[monrein]

I was assuming it was menopause, a long one at that.  I  don't do well in heat and have never enjoyed it but the last 10 years I really despise when it's too hot.  Makes me feel like a big slow slug.

[Falkenbach]

No, I wasn't dehydrated  I was drinking water like a fish. But the long drive home without an airconditioner really did me in (I work in the city but live in the outer suburbs)! I think it was a mild heat stroke. The same thing happened two days later, despite keeping water and ice on my face/body and continually drinking all the way home. My car is fixed now though (it turned out that the idiots who replaced my radiator just a few months ago installed a European radiator that was not designed to deal with Australian conditions, that was why the car was overheating and I could not use my air-con).

Yes, I do take prednisolone (prednisone).

I am also definitely much more susceptible to the heat since transplant, I have never felt actually weakened by the severe heat in the past. Clearly, I do now! Oh, and the Wednesday that I sent the original post ended up being 47 degrees. Ouch.

You'd be pleased to know that this week our temperature on average is literally HALF of last fortnight's. In fact, it's been downright cold in the mornings/evenings.