The real numbers... How long before you can return to "normal" activities?

[Sax-O-Trix]

I am hoping for a premptive transplant in the near future.  How long should I expect to be off work?  8 weeks?  12 weeks? Longer?  I realize everyone is different, but what is the realistic average? 

[Riki]

When I has my last transplant, recovery time was 3 months, and I could take another 3 months if I needed it.. I had a sit down job, but those with more labor intensive jobs were told to take 6 months off work

[jbrock]

I had a liver transplant 4 years ago and I was back to work in 9 weeks. I have heard a kidney transplant is a quicker recovery time. I don't know this from experience....just what they tell me. I would say everyone is different as you mentioned.

[cariad]

My transplant was complicated so I am not a great person to ask, but I would say I felt mostly recovered by 4 months after the fact. My first transplant I think I was back at school within a few weeks. I think age was really on my side for that one. Not so much anymore....

[BASSMAN]

Back to work in 8 Weeks, but I still am not 100% even now.  It has been 13 weeks since my transplant.  I still wear out rather quick but I have more stamina than before my transplant and it keeps improving.  What I noticed right away was being clear headed and able to think clearly and I felt good.  Feeling good and being fatigued is better than feeling bad and being fatigued.  That is about the best way I can put it.

[RichardMEL]

When I went to a transplant seminar about 6 or so years ago, they suggested that the recovery is actually harder on the donor than the recipient. My understanding was that it would be at least a month off most activities. Mostly though I got the feeling that was due to the daily lab requirements more than the lack of ability to do a job.

There's also the issue that dueing the first 3 months or so when you're on the highest levels of anti-rejection drugs, the risks of picking something up are that much higher, so you'd really want to limit exposure to public places as much as possible.

So i guess a reasonable answer or expectation should be between say 1 and 3 months?

[paris]

Mine was 8 weeks ago.  Age also factors in recovery time and if there are other physical problems.   I feel so much better than before and can do almost anything.  Like Bassman said, you still get tired.  I am working on stamina.   I think if you have a desk job, you could return in 8 weeks.  I also think there is no reason to push yourself too hard.    I hope eveyone's answers help   

[Sax-O-Trix]

My job is not so much manual labor intensive, but potentially germ intensive...  (Public school teacher.)

[paris]

For me, the 1st three weeks it was 3 times a week.  Then down to 2 times and at 8 weeks, it is now once a week.  And I have them done at my local lab draw and they fax the results to the transplant center within hours. 

I taught 4 year olds -- they are full of germs.  I would talk to your co-ordinator their opinion, since you will be around so many people and their diseases, flus, germs, etc.     

[cariad]

My job is not so much manual labor intensive, but potentially germ intensive...  (Public school teacher.) 

Oh, man, Sax! What age group? I would be extra cautious if I were you, because you could well get slammed. I was on extremely low doses of immunosuppresants when my kids started preschool and I contracted pretty much everything, often just by walking in the room to pick up my kids. My husband with his show-offy immune system never came down with anything. I am not normally a worrier (read my posts and I think you will find corroborating evidence), but unless you are teaching upper or middle school, I would wait to return until your immunosuppressants have been lowered substantially which is going to depend on how you do post-transplant (possibly as early as 3 months post)

Daily labs should only be while you're still in hospital. I think my three times a week labs ended by the second month or so, I cannot remember. I am not on a typical schedule though. I believe once a month should be standard by six months unless you are unstable for some reason. Before you know it, you will be on twice a year. Good luck!

[Riki]

twice a year? are you kidding me?? I'd never go less than once a month.. stuff can happen so quickly, I'd think it would be better to stay on top of things, then letting it go so long

[BASSMAN]

The first two weeks after transplant I had lab twice a week.  Then it went down to once a week.  I am now down to every other week at 3 months post transplant.  I am also off all antibacterials, anti-fungal and and antibiotics now too.

Teaching school would be very scary.  So many germs.  I would consult my transplant team, however, there was a little girl, maybe 8 years old, at my transplant center and they let her go back to school at 3 months post transplant.

I am sure it will depend on how stable your creatinine is.

[kellyt]

My donor went home two days after surgery, couldn't drive for two weeks and I believe she was off work for 4-6 weeks.
I went home five days after surgery (no problems, just hospital policy), took it easy until the pain went away and then began my normal routine at home.  I don't work outside the house, so I'm not sure how long you should take off work.  Personally, I would take off 2 months minimum and 3 months preferably.  You're immune system is the big issue the first three months or so.  My doctor said that for the first 6+ weeks your body is very interested in the new organ and after about 6 weeks or so it begins to focus on other things and not so much on the new kidney. 

Also, take into consideration when your transplant takes place.  If its during cold and flu season (like mine was) you definitely want to stay home as much as possible.  You don't want to get sick right out of the gate.

[cariad]

twice a year? are you kidding me?? I'd never go less than once a month.. stuff can happen so quickly, I'd think it would be better to stay on top of things, then letting it go so long

I was on twice a year for ages and ages. And to be honest, I probably went less than that, especially while at prep school. I think once a month is much too frequent for longterm patients, but if your medical system allows it and your doctors recommend it, then by all means do whatever makes you feel most comfortable.

[Chris]

The thing is that we all react differently. You can be less or more even though you are doing a pre emptive transplant. You really won't know till it happens. Thing to do is be cautious, use hand sanitizers, handi wipes, clorox wipes if sharing a computer at the school, even phones (have you seen the stories on germ test)
 
I would bring these concern up before and after transplant to get a general idea from the patients they have dealt with and what their back up plan is if your body does not like the anti rejection meds you are on. Also ask about what immunizations you should get pre and post. Some we can't have post transplant.

[RichardMEL]

I'm interested in the different ways you all seem to be managed post transplant. Some people go to labs 3x/week, some daily for a month, some ramp down pretty quickly etc. I guess that just underlines that each transplant is unique, and if you're doing well and able to lower meds quicker you may be able to return to more normal activities(like work) quicker.

I have to say while I'm dying for my transplant (pun intended!) I don't relish NOT working for 2-3 months. I would be bored out of my brain!  Still I can spend all that time drinking water so that sounds good too

 

[Riki]

That's why I went back to work after the required 3 months, instead of taking the optional 6 months.  I was bored, and getting tired of my boyfriend and his nieces.  They were driving me crazy and I couldn't get away.. *LOL*

[kellyt]

Funny, I can't remember exactly what I did in the beginning.   I think I was daily for the first few weeks and then I was twice a week, then once a week, etc. on down the line.  I was five months out when they found the lymphocele, so my schedule got off track and I went back to weekly for a while until they were confident that my labs were stable and the lymphocele was not returning.  Currently, two years out, I see my neph and have labs drawn every four months.  I can tell when my Prograf levels are up and if I feel they are he'll do an immediate lab.  I know that I can call my neph anytime and say "I want my labs drawn" and he'll do it.  I was terrified when we went off weekly checks.  I would have my labs drawn monthly if he and my insurance would allow it. 

Richard, I am so happy that you might soon be telling us your transplant story!  I hope it's sooner than later, my friend.  If you're on the Prednisone you will be doing more than just sitting around and drinking water.  You'll be eating!  lol  You'll enjoy that, too.    Maybe you could take on some work while at home.  But why???  You'll be adjusting to the potty and the faucet.