Cellular memory/memory transference in organ transplant recipients?

[lainiepop]

Bit of a a weird one but ive been reading quite a bit how people can 'change' post transplant to adopt attitudes and preferences of the donor and was wondering if anyone's had any experience of this or had it happen to them? I'm having my dad's kidney in 3 weeks and we're very similar in personality but i wouldnt mind getting some of his diy or math skills, seeing as he didnt pass them down genetically

[jeannea]

I don't think that's true. I don't think I became any more like my mom. The only thing I acquired was an allergy to cashews, my mom's favorite nut.

[Chris]

I'm a non believer in memory transferrance. I have always loved chocolate and coffee. Not able to eat spicy foods post  tx had nothing to do with donor, it was meds and other health issues.



I did get one cellular memory sort of speak, CMV!

[coravh]

I'm another one that doesn't buy into it. I know that some folks experience cravings that they  may relate to the donor but I believe that it is often just missing micro nutrients that you are craving. I had a jones for chocolate the first year post transplant. I wasn't a chocoholic before but during that first year I couldn't get through a day without having at least one piece. My cousin doesn't care for chocolate so I definitely didn't get it from  her kidney, that's for sure.

Cora

[deniferfer]

I have heard a lot of stories too of people getting traits and personalities from their donor. I cant say its not true. but I have this phrase for things that seem to be imposable that I say, Hey if monkeys can type Shakespeare...In other words anything is possible.     

[WishIKnew]

I drink/crave coffee post transplant and could not stand even a sip of it prior.  I chewed my fingernails ALL the time really short and have not once since transplant.  Post transplant I joined a gym and enjoy going and I had  never set foot in a gym or ever said I enjoyed exercising before.  If these things are from my donor, cool.  If not, cool anyway.  Exercise is good for me.  No 48 year old woman should chew her nails, it's just gross.  And every where you go people  offer coffee, so I'm more socially normal now.  Works for me!   

[jeannea]

Chris, I got that wonderful CMV memory too. Oh well. That's what Valcyte is for.

[smcd23]

My SO had my kidney in him for about 36 hours before it had to be removed because it clotted off. After surgery he wanted to trade in his big, manly truck and his Carhart clothing for a cute little BMW and designer jeans. Apparently having my fabulous kidney in there made him lose some of his man-ness 

But I honestly don't believe in that stuff too much, I just like to tease him and tell him I hope his next donor is the Brawny man.

[KarenInWA]

I had my transplant back in November from a live donor, a relative by marriage. I was hoping I would get her mad-awesome cooking skills, but they haven't surfaced yet. I know she has been known to hit random things when backing out of driveways, etc, and so far, I haven't done that (thank goodness!). She really likes Peeps at Easter, I still can't stand them. She is a strong-minded woman, and a very kind (obviously) and loving person. As long as I get some of that from her, then I'll be happy 

KarenInWA

[jbeany]

People without transplants have equally crazy changes in personality when given high doses of prednisone.  Most of us get not only that, but a host of other crazy-strong drugs with massive side effects.  Plus, having a working kidney also makes changes to your body chemistry - closer to what a healthy person is supposed to have.  With all of that, it's not like we need some x-files personality transference to make us different.  We're already there with the chemical cocktail!

I'm neater and much more OCD now.  I just figure it's the prednisone and enjoy not having a messy house when I have unexpected company.

[Poppylicious]

My Blokey certainly hasn't adopted any of my attitudes or preferences!  He still dislikes my favourite foods and my favourite telly shows, and he doesn't have an ounce of bitchy meany moody-ness in his bones (unlike me.)  He also managed not to gain my OCD/ADD streak.

She really likes Peeps at Easter, I still can't stand them.

I really like Peeps at any time of year, which is a pain because we can't get them over here!

 

[Chris]

Poppy, next time Peeps come out I will get you some. They have many different types such as chocolate covered. Let me know which ones/ types you want. If they do not come out for July holiday here, Halloween for sure then.

[mcclane]

ha !  reminds me of the episode from The Simpsons.  Homer gets a hair transplant from Snake, and then he gets 'murderous' tendencies towards Bart 

there might be something to that.  I didn't notice any personality trait change from my first tranplant (cadaver), but my 2nd one from my mom I've noticed I don't drink anything ice cold anymore, which is what my mom is like.

For instance, take a glass of water.  I had to have ice in my water before I would even drink it, I couldn't stand room temperature water (gross !!).  Now, I can't stand ice cold drinks.  When I drink water, it has to be room temperature or if it is ice cold, I let it warm up somewhat at room temperature before I would even touch it.

[coravh]

I've recently developed an aversion to cold drinks, but it has to do with my stricture and esophageal/stomach problems. I always used to have it with ice too - otherwise too yucky.

Cora

[Chris]

I also do ot like to have ice, cold drinks post transplant. However I get so cold easily that is one reason, the first meal I was allowed post tx was nothing I liked or wanted, all of it was cold such as popsicles, jello, sorbet, iced lemonade for all three meals. Why they couldn't give me broth is beyond me till I told them the reason I was not eating what they were giving me. Also why give cold/ frozen items in the winter time is beyond me.

[Poppylicious]

Poppy, next time Peeps come out I will get you some. They have many different types such as chocolate covered. Let me know which ones/ types you want. If they do not come out for July holiday here, Halloween for sure then.

Chris, you are a darling!  I'll eat any type of Peeps!  Is this a good time to mention that Blokey really wants to try Chocodiles?!

 

[Chris]

Poppy, next time Peeps come out I will get you some. They have many different types such as chocolate covered. Let me know which ones/ types you want. If they do not come out for July holiday here, Halloween for sure then.

Chris, you are a darling!  I'll eat any type of Peeps!  Is this a good time to mention that Blokey really wants to try Chocodiles?!


 

   Soooooo sugar kick a possible cellular memory?


I can do something about that in August after my trip. Saving as much money as I can before July trip.

[lainiepop]

Interesting to read all your comments and that most seem to think it doesn't exist. I guess if it happens to 10% that is a very small minority anyway. Will update u all in a couple mths haha!! For the person who mentioned nail biting, i have nice nails my dad chews him to bits do not want that trait

[paris]

If you no nothing about your donor, it really is impossible to know if changes are due to surgery and meds or due to the donor.   Those with living donors can compare and have a good idea.  Hmmmmm, I have to think about what or if, anything has changed.   Interesting comments.

[Restorer]

There are so many other things to attribute a change to. Receiving a transplant is a major life change, usually after a period of hardship. That will make anyone take a new look at life, however subconscious. Prednisone can just turn you right around. The other antirejection meds can have all kinds of effects. There's no evidence to support cellular memory on a higher level.

It's just far more likely that it's any of a number of different things before it's cellular memory.

[Chris]

Not to menton the subconscious level of either watching or reading horror, science fiction, or comedy material which leads to people not familiar with science, meds, or anything healthwise to come up and ask the question if you have any new cravings assocated with the donor.

[Restorer]

"I got a cadaver kidney, and now I have this odd craving for braaaaaaiiiiinnsssssss..."

[jeannea]

If I eat brains, will that cure the lack of brains I have these days?

[Brightsky69]

My 2nd transplant is a year and a half old. Ever since the transplant I have stomach issues from eating red meat.
I always say that my (deceased) donor must have been a vegan. 

This is from Wikipedia:  “Greek philosopher Pythagoras (c. 570–490 BCE). A believer in the transmigration of souls, Pythagoras warned that eating an animal might involve eating a human soul; therefore, he argued, human beings ought to regard all living beings as kindred souls.[6]”

Kind of ironic...   

[Chris]

If I eat brains, will that cure the lack of brains I have these days?

As long as you do not eat "Abbey Normal's" brains
That's if you get the reference from Young Frankenstein.