How to Keep Your New Kidney Healthy

• Keeping appointments with your transplant team for visits and tests
• Sticking to transplant medical regimens and letting your transplant team know when you are unable to do so
• Learning the names, dosages, indications, and side effects of all your prescribed transplant medications, and reporting all side effects you experience to your transplant team
• Asking questions to make sure you understand everything your transplant team tells you

Your ongoing effort and commitment to following the care plan given to you by your transplant team are required for the long-term success of your transplant.

Side Effects Are Common

According to recent medical research, these types of side effects from some transplant medications are common. In one study, more than 50% of transplant patients experienced side effects, most commonly:

• Diarrhea
• Heartburn
• Stomach pain
• Bloating
• Nausea
• Vomiting

You may experience only one or two of these side effects, but they can be enough to cause you suffering and worry—especially if they occur frequently. As a transplant recipient, it's important to understand that side effects from some transplant medications are not unusual and that you should talk to your transplant team about them.

Don't Let Side Effects Put Your New Kidney at Risk
When experiencing side effects like diarrhea and stomach upset, you may be tempted to take less than the recommended dose of some of your transplant medications. That's not a good choice and can put the health of your new kidney at risk. So, it's very important that you take all of your transplant medications, as directed, as part of your recovery and continued health.

Clinical studies have shown that taking a lower dose of some transplant medications can harm a new kidney or even lead to rejection. That's why the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) says your new kidney could be damaged by:

• Skipping doses
• Changing the amount of medication you take
• Switching your dosing schedule

The most important thing to remember is that healthcare experts agree that the best way to protect your new kidney is by sticking to your doctor's treatment plan. You should never change the amount of your transplant medications without your transplant team's okay.

Work Closely With Your Transplant Team

Your transplant team is there to help you and knows how to protect your new kidney and your health after your transplant. If you are having problems with diarrhea and stomach upset:

• Talk to your transplant team
• Understand the reasons if your doctor decides to lower the dose of some of your transplant medications
• Find out if you have other options besides taking a lower dose

The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) says that teamwork between you and your transplant team is important to maintain the right balance of medications needed to keep your new kidney functioning well. According to the NKF, if you develop a problem with one transplant medication, there may be other medications that will help protect your new kidney.