Kidney transplant in your lifestyle

Basic care

Skin

Due to immunosuppressive medication, the skin may present some problems:

• Hirsutism: Prednisone and cyclosporine can make hair grow, mainly on the face and arms.
• Warts.
• Opportunistic fungal infections.
• Skin tumors.
• Corticosteroid derivatives.

Sun exposure

Immunosuppressive medication increases the risk of developing neoplasms, which is why very important regular observation of the skin to rule out new lesions. Thus, transplant patients they should not sunbathe, as they have a higher risk of developing skin cancer. An annual visit to the dermatologist is recommended

Precautions:

• Avoid going out at noon.
• Wear a cap or hat with a visor and long sleeves.
• Use year-round sunscreen purchased at pharmacies with a high protection factor, even if it is under an umbrella.
• After the bath, dry in the sun and preferably under the umbrella.
• If you want to sunbathe in summer, do it in the wee hours of the morning, first thing in the morning (11am) and last hour in the afternoon (17pm).
• Wear sunglasses to protect your eyesight.

Boca

Good dental hygiene is needed. Some of the medications you take can cause your gums to grow excessively. If your dentist prescribes any medication, consult your transplant doctor.

Injuries to the mouth, tongue and lips are usually secondary to small opportunistic infections (fungus, herpes ...), your transplant doctor will tell you the most appropriate treatment, and remember that it is important not to touch them to prevent their dissemination.

Follow these tips:

• Brush teeth and gums daily, 2-3 times a day.
• Avoid frequent intake of caries-promoting sugars.
• Do an annual dental checkup.

Pets

Some of them can transmit infections to the transplanted patient, especially cats and dogs; therefore, they must be properly vaccinated. You should avoid licking them, wash your hands after touching them, and do not clean unprotected bird cages or fish tanks.

Export

Once the convalescence period is over, he must gradually resume his daily life. The practice of moderate physical activity is highly recommended and brings numerous benefits, but it should always be authorized by the doctor responsible for monitoring the transplant.

Benefits of the practice of sport:

• It strengthens the muscles and helps to improve the function of the joints (beneficial for osteoporosis).
• Prevents and / or delays the development of hypertension.
• Decreases blood pressure figures in hypertensive patients.
• Helps maintain and improve lipid profile.
• Helps control blood sugar levels.
• Avoid being overweight.
• Improves sleep quality.
• Stress management, anxiety symptoms, depression.
• It makes us feel better, excited, optimistic.

If you previously did any physical activity at the TR, you will be able to resume it little by little. If not, it is advisable to do some physical activity regularly, you can start by walking 30 minutes every day. The most recommended sports are swimming, cycling and walking. Violent or traumatic sports (karate, boxing, etc.) that can cause trauma to the new kidney should be avoided.

Stop exercising even discuss it with your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Pain or pressure in the chest, neck or jaw.
• Excessive fatigue.
• Breathing difficulty.
• Dizziness or dizziness during or after exercise.
• Palpitations, tachycardia ...
• Headache

It is currently possible to participate in sports competitions at national and international level for transplant patients: tennis, swimming, athletics, cycling, among others. Medical authorization is essential to be able to participate.
 

• Transplant run

Sexual activity

The patient can resume sexual activity as soon as he is well, but it should be borne in mind that some medications can interfere with sexual activity. Sexual desire usually improves after transplantation, in men the problems of impotence related to uremic syndrome are usually solved and women frequently regain menstruation and fertility.

Your transplant doctor will advise you on the most appropriate method of contraception, the condom being very suitable. Those patients who do not wish to have a pregnancy in the future may opt for vasectomy or tubal ligation. The IUD is not advisable because it increases the risk of infection and oral contraceptives are not recommended as it can interfere with the medication you take. From the first year, if the transplant patient is a man, their partner's pregnancy may arise.

Transplantation is not a contraindication for pregnancy but should be considered as one high-risk pregnancies. You will have to go to a transplant frequently because it will require a thorough check of:

• Well.
• Proteinuria.
• Immunosuppressants.

It is recommended to use contraceptive measures, at least during the first year, this is due to the fact that the strong immunosuppression received at the beginning of the transplant could cause fetal alterations.

You should not become pregnant if you are currently taking or have taken it in the last three months:

• Cellcept.
• Valcyte.
• Rapamune.
• Septrin

It is advisable to plan the gestation together with the nephrologist who will advise the patient in each case (it may be advisable to modify the immunosuppressive medication before conception).

It is advisable to avoid pregnancy in the first year of transplant if you have:

• Hypertension difficult to control.
• Proteinuria.
• Altered renal function.
• Ask your doctor if you want to become pregnant, the orientation should always be individual will inform you of the risks and possible changes in medication.

Return to work

It is advisable that people who can carry out a work activity do so if they have access to it. The activity will begin gradually and guided by the transplant doctor. There is no mean time for post-transplant convalescence.

From the beginning a normal working day can be taken, only those work which involves a lot of physical effort and where the hygienic conditions are poor, should be prohibited.

Travel

Once the doctor has discharged you and you are in a good position you can travel. At first it will not be recommended for frequent control visits. In journeys within Spain, take enough medication for as long as you have been out. You must bring a report with a summary of your history and the treatment you take. You must have a referral hospital located where you can go if you have a problem, bring too
wrote down the kidney transplant unit's phone.

There are countries that you should avoid because of the possibility of getting infections. You should consult with your nephrologist and if necessary with the preventive medicine service of the hospital. Avoid underdeveloped countries because if you need specialized assistance you will not find it. Don't travel to tropical countries where the yellow fever vaccine or medication to prevent malaria is mandatory as they have significant side effects.

Be sure to arrange travel insurance to cover the costs of assistance in countries outside the European Community that do not have an agreement with the Spanish social security and to cover the repatriation in case of emergency.

At the time of bring the medication that you take, consult with patient associations or the consulate, how to transport the medication (closed box) and, if necessary, a report (in the language of the destination country) that certifies that you must take the treatment in a chronic manner .