Post a Comment On: Transplant Athlete

Three studies presented at the American Transplant Congress on May 24, show that there are benefits to transplant recipients in early steroid withdrawal. The first study followed over 400 transplant recipients on a Prograf (fk506) and Cellcept (mycophenolate mofetil) regimen with a portion withdrawn from corticosteroid therapy on day seven and a portion on the standard chronic corticosteroid therapy. There was no significant change in graft survival over one year, however, there was an increase in acute rejection episodes in the early withdrawal group. The benefits however were significant decreases in cholesterol buildup which will lead to healthier hearts, and fewer complications due to post transplant diabetes mellitus, and my fave less weight gain. The second study found that pediatric patients didn't need it at all, however they only followed 14 patients, so while I like the results, I think they need to follow a larger population before they make the recommendation. The third study found that for African Americans who receive deceased donor kidneys that early steroid withdrawal lowers the risk of post transplant diabetes mellitus, which is good because African Americans in general have a higher risk of developing diabetes to start with.
Prednisone, the corticosteroid I was prescribed, has the following side effects:
Increased appetite and weight gain
High Blood Pressure
Stomach irritation
Mood Swings
High Blood Sugar
Cataracts
Skin Changes - Acne - Easy Bruising
Bone disease
Insomnia
Restlessness
Depression
Anxiety
Increased Hair growth
Increased risk of infection


I had many of these side effects. Years prior to my transplant, I weighed in the mid 160s. The months before my kidneys failed, my weight dropped to 157. After the transplant my weight topped out at 185. I have been off prednisone for nearly 3 years and I now weigh 167. The mood swings were nasty and I often burst out in anger at my wife. Its a wonder she stayed with me. Several times, my doctors told me to cut back on sweets because my blood sugar results were high. My optometrist says that I've started developing cataracts. I thought it was just dust on my eyes, but thanks to the miracle of prednisone, they are cataracts. The insomnia, restlessness, depression, anxiety all lead to my first transcontinental bike ride and to my dream of competing in solo RAAM, so I guess that's one thing I can thank Prednisone for. I couldn't sleep, so I spent nights surfing the internet for everything and anything cycling related. The restless feeling I felt was like pure energy in my body just waiting to be released. More and more the answer seemed to be a bicycle trip across the country. I spent hours and hours researching it and settled on PACTour.The Doctors at the transplant clinic promised me that I would be off Prednisone in 1 year. I kept on them to decrease the dosage everytime I saw them. I was down to 5 mg a day at the end of year two and the doctors didn't taper me off the prednisone. Around Christmastime, a few months after my second transversary, I tapered myself off the prednisone and called them after the fact to let them know. I have a cousin who has been on Prednisone for many years. He's spent the last couple of years trying to get off it and his body just won't let him. It may be a wonder drug, but its got nasty side effects and I'm glad researchers have determined its not necessary for transplant patients on Prograf.