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Since I had my tx on 25 October, something strange has happened. As you, or may not, know - my mother is 70 and has very kindly donated me one of her kidneys. My mum has suffered with arthritis in her thumb joints for several years now, and has to resort to rubber straps to open jars etc. Now for the odd bit - I am now starting to get arthritis in my thumbs - and I'm only 34
Has anyone else experienced anything of this rather strange nature? I have read stories before about tx recipients taking on characteristics from their donors (I wonder how true this actually is - I'd be interested to hear any stories), but didn't think it would happen to me. I had not experienced arthritis in my thumb joints before the operation.
Instead of resorting to painkillers, I am going to try a bioflow magnetic bracelet to see if this will work (a fellow dog-walker swears by one for her dog). I don't really want to end up taking yet more medication.
Any feedback, info or stories would be very welcome. I can't be the only one out there to be experiencing this.
I am pretty sure that the arthritis is nothing to do with your mum being the donor and having arthritis herself. Firstly has it actually been diagnosed as arthritis as I sometimes get stiffness and pain in some of my finger joints. I think as renal patients, it is quite common to get some joint pain. If you are on prednisone, this should actually help arthritis as it is an anti-inflammatory. Secondly, is your mum's arthritis, osteo-arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis? The reason that I ask this is that it would be fairly unusual for a 34 year old to suffer from arthritis in the thumb unless you had done a job for a long time that involved excessive use of the thumb, plus osteo-arthritis which is due to wear and tear tends to affect weight-bearing joints such as the hip and knee. If your mother has rheumatoid arthritis (RA) which does often affect the hand joints, then you may indeed have this type of arthritis as it can start at any age. I believe that there is thought to be a genetic link. so if your mum has then there is a chance that you may get it to. RA it thought to be caused by an auto-immune response by the body which harms the cartilage in joints. I hope that I have not alarmed you, but if you think that you could have RA I would get it checked out, as this can involve multiple joints. The type of doctor to get referred to is this is thought to be the case is a rheumatologist as they specialise in this condition. Best of luck, Amanda
Hi Amanda
My mum has osteo-arthritis - as diagnosed by her orthopaedic consultant (and because she spent her life as a physiotherapist).
My job does not involve any excessive use of my thumb joints either weight-bearing or otherwise; and I am not on prednisolone (which can affect the the bone maintenance of joints - particularly the femur).
There is no rational explanation of the pain in my thumb joints, although I have a consultation tomorrow so will mention this to my Consultant again.
Ruth
Well my Consultant thinks it is definitely arthritis and has rightly said that I cannot take NSAIDs for this so to try cod liver oil as some of his other patients swear by this.
Not sure why or how this has happened but I have dutifully bought some CLO and will give this a go.
I have also been put on Allopurinol just in case it is gout; however, I was told that it would be unusual to get gout in my thumb joints (I don't really know much about gout so if anyone can enlighten me that would be great.)
Ruth
Ouchhhhhhhh! don't mention gout.... It is very painful, and believe me you can get it in your thumb. It often starts in a big toe but not exclusive. As the attacks continue it effects every joint. I have had it in my neck, elbow, side of my ribs, wrist, hands, knees, ankles, feet and toes. Not recommended. Make sure you keep up with the allopurinol if it is gout. It is easily diognosed with a simple blood test that checks the urate acid level. That is why I have to avoid foods high in pureens, such as fish..hate the stuff anyway, and green leafy veg such as sprouts, cabbage and spinnach. If you need furthe information, pm me and I will send you some details.
Hi,
I am so glad that all is going well with your transplant! I have arthritis (osteo) in many of my joints and have had 2 knee replacements-but then again, I'm on pred and you know how it is on the bones!
I have been taking Tylenol Arthritis for my pain and it has been working quite well. It is a type of Tylenol that lasts for up to eight hours and it does work...I have been having pain in my shoulder here lately at night (oh, no! not another joint replacement! ) and if I take a couple of them I can sleep through the night pain-free. Also I have been using ThermaCare wraps for joints...they heat up when exposed to air. It is like having a heating pad and you can wear them under clothing. VERY comforting and effective!
I too have heard of some people taking on the characteristics of their donor, even up to enjoying foods that they had previously hated and even beginning to walk like the donor! I don't know if there is any merit to it all but it is quite interesting. I hope that you can find out why you are beginning to have joint pain and that something will help it.
Pam
32 yr cadaver transplant recipient, now on peritoneal dialysis with the help of Audrey, my Homechoice machine... as of 4/3/09
Romans 8:28
) and if I take a couple of them I can sleep through the night pain-free. Also I have been using ThermaCare wraps for joints...they heat up when exposed to air. It is like having a heating pad and you can wear them under clothing. VERY comforting and effective! 