Pregnancy post transplant with FSGS

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jcave
Posts: 7
Joined: Tue Jul 06, 2004 2:04 pm

Pregnancy post transplant with FSGS

Post by jcave »

I have FSGS and had a transplant in Feb. 2003. I am doing well, but still on lots of meds. I am interested in starting a family, but fear that I am on too many meds. I have read much about the immunosuppression meds and pregnancy, but not the other meds I take. I am currently taking blood pressure meds, cholesterol meds, diuretics, and Protonix for a previous bleeding ulcer (since I still take 5 mg of Prednisone per day). If anyone has had a successful post transplant pregnancy, please tell me what meds you were taking..especially meds for blood pressure and cholesterol. Thanks!! Jcave
j.cave
debbie
Posts: 62
Joined: Tue Jun 08, 2004 11:40 am
Location: West Sussex. UK

Post transplant pregnancy

Post by debbie »

I had my transplant nov 94 and my daughter aug 96. I was on nifedipine then for bp, as well as azathiaprine, neoral, prednisolone (that's all I can recall now) At the time they were undecided about nifedipine being safe in pregnancy but I was 6 months pregnant before I found out. The Drs decided to leave everything as it was and monitor me very closely. My daughter was delivered @ 35 1/2 weeks because of my BP... pre-eclampsia.. She was absolutely ok, good weight and didn't need special care. The Drs thought the steroids I had been taking probably helped her. My transplant then failed in april 97. It may have been the pregancy but who knows? I don't regret it for one moment.. but wouldn't chance another kidney for a child. My advice to you is to find yourself a gynae/obst who specialises in "problem patients" and set up a meeting with gynae/obst and neph to cover every possible event. Maybe leave it a bit longer to give your transplant the best possible chance. Remember this is only my personal opinion!!! :)
jcave
Posts: 7
Joined: Tue Jul 06, 2004 2:04 pm

Post by jcave »

Thanks so much for your input! :P I do have an appointment coming up with the at-risk OBGYN that works with the surgeon who did my transplant. I suspect they will need to change some of my meds and I want to give my body time to adjust to those properly before attempting to get pregnant...but I am trying to educate and prepare myself as much as possible. You mentioned that your kidney failed in 97..did you get another transplant? DId you have a related or nonrelated donor first and now?
j.cave
debbie
Posts: 62
Joined: Tue Jun 08, 2004 11:40 am
Location: West Sussex. UK

post transplant pregnancy

Post by debbie »

I had a cadaver transplant.. it was perfect match, I haven't received another yet... went onto pd for 2 yrs and then hd which I do now. I'm trying to get onto home hd but that's another story!! I have extremely high antibodies now, about 90% so have got low chance of transplant. Living related not an option as only my dad matches but he carries an antibody that my transplant had so they know my body can't tolerate that. There is a way to get rid of antibodies but it's very toxic treatment and I don't feel like it is the right way to go at the moment. Just out of interest where are you in the world.. I'm in UK. Take care :)
jcave
Posts: 7
Joined: Tue Jul 06, 2004 2:04 pm

Post by jcave »

I live in VA in the US. Is the treatment you were avoiding plasmapheresis? I did that a few times before my transplant and a few times after transplant...my body did not like it one bit..very hard on me and I would not want to do it again..don't know if it helped me or not??? The docs thought it might help prevent the FSGS from recurring in my transplanted kidney??? I hope you are feeling ok with dialysis. I did not have to do it, because I went straight to transplant.
j.cave
Pam
Posts: 866
Joined: Sat Apr 24, 2004 8:13 pm
Location: Springfield, Illinois, USA

Post by Pam »

I can't tell you about first-hand experience as I have never been pregnant, but my sister had a baby in 1989 after her first txplant and the "baby" (she's 15 now!) :) was born healthy although she was a little small at birth. She did become deaf-whether from the meds or not, it is not known, but the docs say probably not. She's a normal teen, though! Takes dance and looking forward to her driver's license! :shock: (LOOK OUT!)
My sis did have a high risk ob/gyn during her pregnancy, but didn't have any problems except they took the baby Caesarian. I send you all my best wishes and prayers!
-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
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