Post-transplant lymphoma (PTLD) / chemotherapy

This is the forum for the Kidney Patient Guide. We welcome feedback about the site and any information that may be of use or interest to other visitors.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This forum is not for queries that would otherwise be addressed to a doctor. If you have a question about your condition or treatment please consult your renal unit or doctor. We do not have any editorial or medical resources to answer individual queries.

Moderator: administrator

Post Reply
jenjen-2
Posts: 1
Joined: Fri Oct 13, 2017 11:51 am

Post-transplant lymphoma (PTLD) / chemotherapy

Post by jenjen-2 »

Hello

Some of you may remember me - I used to post here as jenjen but haven't been on the board in a while.

I had a successful transplant in 2008, which worked very well up until August this year when my creatinine started rising along with CRP, my haemoglobin started crashing, and I had unpleasant gastro symptoms. After 2 months in and out of hospital very unwell, on IV fluids and having battery of different tests (at one point they thought I had a mystery tropical disease as I had just returned from a month of fieldwork in Kenya!), I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma a few weeks' ago.

My PTLD was not caused by the Epstein Barr Virus (the usual cause), but they think by 10 years of immunosuppression (quite rare I'm told). Since the lymphomas have also spread to my colon, they are treating with 6 rounds of chemotherapy called R-CHOP (total 18 weeks). This is a combination of Rituximab + high dose Pred + 3 types of chemotherapy drugs. I'm told that they are aiming to cure it, that outcomes for this type of cancer are generally positive, and that I won't necessarily lose my transplant. I've had one round of chemo already, and so far, the transplant is hanging in there!

I'm mainly writing to see if anyone has had any experience either with PTLD and/or having chemotherapy after a transplant. My brain is scrambled from wondering how its all going to work so I'd appreciate any tips or information about the process.

Cheers,
Jen
Thumps
Posts: 1302
Joined: Thu Sep 14, 2006 3:50 pm
Location: London, England

Re: Post-transplant lymphoma (PTLD) / chemotherapy

Post by Thumps »

Nothing useful to add but wishing you ALL THE VERY BEST x
PKD/PLD diagnosed 1994, CKD stage 5 Oct 2007, Living Donor Kidney Transplant Dec 2008, still going strong!
sporti
Posts: 355
Joined: Fri Aug 25, 2006 7:51 pm

Re: Post-transplant lymphoma (PTLD) / chemotherapy

Post by sporti »

Hi Jen

I remember you! You may want to read my thread which I started in 2015. To cut a long story short I was diagnosed with kidney disease in my teens. They finally were on their last legs in 2015 at the age of 62. Not bad going. I was put ontransplant list but was taken off (bastards) when I was diagnosed with Maginal Zone non Hodgkin lymphoma. However on going to New York City Mt Sinai Hospital I was put back on their list. I was lucky as just before dialysis I had a live transplant despite having NHL in May 2015. I was treated 48 hours after the transplant for the Lymohoma. I’ve no idea what with or how many. I was far too ill. However it was a great success and Still is. The treatment did not affect my brand new kidney literally....at all. I was watched very closely and always had a fluid drip. Tbh I think I on,y had twotreatmemts now I come to think of it. Best of luck to you and keep in touch. x
Post Reply