Organ Transplants Support Group

I am also 11 monts post tx as of next week and I have been having the worst anxiety for absolutly no reason. I don't know if it's the meds or what my mom had severe depression after she was about 40 and I am not quite 40 so I really can't help, but I go for my 1 year checkup soon I will ask the dr.s!

Please don't take this the wrong way but I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one going through this. I thought maybe I was just a weak person. I've read that prednisone, prograf, and myfortic can all contribute so I think I'm going to try to get on top of it right away. I meet the my tx team on Oct. 8 and I just don't think I can bear to wait that long. It's been really difficult to deal with lately.

Hell yes, the immunosuprresants will cause depression and anxiety. I have been dealing with this for 8 1/2 years now. I am blessed to have my kidney, but with that blessing comes the curse of the immuno's and the horrific moods swings that come along with it (truth be told, I signed up for this group hoping someone could help me learn to deal with it, when the depression is SO bad, that all my coping techniques are rendered useless---intense pain, headaches, leg aches, sore neck and shoulders). People say exercise, but its hard because I also get nauseaous. Any med taken for the pain is either not strong enough or makes me sleep. I don't want to knock anti-depressants, they work for some, but personally I think they are a hoax, that even the companies that make them know they are selling false hope.
I was even asked pre-transplant about any depression issues (yes, I did have them before, but nowhere NEAR this bad), so the docs absolutely know what the patient can be up against. After awhile, you just get sick of docs patronizing you.

STAY STRONG and know that its not your imagination. Sometimes that's the best you can do.

I would love to hear from anyone that has found effective coping strategies.

Meanwhile, lets all hang in there and know we are not alone.

I'm so relieved to see that other people have experienced the same thing. I thought my meds were just making me schizophrenic or something.

I just went to my primary care physician today and talked with him about it and he has given me something to try to help out with it. I'm so glad I have him as one of my doctors. He listens well and really seems to have a good and caring relationship with his patients.

So I'm on something now and I go back in 2 weeks so he can assess how it is working. I guess one more pill can't hurt that much.

OH, one thing he mentioned and I just would like opinions from you all. He had said that there is generally a reduction of immuno's as time goes on, generally following a regular schedule. He said HE couldn't change any of those meds but was curious to know what the TX team would be doing at my 1 yr. follow up. He thought it might be a possibility that my prednisone would be reduced, which he felt was the probable cause for depression, frustration, irritability, etc.

Vegas, I have moved my one year check up to sept-11th so I will get some info soon! i was wonderring how you are dealing with hunger? I am on a low dose of prednisone but darn I am hungry ALL THE TIME! I have gained 30lbs sice the tx I think this may be a culprit of the depression too. I don't know. I am really having such awful mood swings I feel bad for my loved ones.

I haven't really had much of an appetite change since the TX. I did go through a change during dialysis. I had gained 20 pounds once they put me on it. After the TX I have lost about 15 lbs. I'm on a very low dose of prednisone too. I only take 5mg and my primary care physician thinks there is a possibility that I may be weaned off that after 1 year anniversary but we'll see. I'm just glad that he gave me something to help me out. I was arguing with my partner all the time and frustrated with work, traffic, etc. all the time. I'm more mellow now I think even though I have only been taking the Zoloft for a little over a week.

Hi Vegas,

Call your transplant team now, and discuss how you are feeling. They may be able to adjust your medication or have you come in earlier for your appointment. Many times over the years, a phone call to my team has reduced my anxiety and fears. My other doctors seem to be less aggressive than my team. I blame everything on the Prednisone, lol, makes me feel better.

Remember there are side effects to every medication, we just have to find the right medicine cocktail that works best for us.

At first, I was told I would be on Prednisone 7.5 mg for life. Could not handle that dose, reduced to 5 mg. Weight has been a real issue, so he lowered it to 5 mg every other day.

Best of luck, looking forward to your updates.

I just joined today and i agree...as depressing as it is it's good to know that i'm not alone in all of this. My kidney transplant was sept 25th 2008. It will be a year on friday and i still get nauseous and i have anxiety and depression. I thought i would join a support group with people who had been thru it before and may have some answers or at least some "healing" words!