What are the anti-rejection medication side effects?
After the pancreas transplant is performed, the patient will require anti-rejection medication for the rest of their life, which can have the following side effects:
- Risk of infection
- Skin cancer
- Lymphoma
- Tremor
- Headaches
- Osteoporosis
- Weight gain
- Water retention and puffiness
- Excessive hair loss or growth
- Acne
- Sensitivity to light
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting
Anti-rejection medication essentially suppresses one’s immune system, making the patient more susceptible to infections and infectious diseases. All immunosuppressant drugs are available only by prescription from your doctor and come as tablets, capsules, liquids, or injections.
The goal of anti-rejection medication is to find the treatment plan that will suppress your immune system adequately to accept the new organ while having the least harmful side effects.
If you’re an organ recipient, even the slightest change from the dosing of your medication or a missed dose can trigger an organ rejection. Call your doctor right away if this happens.
Karin Hehenberger has lived with both a kidney and pancreas transplant for the past 12 years. She says that any medication side effects, for her, have been minimal and completely worth it.
“I would do it again tomorrow. Even if I hadn’t had the kidney transplant. I don’t have to worry about going low, going high, diabetes complications, computing [what I eat and how to dose] all the time. I wake up with a smile, instead of waking up and being worried. I can take on challenges that I wouldn’t have had the energy to take on before. I had a baby girl a few years ago, and I have more energy for my entire life, versus before when I had to focus on what my energy levels allowed me to incorporate. In my case that meant that work was a priority and my social life suffered.”
What happens after the transplant is complete?
After a successful pancreas transplant, the new pancreas will make the insulin your body needs, so you’ll no longer require insulin injections to treat type 1 diabetes.
You will need to keep a close watch on staying healthy, taking anti-rejection medications as prescribed, and keep a lookout for any signs of organ rejection, which include;
- Abdominal pain
- Fever
- Dehydration
- Excessive sensitivity at the transplant site
- Hyperglycemia
- Body aches
- Vomiting
If you experience any of these symptoms after transplant surgery, seek emergency medical attention, and call your doctor immediately.
It’s not unusual for pancreas recipients to experience an acute rejection within the first few weeks or months after surgery. If you do, you’ll need emergency medical treatment with intensive anti-rejection medications.
Life after a pancreas transplant
Life after a pancreas transplant varies by patient, but one thing is for sure: you will no longer have type 1 diabetes, which sounds like a dream to many patients.
However, rejection of the new organ is common: According to the Mayo Clinic, pancreas rejection rates tend to be slightly higher among pancreas-only transplant recipients than patients who receive both a new kidney and pancreas at the same time (due to kidney failure as a result of diabetes). Keep a close watch for signs of organ rejection.
If your new pancreas fails, you can resume insulin treatments and consider a second transplant. The decision to undergo a second transplant is extremely personal and complex and depends on your current health status and health and life goals.
It’s also important to maintain a healthy lifestyle with your new organ and to help protect your immune system, which will be suppressed with the anti-rejection medications. Be sure to:
- Exercise regularly (be sure to check with your transplant team before beginning any exercise regimen post-surgery)
- Maintain a healthy diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fats, and fiber
- Drink plenty of water
- Take all anti-rejection medication as prescribed
- Protect your immune system and avoid people who have viral or bacterial infections or colds
- Wash your hands regularly and wear a face mask when in crowded, public spaces
- Manage stress
- Get plenty of sleep
- Seek group support from other organ transplant recipients to create a community
Karin says that one thing she wishes she had access to right after the transplant was a community of people going through the same thing.
“I had access to the best care, but didn’t have the connection with another patient. I wish I had some community. Connecting with others who have been where you are right now is invaluable. Don’t just talk to doctors, talk to other patients to better set your expectations.”
She was so motivated to help others going through the same thing that she launched her own website, www.transplantlyfe.com where people awaiting organs, those who have recently had a transplant, donors, caregivers, and family can go and seek support.
Both recipients, however, have a newfound outlook on life:
Brandon says, “The biggest change has been my gratefulness for life. Little things don’t bother me anymore. I owe so much to so many people and I give back by sharing my story, raising awareness, and making sure I do all I can to make the most out of every day.”
Karin adds, “I have one very vivid memory, when I knew everything was suddenly different: I had a cappuccino and biscotti and was walking down the street in New York City, and just thought, ‘wow, I can do that without thinking about carbohydrates or bolusing!’” Having a pancreas transplant has given me a way to live without the glucose fluctuations, feeling bad most of the time, and especially without the fear. And I’m grateful for that.”
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