MedifocusHealth

Following kidney transplantation, patients with polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and their families go through a period of adjustment that can be quite stressful. These include:

• Learning new medical regimens to which they will have to adhere possibly for the rest of their lives
• Worrying about organ rejection
• Being vigilant about recognizing any signs that may indicate infection
• Trying to remember all of the details involved in daily living as a transplant patient.

It is important for the transplant patient and his/her family to stay in close contact with the transplant team and discuss with appropriate members all of their concerns including those relating to the emotional state of the patient as well as how the family is coping. While many patients adapt very well to their transplanted kidney, others exhibit difficulty integrating the new kidney into their sense of self. Some patients exhibit signs of depression and may benefit from psychological counseling, either individual or in group therapy.

Members of the transplant team will teach the patient how to smooth out the new routines of self-care at home including:

• How to keep track of medications
• How to measure and record blood pressure, urine output, and temperature
• How to adhere to the diet suggested by the dietitian
• How to evaluate when symptoms of organ rejection may be starting

Identifying symptoms of early rejection is particularly important since expedient treatment increases chances for reversing the rejection and preserving kidney function.

Symptoms that should be reported immediately to a physician or a member of the transplant team include:

• Elevation of blood pressure which may indicate kidney malfunction
• Swelling or puffiness which may indicate fluid retention
• Decreased urine output
• Abdominal pain
• Fever which may be indicative of infection
• Shortness of breath which may indicate fluid collecting in the lungs
• Swelling or redness at the site of the incision

For a certain period after transplantation, follow up appointments for the patient may be quite frequent and it is important to follow all instructions. These appointments will assess kidney function (measured by blood and urine tests) as well as any indication that the kidney is failing or is being rejected.