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health problem. Please consult with your physician about your specific health
care concerns.
Q
: 76
05/22/2009 |
My father lives in Texas and has been on dialysis for I think three years or maybe more. I want to give him one of my kidneys and was wondering how much longer will it extend his life. He is currently 56 years old. I am 30 years old.
Patients who get a transplant can double their lifespan compared to staying on dialysis.
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Q
: 77
04/01/2009 |
Is dialysis necessary 3 times a week? Is there such thing as once a month or once every three months dialysizing? Thanks for your help.
If your kidneys have failed completely, you need dialysis about 3 times a week.
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Q
: 78
03/24/2009 |
I on hemo dialysis and my blood pressure is not controlled. My doctor wants to remove my kidneys because I have polycystic disease. I don't understand how removing my kidneys will help. Could you explain?
If you have poor blood flow to the kidneys, they may be secreting a hormone that tells your body to increase the blood pressure, since the kidney is sensing low blood pressure.
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Q
: 79
02/25/2009 |
Is there a limit to the amount of water intake alloted is you are undergoing dialysis treatment?
Its individualized based on the body and how much urine is made. The nephrologist should know best.
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Q
: 80
02/03/2009 |
My son had a living kidney transplant donated by me (mother) 4 years ago. He is now going on the Pancreas list. What happens if the Pancreas rejects? Will they remove it? Can he survive without one? Will they replace it with another pancreas? How long can he survive without a pancreas until another is available?
Make sure he gets his pancreas in a center that is experienced. His pancreas works well except that it doesn't make insulin, so a pancreas transplant will provide him with insulin production. If he loses or rejects his transplanted pancreas, he just goes back on insulin and can be listed for a second one. Many rejections are treatable, so getting a pancreas rejection doesn mean he would lose it.
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Q
: 81
01/30/2009 |
Does being over weight exclude someone from donating a kidney? My uncle is very sick and needs a kidney and I want to donate, my only health problem is that I am over weight. Where does that leave me?
We use a BMI cutoff of 35-40. Hence, it depends on your weight and height. Look up BMI calculator on Google and you could get an idea of where you are at. You could lose weight to be a donor if you are too heavy. Your uncle can go on dialysis if he is very sick. If he is already on dialysis, he can have other issues besides his kidneys not working.
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Q
: 82
01/11/2009 |
I am considering being a kidney donor for my Dad, who is 78 years old. Is this a safe surgery for him? Does age make a difference?
We have performed transplants in patients beyond 78 years old, but he would have to be in excellent shape.
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Q
: 83
01/06/2009 |
Dr. Philosophe, you were the Doctor who performed my double kidney transplant in April 1999. Since then, I've been on the medications and I've begun to suffer from depression (especially the last few years). Is there anything I can do for this? Have you heard of this problem with other patients?
Depression is common, and luckily is easily treated. You should see your primary care doctor, or be referrred to a psychiatrist. Most depression medications can be taken with transplant medications. It rarely is an issue.
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Q
: 84
12/27/2008 |
I have type A blood and my friend who needs a kidney transplant has type O. Does this mean I cannot be a donor?
You can be a donor as part of paired exchange transplants or you can be an incompatible donor which will requie your friend to undergo plamapheresis prior to txp. That option is a little less desirable, but still worth it.
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Q
: 85
05/19/2008 |
Can you tell me what the recovery period is from a T.I.P.S. procedure? Can I travel soon after or are there certain concerns?
I would not travel for several weeks, only because you may start developing confusion (what we call encephalopathy) which is a complication of the TIPS.
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Q
: 86
05/19/2008 |
If the recipient of a donated kidney currently suffers from lung disease, will the issues (poor oxygen levels) with lung disease have a negative effect on the donated kidney?
As long as there is no direct pathology on the kidney, the answer is no.
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Q
: 87
05/14/2008 |
My grandson has had Type 1 diabetes for almost two years. He is fourteen years old. Is it possible for him to receive a pancreas transplant?
Not at this stage. We usually wait until they hit their twenties.
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Q
: 88
05/12/2008 |
Do you have to have the same blood type in order to be a possible donor? Can blood type O positive or O negative be a donor for blood type B? And,if you have a tattoo can you be a kidney donor?
O is the universal donor meaning they can donate to anyone. Otherwise, blood types have to match in general. There are ways to go around that issue, but too complex to go through at this point.
You can be a donor if you have a tattoo.
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Q
: 89
05/01/2008 |
Are there restrictions on sun exposure for patients who have a kidney removed but are not on any other therapy?
They should not be above and beyond the usual precautions.
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Q
: 90
03/10/2008 |
I have a 13-year-old stepson who is insulin dependent. He was diagnosed at one with diabetes. He does not have any health issues other than trying to get his diabetes under control. What is the criteria for receiving a pancreas transplant? Is there criteria?
He needs to be an adult, and even then, should wait until his 20s.
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