POST DISCHARGE ADVICE

HOW YOU MAY FEEL

• You may feel weak or “washed out” for 6 weeks. You might want to nap often. Simple tasks may exhaust you.
• You may have a sore throat because of a tube that was in your throat during surgery.
• You might have trouble concentrating or difficulty sleeping. You might feel depressed.
• You may find you have a poor appetite or that food doesn’t taste the same. This is related to your new medications. It will get better in a few weeks.
• All these feelings and reactions are normal and should go away in a short time. If they do not, tell your nephrologist.

AT HOME

• You will need to have a blood pressure monitor, thermometer, and weighing scale in preparation for discharge
• Weigh yourself and take your temperature and blood pressure at the same time every day. Record the results on your daily record. Meet your doctor if you have a temperature of 101 or higher, or if your weight goes up more than 1.5 kgs in 2 days
• If you are a diabetic you will need to monitor your blood sugar frequently
• Do not smoke. Smoking makes you more prone to getting a respiratory infection and makes it more likely for your new organ to fail in the future.
• If you need any immunizations (for travel or for routine care), make sure you do not get any “live virus” immunizations. The doctor or nurse giving you the immunization will be able to tell you whether or not it contains live virus. Always check with your nephrologist.
• You should not get any vaccines within 3 months’ post-transplant and/or within 3 months’ post treatment of a rejection episode. The annual flu vaccine injection is encouraged as long as you are 3 months beyond your transplant.
• Never stop taking your anti-rejection medicine and never adjust the dose without first speaking to your transplant coordinator or doctor. If you vomit after taking your pills and do not see any medication in the vomit, do not repeat your doses. If you see your meds, you can try taking the pills again.
• Do not take any over-the-counter (non-prescription) medicine – including vitamins, herbs, and supplements – without referring to your nephrologist

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