I am officially accepted into MUSC's transplant program! I will be listed on the national registry for a kidney. We are STILL looking and testing for a live donor. My sister should be a front runner soon.....we are hoping.
I am to start Cellcept though prior to transplant. Normally, this is given after transplant to bring the chance of rejection down. It is an autoimmune suppressant drug. HOWEVER....because it is an autoimmune suppressant drug the transplant team wants to see if I will respond well to it and bring my ANA titer down to a reasonable level. I see that people with Lupus or Sjogrens are put on this to control their disease....it looks favorable. Anyone out there using Cellcept?
I am very happy with my news.....now I just need to respond well to Cellcept!
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One thing I did find is that the FDA is resisting approving it due to the possibility of it triggering a virus (JC) in our bodies that resembles a disease something like MS (progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy or PML). Here's the link: http://tinyurl.com/4dog5r
The incidences of this have been small and I have had no indication of problems. There's a risk with everything and Cellcept has been a lifesaver.
Such wonderful news, Vicky~ I'm wishing you the very best.
Oops, only part of my post made it - the other part was to say that Cellcept has been a blessing for me (1500mg/day) and I believe has been instrumental in keeping the lupus at bay and my kidneys happy - based on the labs for the last four years. I have tolerated it well and show no signs of trouble re: the viral thing - but in life there always seem to be trade-offs. We just do what we can.
congrats! this is a wonderful day. i hope cellcept works wonderfully for you.
Praise God!!! I'm so happy for you Vicky!! Yes, I was put on Cellcept after my transplant and the only side effect I've encountered is the low red blood cells or maybe it was the white, not sure. Anyway they said with whatever blood cells being so low I was at risk for bone fractures so they decreased my dosage from 4 capsules 2x a day to 3 capsules 2x a day. Again, this is great news Vicky.
Thanks for your info! I am starting 250mg twice a day and I will start it tomorrow morning. My numbers for Rhuematoid, ANA, and SSA, & SSB are crazy right now. Especially compared to what they were this past May. I am definitely in a flare right now.
congratulations Vicky! I know this was big news you were waiting to hear. My Mother in Law had a heart transplant on October 16, 2006
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