How long will a transplanted kidney last?

Question

I am going to be undergoing a kidney transplant from a live donor soon. I understand that the anti-rejection medication that I will be on will slowly but surely kill the kidney that was donated to me over time. On average, how many years can a live donor kidney survive without dying again? This is assuming no other health concerns besides kidney failure. The doctors have all been very vague about the years. One said 10-15, another said 15-20, and yet another told me that with progressions in science, it could last forever. Does anyone have the facts?

Answer 1

I am in the same boat as you are. There is not a single day that I don’t think about when my transplanted kidney is going to give up. (I received a kidney 8 months ago from a living related donor).

There is no easy way to tell you, but the truth is that nobody can predict how long your kidney is going to survive. I have talked to a total of 8 nephrologist in two different countries, and all of the doctors have different numbers. Yes, it is heartening to hear about people surviving for 20-30 years. But then, no-one actually talks about a patient that has not very well.

I am sure you are aware of the risks post transplant (cholesterol problem, heart attack, cancer etc). So, personally, I do everything in my realm to ease the burden on my new kidney. I eat low fat, healthy meals with plenty of whole grains, fruits and veggies. No smoking or drinking alcohol. I have given up tea, coffee and sodas. I drink fruit juices once in a while, but prefer whole fruit. And, lots of water. Remember, everything you eat or drink will pass through the kidney, so...

I spend 60-90 minutes working out 5 days a week. I watch my weight. If you are overweight, please try to lose some (Its easier after the transplant).

I am extremely careful with personal hygiene. I wash my hands for 20 seconds with warm water and soap. (Most infections are spread through surfaces, door knobs etc). I wear a mask (even now) when I visit hospitals and travel in aeroplanes. The more number of times you fall sick from infections, the more your body is going to attack the new kidney along with the other pathogens.

And yes, stress is really not good for you, so try and be happy. I have taken up yoga.....that has helped some.

I am not sure if all the paranoia :-D has paid or not, but so far I am doing fine. (touchwood). It is a change in lifestyle but so worth it.

As transplant patients, we have plenty on our hands. :-) But yes, after you will feel so much better after.

So, be strong, keep smiling and Good Luck!!

Answer 2

I know a man who had a kidney transplant from his brother in 1975, and he's still going fine with that same kidney--that's 32 years!

The medication doesn't kill the kidney. The most important thing is that you take the medication exactly as and exactly when it is ordered. Don't be 5 minutes late, if you know what I mean. Follow your medication regimen that the doctor gives you, and check with him before taking any other medications, etc. They've been doing kidney transplants for a long time, and some of those figures are averages. There are some people that miss doses of medication and don't follow their plan of care like they're supposed to. The kidney dies because it is rejected--the purpose of the medication is to prevent this, so don't worry about it being toxic to the kidney. Learn everything you can about it prior to the surgery. Good luck.

Answer 3

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Answer 5

Kidney transplants generally offer the best outlook for patients with end-stage kidney disease. Most centers have patient and organ survivals of over 90% at one year, and more than 80% at three years. By 10 to 15 years, about 50% of transplanted kidneys are still functional. Kidneys from living related donors do better than from deceased donors.

However, this success is not without its costs. The patient's immune system identifies the transplanted kidney as a foreign organ and tries to destroy it. This is called rejection. In order to avoid rejection, almost all kidney transplant recipients require life-long treatment with medications that suppress their immune response (immunosuppressive therapy).

This has several unwanted consequences. Because the immune system is suppressed, the patient has a higher risk of infection and cancer. This requires aggressive cancer screening.

The immunosuppressive medicines themselves have side effects, which may include high blood pressure and high cholesterol, increased risk of diabetes, and other problems.

The success of a kidney transplant depends in part on close followup and meticulous adherence to the medicine regimen.

For the donor, studies show that living with one kidney following surgery is relatively safe, with few physical and psychologic complications.

So, "MrKnowitAll" (below) Non-political figures huh? We're talking kidneys here not politics. Also, the site you list as a source hasn't been updated since 2000.

Answer 6

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
How long will a transplanted kidney last?
I am going to be undergoing a kidney transplant from a live donor soon. I understand that the anti-rejection medication that I will be on will slowly but surely kill the kidney that was donated to me over time. On average, how many years can a live donor kidney survive without dying again? This...

Answer 7

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Answer 8

The doctors are not trying to be vague. Each person is different when given a kidney transplant.Theoretically a kidney transplant could last from one day to twenty years.In fact without problems post transplant a live donor kidney could last up to twenty years.Although there is no average because to number is different for each person you cold say between eight and fifteen with a max. of twenty years.

Answer 9

Here is a good site with some good figures on it. This is NOT a US based site, so they have un-biased non-political figures on it that are REAL.

http://www.kidney.org.uk/Medical-Info/transplant/txsurvival.html

The one who said that with progressions in science, it could last forever, is technically correct. However, the advancements are being made in isolated locations around the world and are not consolidated anywhere or all offered at any one clinic. At this year's medical conference, they will be discussing a bill to put forth to Congress to create an international accord to pool all worldwide resources on Kidney Transplants and to upgrade the entire process across the entire country.

Nearby, in Canada, they are using some advanced blood filtering techniques that virtually eliminate the antibody production in the body and eliminate most of it from the bloodstream as well. They have also found that with their treatment, the people quickly stop producing the antibodies as well, so there is a much lower rejection factor, and the few drugs that are used do not have to be administered for as long as they traditionally are now, nor in the same high dosages.

I wish you good luck with your transplant!

Answer 10

I had mine my first one when I was 11yrs old for 8 yrs. I had my 2nd one on June 18 2000.and I was just told that I lost it and I have to start dialysis. I don't want to go back on dialysis, but I have a son who is in college and just finish his first year and will be start again in Sept. 2014. I have no choice to go back, but I'm trying to figure what type of dialysis I should take. My brother and I matched, but since I've had 105 surgeries, the surgeons says that I had too may surgeries and scar tissues. All I hope and pray is that God at least bless me to live until my son graduate in Bus. Admin. and find a job.