kidney transplant - Transplants Message Board

jackiew1 · 01-23-2009, 03:09 PM

hi does anyone know how long a kidney transplant can last have had mine for 17 years getting a bit concerned now even though levels are fine but having a bit of problem with change of drugs

hickorydickory · 01-27-2009, 09:09 PM

I've heard of kidneys lasting over 20 years. I would be careful of med changes though - I heard of a person rejecting their kidney after 20 years because their doc decided to see what would happen off the anti-rejection drugs. What kind of drug changes were made?

harka · 01-31-2009, 11:28 AM

Renal transplants, especially in the current days of anti-rejection drugs can last from 10-15 years on average. The ironic thing with previous renal transplants is that one of the drugs used for anti-rejection purposes could damage the kidney over time (a condition called cyclosporine-induced chronic allograft nephropathy). There are documented reports of people having renal transplants done in the late 70s which are still good today. The case is different in different people. Which drugs do they have you on for immunosuppression?