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*Health Issues>>>Respiratory Diseases issues>>>Has anyone had a lung transplant? |
Issue Has anyone had a lung transplant?I was wondering about somethings that had to do with lung transplants because I have cystic fibrosis and I have noticed that it's getting alittle harder to breath.I was wanting to know some facts about this uncomfortable topic before I consider be on the transplant list myself.If anyone has gone through a lung transplant please email me. ...And if you can't seem to email let me know so I can give my email to you.Thanks. Best Tip I'm a 39 year old CF patient that had a bi-lateral lung transplant on 08/26/04 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO. I was their 759th lung transplant. I strongly urge you to get listed - I can't describe how wonderful it feels to actually be able to breathe unassisted...no oxygen tanks, no nebulizers. Since you have CF you're already used to a fairly extensive medical routine and I've found the post-transplant much easier than the pre-transplant. There are lots of pills to take and you have to stay on a regular basis with them but other than that it's just being sensible - exercise, eat properly, avoid situations that can easily cause infection, wash your hands a lot, wear a mask sometimes...it's definitely worth it and you can pretty much do what you want (no scuba diving though). When my docs first mentioned lung transplant to me in the mid-90's I wasn't at all interested since the information at that time indicated the post-transplant life wasn't necessarily that great. However, I did finally go for evaluation since I wanted to have that option when my health further deteriorated. You always have the option to decline the transplant once you get to that point but at least the option is there and you're not left with certain death as the only choice. The post surgical pain was very well managed and I had little to no pain. I had the surgery on Thursday, was walking on Friday and back on the treadmill that next Monday. You'll have so much energy you won't know what to do. The only "drawback" was the weight gain I experienced from the Prednisone. Obviously having CF I was basically "scrawny", especially the more the disease progressed and I gained 30 pounds due to the drugs. I've since lost 20 pounds as the dosage was reduced and I've learned to adjust my eating habits to my new life rather than the old approach of eating constantly whatever high calorie foods I could in order to maintain weight. The transplant will cure the CF in your lungs although you'll still have the digestive aspects. If you're not already diabetic then it's more than likely the post-transplant drugs will cause you to be diabetic at least for a period of time. I was already diabetic but obtained an insulin pump to better manage the diabetes. You might want to check out this website/support group: WEB SITE: http://groups.msn.com/transplantsupportl... . It was started by another CF patient that had her transplant in 1997. There is a chat room available and they offer various educational discussion on all sorts of pre and post transplant topics, as well as various resource links and a message board. Your family members may also be interested in the site. Be wishes and good breathing! Others I haven't had a transplant, but one of my lungs was removed when I got two ribs knocked through it. I smoke too so that can't be good. If you go through with it good luck. i have had a lung transplant, the reason for the transplant was end stage CF i had the transplant 11 years 5 months and 2 days ago. if you want to email me you may with any questions you might have would be glad to give you any advice or a view from the post transplant side. timandlinda82804@yahoo.com My 11 years bi-lateral lung transplant Yes they do lung transplants...usually they do a lung and heart transplant at the same time...it is easier to do as one "UNIT". |
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