Kidney Donation

[Neilds]

My niece (30) has been suffering form kidney failure for a number of years and is now suitable/eligible for a new kidney via donation. My wife has been tested and is a match and now embarking on the long journey to see if she is able to donate. We have done a lot of reading on the subject, on line and leaflet from the various kidney charities but was wondering if anyone has been through this before and could offer some advice both about what the testing is really like and also the recovery period which we know will take time - about 2-4 weeks of doing nothing and up to 6 months to get fully fit afterwards.. The testing process for my wife will take about 6 months and hopefully will result in her being a match.

 

[Billysboots]

I haven’t, but wish you all well on the journey.

 

[AmandaJR]

As above. Huge selfless act to be applauded and admired. Hope it all works out well.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

I had a kidney removed 8 years ago (something I was born with that didn’t manifest itself until I was in my mid 50’s)

My remaining kidney is working very well, I have no limitations on what I can eat, drink or imbibe

I have an annual kidney function test to check it is in rude health.

However, no procedure is without risk, during my op they managed to cut through the nerve that supplied impulses to my stomach muscles on my right hand side, resulting in my stomach muscles on that side now resembling a plastic bag filled with water, ie a huge floppy lump on the side of my abdomen.

Apart from that, there are the obvious potential future issues of problems with the remaining kidney, which would leave me going straight into dialysis/ etc as I don’t have the 2nd kidney back up. However to the recipient who will already be on dialysis, it will be life changing.

Good luck, it is not an easy decision to make

 

[Neilds]

I had a kidney removed 8 years ago (something I was born with that didn’t manifest itself until I was in my mid 50’s)

My remaining kidney is working very well, I have no limitations on what I can eat, drink or imbibe

I have an annual kidney function test to check it is in rude health.

However, no procedure is without risk, during my op they managed to cut through the nerve that supplied impulses to my stomach muscles on my right hand side, resulting in my stomach muscles on that side now resembling a plastic bag filled with water, ie a huge floppy lump on the side of my abdomen.

Apart from that, there are the obvious potential future issues of problems with the remaining kidney, which would leave me going straight into dialysis/ etc as I don’t have the 2nd kidney back up. However to the recipient who will already be on dialysis, it will be life changing.

Good luck, it is not an easy decision to make

If my wife does donate, she will get annual checks and also get bumped up the queue if anything else goes wrong - probably as some sort of thank you.

What surprised us is they leave both kidneys in for the donee and just add the extra one in. Dialysis will end as soon as they get the 3rd kidney. The specialist also explained that whilst my niece went from 100% to 40 (or whatever she is at now) kidney function, it was over a number of years. My wife would go from 100 to 50 instantly so a big change

 

[Arthur Wedge]

A guy in our swindle donated a kidney to his wife

He had the op in the April and was off work until the September ( due to being a teacher)

He was told to do very little for at least 2 months and then after that gentle exercises , he was back playing golf in the September

 

[PhilTheFragger]

If my wife does donate, she will get annual checks and also get bumped up the queue if anything else goes wrong - probably as some sort of thank you.

What surprised us is they leave both kidneys in for the donee and just add the extra one in. Dialysis will end as soon as they get the 3rd kidney. The specialist also explained that whilst my niece went from 100% to 40 (or whatever she is at now) kidney function, it was over a number of years. My wife would go from 100 to 50 instantly so a big change

I had to go to A&E a couple of years ago and had some bloods taken, the young doctor came back all flustered as I only had a kidney function of 49%.
Told him I only had 1 kidney and he replied, “ well, in that case, it’s a very good kidney and I’m going to go and re read your notes “

With regards to recovery, take it very easy for the first 6 weeks, it is very easy to feel fine , over do it and get an incisional hernia.

Should be back to normal by 3-4 months