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Message |
Leslie
Member
Username: Lmichelle12
Post Number: 2
Registered: 07-2010
| | Posted on Saturday, July 24, 2010 - 02:59 pm: | 
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Hi all,
I'm currently a college student studying to go into medical school, which, as you can imagine, requires a very stressful course-load. I had my kidney transplant 1.5 years ago during the second semester of my freshman year, and since then I have been having overwhelming anxiety attacks to the point where my chest tightens, I loose all emotional control, and I can barely stand, breathe, or think straight. I've spoken with one doctor about it and they said it's just because of being a pre-med student.. but let me tell you guys, this anxiety is NOT normal at all. It seems to set on at random, not even connected to my school work or studies. Besides, even though all college students want to pull their hair out and scream into pillows at some point or another during the year, I don't think it's a constant thing.. and I don't think it's normal for it to get to the point where the anxiety is beginning to debilitate your health.
Along with that, I've felt ridiculously lazy lately, which is not helping out with this anxiety. I'm usually a huge go getter, and I'm talking out of the house by 7AM every day working and studying straight until 10PM with no problems focusing or being 100% productive at all. Now, though, I can't focus, I can't study, I can't remember things well, and it's driving me NUTS! I just feel gross and tired all the time, just wanting to sleep 24/7, which is not like me in the least bit.
Do any of you guys know what I'm talking about? Have any of you experienced this? If so, how did you learn to cope with it? Please tell me I'm not alone here! |
jaimeskidney
Member
Username: Jaimeskidney
Post Number: 48
Registered: 10-2009
| | Posted on Saturday, July 24, 2010 - 03:25 pm: |
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I don't know which drugs you are taking but I'm on Prograf 1.5, Cellcept 750 each of those twice a day and then once a day I'm on 2.5 of prednisone.
I'm 2-1/2 years out from my transplant and I've had some serious problems with anxiety and personality issues. I had some depression issues prior to the transplant and about 3 months out from the transplant I had a serious bout with it. But I know that I have more anxiety now and lots of anger issues. I also know that I am ADD-like whereas before the surgery I was a very focused person. And I have memory issues as well.
I was going to a regular psychiatrist for the antidepressants I take but he couldn't help with the other issues. And I'm not so sure the antidepressants are working either...
I am going to see a psych who specializes in neuro-psych issues in a couple of weeks and I am hoping he can help with the ADD and memory issues.
So all that is to say that I understand what you are going through. It has really, REALLY bothered me in these couple of years. I feel like I'm a different person in terms of my personality. So you're not alone in this, I can assure you of that. I don't have my answers yet but I'm hoping to soon. I see the neuro-psych person the week after next and I can't wait. I hope he has some answers for me.
I'm in my 50's so some of my stuff has just been blamed on getting a little older but it was so sudden and intense that I can't blame it all on that. I can't even read through a book anymore and I used to be an avid reader.
Let's see what others say and if I get good answers from this new doc I'll post it here too.
You're not alone...there are at least two of us  and I'm guessing lots more.
Carol with Jaime's Kidney
Kidney Transplant 12/13/07
Loyola Medical Center - Maywood, IL |
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Leslie
Member
Username: Lmichelle12
Post Number: 3
Registered: 07-2010
| | Posted on Saturday, July 24, 2010 - 04:52 pm: |
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That's good to hear we aren't alone! Thank you so much for that.
I'm currently taking Prograf 3 and Cellcept 500 each twice a day as well. They've have me on a steroid free program, so I have no experience with prednisone or any medications similar to prednisone. I've been told that the Prograf especially can cause major changes with your nervous system, which I guess could be causing our anxiety and personality changes. Have you ever looked into any medication to help with the focus issues? I've considered looking into that, but there's so much we can't take because of our immunosuppressants that I'm not sure if there are many options.
Please let me know what the neuro-psych recommends... I might go ahead and search for one myself. Currently, I'm seeing a therapist who has been able to help quite a bit with the anxiety, but there's only so much you can do when it's actual chemicals and medication causing you to be anxious rather than just a mis-perception of certain situations. My therapist has suggested pulling together a team (including her, a psych, and my nephrologist) to help overcome these problems. I hoping that will help.
It can be incredibly emotionally, psychologically, and physically straining to attempt to adapt to these changes, but it's so good to hear that you aren't alone. It's unfortunate that some doctors don't take their patients emotional complaints seriously and we end up having to search for answers ourselves. But, what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger!
I will continue to post any updates I hear from my doctors/therapist and continue to check on here so we can try to figure out how to deal with these confusing changes. Thank you again for your help!
Leslie
Kidney Transplant 4/09 |
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Leslie
Member
Username: Lmichelle12
Post Number: 4
Registered: 07-2010
| | Posted on Saturday, July 24, 2010 - 04:57 pm: |
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And good luck with your neuro-psych appointment! I hope you get all the answers you're looking for. That's so exciting!
Leslie
Kidney Transplant 4/09 |
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Hostess Rise
Board Administrator
Username: Rise
Post Number: 13813
Registered: 05-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, July 24, 2010 - 05:07 pm: |
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Hi Leslie
Have you looked at what you eat as trigger for anxiety? Sugary foods can definitely create havoc on the mind and body. Lack of sleep, negative thinking and feeling angry can all contribute to anxiety. Is there a thought that triggers you to have these anxiety attacks?
What helped me 100percent with attacking my anxiety was practicing practicing and practicing ENERY Medicine daily. I devoted an entire blog to this
http://www.transplantbuddies.org/tbx/messages/12043/11510.html?1279707294
There are many different topics here and some of them might seem foreign to you. Energy Medicine by Donna Eden is the best book in my opinion for learning how to help yourself by holding specific points on your body to calm down the chemicals that surface during the anxiety period.
I could hardly breathe before my double lung transplant and after practicing the lung sedating points numerous times daily, I was able to reduce the need for an increase in oxygen. There is so much to learn and if you are interested, I suggest you buy the book. Let me know if you do so I can help you with any questions.
I was able to help myself and not need any anti-depressants prior to the transplant.
Be well
Rise
Cystic Fibrosis- dx at 2yrs. -2nd double lung tx-05
Debra Fertel MD- Med. Dir. Lung Transplant/Pulmonary Hypertension Programs
Jackson Memorial Hospital
Si Pham MD, Professor of Surgery, Dir. of Thoracic Transplant & Artificial Heart Program-Miam Transplant Institute
Anas Hadeh MD, Cleveland Clinic, Weston, Florida
CF consultant- Critical Care and Sleep Medicine
Sharing Knowledge is an Invaluable Experience
Transplant Friends & Chat
Questions- Contact Hostess Rise' |
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Leslie
Member
Username: Lmichelle12
Post Number: 5
Registered: 07-2010
| | Posted on Saturday, July 24, 2010 - 05:22 pm: |
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Hi Rise,
Thank you for the suggestion, I will definitely look into getting the Energy Medicine book. I never thought of having to work on anxiety to directly help accommodate the effects of a double lung transplant- WOW! I'm so glad you found something to help you. I really admire that! I know it couldn't have been easy.
One of the things I was forced to learn prior to and after my transplant was that I absolutely cannot live life like a typical college student, meaning I stay away from sweets, energy drinks, caffeine, I get on average 8 hours of sleep a night (when my meds permit it), and my diet is loaded with fruits and vegetables. Basically, I'm the weirdest college student you will ever meet lol! I had CKD due to bacterial meningitis at 8 years old and did not receive a transplant until I was 18, now I am in my 20s, so I've practically grown up in a hospital and having to pay particular attention to living a healthy life style. Since my well-being has depended on it my entire life, I welcome any knowledge and advice on how to better my lifestyle more, so I thank you for informing me of this!
Please let me know how I can learn more- I would love to try to apply this to my daily lifestyle.
Best of luck to you.
Leslie
Kidney Transplant 4/09 |
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miocean
Member
Username: Miocean
Post Number: 8
Registered: 07-2010
| | Posted on Sunday, July 25, 2010 - 10:09 pm: |
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I started having panic attacks in college but didn't know what they were. They would come out of the blue for no reason at all. I could be an a "safe" place with my friends and would freak out. They usually affected my bowels. i was put on Xanax and have used it ever since (30 years). i could be in a line at a store and have one. Noises seem to set them off, like the beeping sound of the automatic registers.I was on Wellbutrin and Lexapro while on dialysis. I was especially panicked when a friend offered me a kidney and I had to go out of state for 10 days of tests, just reading my schedule before I went made me crazy. Since the transplant have been doing so well that my psychiatrist took me off them and told me I don't have to see him again unless I feel I need to. I still take Xanax but am hoping I can give that up too. Panic attacks are no fun and others don't understand them. I hope you get the help you need.
Diffuse Scleroderma
Kidney Transplant March 11, 2010
St. Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston, NJ |
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Hostess Rise
Board Administrator
Username: Rise
Post Number: 13836
Registered: 05-2003
| | Posted on Monday, July 26, 2010 - 01:55 pm: |
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Hi Leslie
I would definitely buy the book and if you like what you have read on the blog I created buy the video as well or just by the video and not the book. You can get a discount by calling this number Call 1-541-488-7662, and mention TransplantBuddies for a discount
There are so many techniques to use daily and since you are eating healthy, hopefully the tips you practice from this book or video will help you like it has helped me.
I read many years ago that supplementing with magesium can help with anxiety. I take a high dose of my transplant medications and taking magesium citrate has helped eliminate all anxiety for me. I can handle a tiny amount of anxiety with deep breathing but now since I am practicing yoga daily and started taking magnesium citrate in small doses, No anxiety at all.
Listen to your body and respect your mind do not feed into negative thoughts.
Let me know when you get the book or video or both. There is a lot of reading and I am not sure about your time schedule. If you had to choose with one, I would buy the DVD.
Cystic Fibrosis- dx at 2yrs. -2nd double lung tx-05
Debra Fertel MD- Med. Dir. Lung Transplant/Pulmonary Hypertension Programs
Jackson Memorial Hospital
Si Pham MD, Professor of Surgery, Dir. of Thoracic Transplant & Artificial Heart Program-Miam Transplant Institute
Anas Hadeh MD, Cleveland Clinic, Weston, Florida
CF consultant- Critical Care and Sleep Medicine
Sharing Knowledge is an Invaluable Experience
Transplant Friends & Chat
Questions- Contact Hostess Rise' |
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BD
Member
Username: Bd1
Post Number: 64
Registered: 03-2009
| | Posted on Thursday, July 29, 2010 - 10:52 pm: |
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Yes its true. I'm a college student and feel the same things like you. Also I notice a increase in sweating. Like when I'm standing in line, my forehead will all of a sudden sweat. It gets annoying. |
dbish99
Member
Username: Dbish99
Post Number: 1
Registered: 08-2010
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 04, 2010 - 07:09 pm: |
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i had my kidney transplant june 22 and have had nothing but lightheadedness and aneixty and near fainting spells anyone else have this and figure it out |
Ruth
Member
Username: Steelman43
Post Number: 1
Registered: 03-2011
| | Posted on Sunday, March 20, 2011 - 02:30 pm: |
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I received a kidney transplant on December 12, 2006. Six months into my recovery, I started to attend college. I had a hard time concentrating in class, and the anxiety was unbarable when I had to participate. I was able to finish college, and was hired on at one of my externship sites. My anxiety has affected my job to the point that I may lose my job soon. I take five prograf 1 mg, and cellcept 500 mg three times a day. My doctor tells me that my anxiety is caused by getting older. I have always had some form of anxiety all my life, but after the transplant it has gotten worse. My heart pounds so hard and fast that I feel like passing out. I can't sleep at night, and I am always tired, depression and anxiety about going to work or dealing with the public is ruining my life. Need someone to talk to!!!! |
jaimeskidney
Member
Username: Jaimeskidney
Post Number: 86
Registered: 10-2009
| | Posted on Sunday, March 20, 2011 - 06:54 pm: |
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Here's an update for me. I've been going to the neuro-psych doc now for about 6 months. First he wanted to regulate the antidepressant I was on and had some pretty good ideas on that. While I still struggle with depression it isn't as bad. But just last month he started me on a very low dose of adderall - 5 mg - and gave me a type that goes in an out of my system very quickly - maybe 4 hours tops with no residual. He said only to take it when I really need to concentrate on something specific.
I have found that it is help me some. Not dramatically but some. I can increase my dose to 10 if I want to and I might try that.
Prograf and Cellcept can play with your head either with lack of focus or anxiety or even depression for some of us so pay attention to it and find a good doc who will listen. If you're in the Chicago area, let me know and I'll refer you to mine. I like him very much and he is truly paying attention to everything.
Carol with Jaime's Kidney
Kidney Transplant 12/13/07
Loyola Medical Center - Maywood, IL
Dr. David Holt |
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Andrew
Member
Username: 1andrew9
Post Number: 1
Registered: 06-2011
| | Posted on Thursday, June 16, 2011 - 03:53 pm: |
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Hey guys, I had a transplant 11 years ago - still going strong minus a bout of acute rejection. I've experience a lot of the things you all have mentioned - and random episodes of lethargy (very very randomly!) as well as being emotional, getting tremors at random moments (feels like I'm about to faint because my sugar levels are low), etc. I was also pre-med and had many extracurricular activities going on - I think it could be a combination of meds, getting burned out, not knowing how to attack anxiety proactively, etc.
Let me know if you have specific questions - I've found that this thing called "mindfulness" helps. I've seen a psychologist as well - he didn't help very much because his best solution involved prescription drugs - which I didn't want any more of/rely on if possible. |
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