Popular myths and common questions

Popular myths about living with a kidney transplant 

“If I don’t take my immunosuppression medicines on time, it doesn’t matter” 
We need the levels of the immunosuppression medicines you take to stay as steady as possible in your body and always within the range that is right for you. If you don’t take them at regular times the levels can fluctuate putting you at increased risk of side effects or rejection. 

“I don’t need to put sunscreen on daily” 
We recommend people with a transplant put sunscreen on all year round. Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers after transplantation and the best way to reduce this risk is by using sunscreen and avoiding direct long exposure to sun or sunbeds. 

“I feel okay so I don’t need to come to clinic” 
It is great that you feel ok, however we need to make sure your kidney is working well and sometimes if something is wrong with your kidney you will only notice the symptoms when it’s too late. By reviewing you in clinic and checking your bloods we can detect issues before it affects your kidney. 

“I’m immune to the diseases in the country I was born in so I don’t need travel advice” 
The need for immunosuppression drugs changes your immune system defences. It does not matter if you were born in the country you are visiting. All transplant patients need to visit a travel clinic if they would like to travel outside of the UK. Every time you are thinking about traveling abroad discuss it with your transplant team. 

“Natural medicines are safe” 
Natural medicines do not have to undergo the rigorous testing that the medicines prescribed for you do. Lots of natural medicines can damage your kidney, cause other side effects or interact with the other medicines you are taking. 

“I must drink 3 litres of water a day” 
It is important that you drink the volume of fluid that your transplant team advise, however you shouldn’t just drink water. Drink a range of fluids such as water, tea, coffee and milk. 

“I never had flu. Do I need to take the flu vaccine?” 
Many people have never had flu but that doesn’t mean you won’t catch the flu in the future. Your immunosuppression medicines put you at increased risk of catching the flu. It is very strongly recommended that you have your flu vaccine every year. 

Common questions about your medicines 

Do I need to take vitamin D (colecalciferol)? 
In the first year of transplant we do not recommend that you take vitamin D. At the time of the 1 year post transplant surveillance clinic, we will check your vitamin D levels and advise supplementation if you need. 

Can I take probiotics?
Transplant patients are advised not to take probiotics  

Since I have had a transplant, do I need to pay for my prescriptions? 
Having a transplant does not exempt you from paying prescription charges. If you are not exempt from paying prescription charges for any other reason, you will have to pay for your prescriptions. The most affordable way to do this is to buy a prescription prepayment certificate. They cost £30.25 for three months or £108.10 for one year and will pay for an unlimited number of prescriptions in that time. 

To buy an NHS prescription prepayment certificate: 

• ask for a paper application form at your high street pharmacy/chemist 
• go to the NHS Business Services Authority website and follow the instructions