Do
my own kidneys have to be removed?
Because of the placement
of the transplanted kidney in the lower abdomen, the
native kidneys are left in place. They are very rarely
removed before transplantation. Medical problems leading
to consideration of removal of the patient’s kidney(s)
prior to transplantation include severe hypertension
that is poorly controlled by multiple medications, recurrent
hospitalizations for infection in the kidneys that require
intravenous antibiotics to treat, tumors, severe and
ongoing protein loss in the urine and symptoms related
to markedly enlarged kidneys.
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How
long will I have to take the anti-rejection medications?
For as long as you have
the kidney. Although the doses decrease with time, your
immune system will always be able to recognize the kidney
as a foreign object in the body and is highly likely
to destroy it in the absence of antirejection medications.
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What
is the age limit for a kidney transplant?
The Loyola University Health
System (Loyola) kidney transplant team believes that
each candidate should be evaluated individually. The
decision is based on the physical condition, rather
than chronological age. Special risks are associated
with the older candidate and these are discussed in
detail so that the candidate, family members and the
transplant team reach a consensus that everyone is comfortable
with.
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Related
Links
Success Story
Transplantation
Services
Kidney Transplantation
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