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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1066
 
| Has anyone here donated (or received) a kidney? My brother in law has been experiencing ongoing serious issues with his kidneys since birth, and is in and out of the hospital every month. I am O- and in great health so I think there's a good chance I might be an eligible donor, but of course I want to make good and sure this is what I want to do before offering. I'm doing research, but I'd love to talk to somebody what has experience in this as well. | |
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 BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25351
 
Location: Bastrop, Texas | God bless you. This is something near and dear to my heart. Most of my career was dedicated to kidney transplantation, so I'll tell you whatever you want to know.
Years ago the only way you could donate a kidney was to a "living-related" donor. That typically meant a first degree relative, such as a sibling, child, or parent. That has changed, and now it is possible to donate to a living, non-related recipient....this includes your scenario.
You would have to be ABO compatible. In other words, your blood would have to be compatible. Also, you would have to be in generally good health with normal kidney function. Donating a kidney, if you have healthy kidney function, is something that poses very little risk to you, in terms of chances of renal failure in the future. Luckily, we are blessed with a "spare" kidney, and we can get by just fine even if we only have 50% function of just one kidney. Your brother-in-law can always go on a waiting list for a cadaveric kidney, and the wait time varies, depending on blood type and his "antibody titers" to human antigens. If he has a high percentage of antibodies, then it might take a very long time to get a kidney from a donor against whom he has no antibodies. People get high titers from previous transfusions, childbirth (pregnancy), and prior transplants. If he hasn't received transfusions in the past, then chances are he doesn't have circulating antibodies against your kidney. Before you are considered to be a safe, acceptable donor, they do blood typing, routine blood tests, and a preliminary cross match to make sure he doesn't have antibodies to your antigens, so as to minimize the chances of him rejecting your kidney. Also you'd probably need certain tests like an ultrasound of your kidney, and, depending on the center, something to get a look at the arterial anatomy of your kidneys. You shouldn't have to pay for any of this. From an economic standpoint, transplantation is a huge bargain over the long haul. I have several former patients who are leading normal lives 20-25 years after a live donor transplant. His chances of keeping your kidney functioning adequately over the long term are a little better with a living donor, as opposed to a cadaveric donor (ie: one from a brain dead organ donor), but graft survival rates are excellent in both instances. The other good news is that the operation is much less painful than it used to be because many centers do "laparoscopic-assisted" donor nephrectomy.....good news for you! The complications post op are rare, but like any operation, there are potential complications.
The most important message I would tell you is that if you decide to proceed, you are a hero. You will be rewarded that knowledge for the rest of your life. | |
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Expert
Posts: 3147
| A member of my church donated a kidney to her sister around fifteen years ago and both have done well. If you would like to talk to her let me know and I will get you her phone number. | |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| The question I would ask is what are the potential complications of only having one kidney and pregnancy. As if I remember correct you have only one little one and under the age of 2. I don't know if you guys want another, but it would be a question I would be asking doctors.
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  Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | I had my bad kidney removed when I was 17 and have had 2 children and did fine.
Edited by Bibliafarm 2015-12-31 7:08 PM
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BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25351
Location: Bastrop, Texas | cheryl makofka - 2015-12-31 7:02 PM
The question I would ask is what are the potential complications of only having one kidney and pregnancy. As if I remember correct you have only one little one and under the age of 2. I don't know if you guys want another, but it would be a question I would be asking doctors.
It should have no bearing on future pregnancy. | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1066
| Thank you so much for all the info! That's exactly what I was looking for. I'm unsure of my brother in law's blood type, but being O- should mean I can donate to anyone, should it not? I've only just begun contemplating this, but I'm really leaning towards doing it as he has a young son, and suffering from recurring kidney infections is greatly affecting his quality of life. I would say once a month he is in the hospital for something kidney related.
I've read that I need to avoid contact sports if I choose to donate- does this mean I would have to stop riding for risk of falling off? Or wear a flack jacket and I should be ok?
Also, as Cheryl mentioned, I do have a 20 month old son and plan on having one more. Would I need to wait until I'm done having children to donate? ETA. Just saw your response on that??
How long does full recovery typically take? As in, under normal circumstances when would I be able to start riding again (this isn't a deciding factor, just purely out of curiosity). I'm in great health and aside from the odd concussion and rugby injuries (liniments and bones) I've never had any sort of health issues.
Edited by Tys-ol-lady 2015-12-31 8:25 PM
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BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25351
Location: Bastrop, Texas | Certainly, it's always possible for you to lose your remaining kidney, in the event of an accident of some sort. Thankfully, our kidneys are very well protected and in about the safest location within the human body. Yes, there is that risk, but my guess is it is probably less than 0.1%. The risk of a life threatening complication post op is also less than 0.1%. The risk of other complications that are not life threatening complications is on the order of about 2-3% (wound infections, etc...). Like I said, donating a kidney should have no effect on your ability to conceive and have a normal pregnancy. You don't have to wait. | |
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BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25351
Location: Bastrop, Texas | You probably shouldn't do anything strenuous, including riding, for at least a month, post op. Obviously that needs to be discussed with your surgeon.
ETA: I forgot the question on your blood type. Yes, I would think you should be an acceptable donor.
Edited by Bear 2015-12-31 9:14 PM
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Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | Living with one kidney is not to bothersome at all.. you have to take care of yourself as far as I dont drink alcohol.. I think you could but Id take care of it. I have been training jumpers and have fallen off landed on slammed into and am still ok.. a direct hit would be football style and that could happen even with 2 kidneys.. there is always risks but I certainly wouldnt let that sway you.. because life with one kidney really isnt any differant then 2.. I do stay away from salt.. and liquor .. I know the question wasnt to me but maybe it will help ease your mind..also praying for your brother and you ... you are a angel for wanting to help him to be able to live a normal life.. its one of the most cherished gifts anyone can give.. god bless you..
Edited by Bibliafarm 2015-12-31 9:27 PM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1066
| Thank you all so much! After speaking with him and his wife this evening it sounds like they gave a few other things to try before it comes to a transplant, but if those don't help that will be the route they have to go. At least now they know they don't have to be too stressed about finding a donor if/when it does come to that. I just hate that his quality of life is suffering so badly while he goes through all these infections... | |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 403
Location: Armuchee, GA, NW section of Ga | I can tell you our personal experiences. My DH had failing kidney for along time due to his diabetes. After after his kidney function dropped to levels totally unacceptable he had to have dialysis. He was on PD for several years until that too was not doing him any good. A transplant was his only option. He was evaluated at a couple hospitals in Atlanta, and he was rejected due to his BMI being too high. They have great outcomes because they are very selective about who they accept. So they referred us to two in our immediate area which is UAB and Wake Forrest. He was accepted at both. Then came the process of getting donors tested. That in itself is a huge process. Sure he was on the list at both hospitals for cadaver kidneys but the wait time is approximately 5-7 years. Much too long. So I tested, his immediate family tested, friends & co workers tested, all in attempts to find a good match. All were rejected for various reasons. Then our daughter tested as a final one. She was a perfect match. Very healthy, 35 year old single women in excellent physical condition. We opted to have the transplant at UAB because it was only a couple hours driving time from our home which is much closer than Wake Forest, which is a 7-8 hour drive. We knew that we would have to live at close or stay close by after the hospital stay because of daily testing for 7 weeks. They had the transplant in May 2015. It was a great new life beginning, life saving operation for my DH. Our daughter came thru great, the donated kidney started producing urine immediately. Both are doing wonderfully. No problems at all, in fact the doctors have reduced his labs to monthly, and MD visits to every 6 months. Life is indeed good. So tell your BIL that a transplant isn't bad, and yes for you, O-is good for donation. I think it is a universal donor. The plus or negative is not a sticking point. They will further test blood for good matches, OR you can do a "round about" donation. Like if you do not match him, then perhaps you can match for someone else who's donor don't exctly match them but does match your BIL. A swap. Sometimes it has 2,3, or even 4 swaps. Each gets a kidney, each donor matches someone in the swap. Good coordination is essential. Best of luck.
I should also mention, when I say our daughter, I meant she is my blood daughter, my DH's heart daughter. He is her step father but is actually closer, so I say his heart daughter. The transplant only brought them closer if that was possible. My DH blood relations were not matches.
Edited by janjan1 2016-01-01 10:03 AM
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 Duct Tape Can't Fix Stupid
Posts: 2748
Location: Warsaw,NY | I currently work in Kidney/Pancreas transplant. There is a process you need to go thru and there are several tests to make sure u are compatible. there are all different things that factor into compatibility your best bet is to call the transplant center your BIL is listed at and ask to speak to the living donor coordinator. That person will tell you everything you need to know and everything that is needed to be done. | |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 403
Location: Armuchee, GA, NW section of Ga | I agree, call to set up appointment to get tested as a living donor. First step. They can then guide you thru the process. But the call is step one. I will tell you, that my daughter has said the surgery wasn't bad, and she would do it again. She had not had any type of surgery in the past at all, this was her very first time. No problems before, tests Etc, or after. Very smooth, very text book, great communication between donor team and receipt team. The BIL insurance will take care of all the expenses for him, and the donor. | |
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