Kidney Transplants
 

Someone in my family would like a Kidney donation. It's not an immediate family member like parent, brother, grandparent etc but someone I am directly related to. The relative is almost 60. I feel really obligated to do it, but quite frankly it scares the shit out of me.

I'm only 31, but I've read there can be complications during the surgery and even after the surgery. Even if the risk is low, there is still a risk. I mean, what if I need that kidney later on in life? I've read that kidney donors can possibly develop complications two years or so after the donation and some have even had to go on dialysis themselves.

I used to have a pretty bad energy drink obsession, in fact, I just stopped drinking 2 or 3 a day about a month ago. I had a blood test done and found out that my "uric acid", creatinine level was high. I believe my GFR level was not the best. When I say high, it was just at or above the "outer range". I'm not overweight or fat or anything. I have perfect blood pressure, but I eat red meat and pork about 7 times a week so I have a severely low good cholesterol level and a relatively high bad cholesterol level. I'm sure they can tell me this when I get screened, probably looks like I'm making excuses but I don't want to look like an asshole and I don't want my relative to die either.

The relative needing a kidney isn't necessarily going to die right away I don't think, they would eventually have to go on dialysis and they are on a waiting list for a kidney. In my reading on the internet, it does not even appear the kidney has to come from a family member, just someone as a suitable match. I do know they are on a list for a kidney.

What does CP know about this? Any life experiences or people in the know?

Are you a match?

Haven't even got that far, but I don't want to go in to the doctor, find out I'm a match and be like nah.

This would be a tough decision. I'd see if you're a match, because if you don't really want to do it, and if you're not a match, it's out of your control.

I have a good friend who donated a kidney to one of their cousins. She regrets it every day of her life. Her quality of life has been much worse since the donation (10 years ago). She had extreme weight gain right after the surgery (60 pounds) that she has spent 10 years trying to reverse. She has lost about 40 of the 60 pounds.

Her remaining kidney has started to have trouble and her doctors have told her she will have to very on dialysis sometime in the next couple of years.

If it isn't a direct family member like your parents or siblings, I wouldn't do it. Especially if the person is 60 years old. You are still very young and IMO it's not worth the risk.

Yup... it sucks but they are old(ish) and had their time.

If they get a kidney from someone plowing their motorcycle into a mountain then so be it but there is no reason, IMHO, for someone of that age to receive/accept an organ from someone who hasn't even hit the midway point in theirs.

That's exactly how I feel. I'm 43 and I wouldn't accept accept a kidney from a relative that was 20-30 years old.

I'd take all this into account for sure. Ultimately, it's a personal decision. Keep doing your research and talk to doctors that have done the procedure. Hopefully they will be able to 3-D Print Livers later in my life.

Side note - I learned recently that summer is referred to as "Donorcycle Season" among the medical community.

I'm sure they give up their fair share of organs.

If they aren't on dialysis yet don't even think about it yet.

Tell them you have AIDS.

It's something you do for someone you love. Why are you even thinking about this?

The only way I would do this is if it was for a direct family member who was close to my age or younger. Honestly...if I was 60 and needed a kidney, I wouldn't even think about asking someone that much younger than me.

Likely because his doing this will lead to a lifetime of health complications. Because agreeing to have a chunk of you cut out might merit more than just a cursory thought before jumping in?

/thinking out loud