reply Sue B - teeth and ankles

June 1, 1999

Sue B.

I was taking Cyclosporin and Prednisone after my transplant. Some of the side

effects were common to both drugs, so I'm not sure where one left off and the

other began.

Tingling in hands and feet, also hand trembles - I could hardly write my name

for a while.

I was very tired all the time and also experienced anxiousness.

I walk a lot and my legs hurt and felt weak - I forced myself to keep walking, I

get really stubborn about some things.

I also got a little patch of acne on the side of my mouth - disgusting

Hair growing everywhere - really disgusting

Hypertension

Growth of gums over my teeth - This started a little over a year after I was on

Cyclosporin. The dentist was going to do surgery but when my drugs were

switched my gums went back to normal.

I don't mean to get into personal hygiene habits, but it's really important to

keep your teeth very clean around the gum line.

Not everyone will have the same side effects and the degree will vary and may

subside over time.

The dose of Cyclosporin is determined by the amount that your body retains.

I don't know what level your doctor is trying to maintain for your treatment.

In the U.S. in order to be effective, the amount of the drug in your system for

post transplant should be between 150-400 ng/mL.

Your labs will show the amount you're retaining. In order to maintain this

level - one person may take 50mg, another may have to take 500mg of cyclosporin,

so the dose really doesn't matter and

it may change month to month depending on your labs.

The most important effect is that it's stopping the attack on your liver - GREAT

NEWS!

Good Luck,

---

Barbara Ann

AIH transplant recipient

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