Resuming Life After Lung Transplantation

After returning home, you want to resume "normal living." If you want to go to a movie or a social occasion and feel up to it, DO IT! If you'd like have friends visit you at home, that's OK too! Try as much as possible to return to your normal routine.

However, the key is moderation and understanding your limits. Initially, you will probably have less energy than you did before surgery. It takes time for your body to heal and adjust to your new medications. Napping and pacing your activities is recommended to prevent placing a strain on your recovery.

Animals

No birds should be kept in your house, as their droppings may cause lung infection. Cats should be declawed, and you may not change their litter.
Please consult your doctor if you have any other pets or exotic animals.

Exercise

Exercise will become an important part of your life, enabling a faster return to your routine activities, and helping you maintain overall improved health. Exercise has been shown to improve muscle tone, as well as the functioning of your heart and lungs. It also helps reduce stress, and achieve and maintain ideal body weight.

When you return home, we recommend that you exercise daily. We suggest walking 15-20 minutes daily, and gradually increase time as tolerated.

Do not resume workouts with heavy weights until you have been cleared to do so by the transplant team.

Returning to School and Work

You should be able to return to school or work within 3-6 months. Your transplant team will help you decide what is best for you. You may wish to discuss career counseling with the transplant team's social worker.

Driving After Lung Transplant Surgery

You will not be able to drive for about 4 weeks after your transplant. The medications we prescribe can cause tremors, weakness, and blurred vision, and these side effects, often worse in the first few months, make handling a car difficult. Therefore, we recommend that you abstain from driving until you are cleared to do so by the transplant team.

Routine Self Examination After Lung Transplantation

Developing certain cancers is more common when people are on immunosuppressive medications. Because of this, we recommend monthly breast and testicular self-examination and routine medical check-ups. PAP smears, breast exams, testicular exams, and skin cancer screening should be done by your physician every year. Your local physician can perform these tests but duplicate reports should be sent to the transplant team to help us in your follow-up care.

Skin and Hair Care After Lung Transplant Surgery

Acne:

Prednisone may cause acne on your face, chest, shoulders, and/or back, plus cyclosporine can make your skin oily in these areas. Wash any acned area(s) thoroughly three times a day, every day. Scrubbing gently with a wet washcloth and mild soap will help remove accumulating oils, dead skin, and bacteria. Vigorous rubbing and scrubbing can irritate your skin. Avoid soaps that contain creams or oils (such as Dove®, Tone®, or Caress®) because they will aggravate the acne. Completely rinse soap from your skin to leave your pores open and clean. Use a clean washcloth each time you wash. If your skin becomes excessively dry, stop washing those areas temporarily to allow the skin to recover its natural moisture.

If washing with bar soap does not improve or control your acne, use a non-prescription acne mediation with benzoyl peroxide (Oxy® 5 or Oxy® 10). Start by applying benzoyl peroxide 5% once a day. If redness and peeling are not excessive after three days, apply twice per day, gradually leaving it on for longer periods of time until it is left on all day. You may need to use a 10% benzoyl peroxide preparation if your acne is not controlled by the 5% preparation.

We recommend that you do not use Retina A, a powerful acid form of vitamin A. It causes increased sun sensitivity, which should be avoided because you are taking Prednisone.

Other Ways to Control Acne After Lung Transplantation

  • Shampoo you hair and scalp frequently.
  • Keep your hands away from your face and avoid rubbing the affected skin.
  • Do not use cosmetics. Avoid the use of medicated hypoallergenic cosmetics meant to cover acne. If you wear make-up, your acne will probably not improve.
  • Do not pick or touch your acne. This will help prevent infections.
  • If acne remains a problem, tell us about it. Severe or infected acne must be treated by a dermatologist.

Dry Skin:

If you have problems with dry skin, use a mild soap and apply body lotion after bathing. For severely dry or scaly skin you may need a rich body lotion such as Alpha Keri®. Alpha Keri also offers an excellent bath oil. There are many good moisturizing products available from your local drug store without prescription; try to find those that work best for you.

Cuts and Scratches:

Keep minor cuts and scratches clean and dry by washing daily with soap and water. If you wish, you may apply an antiseptic such as bacteria solution. For larger cuts, dog bites, etc. contact your local physician immediately.

Sun Exposure:

Transplant recipients run added risk for developing skin and lip cancers, and this risk increases over time. Prednisone makes your skin more sensitive to the sun, so you will burn easier, faster, and to a greater degree than you did before the transplant. Prolonged and repeated exposure to the sun's ultraviolet radiation produces permanent and damaging skin changes. The darker your skin, the more natural protection you have against burning and skin damage. But, bear in mind that you can now burn even if you are black because your medications make you more sensitive to the sun.

You will not need any special skin care unless you develop problems with acne or dry skin. You should take a bath or shower as often as necessary (daily or every other day) to keep your skin clean. It is important to be aware that any persistent skin problem will require evaluation by a dermatologist.

Skin Cancer

Your risk of developing skin cancer increases with your length of time after transplant. Skin cancers are ten times more common in transplant patients than among the general population. Therefore, it is essential that you limit your exposure to the sun, and that you protect yourself with proper clothing and sunscreens when you are outside.

Warning signs of skin cancer are any sore that bleeds, scabs, grows, or does not heal in a few weeks. Such sores are most likely to appear on the exposed parts of your body like your face, neck, head (especially if you are bald), and your hands and arms. A mole that bleeds or changes color or size must be examined immediately.

The components of the sun's radiation responsible for skin cancers are the ultraviolet (UV) rays, which are present even on cloudy days and in shady areas. We advise you to always protect your skin from exposure to UV radiation. Avoid the midday sun (10:00 am-3:00 pm) when ultraviolet rays are strongest. The window glass in cars prevents most harmful ultraviolet rays from reaching you. For extra protection from the sun, wear sunscreen lotion and lip balm (SPF 15 or above), broad brimmed hats, long sleeves and slacks every day when you are outdoors.

Hair Care After Lung Transplant Surgery

Prednisone often weakens the condition of your hair. Permanent wave lotions, tints, dyes, and bleaching may cause your hair to break. We recommend that you check with your physician before you have a permanent or color your hair.

Increased Hair Growth:

This problem is caused by cyclosporine, and is especially annoying to women. You can remove hair with a hair removal cream. There are several on the market made especially for the face. There are a number of products you can try, these are just a few – Sally Hansen® facial hair remover, Elizabeth Arden® facial hair remover, or Nair's® Only for Facial Hair remover. Be sure to test your tolerance of the product by following directions on the bottle. Hair removers can cause severe irritation to the eyes, lips, and mucous membranes, so apply carefully. A safer way to diminish the appearance of excessive hair is to bleach the growth with a 50% peroxide solution. Caution: patients should be particularly careful when using these products on infants and children because their skin tends to be more sensitive.

Dental Care After Lung Transplantation

You may have received a dental consultation during your pre-transplant workup to be sure that any necessary dental work would be completed before transplantation. If so, it is not necessary to have routine dental work performed for at least six months following transplant. This includes having your teeth cleaned. However, if you have tooth or gum pain, you should see your dentist immediately.

After transplantation, you need to take an antibiotic when you have dental work done, including cleaning and polishing. You can obtain a letter from the Transplant Office for your dentist regarding your antibiotic prescription.

It is extremely important that you practice good oral hygiene after your transplant. Brush your teeth once or twice a day. You should floss your teeth after transplant, but flossing can irritate your gums and cause bleeding, so be gentle.

If your dental work was not completed before transplantation, you must see your dentist for evaluation within the first few months after your return home. Follow the procedure outlined below when you visit the dentist.

  • Make an appointment
  • Have the dentist examine your mouth and teeth, but do not allow either the dentist nor a hygienist to pick, clean, or polish your teeth.
  • If this is necessary, antibiotics must be taken.
  • Have the dentist take X-rays if necessary.
  • Schedule all needed appointments as closely together as possible when your dentist knows what work needs to be done.

Your prednisone dose should be as low as possible when dental work is done to reduce the possibility of infection and bleeding, and to enhance the healing process. But do not avoid dental checkups just because your prednisone dose is still high.

If you or your dentist has any questions, contact the transplant office for further information.

Smoking After Lung Transplant Surgery

We recommend strongly that you do not smoke. Smoking damages your new lungs, putting you at greater risk for lung infections, including bronchitis, emphysema and pneumonia. It also increases your risk of developing cancer.

Cancer is the leading cause of death after transplantation and smoking dramatically increases the risk of developing lung and other cancers after lung transplant. Smoking diminishes your red blood cells' ability to carry oxygen, so less oxygen reaches all of your tissues and this decreases your ability to heal. Smoking narrows your blood vessels, especially those in your legs, arms, and heart. Smoking also increases the acid in your stomach which will delay or prevent the healing of any ulcers you may develop. Plus, all of these problems are more serious in individuals taking immunosuppressive medications.

Alcohol

Do NOT drink alcoholic beverages. This includes non-alcoholic beers, which still contain small amounts of alcohol. Alcohol is metabolized (broken down) by the liver and causes damage which can lead to liver failure. Imuran, cyclosporine, and Bactrim are also metabolized in the liver. Combining these medications with alcohol can seriously harm your liver.

Sexual Activity After Lung Transplantation

Sexuality is an important part of who you are as a person. It is more than sexual intercourse. Sexuality involves how you feel about yourself as a man or woman, the giving and receiving of sensual (feeling) pleasure, the desire for closeness with another person, and the release of sexual tension.

A person's sexuality is affected when they have lung failure. This is caused for a variety of reasons. Men may experience impotence (problems getting or maintaining an erection) and a decreased sexual drive (libido). Women's menstrual cycles may become irregular or stop completely.

Some patients take blood pressure medications that can interfere with sexual function. These medicines can cause drowsiness and fatigue, in addition to decreased sexual drive, menstrual cycle irregularities, and/or decreased vaginal lubrication. Sometimes, even though the body functions normally, the sexual experience is not enjoyable. Some patients have found talking to a counselor helpful and this can be arranged by the transplant team.

Lung transplantation can improve some aspects of your sexual functioning. Chronic fatigue should diminish and make sexual life more enjoyable. Men will typically have fewer problems in gaining and maintaining an erection. A woman may resume her menstrual cycle and pregnancy is often possible.

After your lung transplant, however, some things may not get better. You may still need blood pressure medicines and these may affect your sexual functioning. Talk with your doctor or nurse if you are concerned about your blood pressure medicines. Your physician may be able to change your medication to enhance your sexual activity and still control your blood pressure.

Sexuality can also be affected by the medicines that you take to prevent rejection if they cause certain side effects. These might include developing a "moon face," acne, bruising, and/or increased body hair. If a person feels less attractive because of these changes, he or she may feel less interested in sex. Talking with your doctor or nurse about how to diminish the side effects can help.

It is common for transplant recipients to resume a more normal lifestyle, including sexual activity, as they recover. Sexual function may not have been an important part of your life before the transplant, but it may now be higher on your agenda. It is not unusual to worry about something that was unfamiliar in your recent past, but is now taking on new importance. You may also be concerned about the safety of your new lung during intercourse.

Doctors usually recommend waiting 4 to 6 weeks after surgery to begin sexual intercourse. This period gives you and your partner time to share your concerns and feelings, and permits the resumption of your sexual relationship in a slow and relaxed manner. The key to resuming a satisfactory sexual relationship is to talk with your partner in a tender, warm, and affectionate manner. If you do not have a steady partner, it is essential to use condoms to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases.

Women using immunosuppressant medications can develop urinary tract infections with intercourse because they are more prone to infection, and because of the proximity of the vagina, urethra, and anus. To avoid infections, it is important to wash well after bowel movements and to wipe from the front to back. Urinating before and after intercourse and drinking a lot of water can help to prevent urinary tract infections. Symptoms of urinary tract infection are burning while you urinate, smelly or cloudy urine, a fever, or frequent urination. Contact your local doctor's office for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Even though you may not be having regular menstrual periods, it is still possible to become pregnant. It is important to use some type of birth control to avoid unwanted pregnancy. The recommended choices are a diaphragm, sponge, and/or condoms. Used correctly, with spermicidal jellies or creams, they are very effective. There is a higher risk for developing a urinary tract infection if a diaphragm is used. If you have questions or concerns about birth control, talk with the transplant team.

Pregnancy After Lung Transplantation

Some people want to start a family once they have had a lung transplant and recovered their health. For many women this is possible, but there can be greater risks to the mother and fetus. If planning a pregnancy it is important to discuss potential risks with transplant team members so that you can make the right decision for you and your family. Medication adjustments may be necessary.

The transplant program does not recommend pregnancy within the first year after transplant.

Keep Reading Our Transplant Guide

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