Post-transplant care

While kidney transplantation is a successful treatment for kidney failure, there is always a possibility that there will be complications. Your transplant team are here to work in partnership with you to help reduce the chance of you experiencing any complications, and to treat these immediately if they happen.

It is important to be aware of what is happening with your body and to tell the transplant clinic team about any changes and symptoms. If you are experiencing any symptoms, please use the Traffic light symptoms guide below to help you to manage and/or decide the best course of action. 

Traffic light symptoms guide

Green:

Keep watch and inform your team if any of the symptoms below last for more than one day.

• your blood pressure is continuously higher or lower than the target agreed with your clinician 
• your blood sugars are continuously higher or lower than the target agreed with your clinician 
• your legs are more swollen than usual 
• your dressing is leaking after the transplant 
• you are passing slightly less urine than usual 
• you are running low on medication 
• you need advice on how to take medication

What you should do: 

1. check and record your blood pressure, weight, and blood sugar (if you have diabetes) throughout the day.
2. If your symptoms carry on for more than one day, call the Transplant clinic and seek advice from the transplant nurses or the renal pharmacist, contact number: 0203 313 4260/4268. 

Amber:

Stay alert and call the renal assessment unit (RAU) or seek urgent advice from your GP if you have any of the symptoms below.

• your urine has a bad smell or you feel pain when you pass urine (have a wee) 
• you have blood in your urine 
• you are passing a great deal less urine than usual 
• your wound is leaking and has a bad smell 
• you have been feeling more breathless when moving around 
• you are feeling pain over your transplant kidney 
• you feel hot and cold, or have a high temperature / low-grade fever 
• you have diarrhoea or vomiting. 

What you should do: 

1. Check your temperature, blood pressure, weight, and, if you have diabetes, your blood sugar
2. If you have diarrhoea or vomiting, do not take your blood pressure medication. If you are on tablets to control diabetes do not take them (but continue with your insulin) 
3. Contact the RAU on 020 3313 6603/04, or seek urgent advice from your GP, or dial NHS 111. 

Red:

Take action - call 999 or NHS 111 if you have any of the symptoms below:

• you have chest pain that is new or getting worse 
• you have a large amount of blood leaking out of your wound 
• you cannot pass urine or you have not passed any urine in the last 24 hours 
• you have the sensation of fainting and your blood pressure is low 
• you have extreme abdominal pain 
• your blood sugars are very high or very low (the machine can’t read the level of your blood sugar) 
• you suddenly feel short of breath or your breathlessness is much worse