ive had a lung transplant 6 months ago, is bad to drink?

January 17th, 2010 | by admin |

i got a lung transplant and im drinking but not all the time only like 5 times a month, is that bad with all that medication i taking?

I had a lung transplant almost 3 year ago (due to Cystic Fibrosis) and my docs strongly discourage drinking alcohol as it has an impact to most of the medications prescribed for rejection control. It can affect the levels of the medication in your blood and how quickly your body uses the meds, which may be more or less than what you need. Also remember that with your suppressed immune system your body is more susceptible to damage from external influences.

You should talk to your doctors and your pharmacist about the impact of your alcohol consumption on your specific drug regimen. You need to be completely honest with them regarding the frequency and quantity or they won’t be able to provide you with the most accurate answer. In your first year your body is undergoing a number of ‘adjustments’ from your transplant so the direction provided by your medical team may change occasionally as time goes on. Keep the lines of communication with them open…not being completely honest about your activities and issues will only serve to limit the amount of time you have in your ‘new’ life.

Best wishes.

  1. 9 Responses to “ive had a lung transplant 6 months ago, is bad to drink?”

  2. By emkay4597 on Jan 17, 2010 | Reply

    probably not in moderation. you probably have follow ups and may be on anti-reject type meds so just ask next time your in…
    -edit- in the meantime, ask the pharmasist or call the doctor and ask or just wait til you go in again…
    References :

  3. By B on Jan 17, 2010 | Reply

    Ask your doctor. duh. Nobody on yahoo answers knows the details of your situation. Not even the doctors reading your questions. My educated guess would be Yes, it is bad. You should consider yourself lucky to even be here after having a lung transplant and your worried about getting drunk. Sheesh.
    References :

  4. By jaani113 on Jan 17, 2010 | Reply

    If I were given the gift of a lung transplant, then I would certainly do all I can to ensure that this lung stays healthy.

    Your question would be best asked to your physician and answered by your physician. But based on what I know about transplants, I believe that you have to take medication to insure that your body does not reject this lung. I have never seen a medication that reccommends alchohol consumption.

    Does your medication warnings state do not drink alcohol while taking this medication? You could also ask your pharmacist. If i were you i would not drink.

    I did look up lung transplants to see what kind of medication you might be on, and then went to a drug site to cross reference. I have put the information below.
    References :
    http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/drug-information/DR202743

  5. By arlenerios@sbcglobal.net on Jan 17, 2010 | Reply

    Thats something you should ask your doctor.
    References :

  6. By SHARI on Jan 17, 2010 | Reply

    Nothing like playing with fire! You are so blessed to have had a lung transplant. Why are you risking it by drinking? Stop abusing your body. Get some help if you have a drinking problem!
    References :

  7. By Newlungs2004 on Jan 17, 2010 | Reply

    I had a lung transplant almost 3 year ago (due to Cystic Fibrosis) and my docs strongly discourage drinking alcohol as it has an impact to most of the medications prescribed for rejection control. It can affect the levels of the medication in your blood and how quickly your body uses the meds, which may be more or less than what you need. Also remember that with your suppressed immune system your body is more susceptible to damage from external influences.

    You should talk to your doctors and your pharmacist about the impact of your alcohol consumption on your specific drug regimen. You need to be completely honest with them regarding the frequency and quantity or they won’t be able to provide you with the most accurate answer. In your first year your body is undergoing a number of ‘adjustments’ from your transplant so the direction provided by your medical team may change occasionally as time goes on. Keep the lines of communication with them open…not being completely honest about your activities and issues will only serve to limit the amount of time you have in your ‘new’ life.

    Best wishes.
    References :
    Myself. Bi-lateral lung transplant #759 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital 08/26/04.

  8. By Tim and Linda B on Jan 17, 2010 | Reply

    my doctors were against me drinking, I (Tim) had a bilateral lung transplant 12 years ago due to cystic fibrosis. you should be thanking God for a second chance instead of trying to find ways to destroy yourself.
    References :
    my life

  9. By martinamagrace on Jan 17, 2010 | Reply

    If I were you, I would not drink. I would have thought your doctors would have told you in detail what your limitations are. I know some of the meds you would be on with a transplant & drinking is not good.

    I do know drinking is said to be bad for your lungs. Not as bad as cigarettes, but bad. Did you know that drinking can cause mouth, throat & tonsil cancer??
    References :

  10. By constance c on Jan 17, 2010 | Reply

    I can’t believe you!!! I’ve just been told I need a lung transplant and if I’m lucky enough to be excepted I’ll thank God for a second chance to live and spend precious time with my family.
    References :

Post a Comment