What to Watch For

Kidney Transplant Patient Signs to Monitor

Are you unsure of when to call your transplant team? Questioning if an issue can wait until the office is open again or if it is an issue that needs to be reviewed by someone on a more urgent basis? We have created a simple guidance document to help you know when to call with questions or concerns.

While you were in the hospital, your doctors and nurses were watching for symptoms of a rejection episode, infection and other problems. Now that you are at home, you need to be a partner in your care and watch for these signs yourself. If you experience any of the following symptoms, or if you "just don't feel right," call the Transplant Center at 617-632-9700, day or night:

  • You are short-of-breath or have chest pain
  • Temperature higher than 100.5 degrees
  • Flu-like symptoms such as chills, aches, joint pain, headache and increased fatigue
  • Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
  • Severe stomach cramps
  • Increased pain, redness or tenderness over your transplant site
  • Abnormal drainage near or on your incision
  • Very dark or tea-colored urine
  • Decrease in the amount of urine or no urine at all
  • Pain or burning when urinating
  • Frequent urination
  • Yellowing of your eyes or skin
  • A six-pound weight gain in less than three days
  • Abnormal blood sugars
  • Sore throat
Kidney Transplant Patient Guidelines
More Reasons to Call
  • You cannot or did not take your anti-rejection medications
  • Your drainage tube comes out
  • You have persistent stomach pain or indigestion
  • You catch a cold or another illness
  • Your urine is cloudy, bloody or smells bad
  • You have been exposed to chicken pox, measles, German measles or mumps, and have never had the disease
  • You lose three pounds in less than one day
  • You have increased swelling in your hands or feet
  • A doctor other than your transplant doctor changes a medication or prescribes a new medication
  • You have sores or blisters in your mouth
  • You see white spots on your tongue or in your mouth
  • You want to take an over-the-counter medication
  • You have symptoms of depression, anxiety or rage
  • You relapse to alcohol or drug use
Your Responsibilities: Signs and Symptoms

Call the Transplant Center at 617-632-9700 if you experience any of the symptoms or situations you have been instructed to watch for, do not feel "right," or have any questions related to your transplant, care and recovery.

Please call for urgent issues at any time. But please call for non-urgent issues, such as prescription refills and doctor appointments, during daytime business hours.