Hi:

Some people have criticized me since my transplant for having resumed drinking the occassional beer or glass of wine. I consider myself a moderate drinker, but they say I should not drink at all. That I�m risking the kidney given to me.
What experiences have others had?
And what about smoking? Isn��t that even more dangerous?

I had a transplant in '86 and was told that the occasional drink would not harm me. I would have a couple of drinks if we were out or at a party. My kidney lasted 12 years. I think the key is to be sensible about it. Obviously you would not want to go out boozing it up on a nightly basis, but I don't think you are going to trash your kidney by having a drink every now and then.

One of the biggest stresses I faced after my transplant was other people telling me what I should and shouldn't do! And they were people who had never had a medical problem in their lives! Ignore the obvious idiots, and thank the well-meaning people, but explain to them that you have consulted your doctor and he has told you that you are not risking the kidney with an occasional beer. If they persist, give them your doctor's phone number and tell them to take it up with him.

I never liked alcohol anyway so thats not a problem but...when mine happens there will be large quantities of Dr. Pepper, Coke, orange juice, tomato juice, and milk around here!

My transplant team cut me off of caffine, just to warn you Livecam