Evaluation of Pain and Kidney Disease by Dr Jessica Donnan By Jim Myers

 Evaluation of Pain and Kidney Disease by Dr Jessica Donnan

By Jim Myers

1. Introduction

I have been asked to review a study entitled, "PAIN," By Dr Jessica Donnan, RN, BScN, MHA, for the GET ON TRACK Study Group. This is a very interesting article concerning the effects of pain from kidney transplants and limited information about pain with chronic kidney disease. It is an excellent, well-written article. It is extremely well organized and documented.

The premise of the study is that you may experience some post-kidney .j transplant pain. The article does a great job of explaining the nature of kidney transplant pain, how to track it to help lower the Pain, the effects medications have on the Pain, and what and how you can alleviate the post-transplant kidney pain. The author does a great job of covering these subjects.

2. Did You Know : Kidney Transplant and Chronic Kidney Disease Pain

The author correctly points out that there may be residual pain after a kidney transplant. This pain has been noted by other writers as well:

"Your belly and side will be sore for the first 1 to 2 weeks after surgery. You also may have some numbness around the cut (incision) the doctor made. You may feel tired while you are healing. It may take 3 to 6 weeks for your energy to fully return."

https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/aftercareinformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=ud1689#abt4526
(Excellent Source for all aspects of this issue; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5258796/

3. Research Evidence Shows: Kidney Transplant Details

The study does an excellent job of the number of patients who have pain post-kidney transplant. Other authors agree.

https://journals.lww.com/nursing/Citation/2009/02000/Managing_posttransplantation_pain_syndromes.42.aspx.

The author makes a distinction between good pain control and poor pain control. Good medication for your newly transplanted kidney is imperative:
"Acetaminophen is the best pain reliever after transplant. Aspirin 81 mg daily for heart protection is okay if instructed by your doctor. Never take NSAIDs like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve)."

https://journals.lww.com/transplantjournal/Fulltext/2020/04000/Nonopioid_Modalities_for_Acute_Postoperative_Pain.10.aspx

https://www.docwirenews.com/nephtimes/opioid-free-pain-management-following-kidney-transplant/

The examples given concerning bad pain control are excellent and clearly defined. The literature agrees with the study's conclusions.

https://www.medigraphic.com/cgi-bin/new/resumenI.cgi?IDARTICULO=21599

4. How Am Doing? Tracking Your Post-Transplant Pain

This section of the paper is particularly helpful. The key here is not only the time of day and the activity causing pain, but tracking both the affects of certain medications (anti-rejection medications may need to be adjusted, changed or discontinued), but also what activities alleviate the pain. Other authors stress the importance of Pain tracking post-transplant.

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/departments/transplant/programs/kidney/recovery

5. What I Can Do To Alliviate the Pain

The study in this section gives us some helpful tips as to how we can alleviate post-transplant pain. The literature seems to confirm many of these suggestions.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/kidney-transplant/about/pac-20384777

6. How Can I Do It: Practical Steps to Alleviate the Pain

Many great post-transplant suggestions are made in this section of the paper. Other suggestion for practical steps to help with your post-transplant kidney are included here:

https://www.barnesjewish.org/Medical-Services/Transplant/Kidney-Transplant/Kidney-Transplant-Process/After-Kidney-Transplant-What-To-Expect; https://www.muhealth.org/conditions-treatments/urology/kidney-transplant/after-transplant

7. Conclusion:
This is a terrific piece about an all to common occurrence, 'pain after a kidney transplant but seldom written issue. There are essential solutions offered here in terms of tracking and things that can be done to prevent or alleviate post kidney transplant pain. For the kidney transplant recipient is an important topic for discussion and it is very well done here.

• Relevance of Content
The content here is entirely relevant and fresh. This is an important topic for any kidney transplant patient.

• Usefulness of Content
The content is extremely useful. The period of adjustments statements give hope to the initially concerned kidney transplant patient.

• Clarity of Content
The content here is crystal clear and simple, comprehensivable explanations of a difficult topic are given here.

• Applicability of Information
The information is very applicable to every kidney transplant patient.

My overall assessment is this is a meaningful article with essential information for kidney transplant patients.