Donating an Organ
 

I have had ocular mg since 1962. Early on I was told not to donate blood because I had an autoimmune disease. I just assumed that there was also a prohibition on the donation of an organ.

Now, my stepdaughter needs a kidney transplant. Many family members are being tested to see if they are compatible. Do any of you know if there is still a prohibition against an autoimmune patient donating an organ? We plan to ask the transplant team, bit I was curious if any of you knew.

I've been told the same thing about donating blood by the place where I gave blood regularly.

I am NOT a doctor!! My "theory"?? MG is an "antibody disorder". Antibodies are "carried" or are a PART of the blood. I do NOT think that organs would be "made" of antibodies, per se. I "think" that they "wash" the organs before transplant with sterile saline solutions to remove the donor's blood.

So, if they KNEW that an organ CAME from an MGer, then they could be EXTRA careful to "wash" it even MORE -- if my theory is correct?!?!?!

CAUTION--CAUTION--CAUTION--you DO realize that this serious type of surgery (removal of a kidney for donation) is quite likely to put YOU into a crisis??

I agree with Jana about the stress to you and your MG. It's a personal decision but it's a huge risk.

Antibodies don't only circulate in the blood but are tissue bound as well. Since the kidneys filter the blood, you can't be 100% positive that they can "wash" out any blood or antibodies sufficiently. A person receiving a kidney, as my Dad did years ago, needs to have the best possible kidney/match possible. I honestly believe the risk is to high for both of you. But that's only my opinion.

Annie