Liver
Did anybody develop characteristics of their donor post transplant?
It's something I've been thinking about, sitting in the middle of my anniversary. I know it happens, usually more frequently with organs like the heart, but I'm an energy science, mystical kind of person and I can't wrap my head around this idea of organs not carrying imprints of their former body. The things i like to eat now, diagnosis' i've gathered since my transplant, the way my liver enzymes seem to respond to certain seasons or events, I've just always been curious if i was always this was and never knew it because i was so sick or if these are things i've developed from my donor.
For me remembering my donor and keeping them with me is an important thing. Almost like remembering where i came from. Anybody else? Either things you've adopted from your donor (or think you did) or ways you keep them close to you?
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I think I adopted my love for cooking from my donor. Before my transplant I never stepped foot in the kitchen. I was all about sports and becoming an physical therapist. After my transplant all of a sudden I wanted to bake and cook all day. I ended going to culinary school instead of the university I was accepted to.
Pre Tx I didn’t like spicy foods. Post? I love spice!
and I am far more emotional now than I was pre.
(incidentally, my donor was a woman)
Transplant Patient
Similar question to @ChefAmanda on hypertension etc? I do believe that certain organs that have been affected by obesity and hypertension for example will be less viable for the recipient but I do not think the organ will give you hypertension or obesity …
@Karin Yes, I never heard of an organ giving someone obesity or hypertension. Now getting that from the medication post transplant is possible but I don’t think from the donor.
Transplant Patient
@Marklive thats one of my things too! I LOVE spicy food now where I hated it before
I myself 7 years post heart transplant don't believe you will get any characteristics from your donor. I believe all changes in food taste and craving come from the effects of the meds I take. I used to make and love wine and all the tastes in it but now if I have a once in the blue moon glass of wine none of the flavors come through only sweet and sour. All foods taste muted know.
Transplant Patient
@LarryF sometimes I wonder how much is meds and how much is donor. I’ve heard stories of people developing donor characteristics, but it’s so hard to tell what’s what with so many things going on.
one thing I used to love but now can’t stand is peanut butter. Which I feel like is an odd one
Peanut butter is hard to take for anyone and w the many drugs you take it probably just doesn’t work!!
No absolutely not. This is fantasy thinking. I’ve had three transplants so I’m pretty sure that I never developed characteristics of my donors
Why do people feeled compelled to commenting? Everyone is different. The unique experiences of an individual should not be discounted by others as “fantasy thinking”.
that is just hurtful.
perhaps time for a sensitivity transplant?
Transplant Patient
@Dawna just because you’ve never experienced this doesn’t mean nobody else has.
as a reminder we are here to share our stories and respect one another’s experiences.
this is for everyone - be kind and respectful and “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all” (advice from my favorite thumper).
I can say I have noticed some specific personality things that surprised me as I noticed them. Not many but certainly things I would never have put myself doing.
I am pre-transplant but I have wondered about this.
Transplant Patient
I think this is very interesting but tend to believe the changes in character are driven by improved health, mental capacity and emotional balance after transplant.
I am still waiting to find out from my donor family if my donor had curly hair. I have had pencil straight hair my entire life. Yes, in the 70’s my mom would give me a perm! God awful smell! Now, 2 plus years out from transplant my hair is curly. And thick which is strange. Hopefully I will be able to find out his characteristics soon. I heard from the organ network, my donor’s brother is interested in connecting. Fingers crossed.
I think there is possibly something to that. My wife had a transplant in September of 2024. Shortly after getting back to solid food, she ordered salmon. She thought she would try it and it was healthy. She absolutely never liked fish before this. She tolerated it at times. She even turned her nose up to fresh walleye off the grill one time.
She actually liked it and we have had it before just like it was and not to say, it's hospital food.
Her mother had a transplant as well back in 2002. She hated beer before that. One day she sat down and said "A beer would taste good right now. I don't know why because I can't stand it but it sounds good". Found out that her donor loved beer.
Transplant Patient
I also got really curly hair post transplant! That one they told me is most likely the meds and it changing the hair follicles, similar to cancer patients who have their hair grow back curly after chemo. Mine also changed colour!
My hair got a little bit curly as well but now it's back to straight. That is so interesting! Back in 2012 I did some chemotherapy treatments and my hair only fell out a little and I grew in a few strands of dark brown hair. I always thought it was from the chemo but it makes sense that transplant meds can have that affect as well. On the other hand I have a live donation from my mom and she has curly hair so it could also be a combo of genetics for me.