What are other transplant recipients doing for constipation?

Kidney transplant was on July 13,2023. I wanted to find out how f anyone else was having this issue. Things has really changed for me and I find it difficult to discuss with my only child, I don’t want her feeling my pain. I’m trying to be positive because I didn’t have dialysis and from others that has dialysis, I am considered to be lucky but then I remember how my body uses to be, good and bad, I have energy and blood pressure is under control, I am thankful but also depressed at times, it’s nice being able to talk to someone that knows how I feel.
Thank you, I needed this morning!

@banks1025, My personal opinion is tht you are going thru what each one of us with a transplant has experienced. My transplant was in 2009 at Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN. I had a simultaneous liver and kidney transplant. I still remember feeling both joy and guilt after my transplant because at age 60, I had experienced a good full life already, and felt that a a younger person 'deserved' it more than I did. I also was sad for the family who had lost a loved.
You are on strong medications, and you have experienced a serious surgery and ongoing recovery. It is not unusual for patients to experience many emotions and some depression after transplant. Our medicines can affect us, and our body's reaction to the trauma of surgery can also affect us. I expect that over time this will go away, however, if you have not discussed this with your transplant team please do it. This might be the anti rejection meds, or you might benefit from short term antidepression meds.
I can certainly understand that you want to protect your child from seeing you in pain. My boys are grown, and I did the same thing. My boys were in their 30's when I got my transplant. How old is your child?

@banks1025, You are not alone. Here are some more discussions that I want to share.
- Mood changes after transplant
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mood-changes-after-transplant/
.
- Post-Transplant Mental Health & Well-being: Q&A with Shelia Jowsey-Gregoire, M.D.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/transplant/newsfeed-post/post-transplant-mental-health-well-being-qa-with-shelia-jowsey-gregoire-m-d/

@banks1025, I hope that you will have a good day today. When i responded yesterday, I neglected to mention that, like other members have shares in their responses, that Metamucil is what my PCP, transplant nurse, and local gastroenterologist recommended for me. The best advice was from my GI who said to use the powder with water per the package directions - everyday. And to adjust the dose to meet my needs for regularity. He stressed hydration and everyday. He also said that it could take several weeks or a month doe determine my dose. But it works.
Make sure this is okay with your transplant team before you take it.

Good morning,
I appreciate your help and will speak with my team.
Thanks

I find citrucel much more tolerable and I have two Metamucil cookies at bedtime. Works very well

Post transplant I had high tacrolimus level so its been decades of constipation. I now use Amitiza. Linzess gave me diarrhea.

Good morning
I use metamucil. And eat fresh dried prunes daily. Congratulations to your transplant and welcome to the club. 🇨🇦