Taking probiotics after liver transplant

Geez that's amazing. I was told that I couldn't take any probiotics, except for yogurt as it will increase my immune system and possibly cause a rejection episode

@debed, you might also be interested in this related discussion:
- Liver Transplant: Questions about heart burn and digestive issues
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/liver-transplant-5/
It's a been a week longer now. Have you noticed further improvement?

No real improvement, unfortunately. I now almost daily have nausea. I'm pretty sure the nausea and diarrhea are related to one of the meds I take. All I know is it's really wearing on me.
Thanks for the reply, I will check out the other discussion.

I take the same amount of tacro you do and my diarrhea comes and goes it been about five years for me also. I have been on magnesium since right after my transplant - are you on that ? When it comes on I take Imodium but I know that is not a long term solution.

@debed, I am sorry that you are not seeing improvement. As a post transplant ptient, I am concerned that this nausea and diarrhea have been plaguing you for nearly a year. Now it sounds like your everyday life is being affected. I would strongly encourage you to tell your doctor about this because it is possible that this could begin to affect the amount of immunosuppression that your antirejection meds are retained in your system to protect your transplanted liver.
Debed, Today is Friday. Why don't you give the doctor a call today, before the weekend - that's what I would do even at my 15 years post transplant. My Mayo Transplant Nurse Coordinator and my local PCP always encourage communication.

Do you think you can contact doctor today or Monday?

Hi Rosemary,
Thank you for your response and concern. I am in regular contact with my coordinator and have actually recently had some improvement. My doctor started me on a probiotic about 6 or 7 weeks ago and I think they finally started helping. My nausea is no longer daily, although I do have it a couple of days a week. I am happy with the improvement. Also, the diarrhea has improved as well. I still have about 1 out of 5 stools that are loose and I can live with that.
I really appreciate you reaching out and hopefully I am on the way to an improved life. My doctor has also lowered my tac again and I now take 1 mg am and .5 pm. Yay!
Thank you again and congratulations on being 15 years post tx.
Debbie

I do take magnesium and I think that does contribute to the problem. It's hard to know for sure since everything I take has the side effect of nausea and diarrhea.
I have started to notice some improvement so hopefully the probiotic that I take has started to help some. I still get nauseous and have a bout of diarrhea but not as often so I'm happy with that. I also use Imodium, which does help, but I was taking it quite frequently and I'm not sure how good that is. I try not to take it but now and then I give in.
It's a roller coaster for sure.
Thank you for responding!
Debbie

Hi,
Yes, I have begun to notice improvement in both nausea and diarrhea.
Thank you for the link. I have suffered from heartburn my entire adult life so I am interested in any information in that area. I just weaned myself off of a 30 year use of Previcid and am now used Famotidine (at my doctor's suggestion). It doesn't work as well but does help.
Thank you again,
Debbie

@debed Hi Debbie, I am 3.5 years post kidney tx. I take Tacrolimus and Mycophenolate . I also take Pantoprozole (PPI) 2x daily. I have found if I take the Pantoprozole with the anti rejection meds it makes me nauseated, so I take the Pantoprozole about an hour prior on empty stomach. If I have to take them together, I have to eat something to ward off the nausea. Pantoprozole is more effective on an empty stomach. Also, maybe you can try taking your anti rejection meds with or without food-see what sits better. My team did say I could eat the kind of yogurt with probiotics, and that has helped when taking antibiotics. Have you taken anti-nausea Med Zofran or Ondansetron? That is also can cause constipation which could help the loose stools. Talk to Dr about this. I take Imodium prior to times I cannot run to restroom easily-like on the road to Mayo as I haveIBS. I don’t take it all the time, but if I know it could be an issue I do. Hope you find solutions!

Hi Jennifer,
Thanks for the response. My doctor took me off of Lansoprazole about a month ago after using for 30+ years. Apparently it's now determined to cause problems after long term use. I don't take any anti nausea meds. I think I've been resistant to add anymore pills to my daily intake. The nausea is usually short and I never vomit. I did start taking a probiotic at the doctor's suggestion. I know they are trying different things to see if anything will help with the nausea and/or diarrhea. I also take Imodium when I know I'm going to be in certain situations. I don't know what else to do. I really think it's medication related. I always take my morning meds on an empty stomach because I thought that was what I was supposed to do but have since learned it's not crucial. Yogurt sounds like a good morning meal. Easy and fast! I'm going to give that a try and see if it helps to put something in my stomach before I take my pills.
I know this whole journey is trial and error but it's just so much sometimes.
Thank you for the suggestions and encouragement.