Switching from Tacrolimus to Cyclosporine post kidney transplant

Posted by benedict66066 @benedict66066, Apr 17 9:51am

The folks at Mayo are switching me from Envarsus (tacrolimus) to Cyclosporine due to side effects post kidney transplant. Can anyone who has had this happen tell me what it was like? Did it help you feel better? Were there unforeseen problems?

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Thank you! Does anyone have any tips to help with the stomach burning/pain? I used to use saltines but due to my mouth sores, that's a no go. 🙂

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Profile picture for benedict66066 @benedict66066

Thank you! Does anyone have any tips to help with the stomach burning/pain? I used to use saltines but due to my mouth sores, that's a no go. 🙂

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Hi @benedict66066
Did one of the immune suppression medications give you mouth sores?

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It's likely one of them is at least contributing to the mouth sores but I am being treated for a viral infection. Hard to know for certain when in the post transplant period there are so many medications that might contribute.

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Profile picture for benedict66066 @benedict66066

Thank you! Does anyone have any tips to help with the stomach burning/pain? I used to use saltines but due to my mouth sores, that's a no go. 🙂

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@benedict66066 to avoid stomach pains, do you take your meds with food? Did the docs prescribe something like Pepcid or Protonix for you to try for the stomach pains? Are you on Mycophenolate or Myfortic?

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Profile picture for stephanierp @stephanierp

Hello,
I am a kidney transplant person and I made the switch from Tac to Cyclosporine several years ago. Immediately, my blood sugar came back down to normal and the pancreatic issues were resolved. I feel much better on Cyclosporine. The side effects I have experienced are higher cholesterol and I go to the dentist twice a year, due to potential gum and dental issues (a possible side-effect). I am happy to deal with these effects rather than pancreatitis (incredibly painful). Another nice side-effect is my hair came back thick and full again. So that was nice:)

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@stephanierp
Hi Stephanie! May I ask what was happening they switched frim TAC to Cyclosporine? Was it mainly fatigue that you were experiencing or something else? How often do you test the blood level of Cyclosporine? Thanks!

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Profile picture for hello1234 @hello1234

@benedict66066 to avoid stomach pains, do you take your meds with food? Did the docs prescribe something like Pepcid or Protonix for you to try for the stomach pains? Are you on Mycophenolate or Myfortic?

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@hello1234 I take my meds with a snack but not a full meal, as I don’t want to skew my cyclosporine levels but rather keep them steady. I already take pantoprozole so I don’t know if I could add in Pepcid? I take Myfortic and just this morning Mayo lowered the dose so I’m hopeful, my stomach symptoms will ease. Thanks much

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Profile picture for hello1234 @hello1234

@stephanierp
Hi Stephanie! May I ask what was happening they switched frim TAC to Cyclosporine? Was it mainly fatigue that you were experiencing or something else? How often do you test the blood level of Cyclosporine? Thanks!

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@hello1234 Hi,
The main thing for me was pancreatic involvement - high blood sugar and pancreatitis. And I don’t remember how often they checked it the first year. They check more often at first and then ease off.

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