Transplant anti-rejection medications. What's your advice?

@jolinda I had not heard that. I trust my transplant surgeon fully, maybe too fully, because I don't tend to research things as much as I usually have with other doctors. In my opinion, he is absolutely the greatest, and I tend to be a bit of a cynic when it comes to doctors.
Now I am going to have to research that when I have more time.
JK

@estrada53 I too am on 5 mg of prednisone. It has not caused any problems that I was aware of except for the bruising on my arms, until I discovered that it had caused my osteoporosis.
The bruising is called purpura and it can be helped by applying a topical (approved by my transplant team). The transplant dermatologist at Mass General prescribed it for me. It is often used for acne too! It toughens your skin a bit to prevent the bruising. There is also an OTC cream made especially for purpura called DerMend. That helps too.
Did your weight gain happen immediately? I am really struggling with my weight currently and have been since last summer, which would have been almost 3 years post-transplant. I suspect I will always have to take prednisone because my blood numbers (platelets especially) run low and prednisone helps with that.
If you seek the prescription cream, be aware that it is expensive and not covered by insurance, but if you use the app GoodRx you can find it priced fairly reasonably. I haven't used it for a while, I primarily didn't want those bruises limiting me in getting a dress for my son's wedding last August.
JK

Hi! Thank you for starting this discussion. The weirdest effect I’m having is nocturia, which apparently can be a side effect of the Tacrolimus. I haven’t slept through the night in the two months since transplant since I have to go to the bathroom four times a night, even if I stop drinking at 6:00pm. Any one else have that problem? Does it get better?

Welcome to Connect, @gphetteplace
You have brought something up that I never knew but that may be affecting me also! I googled sirolimus and that too can cause nocturia. I take sirolimus as my immunosuppressant after a liver transplant and I also have nocturia. No one ever suggested that the immunosuppressant could cause that, I assumed it was just typical incontinence. I also find that even when I stop drinking early, the urine tends to come out during the night. One doctor offered an explanation for that -- when you are upright during the day the fluid goes down due to gravity but when you are prone it moves up within your body. Sounds plausible.
I have had Botox two times for incontinence and it has helped a little bit. Unfortunately having Botox for incontinence very often causes a UTI too and both times that has happened to me. The urogynecologist gave me an antibiotic to take for four days, starting with the day of the injections, to try to ward off a UTI but it didn't work, not too surprising since we are more prone to infections. I did not have any pain with the UTIs just a tingling. I wonder if that's because the Botox numbs the nerves, I plan to ask the urogynecologist about that.
I am 3.5 years beyond my transplant so if my incontinence is from sirolimus I would have to say it does not go away. It is possible though that mine is simple incontinence from other causes. I hope that yours will go away, I know too well how much getting up a lot at night affects you, it is very disruptive to your sleep. I often find I need a nap during the day.
JK

@contentandwell @gphetteplace same with me I get up at least 2 or 3 times a night and I'm on Tacrolimus 1.5 bid interesting but at least with me I can fall back to sleep rather quickly. I'm now just over 2 years post and I was told the same about gravity. I will also say that I have been told I have a rather small bladder and always figured that had something to do with it.

@gphetteplace i am almost 1 1/2 years post transplant. I take tacrolimus 1mg and have no side effects whatsoever as far as nocturia or bladder issues. I do take Prograf which is not a generic brand of tacrolimus. I don't get up to urinate during the night and I drink at least 48 oz of water in the evening prior to sleep. I also drink water if needed during the night which is only to alieve a dry throat which doesn't happen often. I have never had a UTI in my entire life. I'm sorry you're going through this but I can offer no explanation just my own experience.

@jolinda I'm not really sure. It was nevered conveyed to me that the match was above average. The surgery was about 9 hours so it was not perfect for sure.They took me off the prednisone and cellcept about 4 months after transplant and lowered my tac to the 1mg. Its been working for me so far!

I am 2 years, 4 months post liver transplant. I, too, do not sleep during the night, with frequent (3-4) trips to urinate. The water consumption has not made a difference, I did not know that the tacrolimus and nocturia might be connected. It has just become a part of “transplant life”. I take 2 mg am and pm, along with celcept. Come to think of it, the waking up/not resting well has gotten worse since they have upped my tac dosage. It is a constant juggling act, moving puzzle pieces. I fully trust my Mayo, Jacksonville, team and thank the Lord and my donor daily for this “GIFT OF LIFE”!

@danab I just recently wondered if I might have a small bladder. My mother had a problem and so does my sister, so it seems likely. Some nights I do get back to sleep in a reasonable amount of time but if I awaken close to morning, such as 4:00 or after, I rarely do.
JK

This is why I love this group, you all validate things I thought were my own quirks! We can gripe to our doctors and nurses but they just read about side effects where we all live side effects. I don't get up so much at night as I did when I was first transplanted but I notice how frequently I need to "go" after taking my evening meds. My husband and I typically watch TV in the evenings and I have him pause our shows every 40 mins to use the bathroom after taking my meds. I always thought it was just me but I guess not. I also find myself much more thirsty after taking meds and I wouldn't ever want to restrict my liquids.