What helps with diarrhea & nausea after kidney transplant?

Posted by sarahdemare04 @sarahdemare04, Jul 14 4:15pm

I am currently caring for my father who got a cadaver kidney about 2 weeks ago. Although my father is a primary care physician, this is unlike anything he has ever experienced. He doesn't understand much of what is going on. He has had wonderful care, but he is experiencing a great deal of diarrhea and nausea. If you have any experience as someone who is older and has received a kidney, I would love to know any suggestions or experiential anecdotes. I just want my fathers to know that he is okay.

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Profile picture for m1rmiller @m1rmiller

@ernestbrandt1980 I have some experience as I received a deceased kidney transplant 4 years ago when I was 76 years old. Everything has gone reasonably well. After the first year of suppressing my immune system, I did get a malignant melanoma which required surgery. It was still very early in situ and had not spread and the surgery was deemed to have gotten it all out. I now get a full body dermatologist exam every 3 months Which is sometimes including a biopsy but so far no more melanoma. I exercise a lot including running, walking, Karate punches and kicks, aerobic jumping jacks and deep squats. I was watching my diet very closely for 10 years before the transplant since I was in ead stage for all 10 years but managed to stay off dialysis. Do you have any specific questions that you would like to ask?

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@m1rmiller thank you for this. You seem to have a similar road as my father. Any tips you have for a newly transplanted person would be great. No advice is bad. Thank you.

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Profile picture for chickytina @chickytina

@sarahdemare04 Your father can ask any questions that he might have to the community (Mayo Clinic Connect) and we will try to answer any questions that we can. It is different to go through it than what the doctors experience is. He can only state what has been relayed to him. Congratulations on your transplant.

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@chickytina thank you for this. He has so many questions. Again, his team has been wonderful. But he wants to make sure there is light at the end of the tunnel especially with his tremors, diarrhea, and he is having changed tastes and smells. Is this forever?

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Profile picture for sarahdemare04 @sarahdemare04

I shared with my dad today that I joined this community and he was happy to hear it. It takes a village. He understands that his team is essential to his health and healing. He was wondering if anyone has any tips for the Myfortic and diarrhea. He is drinking a lot of water. He has inspired me to drink as well! But does it get better and better or is this possibly a new reality?

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@sarahdemare04 I'd advise you too tell his team about his bowel problems immediately and tell them a couple people in this group mentioned it could be CellCept or Myfortic or a possible infection. They are both anti rejection pills. I take CellCept and Tacrolimus for anti rejection. My first 4 weeks after I was discharged from the hospital I did 2 or 3 blood draws/labs a week. Then I was completely discharged to go home and now once a week labs. So it may take numerous tests to see if his levels go up or down or fluctuate. It concerns me because diarrhea can make the body really dehydrated and really hard to catch up just drinking water. Especially in an older person's case. I pray for a good outcome. Tell your father he's not alone and it's good too ask questions.

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Profile picture for sarahdemare04 @sarahdemare04

@chickytina thank you for this. He has so many questions. Again, his team has been wonderful. But he wants to make sure there is light at the end of the tunnel especially with his tremors, diarrhea, and he is having changed tastes and smells. Is this forever?

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@sarahdemare04 My first advice would be to make sure to cultivate a very good working relationship with your transplant coordinator. You want to feel very comfortable with that communication channel so you can feel very free to bring their attention to anything that is out of the ordinary. Better to play it safe than to be sorry. Same goes for your Nephrologist. I happen to be an information professional so I can do my own research, but I have no illusions about being a doctor myself. I'm happy to answer as best I can any specific questions you have. I can't really address the problems you mentioned as I've not experienced any of them so far. In general, I find that trying to have a positive outlook always works better even when it seems like there is no hope. Keep in touch! I want to help

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Profile picture for sarahdemare04 @sarahdemare04

I shared with my dad today that I joined this community and he was happy to hear it. It takes a village. He understands that his team is essential to his health and healing. He was wondering if anyone has any tips for the Myfortic and diarrhea. He is drinking a lot of water. He has inspired me to drink as well! But does it get better and better or is this possibly a new reality?

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@sarahdemare04 What do his doctors say about the diarrhea? They will want to know how many times per day. Keep track.

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Profile picture for sarahdemare04 @sarahdemare04

@chickytina thank you for this. He has so many questions. Again, his team has been wonderful. But he wants to make sure there is light at the end of the tunnel especially with his tremors, diarrhea, and he is having changed tastes and smells. Is this forever?

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@sarahdemare04 I had a double lung transplant so it is a bit different, but the tremors will go away with time when his body starts to get used to the medications. It took my body probably close to a year before it was better. Now I don't really get the shakes any more.

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Profile picture for benedict66066 @benedict66066

@sarahdemare04 What do his doctors say about the diarrhea? They will want to know how many times per day. Keep track.

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@benedict66066 they keep saying it's normal especially with all the meds. They actually cut his Myfortic a bit to help. He has been very forthcoming with them. No fever, chills, or anything to suggest infection right now. He just wants to know if and when it will slow down/end.

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Profile picture for ErnestBrandt1980 @ernestbrandt1980

@sarahdemare04 I'd advise you too tell his team about his bowel problems immediately and tell them a couple people in this group mentioned it could be CellCept or Myfortic or a possible infection. They are both anti rejection pills. I take CellCept and Tacrolimus for anti rejection. My first 4 weeks after I was discharged from the hospital I did 2 or 3 blood draws/labs a week. Then I was completely discharged to go home and now once a week labs. So it may take numerous tests to see if his levels go up or down or fluctuate. It concerns me because diarrhea can make the body really dehydrated and really hard to catch up just drinking water. Especially in an older person's case. I pray for a good outcome. Tell your father he's not alone and it's good too ask questions.

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@ernestbrandt1980 thank you! He is drinking a lot of water. I'm really proud of him. His numbers are getting better and better. It's just this diarrhea anytime he eats. I feel badly for him.

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Profile picture for chickytina @chickytina

@sarahdemare04 I had a double lung transplant so it is a bit different, but the tremors will go away with time when his body starts to get used to the medications. It took my body probably close to a year before it was better. Now I don't really get the shakes any more.

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@chickytina The first 6+ weeks after surgery I had a hard time eating soup because my hands would shake so much. I'm happy to say I really don't notice them anymore after my 9th week. My body adapts to meds pretty well besides opiods that made me itch all over driving me insane.

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Profile picture for sarahdemare04 @sarahdemare04

@ernestbrandt1980 thank you! He is drinking a lot of water. I'm really proud of him. His numbers are getting better and better. It's just this diarrhea anytime he eats. I feel badly for him.

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@sarahdemare04, just checking in. How is your dad doing now? Are things getting better now 10 days later?

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