Sudden onset of diarrhoea, possibly medication related? 1G twice daily Mycophenolate, 25mg Pred, Omep,Adcal

[MicheleG33]

Hello,

My son diag with AIH and liver cirrhosis back in May has had a sudden onset of diarrhoea. Stool samples show no bacterial or viral cause. Only change was 5mg reduction to Pred, different brand of Pred, increase of Adcal from 1 to 2 daily (1500/400)

He's 10 days into this now with no sign of a cause.

So far GP has done physical exam, bloods are very good and improving week by week, stool samples all clear.

Consultant taken him off Mycophenolate to see if the cause.

No real answers or plan just process of elimination.

We have MRI,bloods to attend.

My son has ASD and gets anxiety with certain things and the thought of travelling with constant diarrhoea is really worrying for him.

Immodium suggested by GP had reverse effect so son has saved this for such trips but it's less effective and not reliable.

We are out of ideas and it seems he has to be like this while medications are removed to find the cause?

Anyone on similar, had similar experience? Consultant thinks Mycophenolate and/or Omep

[Bigbluemonkey]

Just seen your post 4 months later. Hope this still helps.

I've been taking same meds, same dose, apart from pred 40mg a day.

I've been on mycophenalate for over a month & had diarrhea with it & upset stomach. Its one of the unfortunate side effects. It is starting to settle down for me. Maybe it takes time for body to adjust.

Also, when I increased my dose of adcal from 2 tablets to 4 per day I got diarrhea & stomach cramps so reduced it back to 2 tablets & it settled down.

So basically mycophenalate & adcal are known to cause stomach upsets/diarrhea & they both had this effect on me.

What I find helps is drinking water when taking meds & when you get stomach upset. The meds could be irritating the stomach lining.

Take care

[MicheleG33 in reply to Bigbluemonkey]

Thanks so much for your reply. My son was moved from MMF to Aza 6 weeks ago. Diarrhoea has settled thankfully. He did wonder if it was the Adcal also?Sweetener also seems to affect him in larger quantities. Particularly Sucrolose and Malitol. So we continue to monitor him and keep a food diet.

[Bigbluemonkey in reply to MicheleG33]

Great news. Aza is a lot milder than MMF in terms of side effects.

Fantastic you're getting it sorted.

Sounds like he has food intolerances/allergies. Might be worth getting him tested for it.

All sounds positive 👍