What food or drink is really good for you when your having constant diarrhea?

[Rstix]

My name is Rstix, my mom had a transplant about 15 years ago. She is now having constant diarrhea and is losing allot of weight. Please any input can help. I'm really worried about her. Thank you for taking the time. God Bless!

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador]

You need to contact her nephrologist regarding the diarrhea. She could have an infection as the cause. There is a test that the lab can do on her "poo" sample. You need to find the cause. Besides losing weight, it can be dehydrating her, which is not good for her transplant. Call the doctor's office first thing in the morning!

[Rstix in reply to WYOAnne]

Thanks Anne for the information. She has a throat infection that blew in from the recent Hurricane in the Gulf. Her doctor has examined her stool and they have not found anything as far as that goes. But I will ask her what the nephrologist said the last time she was tested. Have you heard anything about Manuka Honey and using it to kill infections? I was thinking maybe this could be good for her.

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador in reply to Rstix]

If she is on antibiotics for her throat infection that can cause diarrhea too. She should as her nephrologist if she can take "PROBIOTCS."

If the diarrhea is bad, she should just be taking in clear fluids and then gradually add white rice, regular soups (not cream based) and bananas - if her potassium is OK.

Next month I will be 21 years post transplant. I get diarrhea every time I have to go on antibiotics. The doctor always suggests I take probiotics along with them. If it is OK for her look for probiotics that a high potency strain. There are many brands out there. Can always ask a pharmacist what he would suggest, because it does get confusing. I know some friends take probiotics daily for gut health. Can get at Walmart.

[Hidden]

Cellcept is rough on the intestinal tract. I have diarrhea constantly. I take imodium. It can raise my calcium levels, so I have to find something else at some point.

[Kidme]

I second the suggestion to ask her nephrologist about taking probiotics. I feel like they helped me when I was on antibiotics for utis. I know that some nephrologists do not approve of them but mine says they are ok. Just recently I read that some pediatricians recommend children who have diarrhea are given a few marshmallows. Such an easy thing to try. I have not heard of this honey but everything has to be ok'd by your Mom's neph and diarrhea can be serious. I do not think that PCPs may have the same "sense of urgency" for some symptoms as a transplant neph does.

[Cstephens73]

You need to contact her kidney Transplant doctor. This could be signs of rejection.