Tacro to belkacept switch: Well as i... - Kidney Transplant

Kidney Transplant

3,683 members2,105 posts

Tacro to belkacept switch

Parkerbarker profile image
6 Replies

Well as i feared do to my sensitivitues to all meds the switch to bellacept has caused side effects.Im back to where i was jyst after surgery with the start of tge mycrophenolate/tacro where 10 minutes after i eat i get diarrhea and throughout the day experience spasming bowels so once again having to take the buscopan and anti diarrhea meds to live tgen it in turn makes me constipated a vicious cycle,plus super dry eyes and bad headaches fir 2.5 days after infusion and super tired for 2 days after too.They still have me on tacro with the bellacept for the first few infusions to stop any rejection from happening but being on both when the tacro was so bad for me i dont think is helping side effects.Luckily i niw know this too shall oass but it sucks having to go through the side effects bullshit again.I looked at myself in the mirror and thought jeez have i aged since transplant 7 months ago.

Written by
Parkerbarker profile image
Parkerbarker
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
6 Replies
StillKickingIt profile image
StillKickingIt

I’m like you with the sensitivity to meds. It’s been 26+ years (post TX), of suffering the same side effects. Of course I always carry my accessory meds; Zofran (anti-nausea), Pepcid AC 10 mg & 20 mg tabs, anti-diarrheal, PeptoBismol tabs, etc. You’ll find what works best for you. As time passes, your good days will far-far outweigh the bad days. I’ve accepted that this is the small price I pay for the gift of life.

Hold tight, time will mellow the side effects . Try to avoid changing or adding new meds and if you do, take note of the issues and talk with your nephrologist.

Enjoy your gift of life and freedom.

WYOAnne profile image
WYOAnneNKF Ambassador

For me it was changing from generics to Name Brand immunosuppressants. I take name brand Myfortic (Mycophenolate) and Neoral (cyclosporine). My diarrhea went away and am now 23+ years post transplant and doing great. My insurance charges more for name brand, but it is worth it.

Bubba1995 profile image
Bubba1995

I had an issue with diarrhea back in 2016 and my doctor changed my meds from mycophenolate to mycophenolic acid (slow release), 350 mgs twice a day. I take that and cyclosporine, but that's all. I was in the hospital for two weeks as they tried to figure this out, but have not had an issue since the change. I've had my transplant for over 27 years now and other than several times with pneumonia and an RSV episode I've been relatively healthy. I know everyone is different and responds differently to meds, but after my med change I found an article by someone else who went through the same issue, but I didn't see it until after the fact. Hope this helps some, good luck.

Rocknlily profile image
Rocknlily

I'm sorry. Just wanted to say, you are not alone. I'm nearing 1 year post Transplant and still have side effects daily. I feel the same way about the aging. I've never looked so old. It doesn't mean we are not grateful. I am still grateful daily. It's okay to vent. Just keep finding things to be grateful for when you feel frustrated.

Bax509 profile image
Bax509 in reply toRocknlily

I've thought I aged 10 years after the last couple years - it's comforting (in a small way) to know I'm not alone in that.

Parkerbarker profile image
Parkerbarker in reply toBax509

Yes the transplant team definitely doesnt tell you that the rest of you ages and skin is like tissue paper any little scratch turns full blown bleed,hair is almost gone and the rest is like a straw bale.wrinkles like crazy.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Tacro /adoport toxicity

Hi, I take 5 mg prednisolone and 250mg MMF at around 7.00 after breakfast and 6mg Tacro at 9.0...
PostivelyJo profile image

Belacept

Dr switching me from tacro to belacept,myphoenolate,prednisone and as belacept is so new im worried...

Doctor switching me from tacrolimus to sirolius

Doctor switching me from tacrolimus to sirolius as apparently tacro damaged my new kidney and now...
Parkerbarker profile image

Switch from MMF to Mycophenolic Acid

Hello, readers, I am 2 years post-transplant, and after many months of suffering from abdominal...
6821green profile image

Accuracy of Tacrolimus trough and tacro vs cylco

My transplant was 9/30/22. My tacrolimus trough labs through my local hospital are sent out to...
6V53 profile image

Moderation team

See all
JessicaJ_NKF profile image
JessicaJ_NKFAdministrator
Cap21_NKF profile image
Cap21_NKFPartner

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.