My daughter was transplanted at 9 months. She is now almost 4. I have heard that Prograf and other drugs can affect how food tastes. She is on tacro, prednisone and a bunch of other meds. She loves very salty food.
She doesn't know any different, but for the adults have the medications changed how food tastes? Do you crave certain foods now?
I want to be understanding to her taste but not sure how much is typical toddler behavior versus foods tasting weird.
Thanks!
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Hi Rosie_strong. Responding to your inquiry. For myself, after transplant, my desire for sweets was intense. I am on prednisone and tac and actually had to test for sugar levels in hospital and do insulin injections. Afterwards, for a month, had to do blood-sugar levels 4x a day...so for me tac did trigger food cravings...and I know this as I was never a big sweet eater...salty, yes. Still enjoying my ice cream cones at night...but try to be diligent regarding too many sweets and pay close attention to my blood work numbers each month to be sure sugar levels are in the normal range. BetterKidney4Me
Good morning Sarah. Post transplant, it seemed my daughter couldn't get enough of salty foods. We had many post op complications which highly restricted what she could actually eat but it seemed all she wanted was rice with soy sauce. Prednisone can increase sodium levels and water retention so any added salt on top of that can be dangerous. As time passed she's leveled out and although she still loves soy sauce she does not crave it constantly, like before.
I've both heard medical professionals and by my own experience that meds can change our taste for foods. While still on Prednisone for just a few months back after my 1994 heart transplant, I had no taste at all, a huge disappointment for someone who has always enjoyed foods. Finally I mentioned it at one of my clinic follow-up visits and was pleasantly surprised that the solution was a simple switch from a yellow mouth swish med (was it Bactrum?) to prevent bacteria in the mouth while so immune suppressed back to the lozenge that had been a daily regimen while waiting for that transplant. Taste returned, as did the appetite and the challenge of watching my weight gain again. I know that's not what you are looking for in your question, but clear evidence that yes, meds do affect our taste for foods (and salt). Be sure you are taking up this very important concern with her transplant team/doctors as I'm sure they've seen this before and can offer better advice going forward.
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