[donnaj]

Post stem cell transplant diarrhea

by donnaj on Sat Oct 24, 2015 8:29 pm

I'm 43 days post autologous stem cell transplant and am suffering with relentless diarrhea after every single thing I eat, even a cracker. I am beyond miserable, but the transplant team seems unconcerned. They are thrilled with my blood counts and are not worried about the diarrhea because my weight has remained stable, even though my potassium needs to be supplemented. I really feel the diarrhea is impeding my recovery.

Is this kind of diarrhea issue common after a transplant, and does anyone know what, if anything, can be done about it?

[JPC]

Re: Post stem cell transplant diarrhea

by JPC on Sat Oct 24, 2015 11:01 pm

Hello Donna:

I do not have first hand experience with your issue, but I do recall that the doctors said that GI issues with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) could be very severe. Lining of the GI tract is impacted by the melphalan. However, the issues usually clear. I think that is where your doctors are coming from. It may be that they just want to give it two more weeks or so. I am not exactly sure of the time frame it takes for most GI issues to clear, but I am pretty sure it is before 80 or 90 days. At a certain point (and maybe its 90 or 100 days), they would say that there is something else going on there that needs to be addressed, but probably not at 43 days.

Good luck to you. JPC

[mikeb]

Re: Post stem cell transplant diarrhea

by mikeb on Sun Oct 25, 2015 1:51 pm

Hi Donna,

I can sympathize with what you're going through. I had very bad diarrhea for a month or so after my SCT in 2013. Imodium (loperamide) helped me a lot.

I'm a little surprised that your transplant team is unconcerned about your diarrhea. Potential dehydration and electrolyte imbalance are issues that deserve attention. (At least you are getting potassium supplemented when needed.)

Try Imodium, if you haven't already - and keep bugging your medical team about the problem.

Best wishes,
Mike

[antelope1225]

Re: Post stem cell transplant diarrhea

by antelope1225 on Sun Oct 25, 2015 5:17 pm

Hi Donna.

After my ASCT, they had me on antibiotics and I went to visit my mother in the nursing home and got C-Diff. C-Diff is a dangerous and toxic bacteria that can be life threatening. The normal intestines have healthy bacteria, but after our ASCT and the antibiotics, we do not have the healthy bacteria to keep the unhealthy bacteria (like C-Diff) in check.

I would have the doctors do a test to determine if you have C-Diff.
Good luck

Cathy