12/06/2025
Bowel Health & Kidney Transplant Awareness
I promised to share my experiences to help other kidney transplant patients, especially those dealing with constipation or bowel issues from a scarred colon like me.
When you’re constipated, the intestines and transplanted kidney share nerve pathways, so irritated or swollen bowels can cause pain that feels like it’s coming from the kidney. This can be misleading and frightening.
You may feel:
• Severe cramping
• Spasms
• Sharp twinges
• Burning or pulling
• Pain that comes in waves over the kidney area or back
• Swelling or pressure over the transplant kidney
Pain medicines can slow your bowels even more—especially when combined with Prograf and Prednisone. Many times, the problem is bowel pressure, not kidney damage. Treating the constipation will usually relieve the pain.
Constipation can also press on the ureter, which may increase the risk of UTIs-already higher for transplant patients.
I personally struggled with these issues for two months, made worse by E. coli that came from contaminated store-bought lettuce and tomatoes I used in my wraps. Washing produce with vinegar, baking soda, and water cannot remove bacteria that is inside the vegetable. Avoid eating raw produce unless you know its growing source.
I hope this helps someone avoid what I went through. You’re not alone.
💚 Educational sharing only — not medical advice.
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