Managing Side Effects

The most common side effects that you may notice after transplant are:

• Fatigue (feeling tired with no energy)
• Lack of appetite (not feeling hungry)
• Changes to your GI (gastrointestinal/stomach) functions, such as diarrhea, nausea, and sudden vomiting

Following are some tips to help you manage these issues.

Tips for Managing Fatigue

• Balance your rest and activity levels. Schedule time to rest between activities or exercise. In short, don’t overdo it.
• Focus your energy on the things that are the most important to you. Postpone or avoid non-essential activities.
• Continue at the activity level you were at during the transplant period, and slowly (and safely) increase your activity level as you feel better. Exercise builds strength and extends your energy level. See the Physical Therapy and Exercise section for more information.
• Take short naps (approx. 30 minutes) early in the day or at times that won’t interfere with your nighttime sleep.
• Avoid caffeine after dinner.
• Ask for help when you are tired.

Tips for Managing Lack of Appetite and/or GI Issues

• Eat small amounts of food throughout the day (even if it is the same type of food).
• If you have diarrhea, try to eat soup or clear broth, diluted clear juices, warm bland cereal, scrambled eggs, or plain crackers. You can also follow the BRAT diet – bananas, rice, applesauce, toast.
• If you have persistent or multiple episodes of diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain, call your transplant physician immediately. These can be symptoms of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) or infection. Speak to your care team before taking any medications (e.g. Imodium).
• If your stomach is upset, try to eat dry foods like plain crackers, toast, lukewarm soup or broth, gelatin, or warm, bland cereal.
• Avoid foods/smells that make you feel nauseous. Try cold foods or foods that do not smell strongly (such as breakfast bars, cereal, or fruit).
• Add extra calories and protein to foods. See the Nutrition Guidelines section for tips.  
• If you are too tired to prepare a meal, try convenience foods that are pre-prepared or microwaveable.
• Remember to drink plenty of fluids (approx. 2 liters or 8-10 cups/day).  

Pneumonia and Other Lung Problems

After transplant, you will be at risk of developing pneumonia (or other lung infections). You will start to take preventive medicine early in your transplant treatment and continue to take this medication for at least one year after transplant. Despite taking medication, you may still develop a lung infection.  

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your care team:

• Fever
• Shortness of breath during your normal activities
• Coughing

Smoking or vaping of marijuana or tobacco products is prohibited because it can cause a life-threatening fungal infection in your lungs. Therefore, It is extremely important to be honest and straightforward with your care team about any smoking use.