Doctor prescribed Cholestyram

[SarahAnne]

So the Cipro & Flagyl did nothing for my chronic diarrhea.

The Xifaxin seems to be doing even less.

My GI called in Cholestyram, and wants me to take this for 2 months. I have an appointment the end of May to assess my situation.

From what I've read, it is similar to Questran, it binds bile salts. The leaflet says it is commonly used to lower cholesterol levels, but most of the reviewers on WebMd had it prescribed for chronic diarrhea, most often after gallbladder surgery. There was one reviewer who took it after surgery for Crohn's disease. Most of the reviews stated that it was wonderful, cut down on bathroom trips, etc.

I've taken one dose so far, we'll see. It's not as gritty as I though it would be, but it kind of gelled up when it hit the liquid. I kept stirring before every sip and it still felt thick and gooey in my throat.

If it begins to help, I'll find a way to take it that doesn't completely gross me out. uke_r:

 

[CLynn]

Sarah, my GI prescribed Colestid, which I am sure is the same medicine, but in pill form. Big pill, but better than mixing the powder. It did work well for me!

 

[Emily]

I take Welchol, the same kinda thing for binding bile salts. It's hard to find info for it's use in Crohn's patients cause it's marketed for cholesterol like you were saying. I've found I have to be careful because if I take it too often I get constipated. But it does work for me!
One thing to be careful of with Questran, Welchol, Cholestyram, etc... be sure to take them a few hours before/after any other meds or vitamins since they do block absorption of other things.
Hope it helps!

 

[SarahAnne]

Thanks guys!

Emily~Thanks for the heads up, my GI nurse called and made sure I knew about taking my meds before or after the powder. It was also written on the box, I know some people don't read all the info that comes with a new drug, but I always do. I like to know what sort of side effects to expect and so on.

I was on Welchol several years ago, right after my gallbladder surgery. I don't remember it working very well, but I wasn't having severe diarrhea then. My former GI used to love to throw meds at me for everything, I'm pretty sure I just stopped taking it back then because he never really explained what it was supposed to do or anything. He would write scripts, and tell me to take them.

I took my first dose yesterday afternoon, and only had one BM last night after! And I didn't wake up last night to go either!! It seemed to work very quickly, I am supposed to take it twice a day, but I am going to start with just once a day and work up to it if I need to. I don't want to suddenly constipate myself.

Fingers crossed, if I go less than 10 times today I will be one HAPPY CAMPER!! :dance:

 

[DustyKat]

My Sarah uses psyllium husk for bile salt diarrhoea. It has the same effect as Questran and has similar precautions re other meds but just a little less time involved.

It's so great to hear that it is working! anda:anda:anda:

Dusty. xxx