I have recently seen a new GI doctor (1st time in 10 years). The appt went very well, he said I was very healthy and very lucky to not have any problems over the pas 10 years. I asked him about the probiotic that I asked y'all about last week and he recommended I stay in the align to see of it helps and if not to come back and get prescription strength, so thank y'all for the input that encouraged me to start it. Well, the reason I'm posting today is I asked him about something to help with frequency and watery stools. He has put me on cholestyram twice daily. I have not started this yet and was wondering if anyone else is currently taking and if so how offer and for how long? Thank you
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I have been using Cholestyramine for about 2 months now and it has given me my life back. First I must say that I have a colon, and I visit this forum because my daughter has a j-pouch due to FAP (from her dad's side of the family). My unconfirmed diagnosis is a rare form of colitis which was causing severe diarrhea up to 20 times a day with urgency and accidents. The Cholestyramine along with one Immodium a day has made me normal again (one or less per day as I have a colon). It is my understanding that the drug works by binding with bile which is normally absorbed by the terminal ileum. When the bile is not absorbed by the ileum it can cause diarrhea so the drug soaks up the bile and the rest of the process proceeds normally. Cholestyramine is actually intended to be a cholesterol-lowering drug because it absorbs fat molecules along with the bile. I'm not sure my experience translates to you since I have a colon, but there seems to be no harm in trying as I have had no side effects and it could have also have the good side effect of lowering bad cholesterol. It is slightly unpleasant to take as it is chalky to drink, but you can see by my result that it is certainly worth the effort. Good luck.
Thank you, I am going to start it next week and see how it goes.
I took it when I had a fizzure like thing that would not heal partly due to the acid burn when I emptied. It did the trick - slowed me down, absorbed the acid = no burn and helped me heal. The only issue is that it also absorbs any meds you are on so you need to take the Cholestyram separated by a bit of time from your other meds. And, yes, it tastes kinda gross, but is well worth both these issues.
I tried cholestyramine for a while, years ago. It didn't help in my case. It comes in both sugar-free (artificially sweetened) and "regular" formulations, so you should speak up if you have a preference
I'm just wondering if you have strictures due to scar tissue would cholestermene I don't have correct spelling thicken things up to much where you can't go Thanks Grace
Cholestyramine isn't a treatment for strictures, but I wouldn't expect it to make stricture symptoms any worse.
Well, I tried the cholestyram (cholestramine) for the 1st time yesterday morning, while it didn't really taste bad it was awfully chalky. It made me very nay joys and sick at my stomach. I had to leave work early. I'm still dealing with a little discomfort today but did not take it again. I am going to wait a few weeks and try a 1/2 dose to see how that does. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to take to minimize side effects?