Colestyramine

[Mrtoad]

I'm 16 years post Ivor Lewis and following a deterioration in swallowing I have been in this week and had what I assume to be a stretch under general anaesthetic as when I got back to the ward I was just in time for lunch and it went down a treat!! I left a couple of hours later without seeing any of the surgical team and have had a phone call from the hospital pharmacy to say the I have been prescribed Colestyramine. Has anyone any idea what this would be for and how it would help with swallowing. Thanks.

[strangetimes]

0 out of 10 then for after care following the op !

I've just googled the drug you mention and it appears to be prescribed for suppressing bile . Bile is ghastly when it comes to reflux !

Hope you're feeling better .

[Mrtoad in reply to strangetimes]

To be fair I wanted to get out as I had a lift arranged for 430 and didn't want to keep them waiting and as the pharmacy didn't have the drugs there was no point hanging around. The care I've always received has been exemplary as 16 years on proves. Good old NHS!

[monikaf]

Hi Mrtoad,

I myself had a stretch in June. Swallowing was much better afterwards, but reflux (acid and bile) got worse, since the opening is wider. A couple of weeks later I developed an inflammation due to reflux and got a prescription for Pantoprazole. The doctor said, if that doesn't work, then he recommends Colystheramine. It'a against bile reflux in the first place, whereas Pantoprazole is against acid reflux.

So far I've not tried Colysteramine, side effects are said to be sickness and digestion problems. Another patient, however, told me it's works for him perfectly without any side effects.

[John0118]

That’s great news I’m going in today for a stretch but under sedation not general . I hope it works. I’ve never heard of Colestyramine but I’ll ask my Surgeon

Good luck

[Golf1910]

I had total gastrectomy 6 years ago and this was/is prescribed for bile reflux that I suffer with, not sure it helps with swallowing. I have had swallowing issues over the 6 years and continue to do so. The colestyramine is mixed with 150 ml of whatever you want, I use orange juice when take it, and it is a bit like drinking sand is quite gritty. Not sure it did me any good however and still suffer with the swallowing issues with food and fluids but what doesn't work for one will I am sure work for someone else.