Cholestagel stock problems

Hi

I believe I suffer from Bile Acid Malabsorption.

For 8 years I’ve suffered from constant diarrhoea as many as 6 times a day, unable to eat out unless a toilet was at hand. Always told by my GP that I had IBS.

After seeing tabloid article about BAM I asked my GP if I could try Questran. He refused but sent me to see a Gastroenterologist. I had endoscopy and colonoscopy, blood and stool tests. Numerous benign polyps were removed, benign fortunately.

The Gastroenterologist agreed with me and prescribed Questran, he would not send me for seHCaT test!

No supplies at chemists so he then prescribed Cholestagel. My symptoms disappeared overnight with my first months supply. Repeat prescription for my next month only to be told today that Cholestagel is now also not available.

Where do I go now, Cholestagel has given me my life back but for how long?

[sweetsusie]

Have your doctor prescribe you either Welchol or Colestipol or Questran. These all stop diarrhea in it's ugly tracks.

[sweetsusie]

Sorry...I guess what you were taking IS Welchol! Yes..it's wonderful...don't know why it's no longer available..anyway..try Colestipol or Questran...

[Hidden in reply to sweetsusie]

Hi

Thank you for your reply,

I will speak to the chemist on Monday.

Questran was prescribed first because it’s so much cheaper than Cholestagel but I only managed to get a very limited supply. The manufacturer does not anticipate supplies any time this year. Apparently Questran Light is available but is very limited.

My GP didn’t seem to know very much about BAM so seems to accept what I ask for but it takes 3-4 weeks to get an appointment. It’s all very frustrating I really don’t want to go back to how I was a month ago. I don’t understand why all the shortages of medicine for this condition.

Thank you again.

[sweetsusie in reply to Hidden]

I took Welchol, but found it too expensive, so switched to Colestipol. It works every bit as well. Hopefully, your doctor will prescribe it for you. I take 3 tablets twice a day...I have my life back now...

[Lynn1956]

I have Cholestid Orange I have persisted with my chemist to get me this one as it works for me sometimes I have to wait a week or so for them to get it but now as I take my 2 boxes a month they get me the next 2 I works for me

[DJEN]

Hi there, I take Cholostagel daily (750mg 5X Tablets) and it works remarkably well. I also have Bile Acid Malabsorption. I know it is quite an expensive drug but it is available and you should insist your pharmacist stock it or go to another pharmacy.