New meds

[3443Ness]

Hi everyone I have been put on some new medication famotidine and colestyramine light was wondering if anyone else on here takes them and if they work any advice would be appreciated

[Maureen1958]

The second one is a bile acid sequestrant. I have been after some for years, I would be interested to know how you get on with it. Sorry I can't help answer your question!

[3443Ness in reply to Maureen1958]

Thanks Maureen I will let u know how I get on

[Loolops in reply to Maureen1958]

I’m on colesytramine for around 4 weeks found taking it every day caused constipation so now take 2/3 times a week and results so far has been so good , gp has told me to play around to find what helps most as I know results of it better , not very nice to take but it’s well worth it I mix it with some dituluting juice and it’s not to bad good luck x

[3443Ness in reply to Loolops]

I mixed it with juice aswell second day on it so hoping it will help soon

[Maureen1958 in reply to Loolops]

Can I ask please if you have been diagnosed with BAM (Bile Acid Malabsorption)?

[Loolops in reply to Maureen1958]

Gp gave me it without test because I’ve been waiting over a year to see gastroenterologist she did say it’s not normal practice though , I’ll try anything to get my life back and my confidence to go places , hope it works for you , it was actually on here somebody suggested it especially if you’ve had gallbladder removed which I have and asked gp about it , it’s actually called SIBO

[3443Ness in reply to Loolops]

I got mine if the gastroenterologist and they r going to see me again in four months to see how I am and if no improvement then they said they will do the camera to see what's going on I suffer really bad reflux that's why they think it's bile acid

[Maureen1958 in reply to Loolops]

It was probaby me who suggested it, I am always making people aware of this on several sites! I can't get the medication as I did the SeHCAT test about 4 years ago but didn't quite meet the criteria to be prescribed the medication!

[3443Ness in reply to Maureen1958]

No but I suffer really bad with acid reflux and he said it could be BAM and the bile acid could be leaking into my stomach which is why I could be having the really bad diarrhoea

[Maureen1958 in reply to 3443Ness]

I used to sick up bile in the mornings on a regular basis when I was younger. In fact the days I did that my tummy used to feel better, perhaps because it stopped it going into my tummy!

[3443Ness in reply to Maureen1958]

It is horrible having the bile acid it makes me feel sick and always bloated did u ever have a cough when u got it bad as it feels like something is stuck in ur throat

[Maureen1958 in reply to 3443Ness]

Feel sick most of the time, still always coughing with it and feel like I am being strangled.

[3443Ness in reply to Maureen1958]

That is exactly how I feel saw gastroenterologist last week and he sent a request for medical to my doctor's that's why I have only got it yesterday still the same upto now but I'm guessing it has to start working properly first some people say it's about 5days before they see an improvement fingers crossed but I haven't had any test for BAM waiting for a ultra scan on my pancreas to make sure it's working properly

[Maureen1958 in reply to 3443Ness]

I have sent you a private message on Chat.

[Whitesugar]

I take colestyramine before I go to bed, taking other meds at least an hour before as it can interfere with the absorption and prevent their action. I have only needed one sachet per day to stop diarrhoea, but you can increase the dose. Some people take a sachet before every meal. It’s a funny consistency, but you soon get used to drinking it and for me, it has been a miracle.

[3443Ness in reply to Whitesugar]

Thank you had my first one yesterday morning after an hour after taking my other medication is it best to take in a morning or before bed. Yes the consistency is not nice to drink but I'm sure I will get use to it

[Whitesugar in reply to 3443Ness]

Just experiment with the timing and see what suits you best. I noticed an improvement after a week. Good luck

[3443Ness in reply to Whitesugar]

Thank you I'll let I know how I get on

[Orchid99]

I take it you have IBS d? I suffer with Slow transit constipation and diarrhoea so the 2nd med would not be a good idea for me as it could block me up which is a shame because I hate the diarrhoea side I feel like I live with a stomach bug that don't go away

[3443Ness in reply to Orchid99]

I have only been prescribed 1a day I am the same constant diarrhoea do u know if u can still take Imodium and Lansoprazole with the medication

[GrannyAnne]

I was prescribed Questran Light (cholestyramine) a few months ago after bile was found in my stomach at a gastroscopy. This was due to my pyloric sphincter (between my duodenum & stomach) being faulty so the bile could reflux back into my stomach. My oesophageal sphincter is also lax so I can get that sort of reflux too. My symptoms were mainly upper abdominal pain & some coughing etc due to that reflux. I had stopped lansoprazole before the procedure & actually felt so much better. Anyway the Questran was meant to help remove the bile & therefore reduce my symptoms. Within a few days the symptoms came back & went much worse! I also found it hard to decide when to take it as its not only 1 hr after medication but at least 4 hrs before meds! I continued on it for a month to see if things settled down & was then told to come off it & take famotidine at night. I don't feel as bad as I did but am speaking to GP again next week & am going to ask to try an alternative bile binder as I worry about any damage the excess bile can be causing. Also I want to know if the famotidine would be better taken during the day to help with any possible acid being refluxed too. I'll let you know how I get on with both.

[3443Ness in reply to GrannyAnne]

I have to take the famotidine twice a day so take one first thing then one before bed then after an hour in the morning I have been taking the colestyramine light only started them yesterday so I will see how I go hope you get sorted soon

[Carlettejaque]

Ive tried Famotidine but it didnt seem to work very well. It just made me feel a bit queasy.