Colesevelam

[Netbet22]

I am on colesevelam for bile acid malabsorption and all these tablets do is make me constipated i know they is alternatives to these tablets and thinking about changing but will the others do the same constant belly ache i do take laxitives to make me go but i cant live my life like this ,

[Harley1020]

Hello, I was advised to take one sachet of Fybogel every day at dinner time but this does not always work. Now trying a Kiwi fruit, in the morning on an empty stomach. This appears to be working but will have to wait and see how long for. Prunes are also good for constipation, perhaps 3-4 a day. - Aldi do a cheap bag of them. Oh, and there is good website for people with Bile Acid Malabsorption if you Google it, you will be able to get responses on that website as well. Good luck

[Netbet22 in reply to Harley1020]

What is the website

[Harley1020 in reply to Netbet22]

There are quite a few websites for BAM but the one I use is Stuff that works. Hooe this helps.

[grumpyold]

I suffered from chronic constipation for about 20 years. I thought I had tried everything eg Dulcoease, prunes, tablespoons of ground up linseeds....you name it, I tried it, and things which other sufferers claimed helped them, did nothing for me.

A few months ago there was a programme on TV called The Gut Health Clinic. It was suggested on it, that 2 kiwis a day might be beneficial. They contain inulin, which helps get things moving and soften stool.

I decided to try it, as I'd tried everything else, to no avail. I also added a probiotic called Atrantil....I get the chewable banana and strawberry ones. Supplement Hub seem to be the cheapest. These are good as you can take them at any time of day, doesn't have to be on an empty stomach.

Now, about 9 months on, with 2 kiwis a day, one Atrantil, and no less than about 1.5 litres of water every day, my decades long problem seems to have finally gone. I am amazed.

I know we're all different but maybe worth a try?

[Denisemurphy]

Hi, there are sachet/powder you mix with milk or orange juice, they didn’t work for me (plus I couldn’t drink them as they taste so bad). I would find the minimum dose of the colesevelam that still controls your BAM for years (for me) it was 2 tablets at night with my main meal. I’m now on 1 tablet (but strict with what I eat, only low fat).

[Kath2440]

I have this same problem , if I don’t take the tablets my life is hell with explosive constant diarrhoea. But if I do take them then I am constipated and permanently in pain .

I don’t know the answer and I dont see my gastro dr until January ☹️

[Netbet22 in reply to Kath2440]

Its a nightmare just can not win

[Pollyboo]

Hi, just read your post and was wondering if perhaps you could reduce your dose of tablets slightly. I also have BAM as I have ibs and no gallbladder. I take colestyramine powder one sachet at night. For me it works better than the tablets, and it is not too bad to take, it is better than living a life of constant toilet trips.I also have started on 10mg of Amitriptyline and have found this also helps.

For all of us it is trial and error and some days it gets us all down.

Take care Pollyboo

[Kath2440 in reply to Pollyboo]

I couldn’t get hold of the sachets so had to start the tablets. Does the amitriptyline not make you groggy on a morning ?

It was suggested to me but I need to be alert for work on a morning.

[Pollyboo in reply to Kath2440]

Hi Kath, The sachets went into short supply awhile ago,but supplies seem okay now there is also a generic version too.The amitriptyline did make me feel a bit sleepy at first, but you are advised to take it 12 hours before you need to wake up.

I take mine at 7 o'clock in the evening. That way I can take my sachet at 9 o'clock so that settles in my stomach before bed, as I am sure you are aware that when taking bile binders we have to leave at least one hour after we have taken other meds.

It is a trial and error road for all of us, and even though we take our meds, watch our diets as best we can not every day is the same and we get our little blips along the way.

I was really unsure about the Amitriptyline but I had tried so much and had 20yrs of this so I thought why not.

I started Amitriptyline in February and I do think it helps I take 10mg.

Take care it us worth a try.

Pollyboo

[Kath2440 in reply to Pollyboo]

thanks , I think I will see if I can get the sachets instead and maybe try the amitriptyline . Getting pretty desperate now x