Cholestyramine Light Packet

[lowraind]

After three months of explosive diarrhea episodes and urine specimen collection, stool samples, an abdominal scan and a colonoscopy, all of which were negative, the doctor prescribed Cholestyramine. He has been taking this for two months, and things have settled down. Since this is a blocker, it has also begun to cause constipation. I am considering, for the third month of medication, to rotate to one day on, one day off of the medication. Since there was never a real diagnosis, it should not be a problem. I was wondering if anyone has had a similar experience, and if so, how it was handled.

Thanks in advance

[WYOAnne]

How much of the Cholestyramine do you take? Some doctors prescribe 2 scoops mixed with water. I take 1 scoop with water every morning. I would reduce the amount you mix with water before you use only every other day.

[lowraind in reply to WYOAnne]

He takes one packet. That is a good idea, to reduce the amount.

Thanks for the suggestion.

[jbrking]

Hi. I was told I had IBS for years, but 7 years ago had a sehcat scan and confirmed as bile acid malabsorption and was put on colestyramine sachets (I’ve since mixed to colesevelam tablets). It is best to take every day, but as you’ve found you can get constipation, as it does dehydrate you. I drink 2-3 litres of water a day. I used to take 2 sachets. Anyway, my advice would be don’t take until the constipation has passed. Then restart on half a sachet a day and see how it goes. You can also take loperamide. I now take 4 tablets and my GP prescribes loperamide as well in case I need a top up, as they work slightly differently.

[Brownlamu86]

I would discuss with your doctor.

[lowraind in reply to Brownlamu86]

As I said, there was no real diagnosis. It has been a guessing game all along, and the so-called doctor who was designated to do the colonoscopy refused to meet with my husband in an office visit before the procedure. Finally, when the nurse called, on the morning of the procedure, and began taking his medical history, she said they could not do the procedure in the office facilities because of his chronic kidney disease. I told her that I had been trying to tell them that he had ckd as well as diabetes and was shrugged off by the doctor. Thankfully, the doctor on call said that he would never have done the procedure without the salient information. After the colonoscopy, we were told that there was nothing they could see that was the reason for the explosive diarrhea. Since my husband was the first guy's patient, he said there was no further action to be taken. I refused to accept this and insisted on talking to the dr. who actually performed the procedure. He suggested trying the Cholestyramine. At this point, I would again be referred to the first guy. I have much more confidence in the people on this site who have some experience.

Thank you!

[Brownlamu86 in reply to lowraind]

apologies if I sounded dismissive - let me try again. colestyramine is tried if bile acid malabsorption is suspected. The actual test for it is expensive and hard to get here. If it works well then it’s a life long medication. Basically to soak up the excess bile. Should go with diet changes. Low fat, high fibre, plenty of fluids. I wouldn’t skip unless you want diarrhoea back. Maybe something for the constipation if really bad

[Eastbourne11]

Hi lowraind I am glad you found the Colestramine helps. I used one packet a day for a year or so but it does strip out vitaimins and minerals. If you have not looked on the internet yet, I advise you to do so. I stopped taking it because it made me (I believe) anemic. Now I take four imodium a day which keeps me under control. But if I really want to be secure because I am travelling etc, I take a packet of Colestramine the day before. So now I just take it occasionally. I am pleased you have found something to help this diarrhea. It was only through this site did I find out I had MAB as I had my gall bladder taken out years before.

[MrsP70]

Hi came across your post accidently my husband had the same symptoms as yours and it turned out to be the diabetes tablets he was taking , he lost weight and had explosive diarrhoea ,loss of appetite and was very weak after many months of this the Dr sent him for a colonoscopy which was clear we waited for the result for weeks until he was fading before my eyes .

In the end he saw another Dr ar a different surgery as I insisted he see a Dr quickly and when you phoned the surgery they were saying he could see a Dr in three weeks etc. ( if he hadn’t by then I was calling an ambulance) this Dr said I know what that is and gave him Lanzaorole within a few days the symptons began to abate.

It was The Sukkarta for diabetes he now has another one…no problem ,he suffered 6 months because of Sukkarta and lack of interest from our surgery.

Sorry it’s a long post

[lowraind in reply to MrsP70]

Thank you. Your experience shows again that sometimes the Dr. doesn't know best, or is not willing to take the time to further explore the cause of what is happening.