Bile Acid Diarrhoea- Does Questran Work?

[laurajn087]

Hi, I'm due to start taking Questran powder as I am having a flare-up of Bile Acid Diarrhoea. I just wondered if anyone had used this product, (or similar), and if so, does it work? Thanks

[jbrking]

yes I’ve had it (I’ve since moved to colesevelam tablets). Questran is a brand name, the drug is cholestyramine. Start low and build up eg just take one sachet a day and see how you go. You may find one is enough. They’re not pleasant to drink so I used to put mine with orange squash, neck it and drink water after. You do need to drink lots of water as they dehydrate you which can cause constipation plus headaches. You can get side effects initially, some cramping and wind, but that lessens over a month or so. It gave me my life back from going to the toilet multiple times a day to just once or twice.

[laurajn087 in reply to jbrking]

Thanks for the info, it really helped Are you taking it indefinitely?

[jbrking in reply to laurajn087]

Yes I've been taking for about 8 years now, can't be without it.

[merve1 in reply to jbrking]

I've just checked that Questran can be taken with zero fat milk, which is what I do: ice cold milk from the fridge, sometimes even on cereal! I find that it's much nicer that way than with water or juice, with which it seems to form a sludgy gel. Hope this helps.

[jbrking in reply to merve1]

Hopefully it will, it tends to work for most people. I usually only drink ice cold water (don't like hot drinks!) I've since switched to tablets which are easier to take, but a lot more expensive so they don't like prescribing them really. Good luck

[laurajn087 in reply to jbrking]

I've only been taking it for a couple of days, but I have had the most awful stomach cramps, where I have been doubled over with the pain. Hope that doesn't last long.

[jbrking in reply to laurajn087]

Hopefully not, I had that initially, which is why they say to start low and build up (eg 1 sachet).

[Pollyboo]

Hi, I have just replied to Julie, yes it will help give it a try,Have been on this med for 11yrs. I take 1 sachet before my evening meal. This works for me.

You must give it time to trial but I found things settled quite soon.

I still take Imodium if I need.

Take care Pollyboo

[laurajn087 in reply to Pollyboo]

Thanks for the info. Glad the treatment has worked for you