Cholestyramine for Irritable Bowel Syndrome User Reviews (Page 2)

• grandma...
• May 17, 2015

"I just started on the powder form of this medication. The first night I gagged on it, but managed to drink it down at around 3pm. I felt so much nausea that I wasn't sure I wanted to continue, but the next day I felt no urgency, had a normal bowel movement and felt no nausea. I slammed down the whole drink and didn't gag the following few nights. I'm so glad I didn't give up and continued to take cholestryam."

• Sidne...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 1, 2014

"I had my gallbladder taken out 2 years ago, after 18 years of having stomach issues and pain and several doctor visits, they told me I needed to have the surgery and get my gallbladder taken out, then the doctor told me I had irritable bowel syndrome, he told me I would not be able to eat anything greasy because if I did it would go right through me, well I stopped eating greasy foods and ate grilled chicken all the time! It gets old, I started loosing weight, my hair thinned out, I got sick all the time and always had to cancel plans or call in sick because it would get so bad. I finally went back to the doctor and said you gotta do something I cant go on like this anymore and so he put me on this medicine and its worked miracles."

• sueprit
• January 22, 2013

"I suffered for 10 years and it got to the point where I didn't eat out anymore because I knew where I would be for the next hour if I did. My doctor just kept saying to watch what I eat. I did, but nothing specific seemed to trigger my bouts of irritable bowel syndrome. After my father passed away from colon cancer about 4 years ago, my siblings and I were advised to have a colonoscopy. The Dr that did mine recommended I try Cholestyramine and it was like a miracle for me. As long as I take my dose every morning, I am generally just fine. I do occasionally still have flare ups, but I have discovered that they are hormonal and I just take a bit extra on those days and I am usually good to go."

• Urgent...
• August 9, 2015

"14 years of IBS and D, multiple colonoscopies and Doctors, I was ready to give up hope till I found this site, called family Dr. he prescribed it, I'm on my 4th day. Besides a little bloating and getting used to my new bowel habits, I'm a changed man. 43 yo. I just wished I found this sooner."

• Au fait
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 15, 2016

"Has worked extremely well and I am very happy with it. Many seem to have problems with taking this gritty insoluble product. I mix it with Gatorade using a frother. This is a device used to froth milk for coffee drinks. It disperses all clumping and grittiness is minimal. I found mine on Amazon after considering an immersion blender. Hope this helps."

• Newlife
• February 5, 2016

"I had my gall bladder taken out over 10 years ago and only in the last 2 years problems started. Acid reflux and diarrhea. This medication has given my life back to me. I wish doctors knew about it. It took an amazing specialist doctor to recommend it I'm very thankful. I wish more people with IBS knew about this."

• Megan
• July 22, 2016

"I was on dicyclomine for about 2 years after having my gallbladder removed and barely worked, I was taking it before every meal but still experienced extreme cramping. One week with cholestyramine and all my symptoms vanished. It was absolutely amazing. I've been taking it for about 7 months and haven't had any problems since!"

• Lizin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 19, 2012

"Wonderful medicine! I've had only hints of minor side effects a little morning gas; a few minutes of minor nausea just after drinking it before bed. So glad my gastrointestinal doctor suggested it; so sorry it took 19 months after gall bladder surgery to ask him for something. Out of work but couldn't leave the house on time for job interviews (or doctor's appointments). Not a good first impression. Medicine worked the very first morning and has continued to work. What a relief!"

• braders
• March 1, 2015

Cholestyramine Light (cholestyramine) "After many trips,to the GP and hospital with stomach pain and severe toilet issues I was prescribed Questran light being a ground worker sometimes no toilets close by is not a problem anymore. A great medicine. I have no side effects."

• Sue
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 31, 2020

"I’ve been on first Questran then Colestyramine for spastic bowel syndrome , a form of IBS, since the mid 1990’s. I first took it with Metamucil and always at night time. After taking it for 25 years, 1) I realized Metamucil is a softener and stopped that right away 2) realized that it needs to be taken with food , to allow for absorption. Things are much better now since making the changes. I still have the odd bad day, but I’m 100% better than I was. I noticed over time my weight fluctuates and find it hard to lose . My hair is also getting thinner which I never attributed to this medicine. I’ll be on this the rest of my life but I figure if it works then I’m fine with that. I just wish my hair would stop thinning!"

• APS
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 8, 2020

"I had my gall bladder out in 2012. About 6 months after I developed IBS-d like symptoms. Cramping, diarrhea within an hour after eating. It was completely unpredictable and not diet dependent and I suffered for about 3 years, until one day I almost didn’t make it to the restroom at work. My doc prescribed cholestyramine and after one dose of this medication, I was back to normal. It’s amazing and I can’t live without it. If I miss a dose, I know about it the next day. And because it’s a cholesterol maintenance drug, a 90 day supply costs me nothing out of pocket under my plan."

• Deewohl
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 14, 2018

"This medicine changed my life I am a 63-year-old female who has suffered from IBS-D since I was 20 years old - this medicine is the only thing I have used consistently for the past year and I have had no flareups. If I miss one dose, the next day I’m back to being as bad as I was before I started taking it. So-it is not a cure, but it is wonderful. Just want to know why it took 43 years for a doctor to prescribe. I can go out to eat I can go to the mall I can go for a car ride without the fear of having to find a bathroom YAHOOOO!"

• piccr
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 11, 2015

"After removing a prolific stone producing gallbladder that was causing biliary blockages, anything I ate would basically go right through, particularly the first meal of the day. My gastro doc prescribed the Cholestryamine and bingo problem resolved. I take it every evening around 9 or 10PM, have normal stools the next day and my first meal stays put along with everything else I eat. It will not dissolve and is like drinking sand, but for me it (Prevalite) goes down easier with a glass of apple cider (not juice). The generic version made by Sandoz I find is easier to take in plain water. As a bonus this drug also reduces my cholesterol."

• Crash
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 5, 2018

"When I was about 20-21 I really started have IBS-D issues, it runs in the family. Was afraid to eat out after 6pm especially on a date or something. If I did, I was bathroom mapping like Google Maps BEFORE Google Maps. My Gastro gave Cholestyramine to me for the first time when I was about 38. Wow, what a difference. Took me a while to get the right sequence but I learned to take it at least 1 hour or a little more before going out to eat a heavy dinner in the evening. After that, no IBS-D issues, no more explosive problems. It has probably postponed me from having to have my gall bladder removed like many others in my family. Since it has some cholesterol benefits I don't see why keeping my organs and lowering my cholesterol is bad.. I don't take it every night, just when I know I am going out for a heavy dinner meal.. It's nice to have on hand! hope this helps others..."

• Ameli...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 16, 2016

"I was diagnosed with IBS-D almost 40 yrs ago. I've suffered and suffered all my life. About 10 yes ago I 'discovered' immodium which helped some for several years. I'd been taking it plus Bentyl for the past year but it seldom helped. I read about cholestyramine in forums, I already knew I had gallstones. So light bulb went off in my head and I realized my problem was likely bile acid malabsorbtion, at last for the past 5 yrs or longer. An awesome Physicians Assistant at nearby clinic read up about it and gave me a prescription for it. Saved my damn life I tell ya! There's 42 full scoop doses in a canister, which costs $35 (I don't have ins). But I only need to take 1/3-1/4 scoop a s day and some days I can even skip a dose. A lifesaver!!"

• Holly
• September 11, 2010

"Post Cholysystectomy Syndrome: This medicine had been the best thing I have ever had. Regardless of the minor side effects I had it has saved me from constant diarrhea after having my gall bladder removed. I spent 8 miserable months having diarrhea multiple times a day. This has stopped it completely with little to no side effects. It does make me feel full if I take it right before I eat."

• Grate...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 18, 2021

"I am so grateful for this medicine (cholestyramine). I had my gallbladder taken out about 9 years ago. Suffered with stomach problems too long. I finally called a specialist and he prescribed it to me and I got results quick. It took away my constant diarrhea and anxiety that comes with it. My GI doctor told me to take one 4oz packet before bed every night making sure I rinse my mouth real good and brush my teeth. I mix it real well with a whisk with room temperature water. I highly recommend it!"

• Bunny
• November 27, 2016

"I've had EPIC D for 3 or 4 years and finally about 1 1/2 years ago was given Questran, which is amzing! But, like some of the other posts I've read it doesn't seem to be completely effective, I started on three doses a day but that seemed too much. Also, the original Doc who prescribed didn't tell me whether to take before or after the meal! He retired and the Doc that replaced him hasn't told me either, but about six months ago I read (somewhere on the web) you're suppose to take it 45 minutes before eating. Anyone have any thoughts about that? A pharmacist told me to take it right before I eat. Also, I'm on Creon - a digestive enzyme for pancreatic insufficiency"

• Mon
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 12, 2018

"I m 50 years old. I just had my colonoscopy done due to a two months severe diarrhea attack. The procedure images came out to be nothing wrong. But I am still waiting for the biopsy result from the procedure. The GI Dr prescribed me to take 1 scoop of the Cholestyramine before bed time. I see my stool instantly formed in shape the next morning. The only problem now I am facing is constantly hunger (approx 2-3hrs needs to eat). Shaky hands. My left hand yesterday was actually swinging on it’s own which I think due to muscle cramp. This could result in unbalance of electrolytes. Vitamins deficiency will causing you to feel weak and fatigue . Vitamins: B12, potassium, magnesium, vitamin k , and more. Make sure you monitor closely on your vitamins level when using this drug with your doctor. Best to take supplement along with this drug. Good luck!"

• WalW
• April 25, 2017

"It was a great relief that it worked for me after years of going to various GIs. I like it more than the newer drugs because it is not a systemic drug, so it is less harmful over time. Strongly encourage it before using the newer medications."

• hwilson
• February 25, 2012

"I had diarrhea at least once, sometimes several times, everyday for the past 3 years. I had a small bowel resection and was told it would just be that way for the rest of my life. Stomach cramps and diarrhea everyday, within minutes of eating. Finally my GI recommended I give this a shot - 1/2 scoop every night just before bed. First night my stomach was a little gurgly, but it worked GREAT! 2 cons: powder does not dissolve in water; works only for 1 day. If I don't take it one night, I am right back to a sensitive digestive system."

• Resol...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 31, 2017

"It has been a miracle drug for me! I don’t want to exaggerate about it but it’s given me my life back. I could never venture too far from a toilet. A flight or a traffic jam would terrify me. I take one packet a day mixed with applesauce (for palatability) and I’m problem free."

• Anonymous
• September 30, 2011

"I have irritable bowl syndrome with diarrhea and this has worked great for me. I take it once or twice a day as needed with juice. The only side effect I noticed was one case of nausea which passed after about an hour. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids to avoid major constipation."

• Miata
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 8, 2016

"The only problem I have is my bowels are not solid yet. I may need to take two does but they said to do the one packet first for awhile. After I drink it my stomach gurgles like crazy and still have a lot gas at night but the doctor said it could take time. No idea why my stomach gurgles after drinking the solution. I just put it in very cold water and down it goes. Make sure you brush your teeth afterwards."

• sally
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 29, 2019

"I have used this medication for about 4 months now along with Immodium and am still having problems. At first I was using 2 packets a day and cut back to 1 as per the doctor and to use 1 Immodium. Yesterday I stopped taking the cholestyramine as I was losing my hair, it seemed that each time I washed my hair a lot was coming out in the comb. I started using a quality conditioner to help out with this and yesterday my hands were full of hair after putting the conditioner in my hair. This med seemed to not be working as good toward the end anyway. Off to the doctor again!!!"