Cholestyramine for Irritable Bowel Syndrome User Reviews (Page 3)

• Anonymous
• July 22, 2011

"Cholestyramine Powder has saved my life. In January of 2006 my Gastroenterologist was finally able to diagnose my stomach problem by taking biopsies during a colonoscopy. For years, starting in the early 1970's, I had been told I had irritable bowl syndrome and controlled my flare ups by changing my diet. But around 2002 my condition became so serious, I was fighting to keep 100 lbs. on my 5'2" frame. I looked like a skeleton covered by skin. My doctor and I tried various medications and I tried to control my stress. Nothing was working until my doctor did a colonoscopy with biospies. Now if I have a flare up, I use 1tbs of Cholestyraime Powder in 8 oz of room temperature water before bedtime and I'm good to go. "

• Minnie
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 30, 2020

"I started cholestyramine 2 years ago after years of terrible IBS- D, most days I was late into work or couldn't make it in at all? I had changed my diet and eliminated so many trigger foods but still so many accidents and pain. I am now living a normal life and not had one single accident since taking this miracle cholestyramine. I take 2 at night mixed with orange cordial. I still have to be careful what I eat as do get pain but I am a happy person now who can live life"

• judy
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 7, 2017

"I've had stomach issues my entire life, complained about this to so many doctors and taken so many ineffective drugs. Finally found the right doctor who prescribed the right medication. I wish it hadn't taken so long. It's amazing to feel normal."

• 5Anon...
• October 16, 2017

"I've been living with IBS-D for 10+ years and symptoms got much , much worse within the last several years. I had my gall bladder removed and tested positive for many food sensitivities. I thought I would just have to live with this the rest of my life. My Dr recently prescribed this drug and started taking it a month ago. I take it with food in the morning and with food at night mixed in a glass of water and it doesn't taste bad, it's like Tang. The results are miraculous!!! I have normal BMs, and have started eating foods I previously avoided and I've been fine!! It's still shocking to me that this works so well. I only wish I would've known about it sooner."

• Relief
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 21, 2018

"Prevalite has been a great experience this far. It's only been a week@ and I have made a complete turn around. I have suffered for years with IBS-Diarrhea and have had constant diarrhea as soon as I ate something. This has completely stopped that along with the stomach pains."

• Livin...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 20, 2018

"I'm 55 and have had stomach issues since my early twenties. It became worse after my ileum resection. I've been a prisoner of the bathroom for so long, avoiding outings and trips, having many embarrassing "accidents" stories. Well, it got so bad that I had severe diarrhea for 3 months straight and couldn't eat anything. After many tests and visits to different doctors, a miracle happens and its name is Cholestyramine. It made me wonder why was it kept a secret for so long? I have such a happy life now! I can eat salad and vegetables, I can drink coffee, and so many other things that used to bother my stomach! I just have to go easy on whole wheats and lactose. Bathroom? Once or twice a day, that's it! The only side effect I've had was when I used one whole packet. I had a severe headache every time I took it. I'm down to 1/2 and I'm fine. Thank you to the doctor who prescribed it!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 7, 2015

"Post gallbladder surgery 1 month. Couldn't keep any food in me whatsoever. Went down to 94 pounds and was told this wasn't normal after gallbladder removal. Dr. wanted to run tests but I did research and found Questran. My Dr. did prescribe it and it has made a big difference. I tried to stop taking it when I felt a little better, but I can't. Mosty drink lots of fluid and have fiber or you can go the other way."

• tj449
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 21, 2016

"Has worked extremely well since started, only reason for a 9 is eating too soon causes exhaustion and makes me go into a deep sleep for a couple hours. The pros outweigh the cons and I'm glad I can really eat my favorite foods again."

• Kriss
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 13, 2019

"I have had chronic diarrhea (IBS-d)for the past 8 years! I had to quit my job and going out was a nightmare not only for me but my family cause I never wanna go out due to having an accident! I was prescribed cholestyramine yesterday! I've read most of people reviews and hope and pray I get the same out come! Will keep posted!"

• short...
• September 16, 2016

"Great drug and works like a charm. The only problem I found is it depletes your magnesium and potassium and I got muscle cramps so bad I thought I was having a heart attack. Even was rushed to hospital. The said, no heart attack. Finally, I figured it out on my own eleminating things because all the doctors wanted to do was push more drugs on me. Cannot take the drug. I have had part of my large colon removed due to Diverticulitis and then gall bladder surgery as well as adhesion removal surgery. For those that are able to take it, I highly recommend it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 22, 2017

"I've been having troubles with ibs-d symptoms for the last 10-12 years of my life (I'm only 22) about 2 years ago after I had my appendix removed it started becoming worse so I go back to my doctor for them to tell me I have gallstones a year later and my life has become extremely unbearable I can't eat, drink, or anything with out having to go to the bathroom almost immediately after. I believe I may also be lactose intolerant. But about a month ago I went to see my doctor who gave me this medicine and told me to take it 3x a day either an hour before my meal or 2 hours after. This is difficult because I also have to take a thyroid pill on an empty stomach. So most of my day I'm either waiting around to eat or to take my medicine."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 19, 2024

"Life-changing digestive aid, but now there is a shortage. And those who have to rely on this medication for short bowel syndrome are in a real dilemma. I can't digest anything without it. So once mine runs out, I'll try a few other options and see what happens, but for now it feels like I've been handed a death sentence."

• Dee
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 12, 2018

"The Best! I can now go outside my home with reasonable confidence. As long as I watch what I eat and stay to small portion meals all is well. So very grateful to my gastroenterologist who prescribed this for me. It's a lifestyle changer."

• Julieb
• March 20, 2018

"About 1 year ago I started to have chronic diarrhea it would come and it would go and eventually it just plain overtook my life. ow with cholestyramine I am now having regular formed stools. Where has this drug been all my life? is how I think every day."

• IBS-D
• February 27, 2021

"I have IBS-D and my gastro and GP recommended cholestrymine. I took it once a day for 10 days. No improvement. Dr told me to increase to twice a day which I did for a week. Little if any improvement. Just increased to 3x a day. Any words of advice? How long did it take before effective? I read the postings and see lots of success stories but I don't seem to be one of them (or not yet at least). Would welcome input."

• No Life
• January 9, 2018

"When I was 6 years old I realized something was wrong with my stomach. Always going to the bathroom and horrible cramping. Ran all kinds of tests on me but never found anything wrong. Always blaming it on nerves cause I was little. Went through my whole life scared to death to travel or even just go out to dinner. I hardly ever ate or drank anything afraid I would have to go to the bathroom. I am 5 ft 3in and my whole life I never weighed more than 110 lbs. My life has changed after a GI specialist prescribed chloestraymne powder 4 grams drink 1 day. I can actually do things and go places with my family and I've put on some weight. Give this a try you won't regret it. Now I have to hit the gym like everyone else.:)"

• Suzie
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 31, 2020

"After 2 months of GI issues and tests, with no known cause found, I am now at the end of a week of use of cholestyramine powder. There is amazing improvement. I mix a half envelope in apple sauce. I am a tiny person, and that amount is working for me. I am hoping that, in time, I will no longer need this, but for now I am very grateful!"

• Green...
• December 13, 2017

"I've had stomach issues my whole life since I was very young. I've always had what I thought was IBS d. I never knew when I might have to use the bathroom and as you all know that makes it very hard to live life. Riding on airplanes we're a nightmare for me. Then 8 months ago I had my gallbladder removed. This made my diarrhea 100 times worse. My life was so stressfull, I couldn't make plans with friends because I needed to be near a toilet constantly. I've tried everything for the diarrhea but it didn't do much for me. I finally got the courage up to get a colonoscopy and endoscopy and everything was clear, my Dr proscribed me cholestyramine and it has been a dream come true , thank God I'm normal again!"

• Susanne...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 30, 2017

"In addition to having IBS, my gall bladder was removed last year which reduced the amount of bile taken out in my intestines, and increased the likelihood of diarrhea. When IBS recurred recently, one packet of cholestyramine immediately improved it. A few days of it twice a day and I am back to “normal.” It is amazing!"

• Mushel
• March 13, 2021

"Two words. UNTRUSTWORTHY FARTS. I mean, I’m ngl (Not Gonna Lie) I’ve been able to belch the alphabet since I was 4. But I’ve never farted in front of anyone on purpose. The thought of it terrifies me. I always leave the herd prior to uncaging a beast. I don’t have a choice now. These things blast out with no warning and aren’t always trustworthy AT ALL. Sometimes thunderous, sometimes dead silent. Always reminiscent of a busted sewer pipe. And SOMETIMES, wet. I couldn’t possibly be any more humble at this point. This medicine gave me false confidence. I guess it has improved somewhat. Had 2 semi solid poops the first month. But overall, meh. I wish it were the life changer everyone else has experienced, but it’s just not. Yet?"

• Sicka...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 1, 2018

"I just started this. Have had IBS diarrhea for as long as I can recall, but has always been controllable with lomotil. Was diagnosed with SIBO this summer, and it's been slowly downhill from there. I'm only on day 3 of Questran, but so far so good! I'm hopeful!!"

• ibdsu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 27, 2021

"I have an IBD. I've been taking this drug for 3 days. Today I have had intense stomach pain. I've taken tums, 2 doses of Pepto and activated charcoal. The only thing I can think of is this drug is causing high acidity in side my gut. I'm throwing it in the trash, back to immodium :/"

• MAK
• September 3, 2021

"I had excessive bile acid, which caused diarrhea that could not be stopped by any other way, except to take Cholestyramine powder before two meals a day. I was told that I would be on this the rest of my life. When my hair started falling out, I felt weak and needed B12 shots, I knew there had to be better way. I tried 3 capsules of Ashwagandha 2100 MG, once a day, within two days I was back to normal, no diarrhea, no loose stools, no burning, just normal. This works and is only $15 a month."

• Mkk
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 22, 2022

"It has been like a miracle drug to treat my diarrhea. The chronic diarrhea was making my life incredibly miserable. Worried every time I had to leave the house and desperate to find a bathroom wherever I went. Since being on this drug for the last couple of years have been healthier than ever. However, I can never get over the horrible taste of this product. I mix it in orange juice in a blender and still have to drink it down as quickly as possible. But it works, so the constant inconvenience of having to mix this everyday and suffering through the horrible taste in the end has improved my life more than words could say."

• Oggy
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 29, 2023

"I’ve struggled with IBS for at least 10-plus years. As others have said in reviews this medication is truly a lifesaver. For me, it worked immediately. I only take it once a day with breakfast and I’m totally normal, so far for me a real game changer. I’ve been on the medication for one month now. I sometimes have experienced a small amount of heartburn, but I believe it has to do with my diet (now that I don’t have to be by a restroom I eat all the good foods). I just wished I would have gone to the doctor years ago. Worth trying and good luck."