Cholestyramine for Post-Cholecystectomy Diarrhea User Reviews

• Big...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 12, 2020

"My diarrhea started 2 years after gallbladder removal. I had so many tests, nothing came up, so I'm trialing Questran for the last two months. It definitely helps somewhat, I take it at night for morning diarrhea. I'm wondering if it would be better to take it in the morning. Did anyone else's diarrhea start a while after removal?"

• MMK...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 12, 2019

"Been on this Prevalite (cholestyramine powder) for a couple weeks and overall working great for my diarrhea (IBS- Post Gallbladder removal- diarrhea dominant). I think I need to up my dose as I tend to get diarrhea around the time I'm due to take my daily dose. Absolutely no complaints about taking the medicine. Just tastes like weak orange drink with a little grit. I would do anything to get rid of my diarrhea so complaining about the medicine is futile-like other reviews. My biggest complaint is why 25 years after I have my gallbladder removed and diarrhea started I am JUST NOW being told I should have been on this all along for its bile binding purpose."

• Taf...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 3, 2019

"This has been a life changer. I had what was diagnosed as IBS since 1993 and nothing, nothing helped. Suffered through 5 colonoscopies, participated in drug trials, changed my diet, went vegetarian. Lived on Imodium. Nothing helped. I finally changed my gastro doc and after the ultrasound she ordered showed gallstones, I had it removed, and then had even worse diarrhea for weeks. My surgeon prescribed the powder packets, which my insurance covers, and I take 1 in the morning with a squirt of cherry flavor enhancer. I am normal for the first time in over 25 years!!! I can go out to lunch and dinner. I can travel. I can live a life again. Cholestyramine is nothing less than a miracle for me, it has cured my IBS diarrhea."

• Dav...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 3, 2024

"I’m 70 years old and very active. My gallbladder was removed 40 years ago due to stones. I had slight occasional issues after removal but just dealt with it. In the last five years, my issues became so bad that I was afraid to go out for lunch or dinner or travel as I would have to know where the closest bathroom was. Sometimes I didn’t make it. Someone said lactose intolerance, so I cut out all lactose. Didn’t help. A celiac friend said gluten, so I gave up all gluten. Didn’t help. Also, I gave up eggs, all carbonated beverages, caffeine, artificial sweeteners, spicy foods, etc., and nothing helped. Then I started doing my own research and discovered BAM from gallbladder removal. Also, IBS runs in the family. (No pun intended) I had my annual physical 2+ weeks ago and went over everything with my doctor, and he suggested Cholestyramine. I took the first dose that evening, and by morning I was a normal person. No emergencies since then. After 2 weeks, it’s life-changing."

• BGa...
• April 5, 2020

"I had my gallbladder out when I was 19. For 30 years, I dealt with bile diarrhea. All doctors said it was IBS. Then my daughter had her gallbladder out. She had the same problem, doctors prescribed Prevate (sp). So I asked my physician for it. It worked, but I hated doing the powder. After years, I researched and found pill form cholestyramine. It works perfectly, 2 - 600 mg each night, and I can eat what I want, and my bowels are normal as clockwork! Wish I had it 30 years ago!"

• Emm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 14, 2018

"I had my gallbladder removed in April 2018. Since that day, I have had severe diarrhea, nausea, major cramping in my stomach, dizziness, and major weight loss. The only thing I could eat was flavored rice, which I have eaten for months. I contacted the surgeon, who told me he didn't do anything wrong! He never has tried to do any tests or offer any advice on what to do. I changed my general practitioner, she is a nurse practitioner, and she ran tons of lab work. All the lab work was normal. She told me about cholestyramine but told me most insurances won't pay for it. I asked her to try anyway. I went to the pharmacy to pick up other meds, and my insurance company covered it! I have been using it daily, 2 times a day, and all of the symptoms are gone! I am very happy! Thank goodness for my nurse practitioner! Shame on the surgeon who got paid for the surgery and couldn't be bothered to handle the side effects of his work!"

• Bub...
• March 23, 2020

"I shared my experience at the beginning in June 2019. I am back to comment. This drug damaged my muscles permanently, and the damage will not stop even after taking the drug. Be careful, as this drug works like a statin drug, and statin drugs cause muscle damage. I was a healthy, active woman and now need to use a wheelchair. It is wrong that this side effect isn’t given. ANY lipid-lowering medication has the potential to ruin muscles."

• que...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 30, 2020

"Cholestyramine has been helpful in controlling diarrhea after gallbladder surgery. However, there is a difference in the product manufactured by different companies. I prefer Par Pharmaceuticals. It seems to dissolve better. Sandoz is okay, but the product made by Cadila Healthcare Ltd. and distributed by Zydus is not acceptable. It contains phenylalanine and is too sweet. The texture is different, very gritty, and feels different when you swallow it."

• Sel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 21, 2018

"Reporting back in after 6 months of use. All is well, my life (bowel habits) has never been more predictable. This drug, which I had to basically prescribe for myself (after research), has been a Godsend. I believe my liver overproduces bile, which caused the gallstone buildup in the first place and the subsequent cholecystectomy. I suffered spontaneous diarrhea needlessly for 4 years and even suggested once to my doctor about looking into a bile sequestrant to help me. Only with a scholarly article in hand did I get him to try my suggestion. I highly recommend anyone else experiencing post-cholecystectomy diarrhea to get this treatment, it works."

• CSM...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 29, 2021

"I was having constant diarrhea for two years. Always having a change of underwear with me and learned to scope out the bathroom before putting one drop of food in my mouth since I knew I had only twenty minutes to enjoy the food before I would be running to the bathroom. Holding cheeks together didn't help once it was ready to go :). So this medicine has been everything."

• Ech...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 31, 2019

"I started this medication after my gallbladder was removed in Dec 2018. I was still having stomach issues, so my GI doctor put me on this medication. I take it once a day in the morning, and now I can eat mostly whatever I want. There are still a few things I avoid because I don't want to push it, and I hate being sick. This medication saved my life! My GI doctor told me that after a year I could come off the medication, but every time I try, the diarrhea comes back. I will take this as long as I need to."

• Ath...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 7, 2017

"I had diarrhea issues for years, which was becoming progressively more frequent up to the point where I had 6-9 episodes almost every day, especially in the morning. A gastroenterologist discovered the excess bile acid in my bowel during a colonoscopy and prescribed me Questran. It is not the most pleasant medicine, but I am so grateful, I feel like a normal person again! Not having to be late all the time, search for toilets wherever just in case, panic when stuck in traffic... I take one sachet in the morning just before breakfast. My doctor mentioned that the best time to take it is when our body produces the acid, which is very early in the morning. I have not experienced any side effects so far. Good luck to everyone."

• Pea...
• June 21, 2019

"I battled constant diarrhea for a couple of years, and when I went out to dinner with family and friends, I could never enjoy the meal because I was fearful I would have a sudden urge to run back and forth to the bathroom. I once made a mistake and ordered something that caused me embarrassment because I could not make it to the restroom fast enough and experienced an uncomfortable situation. I have learned to always have a second pair of undergarments because you would never know when you needed them. Since being on the cholestyramine, it has been great. I feel like I can enjoy some of the foods I like, but I am still careful in my selections."

• Hap...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 20, 2020

"Love this medicine. After years of gallbladder and diarrhea problems, finally had gallbladder removed and still continued to be bathroom-bound. My doctor put me on this medicine, cholestyramine, and I fell in love. I finally could eat what I wanted and enjoy life again without constant stomach problems."

• Bab...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 12, 2018

"I had my gallbladder removed in 2017. Was prescribed Prevalite but refused to take it because I wanted an “all-natural” remedy for the horrific diarrhea. I lost 20-25 pounds, and all of the natural remedies were not working. Started taking the meds 1x daily in the evening before dinner. I’ve gained back 10 pounds, but I have so much gas and bloating. I also take a fiber supplement in the morning and am wondering if anyone else takes fiber along with the medicine? I’m beginning to think I’m sensitive to something I’m eating or the fiber itself is making me so bloated and gassy. Any comments or suggestions will be greatly appreciated."

• AJa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 22, 2020

"I mix 1 Tbs cholestyramine with apple juice 2x daily, and it works for the severe diarrhea I had after having my gallbladder removed. This medication has been a lifesaver! It actually started working after the first couple of doses and actually keeps my bowels regular. That is something that I haven't had in many years, my bowels were never consistent until now."

• TTa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 15, 2016

"I've been in hell for over a year after having my gallbladder removed, severe diarrhea, weight loss, got down to 90 pounds, extreme abdominal pain, and nausea. I couldn't function normally. I have been on cholestyramine for two months, and the diarrhea is gone, still have abdominal pain, and some nausea. I now have bloating and really bad nerve pain, muscle aches, and headaches. The relentless nerve pain wakes me several times a night, and I feel like I'm being stabbed with an ice pick all over my body. In the morning, my muscles are painful and weak, which makes it hard to walk. The side effects are miserable, but I can't go back to having the severe diarrhea and being afraid to get too far from the bathroom. Has anyone else had these side effects?"

• dan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 22, 2020

"I was prescribed this medication for bile reflux gastritis, which began shortly after my gallbladder surgery six months ago. The medicine seems to help a little, and I have no issues with the taste or texture — it's really not that bad! However, after taking the medication, and lasting until the next day, I feel weak and shaky — particularly in my biceps and quads. I found this absolutely terrifying until I thought that perhaps it was a side effect from the medication I had just started. Sure enough, after stopping the Questran, it stopped. And whenever the gastritis gets bad enough that I have to go back on it, it comes back. I'm going to have to do blood tests and mention this to my doctor, but it's a serious bummer. (I understand that this medication can interfere with our electrolyte balance and deplete magnesium and potassium, so that is my best guess at the moment for what might be going on when I take it!)"

• Cgr...
• April 26, 2019

"I had similar symptoms to the other reviewers. Began cholestyramine in the packets, using a drug coupon as insurance did not cover. Started once a day, and now taking every other day, but don’t dare miss that. I was so glad I found these reviews right after gallbladder removal surgery because no one told me of diarrhea side effects after surgery. Had my gallbladder out last July. So thankful for this drug. Coupon took it from 120.00 to 70.00, and it varies each refill. It has given me assurance when I leave the house that I won’t be looking for the nearest bathroom every 5 minutes."

• Cua...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 4, 2017

"For anyone that's had their gallbladder removed, you all know the pain that comes after. I was first prescribed this by accident because the doctor thought I had a bile problem associated with gallbladder surgery. He prescribed one scoop a day with water. It helped, but I took it for years, and if I missed a day, I felt it. A few years later, I went to a new doctor who knew what this was, and he totally changed how and when to take it. As soon as I went in to see him, he had a half-filled water bottle, and I would fill the rest with 8 scoops. I would do this for 3 days, after that, I would take 4 scoops for 4 days. It seemed crazy, but it worked. After 3 days, I became constipated and have never had to take it again."

• Spi...
• February 19, 2021

"Have had digestion issues ever since gallbladder removal in 2006. Almost right after eating, I needed to find a restroom. This medication, cholestyramine, is a LIFE CHANGER for me! I'm now able to eat without worry. I take it after morning coffee and right before breakfast, as I sometimes get an upset stomach if I take it prior. Bad days are few and far between...most of the time it's because I forgot to take it or I took it too late in the day the day prior. I have health anxiety and recommend at least giving it a go. It does not take long for the medication to do its job :) TIP: I use a small Tupperware container to put my powder in, add the water, and then shake it. It makes sure everything mixes properly. The brand ANI has been my favorite, it has a Tang taste to it. **DO NOT USE Zydus brand. It does NOT mix well, balls up in the back of your throat upon drinking, and will leave you with a nasty powdery feeling in your mouth."

• Sha...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 21, 2020

"I have been taking this medication, cholestyramine, for 20 years once a day. It has improved my quality of life 100%. Finding it very difficult to get in Australia now and have been told nothing else like it in the market. Extremely worried about what this will do to me."

• JER...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 8, 2019

"Terrific, think everybody who had gallbladder removed should be alerted to cholestyramine, this life-changing option if you have diarrhea after gallbladder surgery. My gut was a mess, a year of regularity now."

• For...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 10, 2016

"Had gallbladder removed, suffered with diarrhea. A friend said her doctor put her on cholestyramine for the same problem. I suggested it to my MD and he wrote an Rx. My life is back to normal! I take 1/2 packet in the morning, the other half before dinner. I can eat anything and no looking for a bathroom. I take it in apple juice. Have to make frequent dental appointments. Be sure to brush after taking."

• Joh...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 4, 2020

"Have had a right hemicolectomy and then several ops for bowel obstruction, so missing the terminal ileum and bile acids don’t get absorbed. The cholestyramine 3 times daily makes diarrhea manageable, usually only in the mornings. Without it, I have bile-stained motions all day, often with little warning, and can’t really go out anywhere safely. Hoping it doesn’t go out of production, as my life would become very difficult."