Cholestyramine for Post-Cholecystectomy Diarrhea User Reviews (Page 2)

• Sellu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 29, 2018

"I suffered from morning diarrhea up to 3-4 bouts after eating and drinking coffee for breakfast. I found cutting out the coffee lessened the intensity, I think caffeine stimulates the bile production but I love my coffee. My doctor told me for years I could control my problem with a high fiber diet, wrong!. I finally confronted him with a medical article about Cholestyramine and he agreed to put me on it. My insurance covers all generics. My symptoms have cleared up but I am still trying to fine tune timing and dosage in order to be consistent between loose and constipated stools. Reading the comments here have given me a few ideas to try. Maybe earlier in the morning. I tried two doses (evening & morning) and it was too much, but one dose in morning not quite enough. Any ideas???"

• John
• 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 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."

• Nick
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 25, 2021

"Works great for me, tightened stools up. I did reduce the dosage to 3/4 scoop to avoid constipation. Eat lots of fiber also, drink water often. Also seems to have fixed gut gurgles and uncomfortable gut settling. Everything smooth."

• Bubbles
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 26, 2019

"Had my gall bladder out recently and developed the dreaded the after gallbladder removal diarrhea. My surgeon was actually confused when I said “I’m having green yellow diarrhea”. Not sure if he has seen this before. So I have the bile diarrhea and like another poster, I believe I was making too much cholesterol type (lithogenic) bile before surgery which contributed to my stone. I went weeks with this, and finally asked a GI doctor for help. He diagnosed me immediately and put me on cholestyramine. I’m just starting out, but I have been able to hold my food in after one dose in the morning. Might add one at night to see how I respond. Will update."

• Dobby...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 28, 2019

"Recently prescribed the packets after a stay in the hospital where I was diagnosed with diabetes II. Had an endoscopy and colonoscopy planned already, so they did it in the hospital. My gastro prescribed it, for IBS I also have. As a new diabetic I have a lot to learn. But this stuff works. It had been so long since I've had a solid normal bm. It's nice to be regular now."

• REB
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 16, 2018

"After gallbladder surgery 2006 had constant diarrhea yellow bile & upper right side pain, lost 18 lbs in few weeks. Knew I was going to die. Diagnosed with problems with Sphincter of Oddi muscle that regulates bile flow. Can happen after gallbladder surgery. Tried dozens of meds. Changed family doctors, my new one put me on Cholestramine Light & immediately stopped cramps and diarrhea!! I took it for months, then was able to stop. I still would take a dose if a flare up. THIS SAVED MY LIFE!!! Unfortunately I started diarrhea and side pain again. I started back on the Cholestermine Light. Has not worked as well, SEVERE LEG AND FEET MUSCLE CRAMPS! They last forever, feels like limb is being ripped off. Smaller cramps while sleeping. Can happen when older. I was 58 then & now 70. Breaks my heart. THIS IS A MIRACLE DRUG. PLEASE TRY IT."

• Nick
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 31, 2023

"Lost part of my large and small intestines. Severe diarrhea started immediately afterward for 8 weeks. Tried Imodium and Lomotil with no results. GI doctor said let's try this. It's been a life changer for me. Within 3 days I was almost back to normal. I go more often with less intestine but with a solid b/m. A real game-changer for me!"

• Nic
• December 17, 2019

"This medication cholestyramine has been the only medication to give me a normal life. without diarrhea. Without it I can't eat, I can't go out and I get severe diarrhea. On days I get flare ups but nothing without it, since my gallbladder removal I suffered terribly however I'm in the UK and I can't order it to my pharmacy lately as this medicine is limited. I've been having panic attacks about this as I can't live normally without it. The UK need to sort it out and order more in as I don't know what my future holds without this medicine."

• Lynnw
• August 28, 2016

"I have been using Cholestyramine powder for over three years now. I take it first thing in the morning with 6 oz. of water. I now have one normal movement what a relief. I ran out and missed a day and was back to cramps and running to the restroom. It has been an absolute lifesaver for me."

• Violet
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 15, 2023

"I was prescribed this medication 6 years after having my gallbladder removed at 22 weeks pregnant. (It's been 8 years now, 2 on questran off and on). I couldn't go anywhere or eat out because even drinking water sent me running to the restroom. This medication worked quickly, within half a day to one day. However, it's challenging because I have to wake up two hours earlier to take my daily medications, then wait an hour later to take the Questran, and wait another half hour to have a small breakfast followed by the inevitably bad first bathroom trip. It helps with the day, but in the morning, the built-up acid from overnight tries to make its way out. My doctor said to take it before breakfast and dinner, but I may have to ask about adding an extra dose before bed. Despite the juggling of my timetable, it's more manageable to be out in public and I don't have to worry about being away from home too long. A weird side effect is that although I don't have high cholesterol, when I'm on it, my lab results are borderline high."

• Jwt
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 17, 2020

"cholestyramine worked on day 1 for diarrhea that I had after gallbladder removal. Now can go places without worrying. My only wish is that I wouldn’t have removed my gallbladder, because now it looks like I’ll be on the medicine the rest of my life."

• Livin...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 12, 2021

"4 years ago I experienced my first Gallbladder attack. It was HORRIBLE....I ended up in the ER and after a CT it was determined I had stones and a badly infected Gallbladder. I was taken to the operating room and underwent a Cholecystectomy. For the next three years I struggled with severe diarrhea following any intake of food. Could not finish a meal without running to a bathroom with projectile diarrhea. I visited a PA for some cramping issues and shared my sad story. She suggested I try and prescribed cholestyramine once a day. I was so tired of diarrhea that I would try anything! Within 2 days... my life changed. I was able to eat a complete meal, and began having 'normal' bowel movements. LIFE CHANGER...................that is all...!!!!"

• Bambig
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 13, 2021

"I had my gall bladder removed about 2 years ago. My gut was never the same afterwards. When I finally got up the nerve to see the Dr. about diarrhea 2-3 times a day, I was told it was most probably IBS. I’d never had any digestive issues previous to my surgery, but was desperate for this to stop. My Dr. ran a whole lot of tests and everything came back negative for food sensitivities, celiac, crohns and IBS. She finally rechecked my history, told me what she thought the problem was and that it was due to bile after gallbladder surgery. She ordered Cholestyramine. After the first dose - no diarrhea and haven’t had any since and it’s been a monthly. I am more than happy about this medication. The only problem is the specialty pharmacy I have to deal with often has a difficult time getting it for me!"

• KMart
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 1, 2021

"This medicine saved my life. I developed horrible diarrhea after having my gallbladder removed. Anything that I ate or drank, including just water, would cause diarrhea within approximately 10 - 15 minutes. I couldn’t go anywhere. I ended up at the emergency room after collapsing and was hospitalized for a week because I was so dehydrated. The treating physician said I was at risk of hypovolemic shock and would have died had I come a day or two later. I have taken 2 packets a day for the past 10 years. It has given me my life back. I now have a normal bowel movement every day. If I miss more than one dose, I go back to having diarrhea. The only downside is that it has caused tooth decay to where I now wear dentures at age 35. It’s a fair trade though, because it is the ONLY medication that worked for me. Trust me, I have tried countless medications and supplements. No other bile acid sequestrant has eliminated the diarrhea the way cholestyramine does."

• Nick...
• June 8, 2015

"Taking only one sachet per day, has resolved the diarrhea problems post op cholecystectomy, but now have haemorrhoid problem and a little bit of bloating, but these are tolerable in comparison with ruining to the loo 12 plus times a day, but am going to try a wean off it and see what happens as it is now 7 months since my op so may have settled down a bit."

• Roxie...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 21, 2014

"I have had tremendous diarrhea after my gall bladder was removed. I tried many medications to treat the diarrhea and this is the only one that comes close to treating the problem. Now, I only have to take Imodium occasionally and not in the amount I use to take to get some control."

• Heath...
• July 9, 2016

"I've been suffering with terrible diarrhea after gallbladder removal surgery for 4months. This surgery and diarrhea have made me lose over 40 pounds thus far & taken my appetite. I've take levsin, lomotil, and those medications only helped somewhat with the terrible cramping I had and the Lomotil would make me get constipation some days, and other days the same dosage did nothing to help the terrible dumping syndrome symptoms. I was prescribed the orange flavored pkts. Twice before my heaviest meals. I'm not immediately dumping my meals like I previously was & my appetite is returning. Big win for me! I'm still fine tuning my dosage, and having some diarrhea so I can't give a 10."

• HiJinx
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 12, 2021

"I had my gallbladder removed about 10 years ago. Then the diarrhea came and I lived with that for about a year. I was only 35 at the time and it made me so depressed that life was just too hard. But I found a great Gastro that said he knew exactly what the problem was-BAM. I was put on Colestipol. This doctor saved my life. I have taken Colestipol for 10 years. I was prescribed 2 a day but I only took 1 and stockpiled because my fear of it being discontinued. Recently, it became backordered and I have cholestyramine now to try. I hope it works the same! I will report back after I give it a week or so. All I can say is if one doesn't work well, keep advocating for yourself and don't give up!"

• Wayne
• October 23, 2020

"I've been taking this medicine cholestyramine (for diarrhea) awhile now and there are differences in the brands available to me. The first brand is Sandoz. The way I take it is I empty a packet in about 8ozs of apple juice along with two Tbsp of fiber powder (I use the Walmart brand as it's the cheapest I can find that works). The first brand was Sandoz, which I preferred because of the taste different between the two. The other brand is PAR which, tasted like chalk even though it's supposed to be the same as the Sandoz. About six months ago, they filled it with PAR and I was stuck for a bit. After using it for a while, I noticed a HUGE difference in my body. Compared to the effects from the Sandoz, the PAR seemed infinitely more effective. So now, even though the PAR brand tastes horrible, I use it because it actually gets the results from the medication that are intended. After being mixed with the apple juice and the fiber powder, the taste is a little inconsequential anyways as the chalkiness gets lost in it."

• Meme
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 8, 2019

"Had my gall bladder out in 1995 and had diarrhea since. Used this med cholestyramine and fiber capsules to treat it. Tried going without med several times but ended up taking Immodium. It affects my daily routine."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 11, 2017

"I have had explosive diarrhea after nearly every meal. Started using the powder form mixed 1 scoop with 1 cup of juice or tea. Once daily has kept me regular for the first time in years. I had gallbladder removed 25 years ago, which is the largest contributing factor to my condition. If I forget to take it for one day, I am back to diarrhea. I rarely forget."

• Green...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 20, 2017

"Cholestyramine powder did help with the diarrhea but I felt constant pressure and felt like I had to urinate every minute. I was up every 2hrs. during the night and finally due to exhaustion I quit taking it. I had just started the second can. My worst diarrhea is in the morning so I have to get up extra early to go anywhere because I need to visit the bathroom 4-5 times during the first 2 hour's after waking up."

• Starm...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 4, 2022

"Gallbladder removed early 2019. Started having severe diarrhoea soon after. After two years and many visits to my doctor I was told about this medication by a retired doctor. I started on it about a year ago and the diarrhoea ceased almost immediately. I was angry I suffered two years with diarrhoea that my doctor had never mentioned this as a possible solution. I started taking one pack a day of the powder and it worked well. I had occasional constipation and I would stop taking the powder for one day to help clear my system. In last couple of months I have noticed diarrhoea coming back and it appears the medication dose I’m taking needs to be adjusted. I will be going to two packs per day of the powder and hopefully this will get me back on the right track. All I can tell you is that life when I was not taking the medication was very miserable and I am able to function normally again. I’m 71 male 240 lbs 6’"

• Lok
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 2, 2017

"Had my Gall bladder removed 12 years ago and have been using Questran on and off since. I use one packet a day in the morning and have reasonably stable BM, and stomach symptoms. I was taking it late at night for awhile but found that I was dehydrated and experiencing disturbed sleep with nightmares. Since switching to mornings, my sleep is back to normal. I don't believe it was the drug just the side effect. I also get nightmares when I binge on late night pizza with extra anchovies! I recommend this treatment to anybody who is experiencing persistant loose bowels with no fixed cause. I also love that my cholestorol levels are those of a fit 16 year old!"

• Happy...
• August 13, 2017

"This drug has given me my social life back. Immediately after gall bladder removal (4 years ago) my digestive/bowel issues began. As soon as I ate, cramping and then uncontrollable bowel movements occurred. I was afraid to eat out in public and had several embarrasing incidences in public actually soiling myself. My life was negatively impacted. My PCP, at last, recommended Pravalite and my control over my life has returned. I take about 1/2 packet about 1/2 hour before a meal. As I usually only eat 2 meals a day...I might skip a dose or two if those meals are at home. I always carry a pack with me "just in case". Since I don't use it everyday it is very affordable and also, is covered by my insurance plan."