Cholestyramine for Post-Cholecystectomy Diarrhea User Reviews (Page 3)

• GregHS
• June 24, 2017

"I have been suffering with diarrhea in the morning; usually just the am. I had been using Prevalite (cholestyramine) but Dr suggested that I use the regular cholestyramine in the can (cheaper) rather than packets. I switched -- although they should be the same product, I am encountering more diarrhea and have increased to 3 scoops of the product a day. Any ideas ?"

• Faith
• November 20, 2020

"I had my gallbladder out in 2006 and the diarrhea began immediately. I could not swallow more than a few bites of food, and I had to head right to the bathroom, or risk an accident. No one ever told me this was a possibility after surgery, or I would have declined it. I was sick for almost 2 years. Finally I learned about Cholestyramine and it changed my life. The instructions I was given was to take it in the morning, before any food is eaten, mixed with water or orange juice, because it has orange flavor. If I don't have this with me, and I am going to eat, I have to take Imodium, at least 4-8 capsules, sometimes more, or I know I will be sorry. I try to keep the packets in my car and purse always, just in case. I have had no side effects at all, except for amazing cholesterol numbers of 120. Based on my experience before using this, any side effects would have to be pretty serious for me to stop using this."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 10, 2021

"I had cholecystectomy 2 years ago and since cannot eat anything without a trip to the loo. Wish I'd just let them remove the gall stones and kept my gall bladder. They're always so quick to say you don't need it, but failed to mention a word about the aftermath: your social life is devastated because you have to excuse yourself after the meal to use the restroom. I am afraid to take the cholestyromine that's been sitting in my cabinet due to side effects. If I try a statin, same family, I immediately get muscle pain. I'm going to look for an alternative that won't give me Rhabdomyelosis, a very serious muscle wasting disease."

• nocha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 1, 2023

"After suffering from periodic episodes of diarrhea after having my gall bladder removed years ago, I had hopes that cholestyramine would restore regularity and help me live a more normal life. No such luck. My dosage was 2 times a day and I just felt worse, messed up the schedule for my other medications, and did not improve my intestinal issues at all. It affected me the exact same way Metamucil does - huge amounts of painful gas and explosive unpredictable diarrhea with a weird gelatinous consistency. Yes, gross is exactly the word that comes to mind. My experience with this medication was altogether disappointing."

• Jmpow...
• June 24, 2016

"I started taking this medication about a month ago. Works fine, but I take it with water, and then go,brush my teeth. Now I feel like I have little ulcer like rash on the upper inside of my lip. No one told me this could happen. "

• Corine
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 24, 2016

"After having emergency gall bladder removal, I started having constant diahrrea. Unannounced, uncontrollable and awful. I went to doctor and was given Questran. After day one I never had any more problems. He said I would have to take it the rest of my life. Surely not,, because it costs $95.00 a can for 45 days. No side effects. If I get to feeling constipated, i stay off for one day and stay home near the bathroom."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 21, 2022

"Hi I'm just going on Cholestyramine sachets, not for diarrhea this time. I had it after my gall bladder removal and it settled my tummy well. But for the past year and half I am permanently suffering with acid reflux, the taste in my mouth is always there, and although after two gastritis attacks they doubled my Omeprazole dose to 60mg daily, I'm still suffering. So my specialist hopes the sachets will help me..as they mop up excess bile I think. Any one experienced this as well as tummy problems and WC near by syndrome like me."

• PAM
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 22, 2021

"I had my gallbladder out 16 months ago and did not have any significant problems after. About two months ago, something triggered horrible diarrhea, don’t know what. It would not stop, so I started looking for a solution. I thought I had a stomach virus from my frequent overseas trips, but it did not feel like a virus attack. I completely changed my diet and eliminated red meat, pork and anything fried or greasy. No sweets, milk or spicy food. I started taking pepto bismol and that helped a bit, but no long time cure. After a month, I saw my doctor and I told him my problem and asked about cholestyramine. He agreed and I got the powder that you have to mix with liquids. I am taking a tea spoon once a day after lunch. After my first dosage, this can be called a miracle drug. My diarrhea stopped with no significant side effects. I am on my third week and it continues to work, I continue to stick to my new diet. I have lost 4 pounds, which is ok."

• Jonesy
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 13, 2023

"About 6 months after having my gall bladder out, I started having emergent diarrhea after eating slightly fatty foods. Then about 18 months after my gall bladder was removed, I started having explosive, urgent, watery diarrhea every day no matter what I ate and especially if I hadn’t eaten in more than 8 hours. Nothing worked and I couldn’t leave the house and had lots of accidents. It was terrible. I’m young so this was really embarrassing, I mean just because no one else my age has been through this and I couldn’t really talk about it and they got frustrated with me canceling all the time or running to the bathroom and then I got malabsorption too. So, this really saved my life on the one hand, but I also get terrible indigestion, nausea, and eventually vomiting just to release the pressure that lasts for several hours about 50% of the time when taking it. I’ve been trying different doses and I’m hoping that works. Anyone have a solution? Antacids haven’t worked."

• Sticks
• April 15, 2021

"My gallbladder has been gone for about 9 years now and I don't know what I would do without the prevalite powder. What a lifesaver! I mix 1 Tblspoon of prevalite with 1 Tablespoon of metamucil in a glass of sunny D every morning and I am good to go the rest of the day. I use to have so much stomach troubles and diarrhea as soon as I ate I would have to find a bathroom."

• Choes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 22, 2021

"Starting this medication today! For over 6 years of unexpected diarrhea throughout the day. Travel plans are a nightmare, change of clothes in car just in case, constantly being asked if this food will make you sick, exhaustion after bouts of diarrhea, I know every restroom within a mile of our house. I will let you know how it goes. Reading your messages was eye opening......same experiences, so here's to my new medicated life."

• Purple...
• October 19, 2020

"If you have pain = get a test. My dr said that people live with their gallbladder full of stones and refuse to remove them. I had emergency surgery. Reported to sons that I almost died, said it was the ugliest ever lot of gallbladder stones. They had to leave some in. Discharged, not improving, ER questioned it's removal looked like it was still there, they nicked the bile duct & had to get a stent & wear a bag to drain. My cousin just had hers out. Share God bless you"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 13, 2023

"Generic does not work as well as name brand Questran, so try the brand if you feel generic is not working for you. Also, the light options have sugar substitutes. This causes a severe reaction for me. This medication was a lifesaver for me."

• sellu...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 20, 2023

"Follow up to two previous posts. I now take a heaped coffee-sized spoon every morning, first thing. I do not take any other medications until 2 hours have passed. I don't think I could live a normal life without this medication, as my bathroom trips are predictable and not as urgent if indisposed to find a restroom. I take 10 or so packets, open them, and pour them into a sealed container in order to control the dosage better. What works for me may not be the same for others, but I suggest experimenting with dosage and timing to get the results you can live with. I'm 71 years old and trying to live a normal life."

• Nonnie
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 19, 2022

"I had my gallbladder removed 15 years ago and always had periodic bouts with diarrhea. My Mom has been on this for IBS for years with great results. She suggested I ask my Doctor for a prescription. I did and today is my first day. Hoping I get the great results everyone else is."

• Buzz
• January 17, 2020

"This has been a life saver for me!!!"

• Lynne...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 17, 2016

"One dose a day brought me immediately back to normal. Previously I had been experiencing daily severe diarrhea post op for 6 months."

• Shubair
• February 5, 2020

"I have severe IBS constant diarrhea after 2 days using questran I can live a normal life I can go out without having to be near a bathroom it has saved my life"

• Shirley...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 17, 2017

"Have hard time getting the right amount to keep between diarrhea and constipation . "

• Rosie
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 29, 2020

"To the first poster for Questran Light and these reviews, you absolutely can get Questran in Australia."

• LTrby
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 25, 2022

"Works great for my condition. Would LOVE a pill format"

• krogger
• February 3, 2018

"i hope this helps just started today"

• Gigi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 25, 2023

"2 years post op and I still have endless diarrhea and now (bile acid) GERD, IBS and SUI. The operation ruined my life. The meds help, but I will have to take them forever."