Colesevelam for Diarrhea, Chronic User Reviews

• Tin...
• October 22, 2014

Colesevelam "After 41 years of horrible pain, diarrhea and incontinence, I met a GI Dr. who ordered Welchol. I thought he was nuts. Within 4 days, I was normal. I would willingly mortgage my house to pay for this medicine. Max dose 6/day. I now have a life. It's so nice not to be told I was nuts, nervous, anxious, need a shrink, and all the other crap I listened to for 41 years. I have been fine for almost 6 years with only 2 one-day relapses. My gallbladder is fine. I am one happy camper. True story, folks."

• wez...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 27, 2014

Colesevelam "I have had severe diarrhea for years after getting gall bladder removed. Had many tests run, tried everything. Eat, bathroom, eat, bathroom I was miserable. I signed up for medication study program after trying many different studies a wonderful caring nurse who led the studies suggested this medicine. WOW, I'm living again. I was spending a large amount of my life in the ladies room now I'm regular. They prescribed me three pills a day it caused constipation. One a day every morning keeps me regular. What a lifesaver, I was miserable."

• Anonymous
• August 19, 2013

Colesevelam "Diagnosed at 18, went on until 28. I had a miserable existence for 10 years. 5 minutes after eating, I better be near a toilet. Gastroenterologists tested and tried so many different things with no success. Told my GI I was having a substantially lower quality of life with this problem. He prescribed me Welchol. The next day, I enjoyed my first meal in years and cried. Truly was a miracle pill for me."

• luv...
• April 18, 2012

Colesevelam "I have a similar experience to other reviewers. I had my gallbladder removed in 2002, and have had irritable bowel syndrome for 15 years, with each year it seems to get worse. I couldn't tolerate spending 1/2 my day in the bathroom. It was so awful that I looked for where the bathroom was at a restaurant before I ordered, just so I knew where to go when the meal was done. When the stomach cramps and the 'oh poop, I gotta poop' feeling came on, by the 2nd day of taking Welchol, it started working for me. I only went to the bathroom once the entire day! For me, that was a miracle. I still try not to eat trigger foods or drink coffee (I LOVE coffee, but my stomach thinks otherwise) but at least I can live a normal life again, something I had forgotten about."

• wha...
• January 31, 2014

Colesevelam "I had my gallbladder removed in 2011. I was planning my life around a restroom, and it was affecting my social life. I would not go on trips and did not want to go to anyone's house to eat for fear of an episode. Welchol has been a miracle for me. I only take them as I need them, sometimes even 1 or 2 a week. It is very expensive, so I'm glad I don't have to take them every day."

• Swa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 31, 2013

Colesevelam "2 days before Christmas I came down with diarrhea, and it continued to get worse. Many trips to the doctors and hospital, and finally after 4 months, I was sent to a specialist. He put me on 6 pills a day, 625 mg Welchol. I had gone from a size 20 to a size 12, no energy, headaches, pains, and shakes (from diarrhea). This medication has worked wonders for me. I am so happy that I don't have to look for the nearest bathroom and stay close to it any longer. I have had no side effects either. I have gained 2 pounds too. I take all 6 pills at one time about 4 hours after my morning medicines. Welchol works wonders for me."

• use...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 30, 2020

"Thanks to everyone for sharing. After reading these reviews, I asked my doctor if I could try colesevelam for my chronic diarrhea. I've had IBS-D for over 10 years, it got really bad these last 4 years. I've tried everything, and nothing helped until this. I've been taking colesevelam for 32 days, and not one case of diarrhea - not one! It's a bit constipating, so I'm reducing the dosage. I've read that between 2 and 6 tablets per day is best. I'm doing 3 per day for the last week and will now go down to 2. I can't tell you how much this has changed my life! No side effects either."

• wel...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 4, 2012

Colesevelam "Had my gallbladder taken out, got chronic diarrhea immediately even by just sipping water. I started off with 2 pills 3x a day, then got too constipated, then was able to keep lowering the dose until one pill works for everyday use, but no greasy foods for me. Thanks to Welchol, I can enjoy life again and not live it in the bathroom."

• Anonymous
• December 11, 2019

"I have chronic Crohn's disease and had my gallbladder out 9 years ago. I always had diarrhea, but after gallbladder removal, it got so bad I couldn't leave the house. I stopped seeing friends and going out socially as I always needed the toilet. After 8 years of painful stomach cramps and constant diarrhea, a consultant at the hospital mentioned bile acid malabsorption. I take one tablet 3 times a day with food. This medication has changed my life. I feel normal again after being in agony and needing the loo literally 10 times a day. I had my first holiday in 10 years this summer. This medication has given me my life back!"

• bob...
• January 10, 2020

"I am 11 years post gallbladder removal. Spent the first 6 months after surgery running to bathrooms. Made leaving the house or office impossible. If you're reading this, you probably know. The doctor prescribed Welchol/colesevelam - it literally changed my life. Here is what I have learned - hope it helps: 1) You MUST take this with real food (a significant meal) or it is much less effective. 2) Don't take it before you lay down - really bad heartburn. 3) Play with the dosage until you get the right amount and frequency - I take two with breakfast and I'm good. When I travel or expect to not eat on a regular schedule, I usually add 1 tablet with each meal plus 2 with the first meal of the day. 4) This is expensive - even with insurance - using coupon sites can sometimes get you a good deal. 5) I suggest you get the maximum dosage on your prescription (3 tablets, 2X daily) - this allows you to get the most bang for your buck if you find a good price. I can't imagine what it would be like without this medication."

• Nan...
• November 7, 2008

Colesevelam "I have had diarrhea every morning with pain. After reading about gallbladder removal, I found that some try Welchol to help because it is a bile sequestrant. It works great for me. I went to a gastroenterologist and told him about my findings, and he said 'Congratulations,' you diagnosed yourself. He gave me a year's prescription for Welchol. I take three in the morning and am doing quite well. Wish I had known about this several years ago. Before Welchol, I could barely leave my home before noon. Now I can travel again. So far, no side effects. Thank goodness."

• Laz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 17, 2020

"I've been on colesevelam 625 mg for two months now. I take 6 a day along with 6 loperamide and 6 codeine. I have some good days, but mostly bad days. I don't go out, I can't work, I don't talk to my friends anymore. Diarrhea has ruined my life. I'm 30 and I have suffered with this since I was 20. I honestly don't know what to do anymore. I have been tested for everything, and the tests always come back clear, which is so frustrating. If I won the lottery, I would give every penny away if someone could find a cure for me. I want my life back. I feel so alone. It would be so nice just to chat to someone who is going through the same thing as me."

• BPo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 24, 2013

Colesevelam "Gallbladder was removed in 1994. Ever since then, severe diarrhea has been mostly on, sometimes off. Many meds later, and after seeing a GI specialist, my primary care physician prescribed Welchol. Great results! I take 6 pills in a divided dose. I still take 1 anti-diarrheal, and 'everything' is better now."

• sno...
• April 16, 2012

Colesevelam "I got my gallbladder removed a little over 2 years ago. I could not eat anything. Most drinks would even make me sick. I have seen several doctors, but the GI doctor gave me Welchol and I take two 625 mg pills twice a day with food. I no longer have to watch what I eat. I have been prescribed several meds prior to Welchol, but nothing helped. 4 pills sounds like a lot, but if needed I can even take 6 pills per day. I never have to take more than 4 though. Ask your doctor for these. You will not be sorry!"

• LBa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 2, 2020

"I had my gallbladder removed 2 years ago and suffered from diarrhea and cramping after every meal afterwards. I couldn't go out to eat at restaurants, go on trips, or leave the house unless I knew that a bathroom was close by. I finally got fed up with it and saw my doctor about it. He prescribed colesevelam, and it changed my life. I only take 1 pill a day and I experience no side effects from it, other than occasional constipation. I love it because it allows me to eat whatever I want without ending up in the bathroom afterwards."

• Anonymous
• January 8, 2009

Colesevelam "I spent two years with chronic diarrhea. After I had major surgery, the surgeon noted that my gallbladder was very scarred. When my general practitioner saw this, he suggested I might be suffering from what he called 'chronic dump' (leaking gallbladder), which might be causing my... well, chronic dump! He gave me a prescription for Welchol (1 per day). He said that it was a low dosage of the drug and I shouldn't have any problem with side effects. I do take all my daily vitamins and supplements about 4 hours after the Welchol for absorption reasons. Not only has this drug worked wonders for me, I only take it as needed."

• Col...
• September 23, 2010

Colesevelam "After I had my gallbladder out, I had bile salts diarrhea - the as-soon-as-you-eat-your-body-fire hoses-it-out sort. Very uncomfortable, and I lost about 40 pounds before my doctor finally prescribed Welchol. I take one at breakfast and one with dinner (just before the meal - not hours, which is very handy), and it has worked miracles. Highly recommend talking to your doctor if after your gallbladder surgery you're trying to live on dry toast."

• lin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 8, 2020

"Suffered IBS with chronic diarrhea for many years, had many days off work and many late starts due to mornings being the worst for me. I came across this site and asked my doctor if I could try these as I also have high cholesterol and cannot tolerate statins. I take 2 tablets before bed, and I have never had any diarrhea issues since, no diarrhea at all anymore - my life has changed so much, and I feel I can go places without having to worry about having accidents. I no longer take any Imodium at all."

• txr...
• February 1, 2018

"I've suffered from chronic diarrhea for over 10 years. I've been to dozens of doctors, taken more tests than I care to remember, and been told at the end of every visit that they can't figure out why it's happening to me or how to stop it. I've been living on daily max doses of Imodium for years. This year, during a consult for a regular colonoscopy, my new gastroenterologist recommended I try Welchol, a cholesterol drug that he thought might help. It's been the best three months of my life! I started the drugs the day of the colonoscopy. I went 24 hours with no symptoms. I thought it was because of the cleanse from the procedure. But it's been three months and NO DIARRHEA. I eat what I want, I no longer scope out the bathroom when I go out. I'm finally leading a normal life without chronic diarrhea. This is a miracle drug to me, and my only question is why didn't the dozens of other doctors recommend it sooner!"

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 3, 2019

"I developed IBS-D about 7 years ago. I had accidents at my workplace, and in the car heading to work. (Almost always in the morning.) I have tried a number of things, and nothing helped more than a day or so. My doc finally prescribed colesevelam for the uncontrollable bowel motions to me just a couple of weeks ago. I have been taking it for just 10 days, and while I have had some very good days, I have had some huge relapses. I am curious how long it takes to work for most people, and whether it is better to take it in the morning or before bed. Also, do you all take it with a meal or not? My doctor prescribed three tabs (huge) once a day, and I have been taking them in the morning. Interested in all tips from actual users. The good days have been amazing, and if I can get all or mostly all good days, I would rate this a 10!! Until I know for sure, the rating is just in the middle."

• Anonymous
• May 7, 2010

Colesevelam "Did not need to take the full dose of six tablets daily - only one tablet each morning, and years of 'dumping' syndrome following meals has completely stopped! Fabulous, unexpected results... love my GI doctor for prescribing this medicine!"

• Anonymous
• November 21, 2011

Colesevelam "I had diarrhea for a year and a half following gallbladder removal. I am so grateful to be able to eat without running to the bathroom within ten minutes. The day after I began taking Welchol, I won a duathlon, probably because I didn't need to use the restroom and I ate a decent breakfast. Thanks for giving me my life back!"

• tec...
• January 7, 2012

Colesevelam "I had my gallbladder out in 1998. I suffered with diarrhea 5-8 times a day and was miserable. What is even worse, I am obese and doctors didn't believe me that I was having watery diarrhea so often. I didn't get prescribed anything until 2011, so 13 years of suffering. I was first given Colestid but found I could not tolerate the powder. A new doctor prescribed Welchol. At first, I only needed to take 4 a day and it worked. But now I find that sometimes the 6 a day doesn't completely work so I believe I have something else going on - lactose or gluten allergy maybe. I have to take the Welchol on time 3 times a day or the next day I am back to square one. I take 2 big tablets, 3 times a day."

• JDa...
• December 13, 2018

"I've been using Welchol for years due to bile salts and IBS, and it was a game changer for me. Insurance switched me to generic a few months back, and I am back to having chronic bouts of diarrhea every time I eat or drink something. Are there others out there with similar experiences?"

• BCa...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 30, 2019

"Responding to JD and Emmy, I had my gallbladder removed about 10 years ago and had constant problems with diarrhea, especially in the mornings. I heard about Welchol from a GI, and it was amazing. Worked like a charm and was only taking one pill a day at bedtime. Since I was only taking one a day, it was way below the usual prescription rate, so a 90 supply would last me a long time. I ran out of brand-name Welchol about 6 months ago and was switched to the generic when I had to get a new prescription. I've been having problems ever since. I'm now taking 4 pills a day. There definitely seems to be a difference. I'm also wondering if the manufacturer of the generic might make a difference."