Colesevelam for Diarrhea, Chronic User Reviews (Page 3)

• One...
• June 22, 2016

"Thank God I came across this website and many thanks to all the others who went though what I did. For 3 years following my gallbladder removal I have IBS-D. I tried to modify my diet, limit portions, herbal medications, remove certain foods from my diet, exercise more, ox bile, digestive enzymes, etc. You name it, I tried it! The final straw was living on Imodium. While Imodium helped, I realized it was not going to be a long term solution, so I began searching for another answer and thankfully came across this website. High cholesterol was not a problem according to my recent blood work, so I would have never thought Welchol would be a solution. Wow, was I wrong. As soon as I took a print down of this paperwork to my PCP, they said"

• Fire
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 15, 2019

"I take a lower dose than prescribed for high cholesterol. I also have had problem with diarrhea since gallbladder/and Nissan procedure. This has given me my life back taking two tablets once a day in the morning has solved my post gallbladder removal diarrhea"

• farrah
• October 29, 2020

"I had my gall bladder removed and after that I started having diarrhea constantly and was afraid to go on any kind of long car ride. I had to scope out the bathroom everywhere I went, I was so miserable. This drug colesevelam is wonderful, changed my life. Now I go to the bathroom once a day....and I only take one pill every morning."

• Rabbit
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 13, 2020

"I was diagnosed with bile acid malabsorption following non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, and subsequent chemo'. Loperamide and careful diet made a difference but colesevelam solved the diarrhea straight away. Side effects included lower bowel pains, fatigue, sore throat and runny nose. I still had to avoid certain foodstuffs. I may switch between the two medications when I need to avoid fatigue."

• mike
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 5, 2019

"I have had IBS my whole life with hemorrhoids. I had prostate radiaiton proton three years ago and bleed all the time only a small amount at a time. I have had 7 bandings for hemorrhoids. I have been taking Welchol for diarrhea one twice daily and it is working well for one year. My normal pattern is two days of no bms and then the third day I have three normal bms and then 2 bms of diahrrea. Don't know what to do. Any help. Is this normal with Welchol."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 10, 2017

"I have crohn's disease and had my second bowel resection over a year ago. Experienced severe diarrhea and gas after every meal, no matter what I ate. Was prescribed Welchol -- 2 per day. I take it mid-day right before lunch, and it gets rid of all of the symptoms until the next day. If I ever miss a day, I'm back to square one. Nothing else seems to work for me, but this is a godsend."

• LAWIS...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 5, 2020

"If I take it morning and night as directed. I get bound up, so then I stop taking it and ruin my underwear as I can't make it to bathroom. Then I take it again.. and it takes forever to help me. I am either bound up or ruining my clothes. Imodium doesn't touch me.."

• foxy
• May 25, 2015

"I have bile salt malasorbtion colitis due to a right hemicolectomy years ago and after several more operations and only been given codeine to help slow things down .I have tried questran and colestid but found them gave me sickness. My new consultant recommended these but warned that they were hard to find. But they have completely given me my life back. I never thought that I would be pain free and diahorea free. My only problem is my chemist finds it hard to get them for me and the two other chemists do not keep them on their list. They are my life saver and I can now finally eat a whole meal!!!"

• stefa...
• August 26, 2014

"I had my appendix removed along with some bowel some large and small intestines AND an ovary( due to infection... I was full of it... another story) and after 2 months of explosive diarrhea I to was given LODALIS (Canadian version of Colesevelam) I only take 1 a day but 2 if I go on road trips and I really don't eat because I'm afraid I will have to go but after reading these stories I will eat again. Thanks."

• Ski...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 29, 2022

"I’ve literally been taking Colesevelam for 2 weeks. And it’s working amazingly well. I have Crohns and had 2 small bowel resections. I have just been diagnosed with bile acid malabsorption (BAM) and life was pretty miserable. I’m a runner too so I had to dive into bushes"

• Cmab
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 3, 2023

"Chemo and radiation damage caused my problem. Had gallbladder removed in '92, no problems. Occasionally, spells of constipation were my problem. In 2010, I was diagnosed with anal cancer and during treatment, "Hell" began. Taking a sip of water caused instant diarrhea. Nothing helped to stop it. Things did improve, but like the others, I was always running to the bathroom. I felt housebound. I always had to make up excuses not to go out. Not until July 2023 did my GI doctor prescribe 625 mg of generic Welchol after I had researched my symptoms and came across bile malabsorption. (I can only afford the generic) Bingo, I finally can feel confident to socialize. I take 1-2 pills a day and that works for me. I know coffee and high-fat foods are triggers, so if I need to increase the dosage, I will. I will follow up with my doctor this week to discuss the best dosage. This medication has worked a miracle for me. I can't believe I suffered with it for 13 years. Much luck to all!"

• Maggie
• March 31, 2021

"Been on Colsevalam for over a year Was helping diarrhea but recently I increased from 2 tablets to 3 since I am getting bouts of diarrhea again. I am not sure why this is happening. I need to see my doctor and hope he has an answer for me."

• Tomuehf
• May 20, 2016

"This was a life changer for me I was suffering with diarreah over 10 times a day and since starting on this I have finally got my life back and can do most of the thing I did before! I am not 100% back to how I was but I have not been on them for too long (about 8 weeks) but I can actually live again!"

• SIBO
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 31, 2023

"Not all Colesevelams are created equal! I have been on Bionpharma's version for a year, which has been life-changing. My pharmacy filled the last one with Colesevelam manufactured by Cosette. I knew it was a different manufacturer within one hour of taking the medication as it is completely ineffective at alleviating my symptoms. I am exactly the same on Cosette's version of the medication as I am without taking any. Bionpharma's version, on the other hand, is a game-changer. If you are taking this med or prescribed and feel it is ineffective, I encourage you to try the Bionpharma version!"

• Bear
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 27, 2020

"To retired grandma.. I started chronic diarrhea after gallbladder removal. Doc said I must have has IBS. Emotional stress really kicks it in. Things were finally starting to get better.. or at least liveable. Then I had a colonoscopy and the “prep” did me in. Started it at 4 pm per instructions and was still in the bathroom at 4:30 am! After all my hard work on my gut the prep wiped it all out. That was in June 2020 and I was worse than ever. And instead of just diarrhea in the morning it could be all day long. After a bit of trial and error found 2 probiotics that were helping a lot- Jarro-Dophilus EPS 8 strains 25 billion per cap and Saccharomyces Boulardii + MOS. I also eat the highest fiber cereal I can find. Just started Colesevelam a few days ago and it seems to be helping. I’m still taking the probiotics and eating kashi cereal. Hope this helps. My rating is a 7 only because it’s too soon to tell how it’s actually doing."

• grann...
• July 22, 2016

"In 2001 I had my gallbladder removed. And since then I have had chronic diaherra. I would spend 12 hours with explosive diaherra. It made my life miserable. I didn't know when I could leave the house. The delayed gastric emptying and the chronic diaherra I started taking the drug Welchol. And I feel so good. I have had to change my eating habits. Foods that I have loved, I can not eat anymore. I can except that, so the I am no miserable. Maybe I can start exercising and lose weight."

• Tisha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 29, 2019

"I wanted to reply to GFgal. I have gone through a lot as well. It was bad for about 10 years (I am so sorry you’re going through this at only 21 ,I can’t even imagine ). Then I got my gallbladder out. After that I couldn’t really leave the house. But then I found my Doctor and he put me on Colesevelam and it changed my life. He also put me on the 650 tabs and started me at 2 at bedtime then told me that I could take up 6 until it worked. So I think it might be normal. How is working for you? I hope it’s helping you!!!! Tisha March 28, 2019"

• Lil...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 23, 2016

"This drug is a life saver for me as I have diagnosed with SeHCAT that I have idiopathic severe Bile Acid Malabsorption , we're talking decades of severe diarrhoea daily ,and being dismissed as an " it's all in the mind, non compliant patient" type. My only issue is that since taking it I've started tinnitus. However I'm hoping that a new med will come out shortly or trying to take less will help manage that as it's a very difficult thing to live with."

• Mothe...
• November 8, 2016

"I've always had issues with going but, I had my gallbladder out in 2008 since then I've been getting worse and worse...I went to 3 different doctors who diagnosed me with ibs-d and sent me home saying take a prebiotic...finally I found a doctor early this year. He was determined to help me. I was always late to work and as soon as I got there is was in the bathroom. I went to the bathroom in excess of 10 times a day on a good day. I had to carry a change of clothes to work cause I had frequent accidents. And my belly pain was soo bad I felt as though I would fall unconscious.my doctor referred me to a specialist and he put me on 4 pills once a day...I still potty like 4 times a day but it's given me back my life!"

• Hope
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 31, 2021

"Had a hysterectomy for cervical cancer in '93 followed by 6 weeks of radiation. In '94 got a bowel obstruction which required 3 feet of small intestine be removed. Been suffering with chronic diarrhea since 1994. Had to retire from job. Didn't go out much, especially in the morning. Going to grocery stores made me nervous in case of having an accident. New GI prescribed Welchol and I seriously feel my diarrhea symptoms have improved! 3 tabs in morning after breakfast. Feeling almost normal again!"

• Retired...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 22, 2020

"I started taking 1 generic Welchol in 2013 for chronic diarrhea after gallbladder removal. It was wonderful until it stPopes working in 18 months. I went to 2 pills 1 in morning 1 at night. It was great for 18 months! I had 2 colonoscopies. Nothing there. Have appointment to talk to doctor again. I’m tired of this."

• gallb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 2, 2021

"After my GP, doing all test under the sun, they found out my percentage of bile leaking and having bad reaction, plus epileptic. I had to pay private my doctor aka higher than gp would not give me this, ]then when he did - bingo, no more running to toilet can now meet a friend without worrying"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 24, 2023

"Used for 1 1/2 years, 6 pills a day (3 with each meal). I had struggled with chronic diarrhea for years. This drug worked great and I too felt like I had a life again. Recently, diarrhea has begun all over again with a vengeance even on medication. What is happening?"

• Grate...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 27, 2021

"I owe my quality of life to this medication. I had my gallbladder out and since I have experienced dumping syndrome which if you know, is no fun at all. I could not eat anything without extreme nausea cramping and near constant diarrhea. I take this medication before I eat, sometimes in the middle of a meal if I forgotten, and it has absolutely changed my life. In just one day, I am completely back to normal. I was wondering what my quality of life is going to be before I found this medication, now I know it’s going to be great!!"

• Chest...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 2, 2021

"Excellent for world wide travel for the last 15 years. Travelled for business from New Zealand to India to China & everywhere in between. Lived in Hong Kong. Had many bouts of food poisoning & other stomach upsets. Welchol was my absolute saviour. Even now, wouldn't travel without it! Also have IBD...it controls it perfectly."