Cholestyramine for Irritable Bowel Syndrome User Reviews (Page 2)

• Deb...
• September 10, 2019

"I have had IBS-D for over 2 years, and in the end, I had to quit my job. I have had 5 doctors, upper GI, lower GI, and finally, my nurse practitioner diagnosed me with IBS. I was on Welchol for a year, it worked perfectly!!! Then it stopped working :( Took cholestyramine for 3 weeks as my doctor prescribed for that amount of time, and it didn't work. I have to run to the bathroom 14 times daily, every day for the past 2 months now, not left the house. This is no way for anyone to live."

• sue...
• January 22, 2013

"I suffered for 10 years, and it got to the point where I didn't eat out anymore because I knew where I would be for the next hour if I did. My doctor just kept saying to watch what I eat. I did, but nothing specific seemed to trigger my bouts of irritable bowel syndrome. After my father passed away from colon cancer about 4 years ago, my siblings and I were advised to have a colonoscopy. The doctor that did mine recommended I try cholestyramine, and it was like a miracle for me. As long as I take my dose every morning, I am generally just fine. I do occasionally still have flare-ups, but I have discovered that they are hormonal, and I just take a bit extra on those days, and I am usually good to go."

• Sid...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 1, 2014

"I had my gallbladder taken out 2 years ago, after 18 years of having stomach issues and pain and several doctor visits. They told me I needed to have the surgery and get my gallbladder taken out. Then the doctor told me I had irritable bowel syndrome. He told me I would not be able to eat anything greasy because if I did, it would go right through me. Well, I stopped eating greasy foods and ate grilled chicken all the time! It gets old. I started losing weight, my hair thinned out, I got sick all the time, and always had to cancel plans or call in sick because it would get so bad. I finally went back to the doctor and said, 'you gotta do something, I can't go on like this anymore,' and so he put me on this medicine, and it's worked miracles."

• Au ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 15, 2016

"Has worked extremely well, and I am very happy with it. Many seem to have problems with taking this gritty, insoluble product. I mix it with Gatorade using a frother. This is a device used to froth milk for coffee drinks. It disperses all clumping, and grittiness is minimal. I found mine on Amazon after considering an immersion blender. Hope this helps."

• Urg...
• August 9, 2015

"Fourteen years of IBS and diarrhea, multiple colonoscopies and doctors, I was ready to give up hope until I found this site. I called my family doctor, and he prescribed it. I'm on my fourth day. Besides a little bloating and getting used to my new bowel habits, I'm a changed man. I'm 43 years old. I just wish I had found this sooner."

• New...
• February 5, 2016

"I had my gall bladder taken out over 10 years ago, and only in the last 2 years, problems started. Acid reflux and diarrhea. This medication has given my life back to me. I wish doctors knew about it. It took an amazing specialist doctor to recommend it, I'm very thankful. I wish more people with IBS knew about this."

• Liz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 19, 2012

"Wonderful medicine! I've had only hints of minor side effects: a little morning gas, and a few minutes of minor nausea just after drinking it before bed. So glad my gastrointestinal doctor suggested it; so sorry it took 19 months after gallbladder surgery to ask him for something. Out of work but couldn't leave the house on time for job interviews (or doctor's appointments). Not a good first impression. Medicine worked the very first morning and has continued to work. What a relief!"

• bra...
• March 1, 2015

Cholestyramine "After many trips to the GP and hospital with stomach pain and severe toilet issues, I was prescribed Questran Light. Being a ground worker, sometimes no toilets close by is not a problem anymore. A great medicine. I have no side effects."

• Meg...
• July 22, 2016

"I was on dicyclomine for about 2 years after having my gallbladder removed and barely worked, I was taking it before every meal but still experienced extreme cramping. One week with cholestyramine and all my symptoms vanished. It was absolutely amazing. I've been taking it for about 7 months and haven't had any problems since!"

• pic...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 11, 2015

"After removing a prolific stone-producing gallbladder that was causing biliary blockages, anything I ate would basically go right through, particularly the first meal of the day. My gastro doc prescribed the cholestyramine, and bingo, problem resolved. I take it every evening around 9 or 10 PM, have normal stools the next day, and my first meal stays put along with everything else I eat. It will not dissolve and is like drinking sand, but for me, it (Prevalite) goes down easier with a glass of apple cider (not juice). The generic version made by Sandoz I find is easier to take in plain water. As a bonus, this drug also reduces my cholesterol."

• Dee...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 14, 2018

"This medicine changed my life. I am a 63-year-old female who has suffered from IBS-D since I was 20 years old - this medicine is the only thing I have used consistently for the past year, and I have had no flare-ups. If I miss one dose, the next day I’m back to being as bad as I was before I started taking it. So, it is not a cure, but it is wonderful. Just want to know why it took 43 years for a doctor to prescribe. I can go out to eat, I can go to the mall, I can go for a car ride without the fear of having to find a bathroom. YAHOO!"

• Ame...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 16, 2016

"I was diagnosed with IBS-D almost 40 years ago. I've suffered and suffered all my life. About 10 years ago, I 'discovered' Imodium, which helped some for several years. I'd been taking it plus Bentyl for the past year, but it seldom helped. I read about cholestyramine in forums. I already knew I had gallstones. So a light bulb went off in my head, and I realized my problem was likely bile acid malabsorption, at least for the past 5 years or longer. An awesome physician's assistant at a nearby clinic read up about it and gave me a prescription for it. Saved my damn life, I tell ya! There's 42 full scoop doses in a canister, which costs $35 (I don't have insurance). But I only need to take 1/3 to 1/4 scoop a day, and some days I can even skip a dose. A lifesaver!!"

• Sue...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 31, 2020

"I’ve been on first Questran, then cholestyramine for spastic bowel syndrome, a form of IBS, since the mid-1990s. I first took it with Metamucil and always at nighttime. After taking it for 25 years, 1) I realized Metamucil is a softener and stopped that right away, 2) I realized that it needs to be taken with food, to allow for absorption. Things are much better now since making the changes. I still have the odd bad day, but I’m 100% better than I was. I noticed over time my weight fluctuates and find it hard to lose. My hair is also getting thinner, which I never attributed to this medicine. I’ll be on this the rest of my life, but I figure if it works, then I’m fine with that. I just wish my hair would stop thinning!"

• APS...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 8, 2020

"I had my gallbladder out in 2012. About 6 months after, I developed IBS-D-like symptoms. Cramping, diarrhea within an hour after eating. It was completely unpredictable and not diet-dependent, and I suffered for about 3 years until one day I almost didn’t make it to the restroom at work. My doc prescribed cholestyramine, and after one dose of this medication, I was back to normal. It’s amazing, and I can’t live without it. If I miss a dose, I know about it the next day. And because it’s a cholesterol maintenance drug, a 90-day supply costs me nothing out of pocket under my plan."

• Cra...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 5, 2018

"When I was about 20-21, I really started having IBS-D issues, it runs in the family. Was afraid to eat out after 6 pm, especially on a date or something. If I did, I was bathroom mapping like Google Maps BEFORE Google Maps. My gastro gave cholestyramine to me for the first time when I was about 38. Wow, what a difference. Took me a while to get the right sequence, but I learned to take it at least 1 hour or a little more before going out to eat a heavy dinner in the evening. After that, no IBS-D issues, no more explosive problems. It has probably postponed me from having to have my gallbladder removed like many others in my family. Since it has some cholesterol benefits, I don't see why keeping my organs and lowering my cholesterol is bad. I don't take it every night, just when I know I am going out for a heavy dinner meal. It's nice to have on hand! Hope this helps others."

• Hol...
• September 11, 2010

"Post Cholecystectomy Syndrome: This medicine has been the best thing I have ever had. Regardless of the minor side effects I had, it has saved me from constant diarrhea after having my gallbladder removed. I spent 8 miserable months having diarrhea multiple times a day. This has stopped it completely with little to no side effects. It does make me feel full if I take it right before I eat."

• Gra...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 18, 2021

"I am so grateful for this medicine (cholestyramine). I had my gallbladder taken out about 9 years ago. Suffered with stomach problems too long. I finally called a specialist, and he prescribed it to me, and I got results quick. It took away my constant diarrhea and anxiety that comes with it. My GI doctor told me to take one 4 oz packet before bed every night, making sure I rinse my mouth real good and brush my teeth. I mix it real well with a whisk with room temperature water. I highly recommend it!"

• Wal...
• April 25, 2017

"It was a great relief that it worked for me after years of going to various GIs. I like it more than the newer drugs because it is not a systemic drug, so it is less harmful over time. Strongly encourage it before using the newer medications."

• Mon...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 12, 2018

"I'm 50 years old. I just had my colonoscopy done due to a two-month severe diarrhea attack. The procedure images came out to be nothing wrong. But I am still waiting for the biopsy result from the procedure. The GI doctor prescribed me to take 1 scoop of the cholestyramine before bedtime. I see my stool instantly formed in shape the next morning. The only problem now I am facing is constant hunger (approx. 2-3 hours needs to eat). Shaky hands. My left hand yesterday was actually swinging on its own, which I think is due to muscle cramp. This could result in an imbalance of electrolytes. Vitamin deficiency will cause you to feel weak and fatigued. Vitamins: B12, potassium, magnesium, vitamin K, and more. Make sure you monitor closely your vitamin levels when using this drug with your doctor. Best to take supplements along with this drug. Good luck!"

• Bun...
• November 27, 2016

"I've had EPIC D for 3 or 4 years and finally, about 1 1/2 years ago, was given Questran, which is amazing! But, like some of the other posts I've read, it doesn't seem to be completely effective. I started on three doses a day, but that seemed too much. Also, the original doc who prescribed didn't tell me whether to take it before or after the meal! He retired, and the doc that replaced him hasn't told me either, but about six months ago I read (somewhere on the web) you're supposed to take it 45 minutes before eating. Anyone have any thoughts about that? A pharmacist told me to take it right before I eat. Also, I'm on Creon - a digestive enzyme for pancreatic insufficiency."

• hwi...
• February 25, 2012

"I had diarrhea at least once, sometimes several times, every day for the past 3 years. I had a small bowel resection and was told it would just be that way for the rest of my life. Stomach cramps and diarrhea every day, within minutes of eating. Finally, my GI recommended I give this a shot - 1/2 scoop every night just before bed. First night my stomach was a little gurgly, but it worked GREAT! 2 cons: powder does not dissolve in water; works only for 1 day. If I don't take it one night, I am right back to a sensitive digestive system."

• Anonymous
• September 30, 2011

"I have irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea, and this has worked great for me. I take it once or twice a day as needed with juice. The only side effect I noticed was one case of nausea, which passed after about an hour. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids to avoid major constipation."

• Res...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 31, 2017

"It has been a miracle drug for me! I don’t want to exaggerate about it, but it’s given me my life back. I could never venture too far from a toilet. A flight or a traffic jam would terrify me. I take one packet a day mixed with applesauce (for palatability), and I’m problem-free."

• Mia...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 8, 2016

"The only problem I have is my bowels are not solid yet. I may need to take two doses, but they said to do the one packet first for a while. After I drink it, my stomach gurgles like crazy, and I still have a lot of gas at night, but the doctor said it could take time. No idea why my stomach gurgles after drinking the solution. I just put it in very cold water, and down it goes. Make sure you brush your teeth afterward."

• Rel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 21, 2018

"Prevalite has been a great experience this far. It's only been a week, and I have made a complete turnaround. I have suffered for years with IBS-Diarrhea and have had constant diarrhea as soon as I ate something. This has completely stopped that, along with the stomach pains."