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

• Joh...
• 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, I 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."

• Bub...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 26, 2019

"Had my gallbladder out recently and developed the dreaded 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."

• Nic...
• 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."

• Dob...
• 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."

• 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 needs to sort it out and order more in as I don't know what my future holds without this medicine."

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

"After gallbladder surgery in 2006, had constant diarrhea, yellow bile, and upper right side pain, lost 18 lbs in a few weeks. Knew I was going to die. Diagnosed with problems with the 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 Cholestyramine Light, and 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 Cholestyramine Light. Has not worked as well, SEVERE LEG AND FEET MUSCLE CRAMPS! They last forever, feels like a limb is being ripped off. Smaller cramps while sleeping. Can happen when older. I was 58 then and now 70. Breaks my heart. THIS IS A MIRACLE DRUG. PLEASE TRY IT."

• Lyn...
• 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."

• Nic...
• 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!"

• Bam...
• 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 prior 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, Crohn's, 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!"

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

"Cholestyramine worked on day 1 for diarrhea that I had after gallbladder removal. Now I 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."

• Hea...
• July 9, 2016

"I've been suffering with terrible diarrhea after gallbladder removal surgery for 4 months. This surgery and diarrhea have made me lose over 40 pounds thus far and taken my appetite. I've taken Levsen, Lomotil, and those medications only helped somewhat with the terrible cramping I had, and 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 packets twice before my heaviest meals. I'm not immediately dumping my meals like I previously was, and 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."

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

"Four 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 two days, my life changed. I was able to eat a complete meal and began having 'normal' bowel movements. Life changer. That is all."

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

"I have had tremendous diarrhea after my gallbladder 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 used to take to get some control."

• KMa...
• 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."

• Nic...
• June 8, 2015

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

• Mem...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 8, 2019

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

• HiJ...
• 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 of 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!"

• 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 my 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."

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

"I had a cholecystectomy 2 years ago and since cannot eat anything without a trip to the loo. Wish I'd just let them remove the gallstones and kept my gallbladder. 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 cholestyramine 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 rhabdomyolysis, a very serious muscle-wasting disease."

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

"After suffering from periodic episodes of diarrhea after having my gallbladder 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."

• Hap...
• August 13, 2017

"This drug has given me my social life back. Immediately after gallbladder 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 embarrassing incidents 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 every day, it is very affordable and also is covered by my insurance plan."

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

"Had my gallbladder 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 a while 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 persistent loose bowels with no fixed cause. I also love that my cholesterol levels are those of a fit 16-year-old!"

• Vio...
• 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."

• Gre...
• 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?"

• Hei...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 31, 2024

"I have been taking Questran Lite for 10 years. I’m in my early 70s. Started off with one sachet at night before a meal and got it down to half a sachet until recently when I was diagnosed with pancreatic insufficiency, and now have to take CREON (enzyme to help digest food). Now I have to take a Questran Lite sachet before breakfast and also the evening meal and think I will have to take another one, maybe at night before bed. It does work. My doctor seems happy to let me adjust the dosage as needed. When my bile is high, I use some hand cream on the toilet paper and have had no anal irritation. So far, Questran doesn’t seem to be causing any issues. I take a probiotic, multivitamins, and Vit D liquid drops. Apparently, the absorption of water-soluble vitamins can be affected by having no gallbladder, so I have regular blood tests. Mostly you have to work at balancing medications and diet, and the results will be different for everyone, especially if you have other medical conditions to consider."