Cholestyramine and Bloating: What Users Say

• Var...
• October 30, 2019

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "Had stomach and bowel issues since my teen years, unpredictable and no warnings, tests done, nothing found, had gall bladder removed in my early 60s and made stomach and bowel issues ten times worse. Started taking Prevalite (cholestyramine) 1 pack a day and I can finally eat without cramping and bowel issues within two hours after eating. I take it in the morning with orange juice. I notice a little bloating but nothing else. If I miss a dose, the diarrhea comes back with a vengeance. I drink plenty of fluid to prevent constipation. This medication has changed my life. Im 69 so if I need to take it the rest of my life, its okay. Its better than being bathroom bound!"

• Swe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 22, 2019

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I started using this in June of this year after having chronic diarrhea for 5 plus years. This helped me after one use. I have issues with bloating and gas and have noticed hair loss. But I have gone from 70 lbs 1 year ago to 90 lbs today. I mix it with 2 T of orange Metamucil in a large glass. Starting with a small amount of water and then adding more water slowly. I also put about a 1/4 cup of orange juice with it. I feel for the others with chronic diarrhea. I didn't think it was a life worth living either. I wish you all the best."

• Urg...
• August 9, 2015

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "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."

• Bab...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 12, 2018

For Post-Cholecystectomy Diarrhea "I had my gallbladder removed in 2017. Was prescribed Prevalite but refused to take it because I wanted an “all-natural” remedy for the horrific diarrhea. I lost 20-25 pounds, and all of the natural remedies were not working. Started taking the meds 1x daily in the evening before dinner. I’ve gained back 10 pounds, but I have so much gas and bloating. I also take a fiber supplement in the morning and am wondering if anyone else takes fiber along with the medicine? I’m beginning to think I’m sensitive to something I’m eating or the fiber itself is making me so bloated and gassy. Any comments or suggestions will be greatly appreciated."

• TTa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 15, 2016

For Post-Cholecystectomy Diarrhea "I've been in hell for over a year after having my gallbladder removed, severe diarrhea, weight loss, got down to 90 pounds, extreme abdominal pain, and nausea. I couldn't function normally. I have been on cholestyramine for two months, and the diarrhea is gone, still have abdominal pain, and some nausea. I now have bloating and really bad nerve pain, muscle aches, and headaches. The relentless nerve pain wakes me several times a night, and I feel like I'm being stabbed with an ice pick all over my body. In the morning, my muscles are painful and weak, which makes it hard to walk. The side effects are miserable, but I can't go back to having the severe diarrhea and being afraid to get too far from the bathroom. Has anyone else had these side effects?"

• Cee...
• September 14, 2018

For Dumping Syndrome "I had my gallbladder removed back in 2005. Since then, I had lived over a toilet. Constant nausea and bloating. At least three times a day, I felt as if I were going to vomit, followed by bloating. Dizziness and instant fatigue. I went in to my doctor and finally explained all this and was prescribed two packets of cholestyramine a day. To be honest, I had read all of the information about this medication, and it scared me, and I decided not to take it. A couple of weeks ago, I woke up and felt like I was going to vomit from early morning until around 10 pm. I had never experienced that, and it resulted in me laying in bed all day sick. So, I decided to try it, and my goodness, it has saved me. No more bloating, no more running to the bathroom. I can go out to dinner and not frantically look for a bathroom! I only have to go to the restroom once a day, and that's it. I have to say, though, if a dose is missed, there is hell to pay (i.e., back to how I used to live). I was advised to take two packets but am fine with one packet a day."

• Ama...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 30, 2023

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "My gallbladder was removed in the early '90s, since then, I suffered worsening IBS symptoms, and many foods I ate gave me very painful, gushing bowel movements and bloating. I started taking Olestyr about five years ago. This medication was and is a life changer. Why my previous doctors didn't prescribe this years ago is a mystery, but thank God I found this stuff, and I can have my life back."

• Nic...
• June 8, 2015

For Post-Cholecystectomy Diarrhea "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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 18, 2022

For Crohn's Disease "Have suffered from Crohn's since 2000. First resection 2009 and was able to recover quite well. Second resection surgery in 2018 and it was not as smooth. Started Stelara in 2019 and it's helped, but was still in the bathroom up to 20 times a day. Came across this forum last month and spoke with my gastroenterologist. From the first dose (powder mixed in water), it was like night and day. I still have a bloating issue, but this drug was life-changing. I also don't know why this isn't more widely known in the Crohn's community - it has changed my life more than anything in the last 22 years."

• Mil...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 8, 2021

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I had bloating for years and discovered that I was lactose intolerant. Further down the road, I had a colonoscopy and had a cecum polyp, which necessitated removing a substantial part of my gut, and a colon resection was performed. After the surgery, I had bouts of bloating and diarrhea. The surgeon put me on Sandoz Cholestyramine. It cured my problem. I haven't used it for 2 years, even though I've had some episodes. Quite honestly, I forgot about the medication, even though I had it in the house. Well, I had a very sick past 4 days with bloating and pain in my lower intestines. I was knocked out. I remembered the Cholestyramine and took a package, in a few hours, I was fine... like I was never sick. I took another package the following day and am fine. I will use this as needed. It was also 1 and 1/2 years past the expiration date, but it worked! I found that I need to avoid salads... too much fiber. Who knew? We are all a mystery. I will renew the prescription."