Colesevelam User Reviews & Ratings (Page 3)

• Bel...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 18, 2021

For Diarrhea, Chronic "I had horrible cramping, bloating, and diarrhea following my gallbladder removal for 3 years. A doctor suggested trying one Lodalis (Colesevelam) 625 mg a day. It’s an off-label use for people with high cholesterol (which I don’t have). It is now 7 years later. No symptoms anymore, and I can eat whatever I want with no problems. Good luck!"

• Emm...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 16, 2018

For Diarrhea, Chronic "Had my gallbladder out, and a few months later starting getting diarrhea no matter what I ate. Starting living on Lomotil, 8 pills a day. Then a GI doctor told me about Welchol. The miracle cure was amazing. Started with 6 pills down to 1 a day and feeling great. THEN I WAS GIVEN THE NEW GENERIC. I am back to needing Lomotil...not as bad as before, but was wondering if anyone else has had problems with the generic. I want to go back to the brand label, but my insurance will probably not pay for it."

• Hub...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 11, 2024

For Diarrhea, Chronic "Colesevelam gave me my life back. I was diagnosed with a low-functioning gallbladder with sludge, and it was recommended that I have it removed. After surgery, I was left with chronic severe diarrhea that made it difficult to leave the house until the morning purge was over. I finally made an appointment with a gastroenterologist, and after trying a few things that didn't help, she recommended I try colesevelam. It took a little bit to get the dosage adjusted to get it to work best with my needs, but I can live a pretty normal life now. I take 2-3 tablets twice daily. I also read about adding Metamucil fiber capsules along with the colesevelam, which seemed to help even more. Fiber balances the liquid in the gut. I take 3 capsules 3x daily with food, but it needs to be added very gradually. Colesevelam needs to be taken with food and NOT just before lying down. Also, generics vary greatly. Zydus was worthless! Amneal is good. Cosette the best."

• suz...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 11, 2018

For Diarrhea, Chronic "Like a lot of other people, my IBS was misdiagnosed after 25 years plus, not only affecting my whole life - changing my personality, social skills; had CBT, hypnosis, and a heck of a lot of money I've spent searching for answers, treatments. My husband has also suffered silently because his life has been also affected in lots of ways. How was it missed?!!! Mine is a very long story. However, I would like to find out if there is a forum for people like me. I've been on colesevelam since last September, but I still have to take Imodium, up to 10 per day. Is anyone else out there taking both? Would like to know how they are getting on."

• GFg...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 16, 2019

For Diarrhea, Chronic "Responding to Tishayoung - I have been on it for a few months consistently now, and I've noticed it's a very strong dosage that causes nausea if I don't eat enough food with it, and yet I still have good/bad days on it. I did a trial where I quit taking it, and I had diarrhea nearly instantly the next morning. So it definitely does work to some extent, but I still find myself having to take Imodium alongside it, which seems ridiculous at 6 pills/day. Maybe from what I'm reading, Welchol works better than the generic? Has anyone else got any input on this? I know generics can differ a little, but I'm willing to switch to the brand if it works better! Glad it's working well for those I've read about on here though."

• Sla...
• June 21, 2013

Colesevelam for High Cholesterol "51 yr old male - high blood pressure, diabetic with bad HDL/LDL ratio (total cholesterol around 100). I do not eat right (but I am getting better at it). Been on the suspension for about a year now. I can tell by my energy level and overall 'feeling' when I take it - don't seem to have the highs and lows. Hate the taste and texture when mixed with plain water, so a lot of days I just didn't take it. I have found that if I mix it with 8 oz of water and add a shot of orange MIO, that it is fine. Also, I was taking it at night (just before bed), but I was having terrible heartburn. Now taking it in the morning and no such problem... The only reason I didn't give it a 10 is ease of use."

• far...
• October 29, 2020

For Diarrhea, Chronic "I had my gallbladder 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, it changed my life. Now I go to the bathroom once a day...and I only take one pill every morning."

• Pja...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 9, 2020

Colesevelam "I had been having wonderful results from Welchol, prescribed for post-gall bladder removal diarrhea. Before Christmas, I filled my prescription with generic ...BIG MISTAKE... Trust me, they do not work... went back to Welchol brand... never use generic again!!"

• GFg...
• February 25, 2019

For Diarrhea, Chronic "I was diagnosed with celiac disease when I was 16. With a GF diet, I had it all under control until this past summer. My symptoms came back full swing and with no indication of why. I had colonoscopies, endoscopes, MRIs, biopsies, etc. The doctor discovered BAM (bile acid malabsorption) as the cause for my diarrhea and cramping, which occurred EVERY time I’d eat anything. It got in the way of my schooling, social life, work, even running errands. It’s almost ludicrous the amount of things it stopped me from doing as it got more unpredictable. Not a way to live at 21. We’re doing a trial of colesevelam. I take 3 tabs twice daily with meals, which seems like a lot to me, but it is working so far. Some days I pair it with Imodium, but that’s only if I don’t take colesevelam tabs at the exact same time each morning/evening. I am concerned about how it interacts with BC pills because of the amount I take each day (6 pills at 625 mg). Has anyone else been prescribed that high of a dosage? Did they lower it over time?"

• Ed7...
• March 13, 2017

For Diarrhea, Chronic "I started having mild diarrhea around the age of 12, around 4 to 6 times a day. As I got older, this increased and caused me to stop exercising, as I had chronic diarrhea! I tried everything to limit it, including massive doses of Imodium, but nothing touched it. At the age of 31, while suffering painful chronic diarrhea 20+ times a day and suffering constant exhaustion, I luckily found a newspaper article that highlighted bile acid malabsorption, and after a few visits and another year of harassing a consultant, I was put on cholestagel 625 mg (colesevelam), which changed my life!! Unfortunately, serious intestinal damage had been done, which still causes problems with ulcers, prolapses, blood, and mucus, but the chronic diarrhea is cured!"

• San...
• August 22, 2015

For Diarrhea, Chronic "I had my gallbladder out in 2000. Then started the dreaded diarrhea! I would be getting ready to leave for work, and a simple cough or sneeze would send me running for the shower because I had accidentally leaked. I got to the point I couldn't take it anymore! It was truly ruining my life. I had seriously considered something I won't mention here because my life was ruined with a cough or sneeze or lifting an object. I was at my end. I started doing research on my own and found Welchol. I mentioned it to my doctor on my next visit, and she prescribed it. I've never been happier in my life!!!!! It helped a lot. I had insurance then, but unfortunately, I haven't had insurance in 3 years, so honestly, I have to choose food or liquid poo!"

• hap...
• November 23, 2020

Colesevelam "I'm 31/F. Had gallbladder removed summer 2019, and since then I had been living with an extremely volatile system with diarrhea. My stomach would get urgently upset once or sometimes multiple times per day. I thought it was just my system adjusting, but it got worse. I would have to leave meetings and run to the bathroom, take driving routes where I knew there were public restrooms, and I even started packing towels and cleanup items in case I had an accident. Then, because of COVID, it helped because I was always close to a bathroom, but I felt completely hopeless about living a normal life. Wish I had seen a GI doc sooner, he prescribed me Welchol, and from the first day, it has changed my life. It has stopped the diarrhea after having my gallbladder removed. I'm no longer living in fear, and I can enjoy not being constantly worried about diarrhea. I'm bummed that I'll probably need this for life, but it is worth it to live without fear! Highly recommend. Only side effect is that I had to adjust my drug schedule. Apparently, it can affect the accuracy of your bc."

• MsL...
• April 24, 2017

For Diarrhea, Chronic "I had my gallbladder removed in 2004, resulting in always needing to know where a potty was at all times. After several Dr. & 12 years of getting sick, I had a colonoscopy & endoscopy done where it came back normal to the naked eye, but the biopsy didn't. It showed mastocytosis (mast cell disease). Was put on Welchol before my procedure, and it was like a miracle pill. After finding out what I had, they changed me to Zyrtec & Zantac. Within three days, I was back to getting sick. So back to Welchol I go, and probably will never try anything else again. Happy to finally not worry about when to eat & where the bathrooms are. Life is going to get better!"

• Fir...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 15, 2019

For Diarrhea, Chronic "I take a lower dose than prescribed for high cholesterol. I also have had problems with diarrhea since the 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."

• Cac...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 31, 2021

For Diarrhea, Chronic "I had chronic diarrhea starting unexpectedly over 2 years ago. GI and internists said, “live with it!” Finally went to my hometown doc who ordered every test known, with nothing found (thank you, Lord!). Took trial doses of Zen Pep and Endocort with no stopping diarrhea. Finally, he ordered Welchol, 6 a day, helped some. Ran into my retired druggist and shared all this with him. He said, “Try taking Metamucil - it builds bulk in your stool.” HALLELUJAH!!!! This works. Regular every day unless I eat something greasy. I’m taking Metamucil capsules, 5 each time I take 3 generic Welchol. Generic Metamucil ok too. It’s been a miracle for me! Druggists are encyclopedias of info. I share the frustration of all posts. Try this combo. Hope it works as well for you."

• One...
• June 22, 2016

For Diarrhea, Chronic "Thank God I came across this website, and many thanks to all the others who went through 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 printout of this paperwork to my PCP, they said."

• Bir...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 4, 2022

For Diarrhea, Chronic "I have been taking Welchol for bile acid diarrhea for almost 15 months. My BAD is due to a long-term blood cancer drug treatment (Revlimid), which affects the intestinal lining. At first, it worked amazingly, then, after about 4 months, I started having trouble again. Reading reports on Drugs.com helped me to adjust my diet and increase my dosage, which almost solved my problem. I now take two 625 mg pills twice daily, and it seems to mostly work. I still have loose stools about once a week, but it is easily handled. When that happens, I also take Imodium with my doctor's OK. I have had no other side effects from the Welchol. Smaller meals, rather than larger meals, seem to help me. After some online research, I also found that keeping my daily fat intake to less than 40 grams is key to success. I cook mostly with whole, unprocessed foods, so it is easy to focus on lower fat ingredients. I also rarely eat red meat, mostly chicken and fish. No fried foods! Thank you, Drugs.com."

• Rab...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 13, 2020

For Diarrhea, Chronic "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."

• mik...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 5, 2019

For Diarrhea, Chronic "I have had IBS my whole life with hemorrhoids. I had prostate radiation 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 once 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 diarrhea. Don't know what to do. Any help. Is this normal with Welchol?"

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

For Diarrhea, Chronic "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."

• ste...
• August 26, 2014

For Diarrhea, Chronic "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). After 2 months of explosive diarrhea, I too was given LODALIS (the 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."

• Anonymous
• July 8, 2008

Colesevelam for Hyperlipoproteinemia Type IIa, Elevated LDL "I have been on Welchol for over a year, but it is being used to treat the side effects of my not having a gallbladder. I only take an average of 1 per day, but my memory doesn't seem any worse than it ever was."

• fox...
• May 25, 2015

For Diarrhea, Chronic "I have bile salt malabsorption colitis due to a right hemicolectomy years ago, and after several more operations, I have only been given codeine to help slow things down. I have tried Questran and Colestid but found they 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 diarrhea-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 lifesaver, and I can now finally eat a whole meal!!!"

• Tom...
• May 20, 2016

For Diarrhea, Chronic "This was a life changer for me. I was suffering with diarrhea over 10 times a day, and since starting on this, I have finally got my life back and can do most of the things 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!"

• Bea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 27, 2020

For Diarrhea, Chronic "To retired grandma.. I started chronic diarrhea after gallbladder removal. Doc said I must have had IBS. Emotional stress really kicks it in. Things were finally starting to get better.. or at least livable. 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, I 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."