Colesevelam for Diarrhea, Chronic User Reviews (Page 2)

• Anonymous
• August 29, 2019

"I have had IBS my whole life. I would take Imodium in my twenties before any outing, and while it controlled diarrhea, it made me nauseous, jittery, and constipated. So I avoided dinners out, dreaded all away-from-home festivities, much to my active family's chagrin. Then my doctor prescribed Welchol around 40 years old, I am 49 now. Up to six a day as needed. Seemed like a lot. I started with 2. Now I only take one before meals out and start a couple of days ahead of time if I will be traveling (on the road food, UGH!). I have a life now, still watch my main triggers though, nothing's failproof. Just have to experiment with it to see what works for you. But I thank God for the day I got my life back. My family does too! Very expensive when I didn’t have insurance, so I bought it 7 to 10 pills at a time."

• Tri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 28, 2021

"I've had chronic diarrhea for 20 years, and any time I went to a GI doc, all they wanted to do was make $ doing a procedure. I had a botched colonoscopy because the doctor didn't go far enough and wanted to do another one right away. I said no way! Went to an NP who let me try colesevelam, and it is a miracle drug. I don't know what caused the diarrhea (I have my gallbladder) because she didn't give me a diagnosis. I asked to try the drug. I only take one a day and am so happy to have my life back. I'm normal. So please, if any doctors are reading this, think about what's right for your patient, not about how to make $."

• Wea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 20, 2024

"Had diarrhea for over 23 years, was housebound. Pooping every 10-15 minutes. Told it was IBS. Tried low-residue diet, FODMAP diet, gluten-free, dairy-free diets. Found I couldn't lose weight either. Went on gluten-free, dairy-free, low-fat diets for 6 years. Admitted to the hospital as suicidal. Due to dieting and wearing nappies and not leaving the house for so many years. I insisted something be done to investigate the problem. Was referred to Gastroenterology. They did a scan. Prescribed colesevelam. It's a life changer. I go to the loo 1-3 times a day. Not got urgency, feel like I empty fully when I go. I'm not constantly feeling like I need a poop. I'm going out. Getting exercise regularly. Got hope in my life. Thanks for colesevelam, it's a miracle drug. I recommend this to anyone with chronic diarrhea."

• Ang...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 3, 2022

"I am 67 years old and have had IBS-D for all of my life. I had my first upper lower GI series at 5 years old. Since the mid-1980s, I have survived life with Imodium. Without this drug, I wouldn’t have been able to hold down a job. IBS-D crippled me from doing simple things like going on field trips with my children. I lived in constant fear of not being able to locate a bathroom when I needed it. A few months ago, my primary care physician told me that his wife, who also had IBS-D, was using WelChol, and she was having great results. He gave me a prescription for WelChol, and it literally changed my life that day. I have not used any Imodium in over six months. I have traveled with confidence, and I am enjoying my life in a way I never have before! This drug is literally a miracle for me. I take two in the morning with my breakfast and one with my dinner. If I’m traveling, I will take two with the dinner. WelChol is a blessing and an answer to my prayers."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 6, 2017

"My story is similar to others. The first thing I would locate in a store or a restaurant was the bathroom because I knew I would have to go before we left there. I even turned down job opportunities because the bathroom was too far away from where I would sit in fear that I wouldn't make it in time. That is no way to live. After a colonoscopy and stool lab results, my doctor put me on Welchol, which I call the poop pill. In my opinion, it is the miracle medicine. I take 3 every night before bedtime, and I have not had any more issues. I can enjoy leaving the house and not worry about wearing white clothes. I am one happy camper!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 26, 2017

"I'm a 51-year-old health professional. In 1983, at the age of 17, I had my gallbladder removed (cholecystectomy). Although my painful gallstone attacks ended, like others, I began suffering irritable bowel symptoms for the next 25 years. These frequent bouts of cramping and urgent diarrhea impacted my work, travel, and social life. In 2010, I changed my GP, and he recommended the off-label use of Welchol as a solution to my GI problems. I cannot overemphasize the profound and positive impact this drug has had on my lifestyle. If you've had your gallbladder removed and are having GI problems, please talk with your doctor about this medication."

• Won...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 14, 2017

"For 40 years, I've had to spend a lot of time on the toilet. So much so that it has now become a habit that I spend as much as 30-40 minutes at a time just reading or watching YouTube. Then I met my new girlfriend, who pretty much noticed from the start that something was not right. I had suffered kidney stones from my early 20s and always had cramps. Then I was referred to a doctor who had the time to listen to me, who took the time to try and find the cause. Turns out I have had a very severe case of bile acid malabsorption (BAM) for my whole life. Who knew? I was prescribed colesevelam, which I now have to take 6 a day, but the change has been amazing. I'm not saying I'm cured, but I can live again. Don't take no for an answer."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 24, 2021

"So glad I found these reviews and comments. I'd been struggling for a year with chronic diarrhea. I would get spasms and cramps after eating, and it would come pouring out of me. The most notable thing that would happen is every morning I would wake up, and I would go and go. I was losing weight. Nothing I tried worked. The gastroenterologist tested me for infections-negative. Then thought it was UC and gave me immune suppressing drugs with no change. Then they said it was IBS and gave me antispasmodic drugs. Nothing worked. I read something about bile acid malabsorption (BAM) and found these reviews and asked her if I could try this drug. I think she was pretty skeptical, but she prescribed it anyway. Within 48 hours, the diarrhea stopped. It is like a miracle drug, and it changed how I lived my life. I had avoided travel and/or hiking worry about where the bathroom was. And now I had my freedom back. I just wonder how many more people could benefit from this and are needlessly suffering."

• Sus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 28, 2023

"Unlike the majority of the reviews, I have not had my gallbladder removed. I have suffered with diarrhea for 30 years, with the last ten being so bad I had to bring extra clothes and wet wipes with me everywhere I went. Ten to twelve times a day running to the bathroom, often with accidents even though I was less than ten feet away. It is like the challenges of getting ready for a colonoscopy every single day of your life. Three months ago, a GI doctor said, 'I think you might have bile acid malabsorption. Let’s try this medication and see if it works.' Life returned to a normal state within four days. I could not use the powder as it made my stomach hurt. The colesevelam is a miracle drug that has me traveling out of the country in less than three months."

• Med...
• November 18, 2015

"I have had diarrhea for the past 25 years. I also had my gallbladder removed in 2006, was running on 12% for who knows how long. Quality of life socially was impaired by needing a bathroom without much of a warning at least 4 to 5 times a day. I would not go out in public for very long. And forget ever eating out! I tried everything over the counter and behind the counter and sometimes both, with little to no relief. Finally, my P/A and I put our heads together and came up with Welchol. It has been a big life changer. I am starting to do things that I haven't been able to do for quite some time. It's been a big life changer for me. 4 months now, 3 x 625 mg twice daily. No side effects as of yet. 52 yr/female."

• Dsa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 17, 2019

"After having my gallbladder taken out, I was told to be careful what I ate. No fatty foods, etc., and I would get back to normal in a couple of months. After an 18-month period with diarrhea up to 10 times a day, I went to my nurse practitioner, and she gave me Welchol. I take one tablet at noon and two with my evening meal. After 2 weeks, I have my life back."

• Gre...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 23, 2024

"I've been on these tablets, 2 a day, morning and evening meal, like a lot more. Spent my life in toilets, hardly get on holiday, ruined my life with diarrhea. At last, I feel like my life has changed after 40 years for someone, a doctor, to eventually diagnose me. Yes, I get a bit constipated, but better than running to the toilet 8/10 times a day. I wore out."

• Yay...
• November 22, 2014

"I had my gallbladder removed in 2007. Afterwards, life was miserable! My GI doctor had no real explanation, and after a few tests, put me on cholestyramine powder, and life was good. But after 10 years, and I am someone who travels frequently and is also a volunteer firefighter, it was bothersome to have a juice and bottle to mix the powder every morning. Also, the meds didn't always provide 24-hour relief if I wasn't able to take the dose at the same time every day. I finally checked on Welchol, and although pricey, after just 2 weeks and 1 pill daily, it's almost like a miracle pill!! I can now say life is great!! No breakthrough random episodes of diarrhea!!! I'm now more relaxed to travel and enjoy not worrying if I'll have an accident!!!!"

• Oke...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 9, 2018

"Changed my life. I have Crohn's and had 2 bowel resections, decades of diarrhea, which vanished with these brilliant tablets. I take 3 every time I eat: one before the meal, one in the middle of the meal, one after the meal. Plenty of fluid with them. So sad that I went so many years before this simple remedy was prescribed for me."

• Mar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 18, 2020

"Like everyone else after gallbladder removal, I had awful daily diarrhea. Colesevelam sure made my life bearable, but now my insurance says it's no longer in the formulary. What to do now? Any suggestions? Please, I am very worried."

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

"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."

• Pja...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 27, 2018

"Welchol works very well on the diarrhea I experienced after having my gallbladder removed. I take two at breakfast and have no fears of diarrhea anymore. I like the fact they do not work through my kidneys or liver, but through the intestines, sort of like kitty litter mopping up excess bile. These just went generic, so the cost will come down. As an added bonus, they will also work on my cholesterol. So in my opinion, these pills are a win-win!!"

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

"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

"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."

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

"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."

• far...
• October 29, 2020

"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."

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

"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."

• GFg...
• February 25, 2019

"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

"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

"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!"