Colesevelam and Diarrhea: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Ret...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 22, 2020

For Diarrhea, Chronic "I started taking 1 generic Welchol in 2013 for chronic diarrhea after gallbladder removal. It was wonderful until it stopped working in 18 months. I went to 2 pills, 1 in the morning and 1 at night. It was great for 18 months! I had 2 colonoscopies. Nothing there. I have an appointment to talk to the doctor again. I’m tired of this."

• Gra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 27, 2021

For Diarrhea, Chronic "I owe my quality of life to this medication. I had my gallbladder out, and since then, I have experienced dumping syndrome, which, if you know, is no fun at all. I could not eat anything without extreme nausea, cramping, and near-constant diarrhea. I take this medication before I eat, sometimes in the middle of a meal if I have forgotten, and it has absolutely changed my life. In just one day, I am completely back to normal. I was wondering what my quality of life was going to be before I found this medication, now I know it’s going to be great!!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 24, 2023

For Diarrhea, Chronic "Used for 1 1/2 years, 6 pills a day (3 with each meal). I had struggled with chronic diarrhea for years. This drug worked great, and I too felt like I had a life again. Recently, diarrhea has begun all over again with a vengeance, even on medication. What is happening?"

• Lyn...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 2, 2022

For Diarrhea, Chronic "I had my gallbladder removed 4 years ago; I kept getting awful bouts of diarrhea as many as 9 times a day. Dreadful wind and pain. Doctors didn’t have a clue. A friend told me she thought I had acid bowel malabsorption, and she suggested the colesevelam. I asked my GP; he said it sounded as if I did and prescribed the powder, which I find very difficult to drink as I also have Sjögren's, which causes a dry mouth. So I saw a consultant who did various tests, and he prescribed the tablets. I cannot begin to tell you how much they have helped; I do need them every day, 2 tablets twice a day. If I don’t take them, I get incontinent. They have helped me so, so much; however, my GP will not prescribe the tablets, and they are costing me over £100 a month!!"

• Joe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 7, 2023

"I’m undergoing chemotherapy with Xeloda. It can cause diarrhea. Mine progressed to bile acid diarrhea, which becomes bile dumping. I have a colostomy, so it’s more of a nuisance than painful. However, you lose absorption of electrolytes. After 4 doses of 625 mg twice a day prior to meals, I’m able to get it under control. God bless the doctor who was willing to prescribe it, and my RN wife who remembered prescribing it for IBS."

• Pet...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 13, 2024

For Diarrhea, Chronic "No problems after gallbladder removal. Then, ~2 years ago, I was Rx’d amiodarone during an episode of what, at the time, was diagnosed as atrial fibrillation (2 years later, determined not Afib). The drug has many negative side effects. Stopped after 11 days because of bad ones. Two really bad ones: gait problems and chronic diarrhea. Life-altering. I used to go out daily for photography. No more. I’d not eat before going out and would still have problems. Finally, after telling my GI doc about it and how it was affecting my life, and taking me off certain beta-blockers, he recommended colesevelam. 2 in am, 2 in pm. He told me to take 2 hours after my other meds. I started with 1 morning and evening but still had breakthroughs. Now two in morning and evening, few problems (maybe a problem every 1 or 2 weeks). No negative side effects. Life-altering. (And I never should have been given amiodarone! Not Afib.)"

• Ali...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 1, 2022

For Diarrhea, Chronic "Since 2018, I have had severe diarrhea and been in and out of hospitals. I have seen five different gastroenterologists and had lots of tests. Bile acid malabsorption diagnosed with after Sechat scan... given colesevelam. Hopefully it will work, second day now taking it..."

• old...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 17, 2012

Colesevelam for Diarrhea, Chronic "After 11 years, one pill this morning. Just ate lunch, no diarrhea yet. Maybe I can start living again."

• Fre...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 20, 2022

For Diarrhea, Chronic "I take two 650 mg tablets in the morning before breakfast, and I have had good results controlling diarrhea."