Cholestyramine For Diarrhea

I do have high cholesterol and high triglycerides(sp?) but the Cholestyramine was prescribed for me for diarrhea and such since my gall-bladder surgery. i am confused as it is not on the instructions re: what I went to the doctor to have "fixed"? I was losing my stools 3 or 4 times per day.

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Cholestyramine can be used to treat diarrhea, because it makes bile acids, such as those that may be secreted after gall bladder surgery, from being osmotically active. When they are osmotically active, they attract more water from the body into the bowel, which can cause diarrhea.

It may cause side effects, such as: constipation, nausea, tooth discoloration and premature tooth decay.

Learn more:

https:/­/­rxchat.com/­wiki/­Cholestyramine/­

Is there anything else I can help with?

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To Verwon: Thank you so very much for this post/reply to my post of the last few days.. I knew it had something to do with bile acids but did nto understand it until now. So I now will be able to look up a little bit more about the osmotic part of which you wrote. Thanks again.

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I was prescribed cholestyramine for IBS-D. It didn't help but made me nauseated, so I stopped taking it. I was treated with Cleocin and Cephalexin, recently for an abcessed tooth, now have C. difficile. I'm currently taking Flagyl. I'm having severe diarrhea with incontinence, rectal pain, sores around my rectum. I'm taking 8mg/day Lomotil, 6mg Robinal Forte & 4 Immodium & still having severe diarrhea! I'm also on Verapamil 180 mg./day. Would it be good to try taking the Cholestyramine again? I just don't know what to do anymore, I feel like I'm going to die. Can't keep anything in for more than 5 minutes. I'm eating yogurt also. Any recommendations? PLEASE HELP! THANKS. I'M 48 yo female disabled from IBS-D, fibromyalgia, CFS, malnourished.

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I have been taking cholestyramine for 18 years after a small bowel resection necessitated by Crohn's disease. It has made my life normal. I am able to eat anything without the horrible diarrhea effects that I had been having even after surgery. Some brands are absolutely horrible. I suspect that I have tried them all. The best brand that I have found is Cholestyramine light (sweetened with nutrasweet) by Sandoz. I mix it with water and drink it straight down before breakfast everyday.

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I got the Sandoz brand, it didn't help with diarrhea, just made my nauseated. Along with IBS-D, I also have diverticulosis. How many times a day do you take the Cholestyramine & what dose?

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My doc prescribed it after gall bladder surgery: mixed in applesauce 2x / day, it's not too horrible, and it works!

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I take 1 pouch (5.7 g pouch which contains 4 grams cholestyramine resin) daily mixed in water (about 1 1/2 cups water). I take it before food in the morning but then can eat right after. It is cholestyramine for oral suspension USP light. The light one uses nutrasweet and dissolves best and tastes the best to me.Sandoz brand really makes a difference too. Some of the others taste like plastic. Obviously who ever makes some of those other brands never tasted it. The Dr. told me that the cholestyramine absorbs bile salts. After surgery, small bowel resection due to Crohn's 18 years ago, I have been able to lead a normal life. I remember the urgency, the horrible cramping and searching for a bathroom immediately after eating. I would recommend talking to your gastroenterologist to see if this is a good option for you.

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Hopefully you've found a solution by now but just in case someone else is reading this. I've had chronic ibs-d for over 30 years. I am 48 years old. It has affected my entire life: where I work, when I work, what restaurants and how often I can go out to eat with my family, etc.. Recently my ibs went haywire, but at the same time my cholesterol increased and my dr put me on a statin. Instead of searching ibs cures I started looking for a relationship between cholesterol and ibs..and I found two things that have changed my entire life..even if for only 2 weeks so far---florastor and cholestyramine (par manuf)--- The cholestyramine can actually lower your cholesterol but at the same time binds your stools...try it. And if that doesn't work for you..don't give up. Try an allergic to see if you are allergic to glutens, lactose(found in medications),etc..don't stop until you find something that works for you. It's out there..you just need to ask the right question to the right person with the answer..

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Take one scoop before each main meal. Try taking it 30 mins to hr before eating.

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Thanks for all the answers. My Dr is now checking me for Celiac Disease (gluten allergy) . Also doing some tests for couple autoimmune disease. Hopefully he'll find answers. I'm also only 48, and this IBS -D has ruined my life on total disability since 2008. I don't get out of my house except a couple times a year. Hopefully these tests will finally given me some answers! Best of health to all!

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I have had IBS-D since 2003, and that was the year I retook all my childhood shots to get into nursing school- so we figure thimerisol (mercury) damage to the mast cells, which are plentiful in the gut. Antihistamines help but don't cure. Pepcid is an antihistamine of sorts and helps. It is worse when fasting. My doc has pinpointed pituitary and adrenal. Studies on fasting rats stressed show they put out high histamine and this can create an ulcer- which i do have. It took a few years after the initial diarrhea to show up as a duodenal ulcer. I suspect the adrenal became involved (and the thyroid then along with it) due to B vitamin deficiency. There was a book published in 1914, when they were first discovering the vitamins and what they did, and pigeons, monkeys and rats all were made deficient in the B complex, vitamin A and vitamin E. The B deficiency caused lesions in the gut, ulcers and enlarged the adrenals, gonads and thyroid. I am negative for H pylori, tested about 5 times, including a biopsy, negative for lactose intolerance, negative for gluten intolerance (in fact eating whole wheat bread helps slow it down) . Eating in general stops or slows it. Going without eating for a few hours to all night causes it to be loose again. I used to be awakened every morning at 3 am- that was my main cortisol (adrenal/pituitary) symptom. For years. I was better than an alarm clock. I worked 2 hours away and had to get up at that time too so that worked out. Now I am unemployed from the recession, and have taken up to 100 mg of melatonin to go to sleep and stay asleep- and the diarrhea often ruined my sleep. Now the melatonin does nothing and I must take 50 mg of benadryl to sleep- and as an antihistamine it helps there too- and now the diarrhea starts at 6 am. So I get more sleep, but am still forced up by the scoots.

I cleared my gallbladder of stones with a quart of vinegar, and must keep the gallbladder clear with various GB stimulators at mealtime- vinegar pills, tumeric, cumin, fenugreek seed, beet powder, even coffee. If I don't have one, I have the other.
I have seen some improvement with berberine, maca root (which helped the thyroid and adrenal- relieved the depression and gave me some energy) whole thyroid Rx, and most recently, the 12 tissue salts. These are more gradual, but I am seeing improvement. I can use fewer gall bladder stimulants. Maybe 1 or 2 pills rather than 4-5. Stools having more brown color-more consistantly, even when diarrhea.

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This past March I lost all energy. I had the five hour glucose test, holter monitor, full blood panel, gi apt scheduled for upper gi and then to a hematologist. As it turns out I was severely anemic with a low hemoglobin. My iron was okay but my ferritin level was 8. I have been receiving ferrous through an iv once weekly for what will be five weeks. At this point the md feels that my intestines are just not absorbing the iron. I do have to receive benedryl through an iv before treatment as I did have swollen joints with pain without. Four weeks into treatment and I have my energy and few if any loose bowels.

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When is the best time of day to take SANDOZ cholestyramine ?

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I think everyone is different. My doctor initially wrote half a packet twice daily but I had to bump it up to 1 packet twice a day. I take first packet before breakfast and 2nd packet in evening. I did find out that this drug as well as omeprazole does bind to good vitamins and minerals and you pass them. This was told to me by a hemocologist. Good luck.

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I have just received this today from my doctor because of horrible diarrhea. He said that this should work as long as I keep away from fatty foods - oops - no more pizza. Is this true for everyone - I would like to know because I am afraid to take it outside of my home - where I can't control exactly how a meal is served. I need help please.

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Hang in there! I avoid certain restaurants just because the smell of garlic triggers my ibs...and I don't eat out that often because of it. Not really a big loss. I can live with that. In fact, I've been living this way for years and years. The cholestryamine binds your bowel movements together and seems to work. For me, it worked as long as my thryoid medication was correct. Both affect my ibs. Just know that there are many people out there going through the same thing. And, things could be worse. I still believe my ibs is triggered by food allergies. I avoid fat, garlic, processed foods,etc. I had the gluten test-negative. The hemotologist ran a gene gluten test, also negative. The trick is to keep searching. Keep a log book what affects you. And, remember...It happens to the best! You'll get through it.

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Thanks for the heads up and your words of encouragement ........ you've been a help................ I appreciate it Penelope.

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I have major concerns when taking long air flights and boat rides. I totally fast from eating the day before and take two doses of cholestyramine. I am considering carrying a pre-packaged emergency backpack of clean pants etc when I am on vacation.
I am very angry at my surgeon ASSURING ME that "Nothing will change after the surgery". I especially avoid very spicy foods such as jambalaya, italian sausage, spicy pizza et al.
Is anyone else aware of specific food/drinks to be avoided ?

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I have had IBS-D since 1983. Due to an infection during lap band surgery and removal of my galbladder I have had a flare-up of ibs-d symtoms.
The infection was mycobactrium abcessus, treated with Tygacil, which affected my smell, taste and most importantly my IBS. My DR prescribed Cholestyramine. Is this good? I'm a little gun shy about new IBS treatments.

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My Dr prescribed the same for me for my severe IBS-D also, it didn't work for me, it just made me very nauseated. Cost me a lot of money and didn't work. Others on here swear by it. Good Luck.
Diana

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Re: Shirley (# 85)

I only have to take about 2 grams a day. 1/2 package. I cant swallow the powder when mixed with water so i put in gelatin capsules. I take 7 capsules 5 days a week. I dont take anything on the weekend or I get constipated

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Re: Diana (# 20)
Cholestyramine works better after you take it for a while-nausea will go away, usually. Controlls my IBS-D very well if I don't miss a dose. Problem in taking medication one hour before or 4 hours after Cholestyramine, but it is worth the effort. Had to up dose after first round to find the dosage amount that works. Fried items put a stress on the system. Take extra then.

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Re: Sandy (# 82)

You should also eat fresh fruit to not have constipation. Also maybe you are taking too much c.powder. The dr.wanted me to take it in the morning and one packet at night.It was too much for me. So first thing I do in the morning is one packet. None at night. Eat foods that will also keep your bowels soft. You have to play around with different dosages.
I know people just give up and say it doesn't work.But they are not willing to adjust their foods or medicine.
Be honest with your self and Dr. Write everything down what you are eating.
I only eat bread for breakfast. Bread will give me constipation and my blood sugar goes up.

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Re: Marie Ann (# 87)

The medication is a cholesterol-lowering drug but they've discovered it helps people with bile diarrhea or short bowel syndrome. Take it in the morning, wait a couple hours for best results before eating.

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I use 1 Prevalite pack in the morning. 2 a day was two much and would bind me up.
Been on this medicine for the last 5 years. Lived without it for 30 years after a gall bladder operation. My family Dr. never heard of it. I had a colonascpy done as a routine checkup when I complain about by problem. That Dr. Wrote out a prescription and made my day.Yes it taste awful but I now have freedom to eat out, travel on planes,
and have a normal life. I miss one day I have accidents.

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Re: GG (# 83)

Yes that's my problem very little food and I feel full and sometimes don't feel like eating because I'm still bloated! Disgusting!

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Re: Jerre (# 84)

MAKE SURE YOU TAKE IT IN THE MORNING BEFORE YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO EAT OR IT WON'T WORK AS WELL. I WAIT A COUPLE HOURS BEFORE I EAT ANYTHING. I TAKE 1 PACKET BUT I KNOW SOME PEOPLE HAVE TO TAKE MORE.

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Re: Rhonda (# 40)

I had colon cancer in 2012 then gall bladder surgery leaving me with little control of my bowels have been on Imodium but just started on the cholestromine was wondering how much you take and when do you take it. I was given the packets

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I still do lose mine like you! Had C-Scan the whole bit! Found out can't eat dairy High fat! Don't need a lot of food to feel full! Disgusted!

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It will help I had high cholesterol and triglycerides and now have perfect numbers. Taking it since 31/2 foot of small intestine and illeum removed 3 years ago took for diahrea but what a plus . Have to take fiber pills to not have constipation

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