Cholestyramine For Diarrhea (Page 2)

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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Out of curiosity do you know if your iron or ferratin level is good? The biggest problem with the cholestryamine is that it binds even the good minerals and then you pass them as well. But, most recently I was found to have an okay iron but a very low ferratin. Ferratin is what is needed to create blood. Once they gave me the iv's of ferratin, my stools were normal. It makes me wonder if iron/ferratin (iron storage) affects bowel movements as well. ?? Just wondering if you've found this.

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hi, there! did you have to take cholestyramine long term after gallbladder surgery or is it temporary? I recently had my gallbladder removed, and I was struggling with diarrhea every day, keeping me from doing pretty much anything. After he wrote me off multiple times, telling me to just take imodium, he FINALLY prescribed me cholestyramine....already three days straight with NO diarrhea! I'm sooooo happy, but I am wondering if I have to take this forever or if it just permanent. The Dr hasn't really been much help and I'm beyond frustrated.

Thank you so much! :)

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@Penelope~ my iron levels very low, No trace of Vitamin D,B1 & B6 in my system. My labs are really bad. Tests for gluten allergy came back negative. I think my doctor's at a loss. Developed a cardiac problem, most likely from my metabolic system being such a mess!
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

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I have a terrible constipation problem and take Metamucil twice a day. I was prescribed cholestramine for a liver bile problem. I don't want to take it, and haven't because of the constipation. My cholesterol has never been high, or a problem. I am very skeptical of cholestramine. Because of the Metamucil I don't want to add another powder that is going to do the opposite. For me that would be like taking Nodoze and Excedrin PM together. I don't think my doctor really hears me. Anyway...any thoughts....

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My doctors used to have me drink metamucil for my constant diarrhea. Have you tried just eating prunes or drinking the juice? That works without having to take any medication. OTC Miralax also works.

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Reply to B3WHIT

I don't need to use Cholestyramine daily but I do use it as a preventive measure for lenghty air/boat/automobile trips (as well as total fasting before a long airplane flight) I noticed in one of the various related replies that "Diana" referred to an OTC product. I don't believe my Doctor (who I have a lot of confidence in) has a lot of patients with this problem. You (and others) in this string of messages may also want to conduct the Choletsyramine product supplier directly.

I simply mix the Cholestyramine with 6 to 8 ounces of water

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I forget that prunes are good for constipation. Put them on my shopping list. Thanks!

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The brand I have is Sandoz. I also take OTC Imodium and have prescriptions for my IBSD, Lomotil and Glycopyrrolate. The cholestryramine didn't work made me very nauseated.
I've bought a bag of Chia Seeds and will put in yogurt then put back in the fridge until it thickens and found this has significantly helped without taking meds. I bought them for my husband to help with his diet. The seeds when mixed with liquid/food expand and are supposed to help you feel fuller without eating as much. I did research and some say it can cause diarrhea, but it didn't for me at all. They are high in fiber, and you can find them at Costco in the organic section, also they must come from Mexico otherwise not the real thing.
Good Luck!

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You should find a hematologist. He found that my body can no longer absorb iron. Unfortunately I did do the iv's - but they aren't too bad and only took once a week for about 5 weeks for me to get my level back up to speed. He did tell me that the choloestryamine can also bind to many vitamins and minerals, and instead of your body absorbing them, you pass them. That was his opinion. The hematologist is able to check your levels right there and if needed, give you a shot of what you need. I would ask your primary care doctor if he would refer you to one?? At this point, it can't hurt. I have good days and bad days like anybody else..but you cannot give up. Keep searching for an answer..I refuse to give up. I am thinking of checking for food allergies. I had allergy testing done a few years ago, but as I remember..it was environmentals such as grass, mold, etc. Good luck and hang in there.

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I have IBS, high cholesterol, hypothyriodism, constipation due to ibs, acid reflux, and bile reflux. My gastrologist prescribed cholestyramine 4gm packets for my bile reflux but as I am reading it is more cholesterol. I am confused why my doctor would prescribe for bile reflux. any information would be helpful.

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Foods to avoid..fried anything..spicy. caffine..extra sweet..eat small meals..I take 2 ackets per day of cholestyramine per day..one before breakfast..1/2 mid afternoon,1/2 before bed..Had gallbladder removed ugh!

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@Sarah: I think cholestryamine was created to help lower cholesterol but it seemed to have a common side effect--it constipated the patients.

Years ago I found that brand Cipro seemed to give me solid stools...it is now, more than twenty years later... used to treat the bowel. Side effect..turned medication.

I don't eat fat..because of my chronic IBS (24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 356 days a year)..but I have high cholesterol. Family history,..I inherited. As the cardiologist explained to me: You might not eat it..but you inherited it. Your body produces it! That being said--I think of cholestrymine as an IBS Drug with the side effect that it may help lower my cholesterol. Good luck.

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Is it possible to take two doses ( not at the same time) of the Cholestyramine if you are going to be out for the entire day and not sure what meals you will be having. I have had a problem with this - embarrasing sometimes - if I haven't taken the meds before I'm ready to eat. Please let me know - thank you.

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I would ask your primary care physician about that. Make sure the increase doesn't affect your absorption of other vitamins and minerals you are consuming. I ended up going to a hematologist for low iron absorption (ferratin which is needed to make blood) and was told that the problem with cholestyramine is that all minerals and vitamins bind to it and you pass them as well. The medication also needs to be taken hours before and after other medications,etc. As mentioned earlier, I had to receive iron iv's for over a month. Interestingly I found that my body formed solid stools again once my iron storage level was increased. If your doctor gives you the okay for the increase ask them to write a new prescription showing the increase in dosing with the correct quantity that will now be needed to make a 30 day supply.

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Thank you for this information. I will definitely check with my doctor as you suggest - thank you for the prompt reply.

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Cholestryamine packet once a day is like asilver bullet after gall bladder removal. I use to have to go to the bathroom within 10 minutes of eating. Now I can eat any thing when ever I want.

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What is something over counter to take as I have no insurance anymore and have taken Cholestermine for about 5 yr. the pills they suggest are too expensive.

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Could you have celiac disease?

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I have been taking Cholestyramine powder for a couple years to help control diarrhea post gallbladder surgery. Recently I had to have a tooth pulled, and had excessive bleeding afterwards. Because the bleeding would not stop, I had to have 3 stitches to stop the bleeding. My dentist asked me if I was on a blood thinner, and I said as far as I knew I was not. Then when I read online of the possible side effects of taking this medicine, excessive bleeding was one of the number one problems. Why aren't people warned about this side effect?

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IBS ran my life for at least 20 years. I had just learned to live with it. Six months ago, I asked my doctor if not having a gall bladder had something to do with it and he said let's try the cholestryamine. It's been like a miracle. We can eat out now, and not worry about getting home quickly. We have gone on several weekend trips and actually ate away from home. I want to tell everybody about it, because it really has got my life back to normal.

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