Cholestyramine For Diarrhea
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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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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
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!
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
I have been taking cholestyramine for years since gall bladder surgery and do not have bad direahie but hard stools during the day! I also get slot of blote and gas and every few months severe direhie! I use 2pkgs every day in water!
If you take your other medicines one hour before you take chlorestryamine or four hours after you'll be fine, no interference.
Flush your body out immediately with lots of water, and Gatorade to replenish electrolytes. Go to the grocery store and get yourself several bottles of the little Dann-Active drinks (delicious little bottles of probiotics). Eat lots of GOOD probiotic yogurt (I ate Activia). I had a total hip replacement surgery 5 weeks ago, and developed C-diff a week after I was discharged from the hospital. Agony. Pure agony... Doctor prescribed Flagyl too which I refused to take. I began drinking a minimum of four bottles of water and three bottles of Gatorade per day. I drink the Dann-Active three times a day, and ate two yogurts. I also bought myself a chicken noodle soup by Lipton-it comes in a Redbox and you cook it. I also ate saltine crackers. Within 48 hours my diarrhea stopped, and my gut felt better.
I have been taking Orestra Cholestyramine for seven years for bile diarrhea and it worked wonderfully. This March I switched to the light version from Singapore and I have been sick ever since. Going back to Canada in a few days to get a supply of the regular. Any ideas why Light is not working for me?
Ask your pharmacist. You must not use other medicine with it... such as thyroid medicine or your thyroid medicine will not work. Be very careful with other meds you take as well. I was told to take my thyroid medicine in the morning and wait four hours or more and take the Cholestyramine for Oral suspension, USP. When I read the chat forum I am thinking the folks are causing a lot of problems for themselves, it is all in the timing of when you take your meds. Wishing you the best of luck....go directly to your pharmacist and do not listen to folks that do not know what they are talking about.
I take Cholestyramine before I go to bed thus avoiding the sleepy morning. I was originally taking this once in the morning and once at night but have been getting by successfully, for now, with just the one dose. This medication has been a life changer for me. I was diagnosed with ulcerated cholitis this past Spring, that explained the constant diarrhea. My GI prescribed this medication first but then put me on something else. That one made me constipated and the next one he prescribed, after a flare up, didn't work at all. I went back to the Cholestyramine and everything is back to normal. I can finally get a good nights sleep without fear of an accident. Thank goodness for my bidet during those awful times, at least I could clean up easily after the explosions. I do have hypothyroidism so need to check with my GI or GP regarding any possible interference with my thyroid medication that I take in the a.m., and if I need to take any supplements.
I read on line and instructions that it can discolor your teeth and as soon as you drink the solution you need to brush your teeth right away. I think I also read you are to let your dentist know you are taking this.
Taking this product, Cholestyramine Oran Suspension, does it cause tooth decay for real? I am in my 70's and that sounds really scary to lose my teeth. How can that happen?
Hi, I am lucky I have not had any tireless as of yet. But,tired anyway. Ha! I just take mine with ice cold water and drink it with a straw because worried about my teeth. Of course I brush right away.
My instructions said 1 time per day but I read where sometimes they start you on lower does.
I did have gallbladder out about 20 years ago and since then had constant diahreah which is not fun. I notice at night my stomach starts gurgling and then have a movement but not like I did have.
Good luck to all.
I take cholestyramine for d. and have no gall bladder and use this as a binder. The instructions for the powder are to take it 2x a day with meals. I take mine during breakfast and lunch. I find mixing it with tea and natural sweetener and a scoop of powder in a shaker bottle does the trick. I also feel a tiredness that eventually goes away. It does make a difference and I always take the medicine 2x a day.
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