Cholestyramine For Diarrhea (Page 2) (Top voted first)

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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I also get the tired and sleepy feeling after I take the cholestyramine. It does lessen as the day wears on. It is good to hear it isn't only me that feels that way.

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I've been talking 5 scoops of cholestyramine power and 5 Imodium, and one Kayopectate tablet each day for about 9 months, just to stabilise my intestines. Because I've recently had to go up to 7 scoops of cholestyramine power and 6 Imodium a day, I have learned, (the hard way) to switch to a premium version of Imodium that also treats abdominal cramps and gas. This new combination has been helping me to be as stable as possible! Of course, it's my hope to gradually taper off whilst avoiding the loose bowels. So, the extra cost for the premium Imodium is about $30 a month, and worth every penny!

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Yes it really takes away the morning bright start!! Makes me very lethargic and sleepy but it's still better than a bowel issue

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Yes I do take it early. I find the only side effect was it makes me sleepy. So I take it early and go back to sleep.

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Cholestramine was originally for High cholesterol but people were getting constipated bad . I had small bowel resection and ileum removed so I take a packet with orange juice in the morning followed by six (2 at a time) generic citrucel to keep from getting a blockage. Had surgery last March still have days when I have to take another packet. Diarrhea just comes on for unknown reason sometimes.

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Yes you can I take mixed with orange juice and then drink my coffee usually have diarrhea then take two fiber cap lets (citrucel) then continue my coffee and make sure I take six caplet so I don't get constipated

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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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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.

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

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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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@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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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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