Carrie's meds

[Carrie]

Let me preface this by saying I have lymphocytic colitis that started suddenly in July 2004. After six months of explosive watery diarrhea, I was at my absolute worst. Then, for reasons I will never know, I went into spontaneous remission. At that time I had stopped all meds due to suspected complications from Questran. Here's what I took from July. 2004 to Jan. 2005:

Flagyl (metronidazole): immediately prescribed by my GI, while waiting for test results, as a precaution to get rid of any bacterial infection and/or parasites (subsequent test results for those all were negative). I tolerated the Flagyl well but it didn't help with the diarrhea.

Questran (colestyramine, a/k/a cholestyramine): prescribed after normal colonoscopy and endoscopy results. Helped intermittently at first (many formed stools) but after a few months I started to lose more weight and had become almost anorexic. Apparently the latter can be a rare side effect. Discontinued Jan. 2005.

Asacol (mesalamine): started on this while also taking Questran. It made my cramps and diarrhea much worse; discontinued.

Imodium AD (loperamide hydrochloride): tried this a few times but it didn't help the diarrhea. Ditto Pepto Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate).

My GI had recommended Entocort (budesonide) but I never took it as I went into spontaneous remission. I have not taken any meds, not even over-the-counter, since January. The only thing I take are some vitamins (A&D, B-12, B-6, C and Folic Acid). But I am not at all opposed to taking medications and definitely would do so if needed.

Love, Carrie