Going to GI for Questran

crervin · Post by **crervin** » Sun Sep 06, 2015 2:35 pm

I am going to my original GI nurse practitioner on Tues to try to get a prescription of Questran. Why they haven't prescribed this yet is beyond me. I have been without my gallbladder since 2008, 3 months after the morbid antibiotic that caused all of this. It seems to have destroyed my gallbladder too. I am not sure how to handle it. She has been the only to have helped a little bit. She also told me that diet would not help even when I told her it was helping for a while (before I got my LC dx). I really want to try questran to see if it would help and get my vitamin levels checked. I really don't know whether to lie or tell the truth. I feel that mentioning the gluten and egg sensitivity will open a can of worms, sadly. I just want the prescription and hopefully my vitamins checked. We shall see if this visit is a waste of money and time................

On a different note, my sister-in-law has had stomach/gut issues her whole life. She sees an Integrative Medicine doctor and a nutritionist. They seem to know more and are more open than GI doctors about these issues. They had her on an elimination diet (and low FOD map diet) from the get go. Also told her to remove gluten. She was also very anemic. There is a waiting list a year long for this dr. Has anyone tried an IM doctor?

DebE13 · Post by **DebE13** » Mon Sep 07, 2015 7:49 pm

GIs are getting better.....when I first saw them they basically rolled their eyes at the mention of diet. Now they are more tolerant of the concept. Still not where they should be but at least moving forward. Personally, I wouldn't lie but don't become too upset if they just don't get it. Being up front with what you'd like to try and giving the reasons why is the best way to go. If your GI doesn't have at least a semi- open mind it may be worthwhile to look for another.

I tried questran when I was first dx and it did nothing. After reading Polly's post about bile acid diarrhea I decided to ask my GI if I could give it a try again. Worst that could happen is that it wouldn't work and I would know. Being open minded works both ways..... For a long time I had it in my head that if I tried a drug once then I was done. What I failed to recognize is my efforts in changing my diet has helped resolve some issues in which now the same drugs that didn't work years ago may be effective now.

Surprisingly, my GIs nurse brought up the idea of trying questran again begore I even had the chance to ask. She filled a partial script just to try it out. I am seeing improvements after only a few days. I also noticed that the external hemorrhoid that I have had for at least two years that has never gone away is now gone. It's all taken me by surprise. Keeping the area clean has been a tedious job over the years considering I wiped 3-6 times a day over a course of years.

Good luck! I hope you have the opportunity to at least see if it helps.

crervin · Post by **crervin** » Tue Sep 08, 2015 5:51 am

Thank you Deb, will let you know. That would be amazing about the hemorrhoids!! We shall see today.....

crervin · Post by **crervin** » Sun Sep 13, 2015 2:03 pm

Deb,

I took my 3rd dose of 1/2 packet last night. I did good on it the first 2 days, but am having a set back today with really bad nausea. I read where Gabes posted to someone that nausea is associated with mast cell reaction. I'm praying that is it, and not a side effect from the questran. I was outside yesterday working amongst the high pollen count. Hope you are still doing well on it!! I feel like I'm on a roller coaster with this disease and I may never get off!

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Mon Sep 14, 2015 8:22 am

Hi Martha,

I am following your progress with much interest, since I seem to be the original one here to get on the Question bandwagon. I hope the nausea was short-lived. I have not had any nausea with the med, and I take twice the dose that you do. Of course, we are all different. I'm sure the high pollen count did not help.

It took me about 3 weeks on the med to see consistently formed BMs. I am so pleased with my progress! I think you asked a question about constipation in another post (?). Yes, it may be necessary to back down a bit and try a lower dose or a different dosing schedule if you get C. Also, keep in mind that some people have symptoms from some of the preps and not others. I take the generic cholestyramine (not the lite one), which seems to be better tolerated. Some online have noted problems tolerating the "lite" (sugar-free) version. Also, if the nausea continues, you might try the colistipol pills. Or, if your insurance covers it, the Welchol pills or powder. Welchol is not generic yet so costs significantly more than the others. But apparently some who have problems with cholestyramine and or colistipol do better with it.

Good luck.

Polly

crervin · Post by **crervin** » Mon Sep 14, 2015 9:03 am

Polly,

I believe it was a histamine overload yesterday, Praise God! I have always suffered from seasonal allergies prior to MC. Today I did not have a BM until 4 hours after I woke up. This is huge for me and no nausea today! I am taking the cholestyramine for oral suspension. Thank you, for pointing out the nutra sweet. I wonder if that is what has started my gas all of a sudden?? I go back in 3 months, so I may try a different one. I don't mind the taste of this at all. I thought about increasing it just to see, but constipation is worse for me. Now, If I can get a handle on this histamine issue, I believe I can get to remission. Thank you so much for your insight! I spray you are still doing good as well!

crervin · Post by **crervin** » Sat Sep 19, 2015 9:46 am

Polly,
I have been on the generic questran (lite) for 8 days. I switched over to one packet at night starting last Wednesday, just to see. Out of those 8 days, I had 2 good days with only 1 nonWD. I am wondering if it would be advantageous to get a new script for the "nonlite" generic questran?

I did start my cycle on Wednesday, so I'm sure that is contributing to my setback along with high pollen in my area. I have been on diet for 2 months.

I'm going to continue the questran just to see for several weeks as I'm not ready to throw in towel just yet. I am trying to figure out why since I've started the diet my BMs are more water but my cramps and nausea are less, plus feeling better overall. A little down but I know my hormones are the cause. Going to keep my chin up and continue rice and turkey and pray for formed BMs!

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Sat Sep 19, 2015 2:41 pm

Mandy
if the questran reduces the D and makes life 'liveable' do it!

with the diet changes you are making, and your body adjusting to that, there will still be days with increased symptoms due to hormone fluctuations etc. Albeit the impact of these fluctuations should reduce a bit once you fix Vit D3 and magnesium deficiency etc

stick with the bland eating plan as long as you can ... let the inflammation levels reduce, and get some healing happening...

dfpowell · Post by **dfpowell** » Sat Sep 19, 2015 3:17 pm

Martha,

Have you tried taking the Questran with a meal, and increasing it to 2x/day. I don't think I would have gotten the good response from it if I were on it only 1x/day. I currently take 3/4 scoop at breakfast and the same for dinner. Just thought I would share my experience incase it might help you. When I started cholestyramine 2 months ago, I also added psyllium husk powder 2x/day and this is the most symptom free I've been in years.

crervin · Post by **crervin** » Sat Sep 19, 2015 8:59 pm

Thanks Donna, I will check into the psyllium husk powder, I'm not familiar with it. I will try increasing my dose to twice a day.

Thank you too Gabes!