Cholestyramine (Questran)

terre · Post by **terre** » Fri Jan 08, 2016 10:50 am

If anyone has taken Cholestyramine, could you please share:

1) If it helped.

2) Dosage and time of day taken.

3) Side effects.

4) How long you were on it.

Thank you,

Terre

christinakay · Post by **christinakay** » Fri Jan 08, 2016 11:28 am

Terre

I am currently using Cholestyramine. (not the lite kind) It has helped with my urgency and
has helped me have formed stools 90% of the time. I began taking one envelope every day
before bedtime . (began taking it about 3 months ago) I now can sometimes take one envelope
every other day. I feel I can leave the house now with very little anxiety. I expect to be taking
this for a long time.

I still stick to my safe foods and have been able to introduce a few new foods.

Hope this helps.

Christina

terre · Post by **terre** » Fri Jan 08, 2016 11:45 am

Christina, thanks for your prompt reply.

So no side effects at all?

Terre

terre · Post by **terre** » Fri Jan 08, 2016 11:46 am

Do you take it with food? I think because of meds, I would need to take it in the AM.

Terre

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Fri Jan 08, 2016 1:39 pm

1) If it helped.
Yes - i used it when I was first Diagnosed

2) Dosage and time of day taken.
I started on 8mg and worked down as I sorted my diet out and stopped it within 4-5 months
TIme of day - due to medication and supplement protocol, I took it late at night so it didnt impact absorption

3) Side effects.
gritty aftertaste, always brushed my teeth afterwards

4) How long you were on it.
4-5 months - til I got diet sorted.

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Fri Jan 08, 2016 1:41 pm

this discussion may answer more of your questions

http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... =bile+acid

terre · Post by **terre** » Fri Jan 08, 2016 4:00 pm

Just a little hesitant to try since I had side effects with Welchol.

It's this first and if it doesn't work then Budesonide....or move directly to the Budesonide. Not sure.

Thanks,
Terre

dfpowell · Post by **dfpowell** » Fri Jan 08, 2016 4:26 pm

Terre,

I have been on Sandoz cholestryamine for 5 months, I started with 1 scoop at breakfast and 1 scoop with dinner, and supplements are taken mid day. I have recently decreased to 1 scoop at breakfast, and I am still evaluating this dose. I have formed stools, 1-2x/day, the majority of the time. I have added some foods back to my diet, however, I still need to watch what I eat. I do not have any side effects from the cholestyramine, but I have gut gurgling and movement issues if I eat foods my system doesn't like. I am very glad that I was able to get relief from using this medication.
Hope this helps!

terre · Post by **terre** » Fri Jan 08, 2016 8:31 pm

Thanks Donna....this is good information. I have read patient reviews where Sandoz is preferred to Par.....do you have any input on that issue? The patients said Par just did not work as well for them.

Terre

dfpowell · Post by **dfpowell** » Fri Jan 08, 2016 8:38 pm

I started on Par and then read the reviews, so I switched to Sandoz(regular). I had okay results with Par, but switched within a month to Sandoz, so I don't think I was on long enough to evaluate it for long term use.

terre · Post by **terre** » Sat Jan 09, 2016 7:19 am

Donna,

I am so glad you posted....I am strongly considering this med for my next option before the Budesonide and will ask for Sandoz (regular). Hopefully my doc will prescribe....I have to leave message with nurse and don't get to talk to him personally without appt.

Thanks,
Terre

PS: When you say "regular", you mean you're not taking the lite....correct? If so, that is also my plan.

robinc2525 · Post by **robinc2525** » Sun Jan 10, 2016 1:46 pm

1) Yes it helps!
2) 1/2 - 1 packet at night or during the day on occasion. (I am not currently taking it regularly because I am trying to sort out another issue)
3) No noticeable side effects for me however it's important to monitor fat soluable vitamins.
4) I started it last Fall and it truly helped me more than anything else I tried (Uceris, Lialda, Apriso). I took it regularly at night for a month or so which helped me in the mornings which is my most difficult time. If my gut was noisy during the day I would take it and it quieted things down. Really happy to have found it!

terre · Post by **terre** » Sun Jan 10, 2016 3:15 pm

Thanks for your input Robin.

I guess it will definitely be my next choice if doc will prescribe.....he has written a script for Budesonide and is probably wondering what the heck I am doing wanting yet another prescription. You see, I asked for Welchol, now asking for Cholestyramine (I had side effects with Welchol).

Terre

Post by **tex** » Sun Jan 10, 2016 6:33 pm

If I remember correctly, Welchol is more potent than cholestyramine. Isn't it?

Tex

terre · Post by **terre** » Sun Jan 10, 2016 7:01 pm

Tex, I'm not sure about the dosage for Cholestyramine....but Welchol is 625 MG tablet.

I am sensitive to meds, so doc prescribed one tablet 3 x day with meals, but due to timing and adverse interactions with my other meds, I was only able to take once a day. When used for cholesterol management, the company recommends 3 tablets twice a day or 6 tablets once a day.

Terre