Hi. Post gallbladder removal, I have been diagnosed with too much bile, twice. And I am on a statin for cholesterol, which has MC implications anyway. Wouldn't trying cholestyramine or similar for example, maybe help both ? See dr next week. Preparing my case....
Thanks
BAM, bile sequestrant, statin
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Yes cholestyramine binds bile, which also prevents bile from being absorbed and recycled. I'm not sure that it is as effective as a statin for lowering cholesterol levels, but it should reduce them somewhat. Your doctor should be able to compare them.
Tex
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
That's great news Sherryann,
You ought to be able to get some good healing started. It will take a while but you are on the right track now
Due to no gallbladder, you may need to continue taking Cholest indefinitely, but you may be able to lower the dose a bit as your gut heals.
You ought to be able to get some good healing started. It will take a while but you are on the right track now
Due to no gallbladder, you may need to continue taking Cholest indefinitely, but you may be able to lower the dose a bit as your gut heals.
To Succeed you have to Believe in something with such a passion that it becomes a Reality - Anita Roddick
Dx LC April 2012 had symptoms since Aug 2007
Dx LC April 2012 had symptoms since Aug 2007
Wonderful news! (Actually, I already knew about this b/c Sherryann and I have been in touch by messaging).
Thanks for posting this. I believe that many if not most with MC could benefit from at least a trial of cholestyramine. BAM is way under-diagnosed in this country....we do not have a test for it like they do in the U.K., where it is diagnosed much more frequently. And studies show at at least 60% of those with MC may have a bile acid component.
In my case it gave me my life back. I spent more than 15 years with dietary management alone (an extremely limited diet) and was never able to achieve excellent control of the D. And with cholestyramine I have been able not only to achieve control of the D but also to add almost all foods back into my diet, including soy, dairy, and all of the other previously sensitive foods listed under my avatar to the left (although I choose to avoid gluten still) and LOTS of fiber. I am convinced that a variety of foods is key to repopulating and maintaining a healthy gut microbiome. Fiber is especially important as a prebiotic. I now have a smoothie every morning with greens, berries, banana, mango or peach, ground nuts and flax seeds, etc. My cholesterol values have come down a little - about 10 points- and I have been able to stop blood pressure medication. This all would have been unthinkable before cholestyramine!
BTW, a significant number of those with BAM have never had their gallbladder removed or any other gut surgery. I fall into this group - no apparent cause for the BAM can be determined by any test.
I know there are many causes and differences with regard to MC, but I believe that more people need to consider a trial of cholestyramine. It is a very safe med., cheap, and totally non-absorbed.
Polly
Thanks for posting this. I believe that many if not most with MC could benefit from at least a trial of cholestyramine. BAM is way under-diagnosed in this country....we do not have a test for it like they do in the U.K., where it is diagnosed much more frequently. And studies show at at least 60% of those with MC may have a bile acid component.
In my case it gave me my life back. I spent more than 15 years with dietary management alone (an extremely limited diet) and was never able to achieve excellent control of the D. And with cholestyramine I have been able not only to achieve control of the D but also to add almost all foods back into my diet, including soy, dairy, and all of the other previously sensitive foods listed under my avatar to the left (although I choose to avoid gluten still) and LOTS of fiber. I am convinced that a variety of foods is key to repopulating and maintaining a healthy gut microbiome. Fiber is especially important as a prebiotic. I now have a smoothie every morning with greens, berries, banana, mango or peach, ground nuts and flax seeds, etc. My cholesterol values have come down a little - about 10 points- and I have been able to stop blood pressure medication. This all would have been unthinkable before cholestyramine!
BTW, a significant number of those with BAM have never had their gallbladder removed or any other gut surgery. I fall into this group - no apparent cause for the BAM can be determined by any test.
I know there are many causes and differences with regard to MC, but I believe that more people need to consider a trial of cholestyramine. It is a very safe med., cheap, and totally non-absorbed.
Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.