So the doc prescribed questran to treat the MC, has anyone had any experience with this medication? It's in powder form that I am suppose to mix with water twice a day.
Thanks for all the input :)
Questran?
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IDreamInColor
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Questran is a bile acid sequestrant. For some individuals, it tends to temporarily slow down diarrhea, but it does nothing to address the source of the inflammation which causes MC. Questran is often used to treat IBS, but it is only a band-aid, when used for an inflammatory bowel disease. It treats a symptom, not the disease.
That said, some other members use it, for temporary relief from diarrhea, but you really need a way to reduce the inflammation, also, if you are ever going to get the disease under control.
Tex
That said, some other members use it, for temporary relief from diarrhea, but you really need a way to reduce the inflammation, also, if you are ever going to get the disease under control.
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.
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IDreamInColor
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Boy, you are really fast in finding us. Good for you. This is the best place in the world for information and support. Most docs, GIs or otherwise, do not have the experience that we do. Strange but true.Read as much as you can here starting with the newbies section. Also, check out www.enterolab.com
DISCLAIMER: I am not a doctor and don't play one on TV.
LDN July 18, 2014
Joan
LDN July 18, 2014
Joan
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Gabes-Apg
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Hi there from Australia- welcome to the group
My GI specialist prescribed questran for me
at first he prescribed 8grams twice a day, when i got the script filled the pharmacist raised concerns about dosage, timings in relation to my other medications i was taking it was impossible to juggle that schedule with eating, sleeping and taking medications (you can not have other medications 4 hours before or 6 hours after having the questran)
i started with 8 grams 4 hours after the evening meal, over the period of 3 - 4 months i reduced this to 'as required'
as Tex said, this doesnt reduce inflammation it just slows down the process so there is more time for the body to absorb water
if i am having D symptoms i use questran instead of loperamide or lomotil, as it slows down the process rather than stopping it totally.
The GI specialist did prescribe an anti-inflammtory (Dipentum) - i found that this gave me chronic headaches and when i was researching the side effects one of the top 3 was diarrhea!! i only took this for about 3 weeks before i stopped it. the D was alot less once i did stop this medication
I use natural supplements and foods to help reduce the inflammation
boiling rice in extra water and not straining it/rincing it so having 'gooey rice' is very good as this liquid is a natural anti-inflammatory
i also used alot of natural gelatin as this is good for leaky gut etc
hope this helps
My GI specialist prescribed questran for me
at first he prescribed 8grams twice a day, when i got the script filled the pharmacist raised concerns about dosage, timings in relation to my other medications i was taking it was impossible to juggle that schedule with eating, sleeping and taking medications (you can not have other medications 4 hours before or 6 hours after having the questran)
i started with 8 grams 4 hours after the evening meal, over the period of 3 - 4 months i reduced this to 'as required'
as Tex said, this doesnt reduce inflammation it just slows down the process so there is more time for the body to absorb water
if i am having D symptoms i use questran instead of loperamide or lomotil, as it slows down the process rather than stopping it totally.
The GI specialist did prescribe an anti-inflammtory (Dipentum) - i found that this gave me chronic headaches and when i was researching the side effects one of the top 3 was diarrhea!! i only took this for about 3 weeks before i stopped it. the D was alot less once i did stop this medication
I use natural supplements and foods to help reduce the inflammation
boiling rice in extra water and not straining it/rincing it so having 'gooey rice' is very good as this liquid is a natural anti-inflammatory
i also used alot of natural gelatin as this is good for leaky gut etc
hope this helps
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
The inflammation is usually due to food sensitivities, but certain drugs can also cause MC, these include, but are not limited to, NSAIDs, PPIs, SSRIs, antibiotics, etc. For some people, just stopping the use of the drug that is causing the problem can bring remission, without further intervention. For the rest of us, we either have to use a drug such as mesalamine, or Entocort EC, or we have to modify our diet, in order to eliminate all traces of the foods that we are sensitive to, (usually gluten, all dairy products, and for about half of us, soy). Some of us have additional sensitivities, though, such as eggs, yeast, corn, carrageenan, etc. We are all different, and part of the difference, of course, is genetic.
The most effective medication available for treating MC is Entocort EC, while the safest treatment is the diet, of course. We all have to figure out our own treatment program, depending on our sensitivities, and our lifestyle. Be aware that most GI docs will argue that diet has nothing to do with MC, (because that's what they are taught in med school), but many members of this discussion board have had very good success controlling their symptoms that way.
Tex
The most effective medication available for treating MC is Entocort EC, while the safest treatment is the diet, of course. We all have to figure out our own treatment program, depending on our sensitivities, and our lifestyle. Be aware that most GI docs will argue that diet has nothing to do with MC, (because that's what they are taught in med school), but many members of this discussion board have had very good success controlling their symptoms that way.
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.
I found that I had to cut the normal dosage of Questran in half or else it really bound me up. Also, you need to take really good care of your teeth when on Questran, i.e. brush immediately after drinking it because it is very aggressive to the enamel.
I found I had better luck with Colestid which is a pill form of Questran. Be sure to drink lots of water with either form because you don't want either lodging in your GI. Colestid, since it is a pill, does not harm your teeth and it is so much easier to carry when you are in a pinch.
But I agree with my friends on this board, it does nothing to reduce the inflammation. It does have a nice side effect. It lowers your cholesterol, if that is a problem for you.
Good luck with it but I would keep the dosage low for a while.
I found I had better luck with Colestid which is a pill form of Questran. Be sure to drink lots of water with either form because you don't want either lodging in your GI. Colestid, since it is a pill, does not harm your teeth and it is so much easier to carry when you are in a pinch.
But I agree with my friends on this board, it does nothing to reduce the inflammation. It does have a nice side effect. It lowers your cholesterol, if that is a problem for you.
Good luck with it but I would keep the dosage low for a while.