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Roni - ? about your cholestyramine

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 6/13/2011 12:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Roni....what type of cholestyramine are you taking?  Is it a name brand or just labeled cholestyramine?

I ask because many many years ago I was on Questran Light which they don't make any more.  I was off of the stuff for quite a few years and now take it again.  The doc gave me Prevalite for the first 3 months (another cholestyramine with an artificial sweetener at my request).  When I asked the nurse for a new script, she wrote it for cholestyramine and I am getting the generic version that contains sugar sweetener.

This sugar version does not seem to work the same as the others and I can only assume it is the sugar versus artficial sweetener.  It also does not mix as well in my OJ like the other stuff did (that is just an annoyance).  Mostly, it seems to not control the D quite as well and I seem to have more gut aches.  Just wondering if it is a mini flare or actually the sugar based med.

Any thoughts from what you take?

Posted 6/13/2011 12:51 PM (GMT 0)
Habs, Do you take a full packet? I used to be on the Questran light as well. When I told the doctor that I had issues with the side effects, he gave me pills. This was about 4 or 5 years ago. I still have my bottle, because I rarely take them. The dosage is 4 tabs. They are the size of large vitamins, but I would just take one at a time, and if I was still having issues I would take another one later in the day, or boost the dose up to 2 the next day. If I know I will be traveling, I will take one a day for a few days prior to plane or long car trips. It is just enough to calm things down without the cramping and gas.

Just suggesting that it might be another option for you. Also I could never tolerate mixing it in with juice, I always had to put it in applesauce and now I have trouble with applesauce just from the memories. shocked
Posted 6/13/2011 2:20 PM (GMT 0)
It's a double edged sword, either sugar or artificial sweetener—what's worse? Personally, I think the sugar could increase bowl spasms and "d".

I use the light with artificial sweetener and orange flavour, and my box either says "Olestyr" or just cholestyramine. I take 1 sachet a day (or a little more if needed), mixed with water.

Like Zanne, I wouldn't be able to tolerate it in juice, either. That would have to be a rare treat. ;-)
Posted 6/13/2011 4:14 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks folks.  Zanne I did not know there was a pill form so I will ask.  I am using 1 packet a day.  The prevalite was fantastic and I had no issues.  I think I will call the mail order company tomorrow and ask if they can send Prevalite by just giving my doc office a call.  I can't take any days off until September so I can't squeeze in a GI visit until next year likely.

Apparently I really am a lucky crohnie becuase I can still handle OJ unless I am having a flare (I also can still drink milk so I feel really lucky).

Posted 6/13/2011 8:16 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know what the deal is with the pills but no one seems to know they exist. So when I see posts show up about cholestyramine I try to mention it. The pills have really made it so much easier for me to tolerate it. I can take just enough and I don't have to deal with the grit.
Posted 6/14/2011 9:10 PM (GMT 0)
No one takes the original Questran? I know that it contains Sucrose and I can't really tolerate sugar but I can tolerate Questran but no no to Questran light, I don't know why.
Posted 6/15/2011 11:47 AM (GMT 0)

CollegeStudent...actually a long time ago I was on Questran Light.  I was told they do not make it any more.  with generic limitations, I got the no name brand this time around.  I would rather have the Questran if it worked like my Prevalite did (or the Q Light used to).  It has to be the sugar that is bothering me.  With the prevalite, I took one packet and went to the bathroom once maybe twice a day.  With this generic sugar version, I am backing to occasional sprints to the bathroom.

Called the mail order company and I have to get a whole new script to change back to Prevalite (grrr that the Rn was in a nasty mood the day I asked for the last script or I would have had Prevalite).  I hated MEDCO, but they would have just called my doc and switched with it being same med.  This new mail order is a pain!  If I call for a new script, I know my GI will say he needs to see me first and I can't take the time off.  Well, I am stuck with 6 more months of this sugar base stuff.

Posted 6/15/2011 4:30 PM (GMT 0)
I take the generic Questran Light. It's what they give me at Shoppers Drug Mart. The box says pms- Colestyramine light powder. I get orange.
I just take it in water. I let it sit a a few minutes to get soft and no so grainy.

I had the regular sugared kind once by mistake and it tasted horrible. I took only one box. The rest went back.
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