Feeling Worse with Cholestyramine

I have been taking it for post Lyme for about 2 1/2 months. I definitely go thru phases of crappy then better. I definitely suggest increasing your detoxing so the buggers can get out.

After month 2, my VCS test improved a ton.... but it turns out i still have bacterial co-infections, so I am back to feeling pretty crappy.

It's a binder, so be wary that you can get depleted. Epsom soaks are a great detox as is dry brushing.

Also, the nutrition plan I was recommended was a very fatty one. Basically, meat, veggies and no gluten,dairy,amylose. 1/2 hour after taking CSM, get at least 2 tsp fat in whatever you eat. It makes a difference for me. I will sometimes only do 2 tbs raw/organic almond butter... but it's enough. I drop organic avocado oil into my protein shakes... like that.

Personally, I do weekly UVLrx, infrared saunas, ozone saunas, ACV, dry brushing, epsom soaks... I am ready to try some of the herbs now, but I am no expert on that... it's a rough ride, but I have noticed improvement.

It sucks to have issues with detoxing, but when we need to take the binders, that's unfortunately our path.

I have read that a lot of people feel worse when taking this and to titrate up very slowly. I also read that taking high EPA fish oil 1/2 hour after your dosage can help.

Maybe I should have talked to you guys before I started this stuff. Haha. Things you should have known before starting it. I love the way my doc just throws me out there and says, "sink or swim. Have fun."

Forgive my brain tonight. But let me see if I've got this straight.

1) titrate slowly
2) take something with fat, potentially high EPA fish oil, 30 minutes after
3) take the VCS test in same light, same place each time. Go ahead and take it now for a baseline

Did I get everything?

Yes, MA10 :) -- That sounds great. I am due for another VCS test any day, but I haven't been able to do the same time the last few days. Tonight seems like it might work! I just downed a couple TBS of raw/organic almond butter after my last dose.

I also do the pure one, without all the sugar or fake sugar. That much sugar seems counter productive... and I don't mind downing a glass of chalk dust, temporarily, LoL.

I failed on other binders. I can tolerate this one and I used to not be able to go outside without sunglasses due to the brightness. That has pretty much completely resolved. I feel like it helps. I just need patience!

Hi MA10 -

Cholestyramine is powerful stuff. But first - are you taking a manufactured version (that has fillers and preservatives, sweeteners)? Or are you taking the pure stuff. I had trouble with the manufactured version because yes, even a little CSM is going to stir the hornet's nest but also, the fillers can cause sensitivities and other reactions. It's expensive, but I highly recommend switching to the PURE CSM.

But either way, you need to start quite slowly. It's "ideal" to take CSM 4 times a day but with the buffer time periods that all binders require, it's nearly impossible. Try coordinating your schedule so that you can take it after your AM antimicrobials and after your PM antimicrobials. And then VERY slowly work your way up to a double dose, so that your full daily dose is the same as if you had taken 4 separate doses.

The buffer times required are to wait 1-2 hrs after eating/drinking anything or taking meds/supplements--ingesting anything (or if your digestion process is super slow, I would be sure to target 2 hrs min. maybe longer). If you rush this, the CSM is going to bind to whatever you ingest rather than the toxins. And also wait 2-3 hrs after the binder to consume anything.

Drink as much water as you can before, during and after the CSM. Stay very hydrated.

If you can, try scheduling your evening so that you can also take your probiotic after the evening CSM dose so that your body can replenish all night long.

Good luck - I hope it works out for you. It has been a total game-changer for me in my treatment and has helped me get back to a somewhat normal diet after decades of severe GI problems.

Hope this is helpful.

-p

If you can't tolerate cholestyramine you can try its cousin welchol. Not as powerful but definitely works the best after cholestyramine.