Colestipol for symptoms of IBS-D

Cholestipol seems to help (2 x day 1 Gm tablet), but my bottom is so sore. I usually have BM's daily (most times in morning, but food has become my enemy especially evening meal. After eating about 5:30 pm I get a constipated feeling and lots of gas, and can't go until following morning. I also have hemorrhoids which is very uncomforable. I feel like I can't travel as the motion seems to make diarrhea worse. Anyone having issues like this. Have not been able to get appointment at Mayo and told to call monthly. Have seen GI specialists for over 30 years.

I really feel for you, having so many of the same symptoms. Good to feel “less alone” with these issues with the help of support groups. The one thing that has helped the diarrhea issue for me is mixing 1-2 T pure psyllium with warm water every morning and taking a probiotic with that. Have you tried zinc oxide ointment for your bottom? Occasional use of 1% hydrocortisone cream has helped me, too. My biggest problem now is lots of bloating and gas, mostly after dinner, like you. So uncomfortable (and embarrassing!). Good luck on this journey. Hoping and praying for healing solutions.

I have IBS and have found that diet is very helpful. I avoid wheat and lactose like the plague. I also take a psyllium tablet each day. These are some things that have helped me. I have 3-5 bowel movements a day and can identify with the sore bottom and hemorrhoids.

My experience with IBS.

It started with pain on my right side. I spent a couple of years trying to figure out the source of this pain. I complained about the pain to my sister one day and she said you have IBS. So I did some research and sure enough, IBS.

With a lot of research, and trial and error experience, I have been able to manage the condition pretty good.

I kept track of everything that went into my mouth and everything that came out the other end for two months. This process helped me to figure out the foods that were causing the gas and diarrhea. Things are not perfect but the pain is gone and the system functions much better most of the time.

Here is what I learned:
- I avoid wheat, basically that means everything is gluten free. Although I can have sourdough bread.
- Any kind of beans are a no no.
- Vegetables that cause gas are a no no.
- Cabbage is a no no.
- Citrus fruits are a no no.
- Some gluten free items are made with flax seed flour, that is a no no.
- Concerning fruits and vegetables, anything that causes you gas or diarrhea is a no no.

This is what I learned about my system, yours will be somewhat different. The self study I did by tracking my diet is the best way to find out what is helpful to your system.

I hope this helps you. God bless you.

Hi I’ve been feeling very bad last 4 days I even went to the emergency room and did blood. Work , ct scan and cray of abdomen and chest I started feeling chills , fatigue , dizziness and a weird pressure middle of chest and waking up middle of the night can’t breath well can someone help me please I did labs and everything came back negative doctor told me is just a viral virus

I’m confused about when to take my colestipol. I have been using it for over a month and taking it with my evening meal or right after I eat. I have been having IBS-D symptoms for about 17 years. I am gluten and dairy free except for butter, (it’s the casein in dairy that bothers me and butter is low in casein). Like everyone, I have good days/weeks and bad. I also have been using IBgard for about a year and that has definitely made a difference.

I have been working with Functional Medicine Doctors for about 20 years and am on my third one. He prescribed colestipol for my diarrhea symptoms. I think it is helping, but it there are still issues. My doctor told me to take it with a meal and since I take supplements with breakfast I have been taking it with my evening meal, but do I take it before, while I’m eating or after? What works for you? I have been taking two pills only once a day. Should I split it up?

Sorry to hear that you've been dealing with mystery diarrhea. Colestipol reduces diarrhea by binding up bile acid, which is produced during food digestion, but primarily fats. However, it can also bind up medicines and supplements, making them much less ineffective. It can definitely be tricky juggling these two constraints.

The few studies done show that having medication one hour BEFORE colestipol, and/or four hours AFTER colestipol, is probably safe. So if you have things you want to take with food, probably best to just not have colestipol for that meal. In my experience, taking colestipol without a meal can cause diarrhea on its own, so you need to avoid this.

Generally speaking, people take one pill per meal or fewer. So if your GP Rx'd you two daily, try with one at lunch and one at dinner, and take your meds at breakfast. If you find this to be too much, try just one daily, with whichever meal is the largest for you. You will probably need to do some experimentation, so keep a food journal and include colestipol time as an entry. Good luck.

I’m confused about when to take my colestipol. I have been using it for over a month and taking it with my evening meal or right after I eat. I have been having IBS-D symptoms for about 17 years. I am gluten and dairy free except for butter, (it’s the casein in dairy that bothers me and butter is low in casein). Like everyone, I have good days/weeks and bad. I also have been using IBgard for about a year and that has definitely made a difference.

I have been working with Functional Medicine Doctors for about 20 years and am on my third one. He prescribed colestipol for my diarrhea symptoms. I think it is helping, but it there are still issues. My doctor told me to take it with a meal and since I take supplements with breakfast I have been taking it with my evening meal, but do I take it before, while I’m eating or after? What works for you? I have been taking two pills only once a day. Should I split it up?

I’m confused about when to take my colestipol. I have been using it for over a month and taking it with my evening meal or right after I eat. I have been having IBS-D symptoms for about 17 years. I am gluten and dairy free except for butter, (it’s the casein in dairy that bothers me and butter is low in casein). Like everyone, I have good days/weeks and bad. I also have been using IBgard for about a year and that has definitely made a difference.

I have been working with Functional Medicine Doctors for about 20 years and am on my third one. He prescribed colestipol for my diarrhea symptoms. I think it is helping, but it there are still issues. My doctor told me to take it with a meal and since I take supplements with breakfast I have been taking it with my evening meal, but do I take it before, while I’m eating or after? What works for you? I have been taking two pills only once a day. Should I split it up?