Colestipol for symptoms of IBS-D

Hi @richannc,

Thank you for joining Connect and sharing your insight and questions.
I'm tagging fellow Connect members @amberpep @traveling @shoregal45 @vkzwkansas @srobison @cherriann @falconfly @heidisue @jeanie26 @clemlaa @lighthouseceliac @toronto @bobsconnect, who have talked about gut problems, including IBS-D, and I sincerely hope they will return to share their experiences.

@richannc, I’ve heard that the BRAT diet, (bananas, rice, applesauce and toast), is supposed to help control the diarrhea; have you found this or other diets to be beneficial?

Hi there ..... yes, I've dealt with IBS on and off for many years. Stress really makes it flare up. Sometimes along with the abdominal pains it comes with constipation, sometimes diahrrhea. I moved a little over a year ago - a move which I wasen't particularly wanting -
that = a whole lot of stress. It was a long haul til my stomach settled down. But, after that, with the extreme diahrrhea I had I wound up with a UTI (sorry for the graphics). Fortunately I had the meds. I needed for that here at home so I went with that. Don't let people poo-poo you when you talk about your IBS ..... it's real and not just a tummy ache. It's miserable.
abby

Yep, you have that right...it is real and I had symptoms for years before I finally got a diagnosis of IBS, and not just a tummy ache! Past years I fortunately have been able to manage mine fairly well with diet and making sure I keep up with daily probiotics and fiber. However, as others have mentioned, stress still does bring on abdominal pain, but thankfully don't contend with constipation/diarrhea issues as much as I use to.

I have been taking Colestipol for a couple of years. I have diarrhea only IBS, so finding myself a little constipated is a bit of a relief. I take 1 at night along an Imodium in the morning and probiotics weekly. I find this regimen works for me most of the time, so that I am no longer nervous about leaving the house. There’s also a drug, hyoscyamine, that stops your gut in its tracks. I save that one for emergencies when I’m traveling.

Yes I take Colestipol and it helps but my side effects are really bad. Have horrible stomach pain and cramps. Also take Dicyclomine for the cramping but doesnt work for me. Hope it is helping you without the side affects.

I have been using colestipol for about 3 months and it has not helped my diarrhea that much. I still have to be very careful in the morning after I eat. I usually do not eat lunch, because I am still afraid to go out because not sure when it will come on.

Hi Pohl,

Sorry to hear that you're having issues. Can you give us more context as to why your doctor gave you colestipol to treat diarrhea? Typically this is given for bile acid malabsorption after an ileum resection, did you have this surgery? Bile acid diarrhea is a relatively unique diarrhea - urgent and almost impossible to hold, and then it comes out with an intense fiery sensation in the rectum. Are you experiencing this? In my experience, immediately after my surgery I needed colestipol about 4 times a day, but now I am down to 2 or 3, depending on what I eat. Fattier meals certainly need colestipol, but like a bagel or toast does not.

Let us know more about your situation.

The doctor gave this particular medication to me because I do not have a gall bladder and have had trouble off and on for many years. It just seems to be getting worse now. I have been under a lot of stress and have read that the brain has a lot to do with my problem also! At first, I thought this medication was helping, but it does not seem to be now. Yes, it has been urgent especially right after I eat breakfast and lunch!. Most of the time I go without lunch, just so I can go on some errands or appointments. I have not had a ileum resection. I usually just eat toast or a bagel for breakfast, but still have to go pretty soon after I eat.

I take Colestipol too after being switched from its powder form, Cholestyramine. I’m supposed to add Kynsol in the evening before dinner but I’ve heard psyllium is rough on IBS people like me. That urgency won’t quit nor will the fecal incontinence. If I don’t eat I’m fine. I’m bloated and slightly nauseous regardless. My gall bladder is long gone, which is why I take this stuff.
Does anyone also get frequent UTIs? I feel cursed.

Thanks for filling in some of the details. I am not familiar with the use of colestipol to manage a removed/damaged gall bladder but this is certainly one of its legitimate uses. To what extent have you played around with dose and timing of the medication? Generally speaking, people have most success with it when taken with the meals that contain the most fats, and usually no sooner than the first bite of food but some find it more effective up to 45 minutes after eating concludes. If you have not already, consider diligently tracking what and when you eat, and when you took colestipol, and see if you can at least move the needle towards something better than your current situation. Last, have you spoken to your doctor about these symptoms? He or she may have some advice on things that we have overlooked. Good luck.