I've had Crohns for almost 15 years, and although it rears it's head occasionally I have mostly been OK, since having a major bowel resection in 1997 and a minor repair in 2007.  However, I rely on Questran to prevent diarrhoea which I understand is caused by the bile acids not being fully absorbed as I have some missing bowel!  This has been very successful, and although it tastes a bit awful I was used to it.  

Recently though I have been told it is not available, there are amanufacturing issues, and this has gone on for weeks now - has anyone else had this problem?  I have tried an alternative bile acid sequestrant called Colestid.  This isn't licenced for diarrhoea, but I found 2 sachets instead of one seemed to work OK.  The main issue with it is it is just like drinking sand if you put it in water!  However, in thick fruit juice it is tolerable - but just when I got used to it my pharmacy said this was in short supply too!  I have now managed to find the last box of Questran in the local area - but it is Questran Lite and although the only difference is supposed to be it has aspartame instead of sugar it is completely different and it does not dissolve at all, just makes a horrid tasting lumpy drink.  Can anyone shed light on this?  Is there another product that can be used?

Hi Chrissie

I am having the same problem - i was recently prescribed orange flavoured colestyramine which after 15 years of diarrhoea i thought it was a miracle cure!! that was back in March when it was first prescribed, my local chemist said they hadnt got any, i managed to get the box of 50 from Tesco's pharmacy, once i had been through that box i was lucky and got another box from Tesco, but 2 weeks ago tried again and had to go to 4 chemists and then i had to settle for Questran. Every chemist i visit say it is in very short supply something to with the manufacturers. I am due to see my specialist at the end of the month and will ask him if he know's what the problem is.

You are quite right the sand drink in fruit juice is tolerable once you get used to it! i cant imagaine what it must be like if it doesnt dissolve (its bad enough only mixing it just with water)

Hang in there anything is better than the diarrhoea, if i find anything out i will let you know
Vicky

I have been taking Questran (Bristol-Myers Pharmaceuticals) every day since I had my bowel resection for Crohn's disease 14 years ago. It gave me my life back. Before I started taking it I could not even leave the house. The last few prescriptions I have had there has been problems with supply. I have had to wait a long time for the chemists to get deliveries. I once had to have Questran Light by the same Company but this was not as effective for me. The last time I was given a different make (TEVA UK). It was Colestyramine but orange flavour and it just does not work. I find it really hard to swallow and it does not control my symptoms at all. I only have about 20 sachets of the original Questran left and am desperate to get some more. I know that without it my life will be on hold again. Please let me know why there is a shortage and where I can get it from if anybody knows.

Hi Lucy,
Thought I`d put in my two penny worth to tell you that I was on Questran for 11years and changed to loperamide capsules because the Questran was becoming ineffective and I`ve been taking 2mg capsules --6 per day for about the last 20 years!! I don`t know if this medication would suit you but ask your consultant about it.

Good luck!  Hope you can get something that works for you.

Delilah

Delilah
Thanks for the suggestion. I will discuss it with my consultant next time I see him. It is just so frustrating when you find a medication which you trust and rely on, then can't get it anymore. I did not like taking Questran but it did work. Simple as that. Even when you think you have it under control Crohn's Disease has a way of just reminding you it is still there. Is Loperamide a medication which controls the bile salts, like the Questran, or is it just a medication for diarrhoea as I have tried many of those and they really don't help?
Any way I hope you are well at the moment and taking care of your self.

Kind regards

Lucy