Stopped Questran For Crohn's: Still Having Diarrhea

So now that I have a free moment to blog I thought I would update you about my health. My health hasn’t really changed that much. I stopped Questran on April 1, 2013 (no not an April Fool’s). Questran was an interesting drug because at first it stopped the diarrhea then didn’t work then worked. The human body is utterly complex. I really haven’t noticed much change (maybe a tiny bit of more cramping/very minor pain) but I still seem to have diarrhea 3-4 times per day (some days 1-2 times others 5-6 times). I am scheduled to see my GI doctor in a couple weeks and am curious to see what he has to say. It seems odd to have diarrhea yet little to no pain with Crohn’s. I would say the worst parts of my day are early in the morning and late at night. This is when I seem to have to go most often.  I personally think I have some type of bug. Although now I am open to the possibility that it is a minor flare up. Some days I am full of energy and others just a little tired.

Right now I am considering a second opinion. Although, we would like to believe medicine is a science it really is more art than science. If I had my selection I would go to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. What impressed me was that they see over 5,000 inflammatory bowel disease patients per year. I e-mailed Dr. Loftus a few days ago and asked about an appointment. He told me to call the appointment scheduler and they said they could get me in maybe in April or early May. This actually surprised me because I thought it would take several months to get one. Although Mayo is the best there are some issues. One issue is how long I would have to stay in Minnesota.  Also the coordination of care might get tricky. The trip would be to figure out why I am having these symptoms. I would still want to use my primary GI physician.

My general overall health seems fine. I think I lost a little weight (1-2 lbs) but I started working out too. Everything seems to be great other than this diarrhea. Hopefully, my upcoming visit to my GI will help answer some questions.

Questran Stops Diarrhea/Helps C Dificile?

So I haven’t been writing (due to being constantly busy for the past few weeks and months). I was able to sit for my board exam this past weekend and able to take it (10 hours for over 2 days. I only had to go to the bathroom twice the whole time which I thought was amazing for someone who had Crohn’s. So my GI put me on Questran (Cholestyramine) which at first I didn’t think would do anything but seems to have stopped my diarrhea which started January 6, 2013 (which I believe was from the antibiotic I took). It seems to have started working within a week after taking it I started the Monday before last and the past 2 days has stopped all diarrhea. Online I have read people take it and it can stop diarrhea for years. The only bad thing about the drug is that it comes in orange packets that you mix with water and don’t taste that great (although I have gotten use to it). I asked my GI if it came in pill form and he said “no but that would be very nice if it did”.  What my GI doesn't know is if this is related to the c difficile that I tested positive for or if it is a Crohn's flare up. To date I have only had one flare up and I remember what that was like (in pain all the time, not wanting to do anything, and at times throwing up). I feel nothing like this. Personally I still think the c difficile explains much of it although I am curious why Questran stopped the diarrhea.My GI called me yesterday and said to schedule an appointment within a month to see him (he believes things could still be better even though I feel fine). Having diarrhea is somewhat of a pain. I have learned to clean the toilet very well which is positive.  I thought the diarrhea would go on forever and I would need a fecal transplant however I guess that is no longer needed at this point.

I feel pretty good. Sometimes I get cramps but other than that pretty normal. I guess the other side effect is that since I no longer have diarrhea I am gaining weight which is good. The road for Crohn’s is always uncertain and I really do appreciate I am feeling great now since I know I could have a flare up any day. Although I did read somewhere if you don’t have a flare up within a year you have a pretty good chance of going a long time without one.