Questran
#22915 - 10/09/03 06:43 AM
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Paula
Reged: 02/15/03
Posts: 17
Loc: Massachusetts
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I've looked at the posts under this subject, but need a little more info. I have had IBS forever. I am 43. It is classic IBS with alternating symptoms. My mom and aunt are taking Questran and now swear by it. My biggest problem is travel. Mom says taking it will alleviate any fears about travelling. Asked my Dr. about it before and he said he didn't believe in giving medication for every little thing. IBS - a little thing? I know this drug is meant to lower cholesterol and its positive intestinal benefits are more of a side effect. I don't have high cholesterol. All these years of taking soluable fiber supplements have made my cholesterol levels "enviable" the doc told me. I'm wondering if I should pursue this with him? Do you have any information on whether Questran is a viable option for IBS? Thanks so much for any input.
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Re: Questran
#22989 - 10/09/03 07:16 PM
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Kris
Reged: 02/23/03
Posts: 75
Loc: Vancouver Island, BC
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Hi Paula
I'm not sure if I could honestly say that Questran is a viable option or not for IBS. I myself tried it five years ago for a few weeks, when I was first diagnosed with IBS-D. I found it helped a little bit but not enough for me to keep taking it. At the time I was travelling to another province for a family emergency, and the stress of travelling, the family issue, and my new IBS diagnoses, probably inhibited the Questran from working well enough for me. It certainly slowed things down, but I found I still had to really watch my diet closely. If your family members like it though...maybe it will work for you. Your doctor should have samples available for you to try first. Other things you might also try for travelling are eating really simple foods for the first day or two, lots of peppermint tea with meals, calming music, soothing baths if available, walks, and bring your own safe snacks, and take probiotics: acidophilous/bifidus/etc/friendly bacteria
L-Glutamine can prevent diarhea from happening in the mornings when you take a dose mixed with water in the evenings, or before bedtime. It's not something I take longer than one or two weeks at a time, but I find that it really works in the moment when I need it.
Good Luck and enjoy your trip.
Kris
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Be the change you want to see in the world.
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Re: Questran
#23009 - 10/10/03 06:12 AM
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Paula
Reged: 02/15/03
Posts: 17
Loc: Massachusetts
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Hi Kris,
Thanks for your reply. I really appreciate the info. Peppermint tea does work well for me, but I've never heard of L-Glutamine. Do I get that at a health/supplement store?
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Re: Questran
#23099 - 10/10/03 07:52 PM
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Kris
Reged: 02/23/03
Posts: 75
Loc: Vancouver Island, BC
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HI Paula
Yes you can get L-Glutamine at Vitamin or Health shops that carry a wide variety of alternative supplements. Oddly enough L-Glutamine is used by weight lifters for muscle strength, but one of its other effects is that it prevents diarhea by encouraging the absorption of water in the colon. As well, it is supposed to be a liver support, and I find it allows me to digest more fat than usual without getting D. It is a white powder, no taste, that you mix with water or juice. It is a main component in the Canadian product made by Natural Factors called RevitalX that I have been taking every 2nd week as a maintenance program that helps me feel better for awhile. (RevitalX is a mix of fibres, vitamins, minerals, herbs, and the L-Glutamine). But I also take L-Glutamine on its own, usually 500-1000mg per day, in one or two doses, when I need it. It is suitable for those with IBS-D, though I'd assume it probably wouldn't help those with C. It is recommended by the book, Prescription for Nutritional Healing in its IBS section, which also recommends probiotics, flax seeds/oil, various herbs, and fibre.
I don't take L-Glutamine all the time, I find that it is a maintenance program, but I doubt it's going to provide any long term healing. Just like I don't take pharmaceuticals, because they are only coping mechanisms too. In the long run I am seeking something that truly heals my gut. In the meantime, Chinese herbs have helped, as have accupuncture and exercise, and of course, watching what I eat. But for the moment, L-Glutamine works for me, as did Questran though only somewhat. By the way, L-Glutamine is a substance that your body produces itself, it is an amino acid. There is lots of info. out there on it if you are intersted in doing more research! 
Good Luck,
Kris
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Be the change you want to see in the world.
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