Welchol Oral Suspension for Post Tx High Cholesteral

[skersj]

Is anyone taking this? If so, are you having any side effects?

[BobbieHin]

I mix mine in a FULL glass of iced tea and I don't even know it's there.  You can mix it with anything you want, it doesn't affect it.  Try to make it with a FULL glass of liquid and I think you'll be happier.

[JLSS]

Can Welchol be mixed with something else besides water ? Today was my first dose and it was horrid. I am a juicer and was hoping to mix the water/Welchol mixture in my juice, would that work or somehow disturb it's efficiency. Maybe it would detract from the nutrients I would normally absorb from the juicing. My liver function is too high so my Dr. wants me to avoid statins. I just can't get this stuff down without some help. Suggestions ???

[DoxieMom04]

Hi there.
No side effects that I am aware of.
DoxieMom04

[skersj]

DoxieMom, it was not too much info, so no other problems since being on it?

Eureka, unfortunately I am one of those that diet and exercise does not control it.  Cholesteral has always been a little high but ratio yo HDL was always good. I am in target BMI and exercise several times a week.  Although I am not a fanatic, I actually eat very healthy. I am lucky that I just like things like oatmeal, brussels sprouts and broccolli. I think my doc thinks that since this med binds in the intestine and does not enter bloodstream that it is a safer choice. I don't know. I wish I knew what was the right choice; statin vs. Welchol.

[eureka254]

Don't know anything about the Wellchol, but I think it's worthwhile to discuss the option of other medicines with your doc -- my husband is a stage 4 cirrhotic and all his docs agree that with his cholesterol levels , even when he had active hep c, it was in his best interest to say on his low dose of statin (he used to take 20mg simvastatin/day, reduced to 10mg/day during treatment when his cholesterol went to 75).

If you can manage your cholesterol via diet and exercise, that's definitely the best route, but speaking as someone who tried that for years, I can tell you it doesn't always help everyone.  For some people it works, and if you haven't given it a try you absolutely should, but there are those like me whose high cholesterol persist despite that -- though you don't know unless you try.  I had cholesterol in the 280 range first measured when I was 21, even though I was thin as a rail, and tried everything suggested -- whole grains, nearly vegetarian diet, exercise (and I mean lots, at the height of my trying to fix my high cholesterol, I walked more than 5 miles daily, did old-school cardio stuff: 50 push-ups and 100 sit ups daily, jumped rope daily, etc.) and my cholesterol never went below 210.  I got my HDL up, but total cholesterol and LDL never hit target.

My doctor pointed out that cholesterol maintained at high levels meant increasing risk for arterial plaque, and it's something that is preventable.  I finally gave in to doctors advice and started statins, and bingo: cholesterol hit normal range within 6 weeks after starting the statin.  Hope that helps. ~eureka

[DoxieMom04]

I have taken it for a few years. I take two 625 mg tablets when I go to bed. When my problem causes frequency in the potty I up the dose to two pills twice a day. It has been terrible with the tx drugs and stress from relationship problems. Making it really hard to regulate.
The first drug the doc tried was a powder I had to mix with juice. It caused such acid indegestion They switched me to this. Hope I did not give you too much information.
Hugs,
DoxieMom04

[tashka]

My husband took it a year ago when his bilirubin was high and he had severe skin itching. This drug didn't help itching at all and caused some side effects. My hubby felt very weak after he started taking it, had a lot of gas and burped constantly. We stopped taking it after 3 days.

Why does your doctor prescribe Welchol for increased cholesterol? What about statins-Lipitor, Crestor? They are not advisable for people with ongoing hepatitis, but if you are SVR there should be no problem. They are much better tolerated than Wellchol.

[skersj]

Doc didn't mention pills and I had never heard of this medicine.  Treatment messed up my thyroid so I know he said I have to take it at night because it can't be taken within 4 hours of  Synthroid. I tolerated it better tonight. Found the trick is to not stop drinking until it's gone and it is only a half cup.  How long have you taken it and have you had any side effects?

[DoxieMom04]

Hi Skersj,
I take it in pill form for bile binding purposes. My gallbladder was removed and the bile is wild. Needed some taming.
Can you not take it in pill form?
Hugs,
DoxieMom04

[skersj]

Believe me nygirl, this is the nastiest stuff I ever swallowed! It wasn't that it tasted bad, kind of citris; but it was like trying to swallow thick glue mixed with chaulk!  I could not finish the dose. The benefits of it over statins is that is is not processed in the liver and does not enter the bloodstream. It is supposed to bind with bile duct acid and lower cholesteral in the digestive track.  Did your cholesteral spike after treatment?  Did it go down any after a while?
I was shocked when my doctor told me my cholesteral was 318!!!  My LDL was higher than my total cholesteral has ever been!  I just don't think I can take this stuff for the rest of my life so I bought oatmeal, flax seed and fish oil today. I would rather be a vegetarian than take that stuff. Doc thinks I have to take it and my diet won't help.  

[nygirl7]

No but it sounds like this is  what I too should be taking. What a common problem for us all isn't it?  I dont know the answer I hope someone does!