Welchol Dosing

terre · Post by **terre** » Fri Jan 01, 2016 11:23 pm

I have decided to give Welchol tablets a try.....a friend had success on Cholestyramine powder, but with all I've read, I think I can tolerate the tablets over the powder.

The problem is that after reading up on drug interactions, it will have "Moderate interactions" wtih my PM meds. Also, I take vitamins in the AM (which is probably a good thing while taking Welchol).

Everything I've read says to take vitamins and prescription meds 4 hours BEFORE taking Welchol. Well, the instructions from doctor says to take one tablet three times a day before meals.

My problem is that if you take it at breakfast, I can't take vitamins 4 hours before and my PM meds are taken at 8:30, so once again the timing would be off.

Could anyone help me understand how I'm supposed to take my vitamins and meds so I can get full benefit of them?

I so appreciate your help! I can't believe my pharmacist did not tell me of the interactions.

Terre

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Sat Jan 02, 2016 12:05 am

Terre

when I did cholestryamine when first diagnosed with MC, I had the same issue with my medication and supplement protocol.
I would set the alarm for 11pm and take the powder at night, away from all meals, medication and supplements.

my suggestion is, if you cant change the meds and the supps, then the only option for the welchol is midday and midnight..

terre · Post by **terre** » Sat Jan 02, 2016 8:26 am

Thanks for your reply, Gabes.

So, you took it twice a day.....and were able to take it without a meal? I will do some tweaking today and see how it goes.

BTW, did it help?

Also, when you make your bone broth, you cook the meat then boil the bones (nothing added)? How much water do you add to the bones? How long do you cook?

After cooking you immediately divide and freeze?

Thanks!
Terre

dfpowell · Post by **dfpowell** » Sat Jan 02, 2016 10:18 am

Terre,

I have been taking cholestryamine powder for the past 6 months, and it is my understanding that you take meds or supplements no less than 1 hour before or 4 hours after a dose.

I take 2 doses/day of cholestyramine, around 9 am and 6 pm. I take morning thyroid meds around 7 am and supplements mid day. Sometimes I will change my schedule and take cholestyramine at noon instead of 9 am, then I move my supplements to the morning. There are a few others that take it, perhaps they will chime in.

Anyway I'm satisfied with my results,

terre · Post by **terre** » Sat Jan 02, 2016 10:41 am

Donna, I appreciate you chiming in and I hope others do.

On the instructions, it says take before meals. I just talked to my pharmacist and he says I could take on an empty stomach as long as no nausea.

It also says take 3 x a day with meals.....but I'm trying 2 x a day due to schedule of other meds.

Funny, when I told my pharmacist that it states interaction with my prescription meds and vitamins, he just said that most people don't even ask him about interactions and they don't share OTC meds they are taking. I also told him that the print-out they put with the Welchol was cut off and I couldn't read all of it....he just said he would print another off. Hmmmmm, are all pharmacists this way?

Once again, thanks!

Terre

terre · Post by **terre** » Sat Jan 02, 2016 10:43 am

BTW, so glad to hear you are satisfied with your results. Very encouraging!

Terre

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Sat Jan 02, 2016 3:01 pm

I only took the cholestyramine it of a night... and yes, it worked great while i sorted out my eating plan via elimination diet. I only took it for 3-4 months.
the GI Specialist didnt mention the interaction with meds etc. It was the pharmacist that told me and helped me figure out schedule etc.

re the bone broth
your timing is coincidental - i have big pot bubbling away this morning

being in the Aussie summer, too hot to roast bones first.
I just put the bones in a big pot (today it is lamb shanks, chicken feet, raw chicken carcass, couple of chicken drumsticks) in a huge pot with water and Himalayan salt. fill the pot to near the top with water. slow to medium boil for 3-4 hours.
no measurements per say. I have figured out how many bones i need for my 20 litre pot (?5 gallon pot) to make gelatinous broth.

and yes, let it cool for 30 mins or so, then freeze.

terre · Post by **terre** » Sat Jan 02, 2016 4:50 pm

That's a lot of bones Gabe.....do you just freeze bones as you cook until you get enough to fill your pot or do you purchase bones?

I would never have that many at one time.....so just curious.

Thanks,
Terre

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Sat Jan 02, 2016 5:42 pm

it cost me $6 to buy the chicken feet, chicken carcass, drumsticks
the lamb shanks came from my landlord, but had I bought them it would have been about $12

all the bones are raw - not cooked.

terre · Post by **terre** » Sat Jan 02, 2016 6:47 pm

Hmmmm.....so if I have cooked chicken, is it okay to use the bones from it to make broth or do I need to make the broth with raw bones (can you tell I'm not a cook)? How in the world did you get a chicken carcass that was raw?

Terre

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Sat Jan 02, 2016 6:56 pm

you can use cooked bones or raw.

there is a shop in my mall/shopping centre that sell all the bits of the chicken, various pieces and necks, frames, feet, and the organs etc. It is human quality (ok for cooking etc) people also buy them for pets etc.

Home made bone broth has become very popular in the past few years so demand is there...

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Sat Jan 02, 2016 7:01 pm

Just checked
whole foods sell chicken backs....

https://www.instacart.com/whole-foods/p ... ment_id=95

terre · Post by **terre** » Sat Jan 02, 2016 7:05 pm

Wow.....good info. Wish we had a Whole Foods.

You've been very helpful and I appreciate it!

Terre

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Sat Jan 02, 2016 7:06 pm

what town / city do you live in?

terre · Post by **terre** » Sat Jan 02, 2016 7:18 pm

I live in Jonesboro, Arkansas....not much here in the way of specialty shops. We did just have a new store open that sells organic / specialty products.....I'll be checking out their prices. Kind of like a larger version of a health food store.

How neat that you live in Australia. Bindy (sp?) Irwin was delightful on DWTS this year and I'm so glad she won.

Thanks for all of your help!
Terre