I was unable to tolerate statins; my Dr. prescribed welchol and the results have been good, lowering my total cholesterol level and LDL levels within normal range.
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8 People found this comment helpful
After 7 days I am getting pain across my back between my shoulder blades.
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JimS1964 | 55-64 | Male | On medication for 10 years or more | Patient
1/16/2024
Condition: Other
Overall rating 3.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
About 11 years ago I began having severe panic attacks, brain fog and depression. It has progressed significantly over the last several years until these last few years when the panic attacks got so bad and the depression that I was about to end my life. During this time, my Doctor was prescribing me thyroid medicine for low thyroid and Welchol for IBS-D. I have religiously taken both of these as prescribed, "On an empty stomach". I take these the first thing every morning with I wake up. I have sought help from so many doctors, counselors, ministers, and still my anxiety and depression will not let up. I have lost 3 businesses because of it. Then, 6 weeks ago, my pharmacist tells me to not take the Welchol at the same time as the Thyroid as it will bind the Thyroid and not allow it into my system. 2 weeks later and ever since, I feel like a new person. Feel 20 years younger. Depression, anxiety, fear, mental fog - all gone. It's like a miracle. But why this drug company does not educate doctors on the complications Welchol can have with Thyroid is beyond me. If these big drug companies would spend half as much of their money on educating doctors instead of marketing to them, we patients would not have to suffer through this kind of idiocy. I lost my businesses, almost lost my marriage lost many lifelong friends and nearly took my own life from the thyroid craziness all because Welchol was keeping my body from absorbing it. Read More Read Less
1
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Richie C | 65-74 | Male | On medication for 1 to less than 2 years | Patient
8/26/2023
Condition: High Cholesterol
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
I have had high cholesterol for many years. Statins give me muscle pain and weakness. I tried changing my diet but it was constantly over 230. After taking two of these a day for a little more than a year, my cholesterol is now at 177. I also had stomach issues since I was young, taking a lot of antacids. Since on Welchol, my stomach issues are practically gone.
1
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Sunflower | 35-44 | Female | On medication for 1 to less than 2 years | Patient
6/10/2022
Condition: Other
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
I struggled with severe IBS-D for nearly my whole life. I had been to several Dr's, had every test imaginable done multiple times, tried so many meds and nothing worked for me. No matter what I ate I would be in pain and sick in the bathroom for sometimes hours. My overall health was always very poor because of the constant diarrhea and I was just weak all the time. I started going to a new Dr who prescribed me this after a colonoscopy about a year ago and it has been a miracle drug. I have only had a flare up on maybe 3 occasions in the past year and those were while being sick with a viral infection and once when I was traveling and ate white castles a few days in a row. Other than that I have been great and my overall health is getting better. I take 3 625mg tabs nightly. Read More Read Less
1
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APT | 45-54 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
9/24/2020
Condition: Other
Overall rating 1.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
I had my gallbladder removed and experienced diarrhea so doctor prescribed 1 625 mg pill a day. Felt week, anxious and foggy brained. He lowered it to half a pill a day. Now I feel nerve pain between my shoulders. Going to try to get off this and try something else, or nothing. DO not like the way I feel on this, although it cured the diarrhea and I have no stomach issues. ALso sleep well
2
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Bob | 45-54 | Male | On medication for 10 years or more | Patient
1/5/2020
Condition: Other
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
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Take this for diarrhea associated with gall bladder removal. This changed my life. I have taken for 10 years! Here is what you need to know:1) you must take it with food or it won't work. 2) it causes constipation which is why people like me take it!! Eat more fiber if necessary to resolve the constipation 3) it will give you heartburn if you don't eat or drink enough when you take it 4) I suggest taking it at least 2-3 hours before bed to avoid heartburn 5) it's expensive but worth it - always check wechol site, goodrx, WebMD, etc for discount cards. If you have had your gall bladder removed and frequently need to run to bathroom or are constantly planning your day based on the availability of bathrooms, this will solve your problem! If you avoid foods because your gall bladder was removed, this medicine will remove that issue unless you're eating really, really bad foods. 6) if your triglycerides go up, you can reduce your dosing without stopping the medicine. 7) make sure you drink enough water every day - this is important!!Read More Read Less
3
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Lantay | 45-54 | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
12/1/2019
Condition: High Cholesterol
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
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Taking generic for high cholesterol. Take 3 pills after lunch. Waiting for blood tests to see cholesterol numbers. I don't take at dinner because interacts with vitamin
2
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Joolz | 55-64 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
10/13/2018
Condition: Other
Overall rating 2.0
Effectiveness
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Have taken for only three days for chronic diarrhea. Has caused me to lose control of my bowel movements at night and wake up to unfavorable results. Will not take anymore.
1
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Don | 75 or over | Male | On medication for 5 to less than 10 years | Patient
7/22/2016
Condition: High Cholesterol
Overall rating 3.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
The pills are huge, hard to take and expensive, but I can't tolerate a statin and this drug has reduced my cholesterol. Only side effect is occasional dyspepsia at night.
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1
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marti b. | 65-74 | On medication for 2 to less than 5 years | Patient
7/18/2016
Condition: High Cholesterol
Overall rating 3.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
Drug works well, but so expensive. Mfg. sure has us over a barrel about price, and no generic in sight. I can't take statins, so this is my only alternative. Even with m/c part D, co pay is now up to close to $500 for 90 days. Where is the extra help when seniors need it? But, drug does do what is stated it will do.
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Linda1948 | 65-74 | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
6/8/2016
Condition: High Cholesterol
Overall rating 3.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
I take this due to high cholestrol. Very expensive however Optum RX sent a letter saying a generic may be available in the next 6 months. Makes me very tired and have been having back and side pains. No blood test sine taking it but hoping for the best.
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1
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Reviw Welchol oral | 55-64 | On medication for 1 to 6 months |
4/20/2016
Condition: High Amount of Fats in the Blood
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
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My triglyceride got to 1905 after taking this medicine for 2 month. Before I tart taking Whelchol triglyceride were 410.
2
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chermoli | 55-64 | Female | On medication for 10 years or more | Patient
3/20/2016
Condition: High Cholesterol
Overall rating 4.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
My cardiologist recommended Welchol because I have fibromyalgia and statins made my muscles hurt even more. The drug has lowered my cholesterol but to my surprise, it has solved my digestion problems. I no longer get heartburn or GERD, and food gets digested much more quickly. The only problem I have with it is the expense. I don't take 6 a day because it's just too expensive, I take two. I'm sure that my cholesterol numbers would go lower if I took more per day.
32
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Anonymous | 75 or over | Male | On medication for 5 to less than 10 years | Patient
2/26/2016
Condition: Other
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
2
1
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Anonymous | 65-74 | Female | On medication for 2 to less than 5 years | Patient
12/23/2015
Condition: High Cholesterol
Overall rating 3.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
very hard to swallow and it takes my appetite
8
1
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Anonymous | 75 or over | Female | Patient
10/24/2015
Condition: High Cholesterol
Overall rating 2.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
I am using the powder form and after almost giving up on being able to swallow it mixed with a variety of juices, water, etc. I found that mixing it in the blender work -- at least I'm able to swallow it. I use apple juice and, for me, the diet or "lite" versions of juices don't mix well. Not sure why.
5
2
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purple lady | 65-74 | Female | On medication for 1 to less than 2 years | Patient
8/30/2015
Condition: High Cholesterol
Overall rating 4.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
Been battling high cholesterol for years. Statins give me severe body aches. I have multiple sclerosis so don't need any more discomfort. I've been on Welchol over a year and after 3 months my numbers were great. I use it in conjunction with ZETIA. Didn't work without the ZETIA, but on Zetia alone, didn't bring my numbers into normal range. Dislike taking six giant pills a day, but little problem for the good it does me.
9
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teritx | 55-64 | Female | On medication for 1 to less than 2 years | Patient
7/21/2015
Condition: High Cholesterol
Overall rating 2.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
My insurance company will no longer let me take Vytorin or Crestor so I have been taking this drug for over a year and my cholesterol is still in the 200 range. Thanks UHC!!
7
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TerryfromTexas | 75 or over | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
7/5/2015
Condition: High Cholesterol
Overall rating 3.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
I have been taking Welchol for almost 2 months and my Dr hasn't check me for results
2
5
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jayon | 55-64 | Female | On medication for 2 to less than 5 years | Patient
5/28/2015
Condition: High Cholesterol
Overall rating 3.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
The drug has been effective in lowering my chol numbers. It is a bit of a pain to take with everything else I take but I work around it by taking this 4 hours before and 4 hours after I take the other stuff. One thing that keeps happening to me though is I keep getting bladder infections. I read last night that could be a rare side effect. I wanted to hear if anyone else out there is having this issue.
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linma2 | 65-74 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
5/4/2015
Condition: High Cholesterol
Overall rating 1.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
headache, muscle weakness, sick to my stomach, just an overall not with it feeling. Do not like this medication.
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