Does anyone here take Welchol powder?

[pearlieq]

Any tips for making that experience less revolting?

 

[MnMomtoboys]

Wish I could but I couldn't stand taking it. You can see if insurance will pay for the pills. They are huge though and you have to take six a day with meals.

 

[RNMOM]

Is it similar to Questran? (generic cholesterase) It is a packet of powder you have to mix with something and take with meals?

Here's the rub, I have very low cholesterol normally. I was taking it for abdominal pain. My small intestine empties too rapidly causing the pain. It worked well for a few months then it didn't. I wasn't having the pain any longer so I stopped taking it.

I understand completely what you mean. The faint citrus flavor keeps it from blending with other flavors. I tried applesauce, pudding and the like and it was like shoveling down plaster of paris. Urgh. Finally I just mixed it with as little water as possible, like 4 oz. I used one of those small disposable water bottles so I could toss it when out to dinner. I shook the heck out of it and drank about half at the beginning and half near the end of the meal. I nearly hurled more than a few times. Nothing worked to cover the taste so why bother. Just be sure you have a bite or two of food to clear your mouth of the stuff. I made my DH taste it so he would have sympathy. I finally just quit. Oh yeah, it lowered my cholesterol from 143(my normal) to 114. So I guess it is good for that at least.

Tell your doctor you can't do it anymore. Good luck.

 

[Laura66]

I take the questran powder every day for side effects from having my gallbladder removed. I hate it as well - but I've gotten used to it. I make the water as cold as I can and gulp it down as fast as I can and either have a mint or brush my teeth right after.

 

[figmentswife]

If it is the same as questran for gallbladder issues (or lack of gallbladder) I take it and have learned to love it. I done want to ever feel like I did before taking it again. So worth every bit if the nasty chalk I drink daily.

 

[Laura66]

If it is the same as questran for gallbladder issues (or lack of gallbladder) I take it and have learned to love it. I done want to ever feel like I did before taking it again. So worth every bit if the nasty chalk I drink daily.

Exactly!

 

[Desnik]

Why aren't you taking the pill form?

I took the powder Questran and couldn't handle it. It was gross.

Now I take 3 welchol pills every morning with breakfast and it works great for me.

I am another person that has to take it because of issues after having my gallbladder removed 8 years ago. Because of it (no gallbladder) I developed bile salts diarrhea, IBS, and GERD. Those led to me not being able to eat most foods and I have developed osteopenia, and a malabsorption of vitamins. It has been a nightmare to deal with but if it wasn't for the welchol pills I wouldn't even be able to leave the house!

 

[DVC-Don]

Mine is in pill form.

 

[pearlieq]

Thank you SO much for the advice! I have metabolic syndrome and while my overall cholesterol is good my triglycerides are high and my HDL is low so the doctor wanted to try to address that with the Welchol.

He just automatically gave me the powder--I didn't even know there were pills until I did some Googling on my own. I don't mind lots of pills or big pills. I guess I'll ask about that when I have my follow up in a couple of weeks.

Until then, I'll use these tips to get the lemon grit down.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

The one thing I've learned with cholestyramine (Questran -generic) is that the PAR Pharmaceutical brand is much better tasting than Sandoz's version.

 

[figmentswife]

The one thing I've learned with cholestyramine (Questran -generic) is that the PAR Pharmaceutical brand is much better tasting than Sandoz's version.

Yes, this.... I forgot about this.

 

[Magic Stars19]

Mine is in pill form.

Don are you doing well on Welchol?

 

[Magic Stars19]

Is it similar to Questran? (generic cholesterase) It is a packet of powder you have to mix with something and take with meals?

Here's the rub, I have very low cholesterol normally. I was taking it for abdominal pain. My small intestine empties too rapidly causing the pain. It worked well for a few months then it didn't. I wasn't having the pain any longer so I stopped taking it.

I understand completely what you mean. The faint citrus flavor keeps it from blending with other flavors. I tried applesauce, pudding and the like and it was like shoveling down plaster of paris. Urgh. Finally I just mixed it with as little water as possible, like 4 oz. I used one of those small disposable water bottles so I could toss it when out to dinner. I shook the heck out of it and drank about half at the beginning and half near the end of the meal. I nearly hurled more than a few times. Nothing worked to cover the taste so why bother. Just be sure you have a bite or two of food to clear your mouth of the stuff. I made my DH taste it so he would have sympathy. I finally just quit. Oh yeah, it lowered my cholesterol from 143(my normal) to 114. So I guess it is good for that at least.

Tell your doctor you can't do it anymore. Good luck.

Are you still on a binder?