Hey guys,
Has anyone ever used this drug? How did it affect you? I feel like with crohns we get both diahreah and blockages easily.
Rachel,
Unless you have a bowel obstruction, don't worry Welchol should help your Crohn's as well as your cholesterol.
Bile acids in your gut cause inflammation which is exactly what someone with Crohn's doesn't need. Incidentally, bile is solely produced from cholesterol in your body.
Welchol binds to the bile acids in your gut which inactivates them and subsequently prevents associated inflammation. As a result of being bound to the Welchol, bile is also blocked from being reabsorbed by the intestine and since it can't re-enter the body like otherwise normally would the only other option is out!
oo: (This is a good reason to avoid Welchol if you had major GI surgery and are at risk for obstruction.)
The body's supply of bile decreases as the (inactivated) bile acids now harmlessly travel down the intestines and wind up in the toilet.
But wait there is more! :yfaint: While the body's supply of bile is being depleted, the liver compensates by converting cholesterol taken from the blood in order to make the bile needed to replenish the supply. This results in lower cholesterol levels and is how Welchol works to decrease cholesterol.
This also results in an added benefit for people with Crohn's/UC. Every time the liver needs to make more bile, a signal is sent to the intestine to protect itself from the irritating bile that is about to be sent there. This signal results in a natural anti-inflammatory response and is normally produced by the intestine every time bile is produced. :ywow: pretty neat eh?
Since the Welchol is in already in your gut, it will bind with any new bile sent there by the liver so you're already protected from inflammation that way. Not only do you receive protection from the Welchol inactivating any bile, but you also benefit from the natural anti-inflammatory effect that is automatically mediated in your intestines every time bile is made. Basically, when you take Welchol, you are getting the extra natural anti-inflammatory side effect for free! :yoshijumpjoy: :banana: :emot-dance:
Besides not taking Welchol if there is a serious risk for bowl obstruction to occur, there are a couple things that you should still be aware of.
If you decide to take Welchol you should know that it can increase triglyceride levels in some people, so make sure you keep an eye on that, I am sure your doctor will check. Also since bile acids are needed to dissolve and absorb fat soluble vitamins, you will want to supplement your diet with a multivitamin that contains vitamins A, D, E, and K. It is also important to remember to take that multivitamin at the opposite time of the day that you take the Welchol so that absorption is maximized.
I have UC and have been on Welchol for years and have very few problems with it. I do get lab work regularly and haven't noticed any problems from Welchol since I started taking it years ago. Welchol has actually helped regulate my trips to the bathroom. :soledance: I am happy with it, I hope you find some relief as well.
Good luck :dog:
Current meds:
Azathioprine
Lialda
Toprol XL
Hctz
Welchol
Zetia
Folate
Vit-B12
