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Hi,
Just getting to see this post now. No, have not had any issues with Cholestramine, it seems to be working fine for me. I came on here to do an update anyway, then saw your message.
As for absorbing medications or vitamins, I don't believe there is a problem, however, that is part of the reason I'm here to write. I wanted to ask if anyone could tell me what I should be getting checked for in Blood Work for the lymphocytic colitis.
As for the absorption issue, I take my C at night time just before bed and that's a couple of hours after taking my last Blood Pressure medication. In the morning, I do not take C so that is when I take my other BP medications and my potassium and an electrolyte pill. At supper time, I take other vitamins, like E, C Calcium with magnesium plus Vit D3 and a multi-vitamin. So there are many hours in between and that is what you are supposed to do. In my BW from October, all of my electrolytes were good, now, I want to do more BW to see how I am doing since it's been six months.
I have given up on the Ensure that I used to take once a day, as I have gained weight. When I got sick I lost between 12 and fifteen pounds and I have gained back about ten pounds, which is right where I want to be. So, to answer your question, I believe as long as you take Cholestramine at least two hours away from any meds or vitamins, you should be fine. And by taking it at night, there are many hours before I take most of my meds in the morning, and I do not take Cholestramine in the daytime. Just one dosage at night for me, which I have cut down to one and half teaspoon. I believe there is about two teaspoons in each of the sachets. I've been taking this dosage for seventeen days now and doing well on one BM a day most days, some days 2 BMs and that doesn't concern me. I have the odd day of gas build up, and maybe miss a day or two with no BMs, but I'm working on the dosage and the diet. If anyone knows of a list of things that I should have checked for LC, I'd appreciate knowing. I think Vit D3 is one of them. I don't know if there is a blood test for inflammation but I'd be interested to know how that is doing.
FOR BAM: I'm checking cbc /Igg, iga, igm, /triglycerides, lipids, tsh/ iron/B12/vit D/folate/and protein, along with the other regular stuff.
Are you taking or have you been prescribed to take Chlorlystramine? I've been taking it now since August, so eight months, no apparent side effects.
FROM CHOLESTYRAMINE TO BUDESONIDE!
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Re: FROM CHOLESTYRAMINE TO BUDESONIDE!
Commonly used inflammation tests include the C-Reactive Protein (CRP) test and the Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (sed rate or ESR) test. But if you're gaining weight, you probably don't have an inflammation problem.
Tex
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Re: FROM CHOLESTYRAMINE TO BUDESONIDE!
Thanks Tex,
I just happen to find those two tests today and read about them. I'm assuming testing one would be enough, as they both test for inflammation. There are so many things that could cause it to show for me such as sinus, arthritis, the IBD, and who knows what else. I realize that if inflammation or infection does show up, there is no telling what is causing it without further testing.
I feel that at times I still do have inflammation, other times not so much, as sometimes I can feel not really pain but uncomfortable feeling in the lower left side. I am assuming if this was inflammation, which it might not be, that it would be caused by the LC and not the Bam that I also have. Still, to get tested for either one or the other of the blood tests would be interesting. I appreciate your quick response as I'm getting ready to call my NP, and believe it or not, she always asks me what I would like to be tested on. Crazy hey? Not the regular stuff but things pertaining to my BAM and colitis. I am happy to oblige as I'm a crazy researcher and the more I research, the more I learn about all this. Hope you're doing well.
I just happen to find those two tests today and read about them. I'm assuming testing one would be enough, as they both test for inflammation. There are so many things that could cause it to show for me such as sinus, arthritis, the IBD, and who knows what else. I realize that if inflammation or infection does show up, there is no telling what is causing it without further testing.
I feel that at times I still do have inflammation, other times not so much, as sometimes I can feel not really pain but uncomfortable feeling in the lower left side. I am assuming if this was inflammation, which it might not be, that it would be caused by the LC and not the Bam that I also have. Still, to get tested for either one or the other of the blood tests would be interesting. I appreciate your quick response as I'm getting ready to call my NP, and believe it or not, she always asks me what I would like to be tested on. Crazy hey? Not the regular stuff but things pertaining to my BAM and colitis. I am happy to oblige as I'm a crazy researcher and the more I research, the more I learn about all this. Hope you're doing well.