The Welchol experience

DEAR DR. GOTT: I have read your column for a long time. I happened to come across an article where a person asked you about Welchol and you do tell them there are many side effects. I wanted to share my experience.

About 2 ½ years ago I suffered from transglobal amnesia. After reading about somebody that had been taking Lipitor and experienced a similar problem, I quit taking the Zocor that I was on. I told my doctor I would take one of three medications I had found online that were non-statins, one of which was Welchol. My doctor told me he took Welchol so that was what I was prescribed.
[Read more...]

Meds may be to blame for diabetes

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a woman, age 82 and have had several high blood sugar readings over the past two years. Today my doctor wants to put me on Januvia, 50 mg once daily. My last two lab tests were 8.3 and 8.1 respectively. I am a notorious eater of candies and cookies, particularly anything chocolate. I am guilty of procrastination, do not exercise on a regular basis and at 5’5” am about 20 pounds overweight. Having just read of all the possible side effects of this medication, I am extremely reluctant to take it. I take 30 mg of lisinopril in combination with 2.5 mg generic for Norvasc for high blood pressure, which seems to be well under control. It is normally between 120-135/67-70. I also take Buspar 10 mg in the morning and 15mg at night, pravastatin 10mg at night, and an 81mg aspirin on alternate mornings (I still bruise easily).
[Read more...]