Re: Bleeding problems?

[Guest guest]

,

I can only give a personal opinion addressing your concern and the

bleeding. My wife and many others that I am aware that are taking or

have taken the CSM have never mentioned this side effect or

experienced it. This is the first time I've ever heard of this. Not

saying it couldn't happen, as with any medication whether natural or

synthetic there is always that possibility.

I would just be very cautious and use your own judgement if and when

you continue and definately speak to your doctor when he returns.

KC

--- In , Crandall <camel2002@...>

wrote:

>

> Anyone on CSM develop any bleeding problems?

>

>

>

> One of the Rx info pages I looked at on the web listed " unusual

bleeding or

> bruising " as possible side effects with CSM. I've experienced both

bleeding

> gums and menstrual irregularities throughout most of my time with

CFS, so

> it's hard to know when an increase in symptoms is just " more of

the usual "

> and when it's actually related to taking a new or old drug. I was

on CSM for

> 4 weeks (minimal dose was all I could tolerate) and am now taking

a break.

> My doc's out of the country at the moment and not used to

prescribing CSM

> anyway.

>

>

>

> Any advice would be appreciated.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks, KC, for your comments and advice. I'm pretty sure that bleeding

problems weren't part of what my doc read out when he looked up CSM in his

Physicians' Drug Reference manual and read out much of the entry to me, and

possible bleeding problems weren't mentioned on the first webpage or two of

drug info I saw. But then I went to this page

http://www.drugs.com/MTM/cholestyramine.html

What are the possible side effects of cholestyramine?

. If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking

cholestyramine and seek emergency medical attention:

. an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat;

swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

. an increased heart rate or chest pain;

. black, bloody, or tarry stools; or

. unusual bleeding or bruising.

. Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue

to take cholestyramine and talk to your doctor if you experience

. constipation;

. abdominal pain, cramps, bloating, or flatulence;

. nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, indigestion, heartburn, or decreased

appetite;

. hiccups or a sour taste in your mouth;

. headache; or

. dizziness or drowsiness.

. Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your

doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially

bothersome.

This page also had the longest and most detailed list of drug interactions,

I think:

What other drugs will affect cholestyramine?

. The absorption of many drugs may be decreased when they are taken with

cholestyramine. Take all other medications at least 1 hour before or 4 to 6

hours after taking a dose of cholestyramine. The following list includes

some, but not all, of the drugs that may have decreased effects when taken

with cholestyramine:

. pain, fever, and inflammation reducers such as aspirin, ibuprofen

(Motrin, Advil, Nuprin), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis

KT, Oruvail), naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprosyn), and others;

. antibiotics such as penicillins (Amoxil, Augmentin, Pen VK, Veetids,

others), tetracyclines (Sumycin, Achromycin, Minocin, Doryx, Doxy,

Vibramycin, others), and clindamycin (Cleocin);

. heart medicines such as digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps), propranolol

(Inderal), methyldopa (Aldomet), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide

(HCTZ, HydroDiuril), chlorothiazide (Diuril), metolazone (Mykrox,

Zaroxolyn), indapamide (Lozol), and others;

. diabetes medications such as glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide

(Orinase), and others;

. anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin);

. other cholesterol treatments such as gemfibrozil (Lopid), clofibrate

(Atromid-S), and nicotinic acid (niacin);

. thyroid hormones such as levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levoxyl,

Levothroid);

. medicines used to treat depression, such as imipramine (Tofranil);

. gallstone medications such as ursodiol (Actigall);

. seizure medicines such as phenytoin (Dilantin) and phenobarbital

(Luminal, Solfoton);

. estrogen and progesterone hormones such as Premarin, Premphase,

Prempro, Estraderm, Ogen, Menest, Estratest, Estratab, Provera, and others;

. fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, D, E, and K (you may

require vitamin supplements); and

. steroid drugs such as hydrocortisone (Cortef, Hydrocortone).

. Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with

cholestyramine. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any

prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

I am counseled and treated on an ongoing basis by an MD (currently on

vacation, unfortunately) and a qigong master/practitioner of Traditional

Chinese Medicine. My qigong master and I think a) that the unusual gum

bleeding was related to extra physical stress due to unusual degree of lung

inflammation (lots of bugs going around, this time of year, incl in my

circle of friends) and that the extra menstrual bleeding is related to me

getting close to menopause. But I will be talking to my MD when he's back in

town, and he may want to re-run some tests. I have never had a good

explanation for the bleeding gums during most of my 10+ years with CFS,

although CoQ10 supplements (especially in dissolvable lozenge form) help a

lot to reduce the bleeding and tenderness.

[Guest guest]

Sorry if this is a repeat for some folks. My post didn't appear in a digest,

as usual.

Thanks, KC, for your comments and advice. I'm pretty sure that bleeding

problems weren't part of what my doc read out when he looked up CSM in his

Physicians' Drug Reference manual and read out much of the entry to me, and

possible bleeding problems weren't mentioned on the first webpage or two of

drug info I saw. But then I went to this page

http://www.drugs.com/MTM/cholestyramine.html

What are the possible side effects of cholestyramine?

. If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking

cholestyramine and seek emergency medical attention:

. an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat;

swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

. an increased heart rate or chest pain;

. black, bloody, or tarry stools; or

. unusual bleeding or bruising.

. Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue

to take cholestyramine and talk to your doctor if you experience

. constipation;

. abdominal pain, cramps, bloating, or flatulence;

. nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, indigestion, heartburn, or decreased

appetite;

. hiccups or a sour taste in your mouth;

. headache; or

. dizziness or drowsiness.

. Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your

doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially

bothersome.

This page also had the longest and most detailed list of drug interactions,

I think:

What other drugs will affect cholestyramine?

. The absorption of many drugs may be decreased when they are taken with

cholestyramine. Take all other medications at least 1 hour before or 4 to 6

hours after taking a dose of cholestyramine. The following list includes

some, but not all, of the drugs that may have decreased effects when taken

with cholestyramine:

. pain, fever, and inflammation reducers such as aspirin, ibuprofen

(Motrin, Advil, Nuprin), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis

KT, Oruvail), naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprosyn), and others;

. antibiotics such as penicillins (Amoxil, Augmentin, Pen VK, Veetids,

others), tetracyclines (Sumycin, Achromycin, Minocin, Doryx, Doxy,

Vibramycin, others), and clindamycin (Cleocin);

. heart medicines such as digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps), propranolol

(Inderal), methyldopa (Aldomet), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide

(HCTZ, HydroDiuril), chlorothiazide (Diuril), metolazone (Mykrox,

Zaroxolyn), indapamide (Lozol), and others;

. diabetes medications such as glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide

(Orinase), and others;

. anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin);

. other cholesterol treatments such as gemfibrozil (Lopid), clofibrate

(Atromid-S), and nicotinic acid (niacin);

. thyroid hormones such as levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levoxyl,

Levothroid);

. medicines used to treat depression, such as imipramine (Tofranil);

. gallstone medications such as ursodiol (Actigall);

. seizure medicines such as phenytoin (Dilantin) and phenobarbital

(Luminal, Solfoton);

. estrogen and progesterone hormones such as Premarin, Premphase,

Prempro, Estraderm, Ogen, Menest, Estratest, Estratab, Provera, and others;

. fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, D, E, and K (you may

require vitamin supplements); and

. steroid drugs such as hydrocortisone (Cortef, Hydrocortone).

. Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with

cholestyramine. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any

prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

I am counseled and treated on an ongoing basis by an MD (currently on

vacation, unfortunately) and a qigong master/practitioner of Traditional

Chinese Medicine. My qigong master and I think a) that the unusual gum

bleeding was related to extra physical stress due to unusual degree of lung

inflammation (lots of bugs going around, this time of year, incl in my

circle of friends) and that the extra menstrual bleeding is related to me

getting close to menopause. But I will be talking to my MD when he's back in

town, and he may want to re-run some tests. I have never had a good

explanation for the bleeding gums during most of my 10+ years with CFS,

although CoQ10 supplements (especially in dissolvable lozenge form) help a

lot to reduce the bleeding and tenderness.