Welchol and zetia

I had delayed a recent refill of Welchol because of the cost and found that the hip and leg pain of the last 3 years on Welchol disappeared. Tried it again and pain returned. Still suffering horrible low back pain requiring an MRI (which was negative) I also stopped taking Zetia, which I'd taken for 5 years. Am three weeks without either drug, and have absolutely no back pain, some muscle weakness in legs but no pain, am no longer limping, have noticed that the dark circles under my eyes have improved dramatically - and I can now sleep without sleep aids. I am truly enjoying a pain-free life again and am adopting a dedicated cholesterol lowering diet. Hopefully, exercise will follow as the muscle weakness improves.

I decided to read about side effects of Welchol. I just got back from the doctor's and she gave me some free samples of this. In the past, I had been on Lipitor and Zetia but had terrible back, hip and leg pain. I went off of those and I was fine. Started on Crestor- same pain in back, hips and legs. Now my doctor says that Welchol is not absorbed in the blood stream so there should be no side effects- only possible heartburn. After reading all of these side effects that everyone is having on Welchol, I am not going to even try it.
I am going to record everything I eat and try to control my cholesterol with a good ,healthy diet. I also have heard that Red Yeast Rice- available at GNC or Health food stores can lower your cholesterol. I might try that but for now I'm doing the healthy diet and exercise.

I was on Zetia for a long time and did well on it, but my Doctor did not like what he was hearing about Zetia, so he put me on Welchol. I have been taking it for a month and have sever bloating and stomach discomfort. Does this subside with time? I am unable to take statins.

I was on Zetia for a long time and did well on it. But my Doctor didn't like what was coming out about it, so he changed me to Welchol. I have been on it for a month and feel weak, and have sever bloating. Does that ever subside?

I started taking Welchol about 45 days ago because my PPO would not approve ZETIA (Ezetimibe). From the samples of ZETIA my overall, high, and low levels improved.
Before ZETIA I was on lipitor. I stopped lipitor because of upper back and neck pain. I did not have these symptoms with ZETIA.
Unfortunately Welchol gives me the same symptoms as lipitor.
I guess I will have to demand that my PPO allow me get a prescription to ZETIA.
ANY OTHER SUGGESTIONS!!!????

I have stomach cramps. The stomach cramps are uncomfortable, but not unbearable. However, I have been taking this prescription for just 2 months. What to do? Because my cholesterol is not going down very fast, and my triglycerides are so high, my dr. has also prescribed Zetia to take with the Welchol. Shoot, I hope the doc knows what he is doing, because I don't want the effects I have been reading about here.