My triglycerides are 972. Ask me anything.

[Bertha Venation]

No kidding. 972.

[SoCalDem]

1. what are they supposed to be ??

:shrug:

[flamingyouth]

2. What does this mean exactly?

:shrug:

[Bertha Venation]

7. to reply to you & SC Dem:

It's one of the numbers they look at when they test your cholesterol. From the American Heart Association, "Triglycerides are the chemical form in which most fat exists in food as well as in the body. . . . Excess triglycerides in plasma is called hypertriglyceridemia. It's linked to the occurrence of coronary artery disease in some people."

Normal is about 150 mg/dL -- 150 milligrams of fat per deciliter of blood.

What this means exactly is that if I don't get my cholesterol down fast I am in for some serious health problems.

[flamingyouth]

9. I should have known that, actually

Are they going to put you on Lipitor or something similar? My dad takes that and it's worked well for him.

Hope you can get this taken care of soon.:hug:

[supernova]

3. YEOW!!

Do they know why it's so sky high?

[Bertha Venation]

8. Yes.

Because I'm morbidly obese, and because I'm suddenly (like, in the last 12 mos or so) borderline diabetic.

Time for Kim to slim. (heh heh. made a rhyme. :))

[CO Liberal]

4. Are They Putting You On Medication?

My triglycerides were so high a few years ago they couldn't measure them. My doctor put me on Niaspan, but it caused a condition almost like hives where I'd turn red from head to toe and my whole body would itch.

So he put me on Lipitor, and everythign's under control now.

[Bertha Venation]

10. Not yet.

The first order of business is to lose 10% of my weight. I'm going in once a week so they can help (and watch). I am being well taken care of. Thanks, Co L.

[hyphenate]

14. Niaspan

must be a form of Niacin, which produces the same side effects. If you ever go back to it, it does amazing things. It's not a drug, it's vitamin B3. To counter the flush and pruritus (itch), you can either start building your regimen up slowly--a 100 mg dose increased every week by 100 mg til you get to a gram a day, or you can take an aspirin about 1/2 hour before taking the niacin. Even after all these years, the Niacin can still get you once in awhile, especially if you've had other food or supplements containing Niacin during the day.

As for your triglycerides, Bertha, be careful of other possible complications as well. Very high triglycerides can be a definite indication of glucose intolerance, the first step toward diabetes II. In addition to Niacin, a non-drug that you can get OTC, any of the statin drugs will help, but there are major side effects. Ask your doctor about taking the Niacin. Mine were very high once, they're now a managable 255. My LDL is a beautiful 65, and my HDL is a very good 54. At one time, my cholesterol went from 300 down to 215 on just Niacin alone. However, I still ended up with an angioplasty at the age of 43, and for a woman, that's not good at all.

Women think they're safer before the age of 50, but they're not really. If heart disease runs in the family, there are many risk factors that lead down that same road, and you just have to watch out for them.

[Bertha Venation]

20. Now, that I didn't know.

"a definite indication of glucose intolerance" -- funny you should mention that. I didn't know this, but one of the tests was a glucose tolerance test (see post no. 17). I guess the doc was so stunned w/ my trig # that she didn't cover everything. But she did mention that I'm on the edge of becoming diabetic.

[CO Liberal]

23. I Tried the Aspirin Bit

And still had the same effects. Yes - Niaspan is time-released niacin.

I'm much happier with the Lipitor. The only thing s I have to get blood work done every three months to make sure my liver is still functioning properly. So far, so good...

[baby_bear]

5. Have you been evaluated for pancreatitis?

Over 500 mg/dl trigyclerides can cause pancreatitis. Not fun.

See http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=8880

How are your HDL and LDL cholesterol levels, if I may ask? (Well, you said ask me anything.)

I hope you are well now and stay that way, in any case.

s_m

[Bertha Venation]

11. I did say ask me anything, but unfortunately

I was so stunned by that gargantuan number -- and the news that I am on the very precipice of Type 2 diabetes -- that I don't even remember the other numbers!

I imagine pancreatitis is one of the things they'll be looking for. As I told CO Lib, I'm being watched very closely. And seriously dieting.

[kikiek]

6. Any follow up tests?

[Bertha Venation]

12. Many, in the weeks to come.

:) thanks

[supernova]

13. If you can afford it

invest in a good treadmill. It's the most painless way to get exercise even if you find you can't always get to a gym or the local park.

I bought mine four years ago and have used it ever since.

[Bertha Venation]

17. I have a helluva great elliptical machine.

I just have to start using it.

This knowledge of my astronomic cholesterol levels and my borderline-diabetic condition came as a result of tests done as I entered the George Washington University Weight Management Program this week. I am scared to death of seriously "dieting," but even more scared of dropping dead of a stroke.

Four years ago, I made a serious, huge change by moving to the east coast. I guess it's time for another serious, huge change. Cross your fingers for me, supernova.

[supernova]

24. Of course, Bertha

Hey that's great. I've been on one a couple of times at the gym. Great workout. :-)

:bounce: Go Bertha! :bounce: Go Bertha! :bounce: Go Bertha! :bounce:

You can do it! :yourock:

[The_Casual_Observer]

15. Best regards to you

Getting out of your condition will be very difficult, however there really isn't an alternative. Take care.

[Bertha Venation]

18. Thanks, Casual Obs.

I appreciate it -- I need all the best that I can get.

[Dogmudgeon]

16. My triglycerides are also sky-high

In fact, my count is regularly over 1000.

I'm obese, but I keep in pretty good shape. My problem is that I have a severe chronic infection in my left ear that is damn near untreatable. It also keeps me high in eosinophil white blood cells.

High triglycerides can come from any number of sources; C-Reactive Protein seems to be one of the key culprits, er, "mediating factors". Niacin, again, is the drug of choice, but you might also respond to something like gemfibrozil.

Good luck with it.

--bkl

[Bertha Venation]

19. Awfully hard to stay on that treadmill when you're dizzy, ain't it?

;) Thanks for the luck & ideas, bkl.

[Deja Q]

21. OUCH!!!!!!

Please do get medical attention and get that number lowered ASAP! (and keep us in the know too!)

:hugs: :hugs: :hugs:

[Bertha Venation]

22. Thanks, Toad.

BTW, would you mind asking a few million of your family members in Southern Maryland to seek mates a little more quietly? I love the music, but jesus, ask them to turn it down! ;)

[Raven]

25. Lipitor is great but

since it is not a generic, my insurance won't pay for it. It costs me $300 for 90 pills. I'm going to ask my doc if there is a generic that I can take instead.

[latebloomer]

26. OY!!

PLEASE take good care of yourself, BerthaV!!

Hopefully this is the scary message you need to hear so you can get truly motivated.

We'll all be rootin for ya!

:hug:

[UTUSN]

27. Lipitor Controls My Cholesterol But Not My Triglicerides

Or, if it *does* work on trigl's, it just keeps them down in the upper 300s (cut-off is supposed to be 150?). I've been on Lipitor for 6-8 years and thought it was all harmless. Last week there was a news item (apparently not new-news) that it eats up a muscle enzyme, causes muscle weakness, and starts with numbness in the feet. I've had a barely perceptible numbness down there in the tip toes for a few years and thought it was something else. Plus a general, slight (for now) physical weakness or lethargy. I'll be asking the doc, but according to these articles, going OFF Lipitor provides IMMEDIATE relief, but what will that do to the cholestorol numbers and for all THAT implies. My symptoms are very slight, for now.

*******QUOTE*******

http://www.mdausa.org/experts/question.cfm?id=3683

REPLY from MDA: Mark Tarnopolsky, MD, Ph.D., FRCP(C), McMaster University Medical Center, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Lipitor can cause muscle weakness and neuropathy. SMA affects the motor nerve cell body, so any loss of muscle or nerve function can make SMA worse. The neuropathy from Lipitor is likely time-dependent and characteristically starts with numbness in the feet. The myopathy from Lipitor is characterized by aching in the thighs and upper arms and sometimes an increase in CK activity (a muscle enzyme — be careful, for this enzyme may be up a bit from the SMA, per se). The birth control medication will not cause any of these symptoms. If there is pain in the neck, this can make weakness worse by pain inhibition — hence, if pain, treat it. It is likely that some of the side effects of statins (i.e., Lipitor) may be prevented with co-administration of coenzyme Q10 (coQ10) - 60 mg twice a day.

http://www.rxlist.com/rxboard/lipitor.pl?read=1120

... statin drugs deplete the muscle enzymes and taking coq10 with vit. E will help replace it. coq10 is not a pain pill but it will shorten the time you have pain, it worked for me and some other people.

http://www.canadianpharmacytrust.com/drugs/lipitor.html

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Lipitor. The side effects of Generic Lipitor--if any develop--are usually mild. Most common side effects of Lipitor include abdominal pain, abnormal heartbeat, accidental injury, acne, allergic reaction, amnesia, back pain, black stools, bleeding, breast enlargement, changes in eyesight, changes in taste sensation, chest pain, constipation, decreased sex drive, depression, diarrhea, difficulty swallowing, distorted facial muscles, dizziness, dry eyes, fatigue, fever, flu symptoms, fluid retention, gas, hair loss, headache, hearing difficulties, heartburn, increased muscle movement, increased sensations, indigestion, inflammation of sinus and nasal passages, insomnia, itching, joint pain, lack of coordination, leg cramps, muscle aching or weakness, purple or red spots on the skin, rash, respiratory problems, ringing in the ears, sensitivity to light, skin irritations, sore throat, strange dreams, sweating, tingling of extremities, unstable emotions, urinary problems, vomiting, weakness, weight gain, weight loss

********UNQUOTE*******




*******QUOTE*******

from UpInArms

Most experts who promote cholesterol lowering drugs have made money from producers

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x692527

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=...

Most of the experts who tell us to take cholesterol lowering drugs have made money from pharmaceutical companies that produce them, say consumer groups.

Cholesterol lowering drugs sell well – a whopping $26 billion around the world in 2003. This year the figure is expected to be much higher. They are the best selling drugs on the market today.

Nine of the USA’s top cholesterol experts wrote the new guidelines which were issued by the American Heart Association and the US government.

The guidelines focus in reducing the number of heart attacks in the USA.

Of those nine experts, six have received money from producers of cholesterol lowering drugs. They received money for consultations, making speeches and carrying out research.

...more...
********UNQUOTE*******

[jukes]

28. BV

we do NOT want to lose you, g/f.


most 'script meds (if memory serves) prevent absorption of cholesterol intake fron diet. niacin therapy (up to 500 mg/day) limits the bodies production of cholesterol.

a combination can be very effective in lowering values. fiber supp's help cleanse the system, also; but fluid intake is crucial to their funxion.

+, you got to get that heart pumping, so exercise regimen.


love you, pls stick around... :pals: