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- - More news from the doctor this morning. (https://www.neurotalk.org/peripheral-neuropathy/18963-news-doctor-morning.html)

More news from the doctor this morning.

Her nurse called me this morning to tell me my cholesterol was *very* high (could be from the Effexor I'm weaning off of) and that one of my liver enzymes was also high (could be from the Gabapentin). Not what I wanted to hear for sure.

Anyone have any suggestions? I don't drink, I eat red meat *maybe* once a week, eggs once every two or three. If it's not the Effexor and the Gabapentin I just don't understand it.

Sometimes "high" cholesterol has nothing to do with the food you are eating, sometimes it's just another way our bodies attack us. My cholesterol level is at 215 and I know it's not from the food I eat. I do not eat red meat, no eggs, I was using margarine with no chol, etc. I am a celiac and some of us do have high cholesterol. I also am seeing an endo about thyroid problems and if your thyroid is off, it effects everything. I take Celexa, but my chol was high before I took it, so I feel it can't be it.

Just a few thoughts!

not the Gabapentin...

This drug is not metabolized by the body...not in the liver, therefore.
It is excreted whole unchanged in the urine.

Depends on what is "high".... this number has changed so many times in the
last 20 yrs...and basically changes according to DRUG companies.

You might want to read up on this:
http://www.ravnskov.nu/cholesterol.htm

Cholesterol tends to go up with age for everyone. Elderly people in general
live longer with higher cholesterol readings.
http://www.geriatrictimes.com/g040618.html

SSRI drugs can raise cholesterol, but only in certain people..it is not a common effect:
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/venlafax_wcp.htm

Quote:

Serum Cholesterol Elevation

Clinically relevant increases in serum cholesterol were recorded in 5.3% of venlafaxine-treated patients and 0.0% of placebo-treated patients treated for at least 3 months in placebo-controlled trials (see ADVERSE REACTIONS-Laboratory Changes). Measurement of serum cholesterol levels should be considered during long-term treatment.

Cymbalta which is related, has caused liver damage...
under postmarketing events for Effexor:

Quote:

Postmarketing Reports

Voluntary reports of other adverse events temporally associated with the use of venlafaxine that have been received since market introduction and that may have no causal relationship with the use of venlafaxine include the following: agranulocytosis, anaphylaxis, aplastic anemia, catatonia, congenital anomalies, CPK increased, deep vein thrombophlebitis, delirium, EKG abnormalities such as QT prolongation; cardiac arrhythmias including atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular extrasystoles, and rare reports of ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia, including torsade de pointes; epidermal necrosis/Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, erythema multiforme, extrapyramidal symptoms (including dyskinesia and tardive dyskinesia), angle-closure glaucoma, hemorrhage (including eye and gastrointestinal bleeding), hepatic events (including GGT elevation; abnormalities of unspecified liver function tests; liver damage, necrosis, or failure; and fatty liver), interstitial lung disease, involuntary movements, LDH increased, neuroleptic malignant syndrome-like events (including a case of a 10-year-old who may have been taking methylphenidate, was treated and recovered), neutropenia, night sweats, pancreatitis, pancytopenia, panic, prolactin increased, renal failure, rhabdomyolysis, serotonin syndrome, shock-like electrical sensations or tinnitus (in some cases, subsequent to the discontinuation of venlafaxine or tapering of dose), and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (usually in the elderly).

http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/venlafax_ad.htm

Not everybody can take cholesterol meds,they can cause very serious
muscle weakness,that's why the over priced Script for fish oil..You can
get fish oil by going to the suppliment or drugstore.It can cause some
diahrhea, so try 1000 mg. see if you tolerate,then try 2 capsuls..Please
talk to your dr. before you get get off any meds. But you sound like you
have one who listens. Also eggbeaters or just seperate the yoke from
white. With my hands that would be a mess in a big way.

Did she tell you your good cholestrol level if not ask her,and if you need to
loose some weight,try that..Although my 91 year old Aunt is very thin and,
eats very well,but are family has that darn cholesterol promblem.Fishoil in
my opinion only ,helps also because there is mercury in some fish. Mrs. D
can help you with this.Ask to go over your whole panel..This is something
you can work on. Today if you are born in the yr( 2000 )and a male by the
time you are 15 you can have diabetes 2. This is alfull. Ask your Dr.
if a diabetic diet could help.. We can be what are parents ate and so
forth,but that can be changed. Just like a small child breathing second
hand smoke. I'm not saying your a diabectic be it's a good diet.:) Sue

My cholesterol is very high and the doc thinks it's the thyroid (Hashi's) even though I am a high normal in terms of my thryoid readings. Although a high normal could be just plain high for me. Sometimes these docs are not up on the latest ranges.