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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by BRC on June 3, 2004, at 12:56:49
Hi, I have been taking Remeron 30mg for about a year and a half now. About six monts ago I got my cholesterol and triglycerides checked. My numbers really shocked my doctor. My Cholesterol was over 240mg, and my triglycerides were over 500 (the normal is below 150). He immediately put me on cholesterol and triglyceride lowering medication. I had the test repeated several times (even by different doctors) because I could not believe the numbers were so high, but each test validated my doctor's first reports. I am a 28 year old male and weigh approx. 160lbs. I stay very active (exercise, ect.) and eat a low fat diet. My doc. says it may be hereditey causing the problem, and I would probably have to be on medication for the rest of my life to control the problem.
But I have recently read where Remeron can increase cholesterol and triglycerides. My question is--"IS this true". I was wanting to know where I could discuss this with my doctors. My family doctor discovered the cholesterol problem, but I get my Remeron from my psychiatrist. However, the family doc. knows what meds I am taking, but I'm not sure he knows much about psychiatric meds. If I am having to take medication to lower my cholesterol which could all be a result of Remeron. The med is not worth it. If anyone has any information or input on this subject it would greatly be appreciated. Thanks.
Posted by DepNYer on June 3, 2004, at 13:06:32
In reply to Can Remeron raise your Cholesterol and Triglycerid, posted by BRC on June 3, 2004, at 12:56:49
> Hi, I have been taking Remeron 30mg for about a year and a half now. About six monts ago I got my cholesterol and triglycerides checked. My numbers really shocked my doctor. My Cholesterol was over 240mg, and my triglycerides were over 500 (the normal is below 150). He immediately put me on cholesterol and triglyceride lowering medication. I had the test repeated several times (even by different doctors) because I could not believe the numbers were so high, but each test validated my doctor's first reports. I am a 28 year old male and weigh approx. 160lbs. I stay very active (exercise, ect.) and eat a low fat diet. My doc. says it may be hereditey causing the problem, and I would probably have to be on medication for the rest of my life to control the problem.
>
> But I have recently read where Remeron can increase cholesterol and triglycerides. My question is--"IS this true". I was wanting to know where I could discuss this with my doctors. My family doctor discovered the cholesterol problem, but I get my Remeron from my psychiatrist. However, the family doc. knows what meds I am taking, but I'm not sure he knows much about psychiatric meds. If I am having to take medication to lower my cholesterol which could all be a result of Remeron. The med is not worth it. If anyone has any information or input on this subject it would greatly be appreciated. Thanks.Yes, it is true. Remeron is associated with high triglycerides and cholesterol. Getting off the Remeron and seeing a decline would substantiate that.
Posted by ravenstorm on June 3, 2004, at 17:48:55
In reply to Re: Can Remeron raise your Cholesterol and Triglycerid, posted by DepNYer on June 3, 2004, at 13:06:32
I posted this a few days ago:
www.antidepressantsfacts.com/rmeron-pancreatitis-diabetic.htm
Posted by Sad Panda on June 4, 2004, at 2:46:09
In reply to Can Remeron raise your Cholesterol and Triglycerid, posted by BRC on June 3, 2004, at 12:56:49
> Hi, I have been taking Remeron 30mg for about a year and a half now. About six monts ago I got my cholesterol and triglycerides checked. My numbers really shocked my doctor. My Cholesterol was over 240mg, and my triglycerides were over 500 (the normal is below 150). He immediately put me on cholesterol and triglyceride lowering medication. I had the test repeated several times (even by different doctors) because I could not believe the numbers were so high, but each test validated my doctor's first reports. I am a 28 year old male and weigh approx. 160lbs. I stay very active (exercise, ect.) and eat a low fat diet. My doc. says it may be hereditey causing the problem, and I would probably have to be on medication for the rest of my life to control the problem.
>
> But I have recently read where Remeron can increase cholesterol and triglycerides. My question is--"IS this true". I was wanting to know where I could discuss this with my doctors. My family doctor discovered the cholesterol problem, but I get my Remeron from my psychiatrist. However, the family doc. knows what meds I am taking, but I'm not sure he knows much about psychiatric meds. If I am having to take medication to lower my cholesterol which could all be a result of Remeron. The med is not worth it. If anyone has any information or input on this subject it would greatly be appreciated. Thanks.
>
>
>I would say YES, BUT only if you are inclined to be that way. Trigylceride & cholesterol problems are nearly always hereditary, but Remeron(& drugs like it) would be 'the straw that broke the camel's back'. I would get a glucose tolerance test too, taking insulin resistance lowering drugs such as Metformin would be the best way to lower trigylcerides & cholesterol if your blood sugar is bad or borderline too.
How are your parents, grand parent's, uncles, etc? I am a 400lb 37yo male with no triglyceride or cholesterol problems & none in my family tree either, although plenty of my relatives are mental. :)
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by Sad Panda on June 4, 2004, at 2:52:30
In reply to Re: Can Remeron raise your Cholesterol and Triglycerid, posted by ravenstorm on June 3, 2004, at 17:48:55
> I posted this a few days ago:
>
> www.antidepressantsfacts.com/rmeron-pancreatitis-diabetic.htm
>
>Hi Ravenstorm,
If you put http:// in front, Dr.Bob's board will turn it into a link: http://www.antidepressantsfacts.com/remeron-pancreatitis-diabetic.htm
It is very interesing that www.antidepressantsfacts.com points to that Pubmed reference as proof that Remeon is an evil drug when in reality it proves how rare the 'problem' actually is. You can have a bad reaction to any drug you can name, nothing in life is 100% safe.
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by crazychickuk on June 4, 2004, at 4:14:34
In reply to Re: Can Remeron raise your Cholesterol and Triglycerid » ravenstorm, posted by Sad Panda on June 4, 2004, at 2:52:30
I have been o nremeron for over a year how would i know that i have high cholestrial etc when my doctor doenst think its nessercery to take blood to check?
my bp is fine ?
any advice
Posted by BRC on June 4, 2004, at 8:46:40
In reply to Re: Can Remeron raise your Cholesterol and Triglycerid, posted by DepNYer on June 3, 2004, at 13:06:32
Hi, Thanks for your time and info in answering my post. I really appreciated the information.
Posted by BRC on June 4, 2004, at 8:50:23
In reply to Re: Can Remeron raise your Cholesterol and Triglycerid, posted by ravenstorm on June 3, 2004, at 17:48:55
I looked up the info on the website you listed and found the info on the case study about Remeron. Thank you for the info. I really appreciated it.
Posted by BRC on June 4, 2004, at 8:53:21
In reply to Re: Can Remeron raise your Cholesterol and Triglycerid » BRC, posted by Sad Panda on June 4, 2004, at 2:46:09
Hi, Sad Panda thanks for your time and effort in response to my post. To answer some of your questions. High Cholesterol does run in my family--my dad has it. Thanks again for your response
Posted by BRC on June 4, 2004, at 9:00:19
In reply to Re: Can Remeron raise your Cholesterol and Triglycerid, posted by crazychickuk on June 4, 2004, at 4:14:34
Hi, crazychickuk. There is no symptoms for high cholesterol or triglycerides. But it is a good idea to have them checked periodically. I would just tell your doctor you are concerned and would like to have the test done. All the test consist of is drawing blood. If you have never had the test done regardless of the mediction you are taking--it is a good idea. Testing cholesterol levels and triglycerides can help determine if you are at risk for heart disease.
BRC
Posted by Sad Panda on June 4, 2004, at 12:33:03
In reply to Re: Can Remeron raise your Cholesterol and Triglycerid, posted by crazychickuk on June 4, 2004, at 4:14:34
> I have been o nremeron for over a year how would i know that i have high cholestrial etc when my doctor doenst think its nessercery to take blood to check?
>
> my bp is fine ?
>
> any advice
>
>Hi Donna,
Do you know of any relatives that have heart problems? Generally females are much lower risk than males & not really a worry at all unless you have parents, grand parents or aunties with cholesterol induced heart problems.
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by Donna Louise on June 4, 2004, at 13:54:57
In reply to Can Remeron raise your Cholesterol and Triglycerid, posted by BRC on June 3, 2004, at 12:56:49
I am wondering if other drugs elevate trigs too. Mine are signicantly elevated but all other lipids are normal, low cholesterol and high HDL and glucose is a normal 80. I have noticed an increase since taking Provigil and then a big jump after starting Strattera. Other drugs taken as maintenance are prozac and buspar. I am wondering mostly about the Strattera and maybe the provigil too. I do not know genetics as I am adopted. Any info greatly appreciated.
Donna
Posted by Jeffrey on June 6, 2004, at 16:29:29
In reply to Can Remeron raise your Cholesterol and Triglycerid, posted by BRC on June 3, 2004, at 12:56:49
> Hi, I have been taking Remeron 30mg for about a year and a half now. About six monts ago I got my cholesterol and triglycerides checked. My numbers really shocked my doctor. My Cholesterol was over 240mg, and my triglycerides were over 500 (the normal is below 150). He immediately put me on cholesterol and triglyceride lowering medication. I had the test repeated several times (even by different doctors) because I could not believe the numbers were so high, but each test validated my doctor's first reports. I am a 28 year old male and weigh approx. 160lbs. I stay very active (exercise, ect.) and eat a low fat diet. My doc. says it may be hereditey causing the problem, and I would probably have to be on medication for the rest of my life to control the problem.
>
> But I have recently read where Remeron can increase cholesterol and triglycerides. My question is--"IS this true". I was wanting to know where I could discuss this with my doctors. My family doctor discovered the cholesterol problem, but I get my Remeron from my psychiatrist. However, the family doc. knows what meds I am taking, but I'm not sure he knows much about psychiatric meds. If I am having to take medication to lower my cholesterol which could all be a result of Remeron. The med is not worth it. If anyone has any information or input on this subject it would greatly be appreciated. Thanks.
I tried Remeron. Had extremely high cholesterol and triglycerides. I stopped the medication and my levels went back to normal within a week. Test yourself without the Remeron before going on other drugs to combat the high cholesterol and triglycerides
Hope that helps.
Posted by Emme on June 6, 2004, at 19:40:45
In reply to Can Remeron raise your Cholesterol and Triglycerid, posted by BRC on June 3, 2004, at 12:56:49
Okay, now I'm all paranoid. At one point I was on Remeron for about 9 months. Normal cholesterol before, and at 7 months after stopping it. BUT, I will never know what the situation was during the 9 months I was on it because my doctor never ordered a test for lipids. So for all I know, I could have incurred a nasty dose of permanent blood vessel damage during that time.
Posted by ravenstorm on June 6, 2004, at 20:41:55
In reply to Re: Can Remeron raise your Cholesterol and Triglyc, posted by Emme on June 6, 2004, at 19:40:45
Hi everybody-
The elevated triglycerides is, I believe a somewhat rare occurrence on Remeron.
Interestingly enough, when I did a search on it, I came across a website about elevated triglyc. that gave all sorts of advice about how to lower it through diet, but also listed remeron as a medication known to raise levels by LARGE amounts. It should be monitored, but I believe it is not an everyday occurence on the drug.
If it is remeron causing the problem. . .only stopping the drug will reverse it. ie no diet in the world will undo what the remeron has done. The good news is, it seems to be totally reversible.
For most people on remeron this is probably nothing to be concerned with. I am just concerned that my doctor had no knowledge about it and am planning to ask for testing this Thursday when I see him. Better safe than sorry when a blood test is so easy.
Everybody breathe!
This is the end of the thread.
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