Off Topic A Little

Just got some blood results back prior to having my annual physical. Very upset.

Cholesterol numbers are HIGH, which has never even been hinted at before. Plus a high on one of my liver tests.

I am hoping these are someone else's tests!! I don't eat things that would account for high cholesterol. No idea why my liver would be out-of-wack, I'm not doing any of the things to put it at risk either.

I have heard that peri-menopause sometimes cholesterol shoots up, but never considered it might happen to me.

Also had what I consider a high-ish fasting glucose number -- someone said prednisone *permanently alters* sugar processing? Is that true?

I guess the main reason I'm upset is that my course of Cellcept put my Lupus in remission. I haven't needed ANY Lupus meds, not even Plaquenil, for over a year. I've been feeling so much better this summer that I've been able to bump my exercise routine way up, and I'm eating much better...so now my numbers are off?

Craziness. I hope we find some simple explanation/solution or that this is some kind of error....

*hugs* that's scary and upsetting. I've heard stress can really spike cholesterol as can certain meds. You wouldn't happen to be on a diuretic would you? That is one known cause. Medical students actually tested high in cholesterol due to stress from exams. It can jump high quickly and settle again I think.

You're not alone :)

Man Lynn this is the royal pits!!!! I hope the lab has made a mistake and these are not yours. I've really no idea why your labs look they way they do.

I know that while you're on prednisone it can raise your blood sugar levels and potentially cause diabetes. Never have hear that it lasts and we can end up with the disease after stopping the medication.

It's great that you've been medication free for over a year and now this I'd be REALLY UPSET. Do you know if the Trazodone causes your liver function to go up? Are you taking anything over the counter that maybe cause any of this at all?

Try not to worry yourself into a flare up. I'd request that they repeat the labs and see how the 2nd set turns out. When do you see the Doctor for your annual physical? Here's wishing you well and please keep us updated on how you're doing.

Hugs,
Barbara

I will join you in those fruits and veggies, it's about all I can eat anyway! I'm sure it's just a fluke and even if it isn't I know many, many people who have significantly lowered their cholesterol with diet alone and avoided having to take any medication. I can even find out for you what they did if you'd like. I also have some diet tips for a happy liver and controlling blood sugar levels. We've got ya covered, don't you fret! All these things can be handled with diet however I'm still holding to it being some weird mix up ;)

Just a thought. My first rheumatologist, who started treatment with Plaquenil, assured me it was not only safe but beneficial in terms of heart health and cholesterol. She claimed that fellow rheumies joked about taking it as a "preventive" type med themselves. All I can say is that I've had high cholesterol all my adult life, which actually did improve somewhat after being on Plaquenil for several years now. It improved further when I was dx'd with celiac and went seriously gluten free, as did my liver enzymes. It just made me wonder if maybe your body is re-adjusting after being off Plaquenil?

Like I said - just a thought. Hope you don't really stick to just celery and carrots. Cholesterol can be affected by diet, but there's much more to it than that. In fact, I think high cholesterol/triglycerides are actually included in a list of autoimmune disorders. In any case - hope the answer is mixed up lab results. And glad you are feeling better, regardless!