tractor
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Niacin
Nov 14, 2013 10:01:12 GMT -5
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Post by tractor on Nov 14, 2013 10:01:12 GMT -5
My DR put me on high levels of Niacin to help lower my cholesterol, he told me I might get hot flashes, but they would go away. Anyway, it seems at random times my whole body turns bright red and I feel like I'm on fire. It great if you're cold, but right now I'm at the office in a nice green shirt and I look like a fricken Christmas elf.
Anyone have ant ideas on how to keep from turning red? I know it will go away soon, but my coworkers are starting to look at me strange.
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Deleted
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Niacin
Nov 14, 2013 10:25:33 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Nov 14, 2013 10:25:33 GMT -5
From the People's Pharmacy website:
Niacin frequently causes flushing, itching and tingling about 20 minutes after swallowing it. Some doctors suggest taking a low-dose aspirin 30 minutes before niacin to diminish the hot flashes. Food may also slow absorption and reduce the discomfort.
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Artemis Windsong
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Niacin
Nov 14, 2013 16:25:41 GMT -5
Post by Artemis Windsong on Nov 14, 2013 16:25:41 GMT -5
A man who had constant ruddy skin told me to wear navy blue to reduce the appearance of red. I don't know if it works as I don't have red hot skin. Except at ------o'clock.
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Shooby
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Niacin
Nov 14, 2013 18:12:14 GMT -5
Post by Shooby on Nov 14, 2013 18:12:14 GMT -5
There are other cholesterol medications as well that you could discuss with your doctor. I don't think niacin is prescribed as much anymore precisely due to that.
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mmhmm
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Niacin
Nov 14, 2013 18:47:32 GMT -5
Post by mmhmm on Nov 14, 2013 18:47:32 GMT -5
Take your niacin with food, and take an aspirin (if you can take aspirin) before you take the niacin. That should help. How long have you been taking it and did you build the level up slowly?
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tractor
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Niacin
Nov 15, 2013 7:57:18 GMT -5
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Post by tractor on Nov 15, 2013 7:57:18 GMT -5
My DR didn't feel I was quite at the point where I needed any other prescription for my cholesterol or triglycerides. My levels are high, but just on the upper end. Also due to my relatively young age, he felt that taking anything else long term had other risks that he wasn't comfortable with.
I did not start out with a gradual dose, but I know Niacin is used in many energy drinks in relatively high doses, and I drunk my share of them. He told me my body would eventually adjust, what I find strange is it's so random. I will be fine one minute, then bright red the next.
I will try the aspirin trick and see if that helps. After reading about all the benefits allegedly tied to Niacin, I'm surprised it's not a staple food item for everyone.
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mmhmm
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Niacin
Nov 15, 2013 8:17:02 GMT -5
Post by mmhmm on Nov 15, 2013 8:17:02 GMT -5
The effects do lessen over time, tractor, but they're pretty uncomfortable, I know. You might talk to your doctor about your symptoms and ask him if cutting back the dose and increasing it slowly might be an option, if the aspirin and food doesn't help.
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NancysSummerSip
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Niacin
Nov 15, 2013 10:15:33 GMT -5
Post by NancysSummerSip on Nov 15, 2013 10:15:33 GMT -5
Tractor, there is also flush-free niacin available. It's OTC, and a little more expensive than the regular kind. Check the label, and look for the "flush-free" version. I have the same problem as you do with standard niacin. The flush-free works just fine, no problems at all.
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tractor
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Niacin
Nov 15, 2013 11:32:51 GMT -5
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Post by tractor on Nov 15, 2013 11:32:51 GMT -5
Thanks Nancy, I saw the flush free label and didn't know what it meant. I bought the slow release kind as that's what the DR recommended.
This morning was funny, about 9:30am my back started getting warm, about two minutes later my entire body was red! Looked like I had a sunburn. I was all better after about 20 minutes, but now I'm freezing. I'm wearing a coat in my office.
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NancysSummerSip
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Niacin
Nov 15, 2013 13:52:33 GMT -5
Post by NancysSummerSip on Nov 15, 2013 13:52:33 GMT -5
The niacin plays games with small blood vessels near the skin surface. It makes them dilate, releasing more blood close to the surface, which makes you feel warm and look flushed. Then of course, they constrict again, hence the cold feeling.
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