My cardiologist has prescribed an increasing dosing regimen of colestipol granules to help lower my LDL level. Here are my last two most current labs from before I started the colestipol. I eat a lower fat diet, exercise by walking 40 minutes 5-6 times per week, don't smoke, control borderline hypertension with 5mg lisinopril daily, have a BMI of 30 but don't have enough self control to lose any weight. I had muscle pain and memory loss with statins, flushing and finally facial swelling with niacin supplements. The memory loss was so bad, I sold my veterinary practice and retired BEFORE the lawsuit. I ran for exercise until I wore out my left knee, now I walk.
Again, these labs are before any medication.
4/29/09 9/10/09
174 157 Total LDL Ch Direct
29 36 Total HDL Ch Direct (HDL2+HDL3 *good Ch)
248 241 Sum Total Cholesterol (Total amt circulating)
258 239 Triglycerides Direct (Increased assoc with CVD)
B Real LDL Size Pattern (A-Ideal,A/B-moderate, B-High)
Sub-Class Information
4 HDL-2 (most protective)
25 HDL-3 (least protective)
I'm now on 10mg colestipol granules twice daily in the 500gm bottle of powder and 54mg fenofibrate once daily. I have two questions. I've read that colestipol may lower LDL 20% at 15gm twice daily. I'll have my blood rechecked after I've been on 30gm/d for about a 6 weeks.
Is the cost (about $300/month) worth the benefit of hopefully lowering my LDL 20%? I've asked my cardiologist that question twice and not received an answer. It is a lot of money and our health insurance doesn't cover prescriptions. Second, I've tried mixing it with oatmeal, yogurt, milk, soup, tea, you name it. It's like eating sand! Since it's mostly silicate which IS sand, that isn't much of a surprize, but I don't like it. The pills were easier but cost about $1,125/month. Can you help me?