Off topic but I am worried...can you help Quix?

[Rena705]

Hey people...I have been told that I have high cholesterol as of last October.  I tried to cut back on fats...I only drink skim milk, coffee with fat free whitener and splenda, water and I have always eaten low fat meats such as chicken with no skin etc. etc. etc.  My gp advised me to see the dietician which I did and have been following her advice.

This last Wednesday I had blood test to check my cholesterol and today my gp called to say that my cholesterol is through the roof and just diet isn't going to do it, she wants to start me on a cholesterol drug.  I have an appointment with her on Monday.

Now, apparently some of my meds can cause a high cholesterol reading but does that mean I have high cholesterol or the meds just causes it to read that way?  Am I at risk of having a stroke before I get on this new med?  Should I put my exercise program on hold until Monday and just take it easy over the weekend?  This has me freaking out here...I am scared that something will happen and you know I don't trust my gp's judgement!

Any information on this would be greatly appreciated.

Lots of Hugs,
Rena

[PastorDan]

Vytorin seems to do it for me better than any of the statins alone (Vytorin = a statin named Zocor plus another drug with a Z in its' name, but I can't remember the whole thing), and I eat nothing that swims.

I was surviving on lettuce and grilled chicken breasts one summer, and listed for the doc every item I ate, its' cholesterol content, and its' total fat content.  This went on for something like 6 months.  With no drugs, outrageously strict diet, and moderate exercise, I could not keep my total cholesterol under 240, and couldn't get the HDL over 30.  I was on Lopid, Mevacor, and Zocor, each of which helped only a little.  Vytorin has my total staying under 150 and the HDL usually up to at least 40.  No I am not a paid spokesperson for whoever makes the stuff.  Wish I was; I'm sure there's a fortune in it.

[Lulu54]

Phoenix - your HDL (think H=healthy) is too low.  It should be in the 50-60 range.

Your LDL (think L=lousy) number is above the optimal level.  You want it to be below 100.  

Your triglycerides are wonderful!  

Rena, I'm not sure what scale those cholesterol numbers are coming from, but if your doctor is happy that should be enough to keep you encouraged that you are on the right track.  It must be all that thinking about fish.  Has the ice thawed yet?

be well,
Lulu

[Phoenix177]

So, if I understand this right, for cholesterol I'm good?

here's the CRISK Panel / reflex LDLD

                                 1/19/2010                       7/1/09
                                   10:54am                          10:37am  
Cholesterol  mg/dL        164                                 171
HDL            mg/dL         35                                   39
Triglycerides                 79                                  101
LDL (Calc)                   113                                 112        


On 7/31/09, I had my blood drawn. my B12 was > 2100 it dropped 284 (1/19/10) now. I got a shot last week and take 50,000 iu vitamin D 2x a week

[Rena705]

Hey people!!  How is everyone doing???  Well, I am happy to say that through my hard work and perseverance my cholesterol has dropped dramatically and things in that department are looking up!  My level was at 9.4 and it is now 4.1 after just a few weeks of cutting fat in my diet and Lipitor (but the doc says that I did a great job and this kind of drop couldn't have happened without me working hard at changing my diet)!!  

Thank you to all of you that helped me through this scary little bump in my never ending journey (it seems) to keep my doctors employed!  hehe  I am going to stay on the Lipitor and I don't really miss all the things that I have cut out of my diet and I am happy to say that a potato chip has not passed my lips since January 8th, 2010!!  

Lots of Fat Free Hugs,

Rena

[Heather3418]

My cholesterol had gotten to an overal reading of 370.  My cardiologist put me on Zocor and in 6 weeks, my overall Cholesterol reading was down to 147, with marked improvements in HDL and LDL.  It was absolutely amazing how well the drug works.  BUT...I do have body aches from the Zocor.

I did my own experiment and went off the Zocor for 5 days...all of the aches and pains (beside the MS aches and pains)  I noticed when I started Zocor; had disappeared...so I am convinced it is the statin.  I went back on Zocor, but will now add Co-Q10 to my supplements, as Quix suggested.  What would we do without our Mama Bear?

I am also taking Vitamin D at 5,000iu's a day and I really have felt better overall.  I have more energy and slightly less fatigue.  Just a feeling overall - of feeling better.  Some doctor's would have a fit if they knew I was on that much Vitamin D, but everything out there, now suggests that probably alot of us need that because we don't get out in the sunlight.  It may sound silly, but my skin is healthier and so is my hair.  I'll try anything, now that I am in the, over 55 bunch.

Good lucky sweetheart.  Please do as Mother Quizzle suggests and Lulu girl.  It's amazing how our cholesterol can get very high without us even feeling poorly.  High blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol are some of what I call the "silent killers."  You don't "feel" that things are way off in your body, until they are really off or are found by a blood test.

Big Hugs precious one,
Heather
Please keep us updated.  We miss you....

[Lulu54]

Rena, That's a very good question and he must have a reason to fall back to lipitor.  I'll ask him on Thursday.  

Perhaps it's because he has had good success with it treating his patients? I do know it worked on my cholesterol the first time and my DH also takes it with good results.

enjoy your weekend!
Lu

[Rena705]

Thank you for your thoughts on this...yep Lulu...I would go fishing if everything wasn't frozen solid!  Just one question...if you had so many problems with Lipitor last time why wouldn't he try a different one like Crestor or something...just wondering?
Being adopted I wish I knew my family history on this but wishing ain't gonna get me anywhere is it?  I will try to go in with an open mind but this dr. and I have a history that is not pleasant...hubby will be with me too so that will help.  Thanks for your input, every bit helps!

Moki, Quix is really good at easing my mind, she is good at is isn't she??? hehe  It's is sure nice to have somewhere to fall back in a situation such as this, I would have been a basket case by Monday!  I will let you know what my doc has to say on Monday...stay sweet girl!

Quix, I understand what you are saying and I think you are right...my results did fall through the crack and now she is in a hurry to rectify the situation...it's just that things fall through the crack with her all the time.  It's frustrating!  But you have made me feel better about all of this and for that I am very grateful!  I will get some of the CoQ10 tomorrow and will get back to you Monday afternoon!  Thank you again for all your help!

Lots of Hugs,
Rena

[Quixotic1]

Rena, your GP may have just been alarmed that this test result fell through the cracks and didn't want another minute to go by without acting on it.  Reasonable enough.  No doc likes to see that a result slipped by.  But, you still have time.  Don't sweat it, start the CoQ10 100mg daily and see her on Monday.

Quix

[Lulu54]

And did we answer your question?  If your cholesterol reading is up, then it is elevated.  There are no false readings for cholesterol that I know of.

[Lulu54]

Gosh Rena, the cure is obvious .... go fishing!  Catch more fish to eat.  Eating fish is one way to  lower your cholesterol!  Simple, huh?  :-)

As for the cholesterol  and statin drugs - that is a debate we have all the time over on the heart board. We do need cholesterol in our bodies or we would seize up like the Tin Man in Oz.  

I was on lipitor for about 6 weeks after my heart attack and its ability to drop my cholesterol was amazing.  My total cholesterol was 115 or so after I was on lipitor, but I developed serious body aches.  I felt like I had a case of the flu coming on, all the time and my hips hurt like crazy. I also developed horrible intestinal distress, and ended up with chronic diahrrea.  

Those are some  of  known side effects - but I have to also tell you at that time I wasn't yet dx'd with MS, so it could have been this MiSerable disease and not the drug.  But I have to also say, as soon as I stopped the lipitor - in about 48 hours - all of the aches were gone.  The diahrrea also stopped.  Coincidence?  I don't think so but my cardio remains committed to statin treatments.

My latest blood panels show my total cholesterol is up to 216, which is above the recommended no more than 200 level.  My LDL  is in normal range and so are my triglycerides.  My HDL's could be a bit higher, but overall they are not so bad.    (tip - if these get you confused think of H = healthy and L= lousy!)

My cardio wanted me to go back on lipitor and see if it would again drop my cholesterol, so I reluctantly agreed to try it again.  (I haven't told this to my friend and  heart sister, who is adamently against statins, so if you're lurking Lid, now you know!!! LOL).  I  go for my blood tests tomorrow and I will see him on Thursday for the results.

I don't know if any of this helps you.  Quix is so right - the high cholesterol is not something that is going to hurt you overnight, but you do want to find a way to lower it.  Exercise and diet sometimes are not enough if you are genetically predisposed to this problem.  

Please go into this discussion with your doctor with an open mind - and continue what you know how to do, which is  question everything and learn all you can.  It makes you such a better patient.  

Rena, feel better about the cholesterol worries and be proactive with your health, ok?

as always,
Lu

[mokibear]

Hey Girl, sorry to hear that things aren't going so well for you. I hope Quix eased your mind some and that you can enjoy the weekend somewhat. I'll be thinking of you and hope all goes well on Monday.

Hugs
Moki

[Rena705]

Thank you sooooo much for getting back to me!  I feel a lot better about this now!  I have had high cholesterol since I was about 10 years old and was put on a low fat diet while in my teens.  I don't recall if it helped to lower the cholesterol but I did lose weight!

You know how much I trust my gp (which isn't a heck of a lot) and it just seemed strange to me that all of a sudden SHE is calling herself and saying I need to get on a statin.  I had the original cholesterol test in October and was notified in the week after Christmas that the gp wanted me to have another cholesterol test and she wants me to come in after that to discuss the results of my last ECG (which was in October) as well as my cholesterol problem.  So that is why I was so concerned...she NEVER calls me herself unless it's serious and that is a scary thing on a Friday afternoon.

I will let you know what she says after I see her on Monday and see just what the problem is with my ECG.  I really appreciate you taking the time to help me out here Quix...it's going to be a long weekend but because of your help it will be much more relaxing!  Thanks again!

Lots of Hugs,
Rena

[Quixotic1]

Hi, Rena, your doc and the dietician are way off base with their attitude toward the main cause of cholesterol in the body.  For the last 30 years people have been told that "if they would just exercise and eat a low fat diet their cholesterol levels would be just hunky-dory.  There are two sources of cholesteral in the body 1) what is consumed in the diet and 2) what is made by the body.  The diet accounts for about 10% of the cholesterol level and the naturally synthesized accounts for the other 90%.  This isn't news.  The data is all over the place.

And, yes, some meds elevate the cholesterol.  They really do raise the actual level, not just the reading.

Now, whether to take a statin.  I am not totally against taking a statin.  I just believe that the growing attitude that all people should be on a statin for their general health is bogus.  If your cholesterol is high then you may need a statin.

Aside and my educated OPINION: Atkins was correct when he claimed that his diet would lower cholesterol, make triglycerides plummet and raise HDL.  This has been shown by independent studies.  It also worked wonders in me as I lost weight.  My cholesterol went from 280 to 220, my triglycerides went from about 300 to 140 and my HDL from 45 to 57.  ( I know these aren't normal values, but the change in each one was remarkable)  Unfortunately, the Atkins diet does not lower the LDL (mine dropped from about 165 to 143).  This was just on a high-protein, moderate fat diet without any care on my part about saturated fats or cholesterol in the diet.  I am not trying to advocate for the Atkins diet - that is a whole bag of worms I won't get into again (the debate I mean - I have just started ithe diet again).  I'm just saying that it is the "carbs plus the fat" that can get us into trouble.  END OPINION

Cholesterol doesn't stroke you out overnight or even in several months.  We have gotten too used to the comments that this or that food (like a big greasy hamburger) is a heart attack in and of itself and that is overly dramatic.

I would say you are fine living your regular life until Monday.  And don't fear a statin.  One thing you can do while you await the meeting with your doc is to start Co-Q10 supplements.  One thing that I believe that statins do is quickly lower the C0Q10 levels in the body's tissues - especially the brain, muscles and heart.  This has been proven in mammal lab studies and is likely behind a good deal of the muscle pain that some people have while on statins.  I am pretty sure a statin is in my near future and I will maintain my CoQ10 supps through it.

Besides, remember the data that one of the statins (Lipitor??) showed a decrease in the relapse rate and a decrease in formation of new lesions.  the studies on the statins (which do have an anti-inflammatory effect) and MS are ongoing.

Quix

I do not advocate any specific diet for anyone else.  The lowfat people have pretty much won the day, but not my mind.