my cholesterol is too high [Archive]

mark the shoeshine boy

07-26-2006, 08:56 PM

well the good doctor had me tested today for my C levels....and they are a little too high, so I have to start eating sticks and twig, feathers and beaks....for awhile

it was only 236...no cause for the drugs to come out....he said diet and excercise could control this...

is shaving an excercise ??? would a steady diet of shaving creams to my face help increase my good Ch ???

Does anybody else face this and the biggest question is : What do you EAT !!!!!

mark the shoeshine boy

letterk

07-26-2006, 09:31 PM

Well, the fat in the Avocado is supposed to be the good kind of fat. I guess you could try eating some Taylors Avocado.

Jim

07-26-2006, 09:47 PM

No more CREAMS for you - you will have to switch to cakes:biggrin:

roughrider

07-26-2006, 09:54 PM

All the males in my family naturally have high cholesterol. The Doc said it's most likely genetic. The first time I had mine checked, it was around 300+. :eek:

Tried the strict diet and exercise but it didn't do much. I do cardio 5-6 days a week for 45 minutes in the morning and weight train at night for about an hour 4 days a week. The cholesterol drugs really helped drop it down. These days, it's in the range of 150-200.

My doc prescribed Lovastatin. He said its been on the market for 10+ years and it's pretty safe. Plus its cheap. 30 day supply (generic brand) usually costs $25.

I have no problem getting the brand name stuff (Lipitor, Crestor, etc.) for free. My dad, uncle and his friends, brother in law are all doctors.

Wolfman

07-26-2006, 09:58 PM

I'm in the same boat as roughrider.

I was on Lipitor for about a year and it did a real good job, but I started getting some muscle aches in the legs. Doc switched me to Zocor about 3 months ago and I'm doing good.

finegelernt

07-26-2006, 10:14 PM

I tested myself using a cholesterol test kit which is found in any pharmacy and my C. level was around 180. A few weeks later our company was giving C. tests and I tested about 203. Several other people from our group had elevated levels and they subsequently went to their doctors only to discover that their levels were normal.

From what little I read there does not seem to be universally established standards on how the level of C. is determined. That really surprised me.
In your case, I would not despair just yet. Buy a C. test kit from your local drugstore and see if you get a different result. Go to a different doctor that sends his blood specimen to a different lab and compare the numbers.

Your level is borderline and may be perfectly OK for you, be skeptical if doctor wants to put you on medication.

I would be more concerned if there is a history of heart disease in your immediate family, otherwise, just go easy on bacon and pork chops and stick with grilled lean meats and fish.

rtaylor61

07-26-2006, 10:33 PM

Okay, so we've all compared razors, soaps, creams, brushes, balms, splashes, etc. If we are going to start comparing drugs...you guys better start stocking up. Lovastatin is my appetizer.

Randy

Jonnybc

07-27-2006, 12:03 AM

I'm quite lucky, I have low cholesterol but it been a few years since I was checked. I'm not sure how the scale works in the US, mine was 2.3. 2.3 whats? I couldn't tell you.

madmedic

07-27-2006, 12:08 AM

I'm quite lucky, I have low cholesterol , mine was 2.3. 2.3 whats

mmol/l. Somewhere around 5 is the upper limit.....I think!

Brian

Jonnybc

07-27-2006, 12:11 AM

mmol/l. Somewhere around 5 is the upper limit.....I think!

Brian

Thanks Brian, do you know what measurement the US use?

madmedic

07-27-2006, 12:13 AM

Thanks Brian, do you know what measurement the US use?

Not a clue...but if no one comes up with the answer....I will check it out.

Brian

mark the shoeshine boy

07-27-2006, 04:30 AM

Okay, so we've all compared razors, soaps, creams, brushes, balms, splashes, etc. If we are going to start comparing drugs...you guys better start stocking up. Lovastatin is my appetizer.

Randy

oh no :w00t: ...if Randy starts flash backing to the drugs he had...start playing white rabbit and cocaine, we're in for a long one ...:lol:

ner ner ner neer....cocaine....:blink:

mark tssb

mark the shoeshine boy

07-27-2006, 04:39 AM

my cholestoerol is hereditary....my father, his mother both are the culprits. All of my grandmothers brothers and sisters have high counts. Mine isn;t that high, so I have to cut out the fat and do some walking...i have to tweak my lifestye a bit. I don;t abuse the eggs, cheese or milk, but I do eat the fast foods at work and of course red meat.So I will break out the chicken, whole wheat, and salads. I may try some fish, since i now how to cook it.I always thought fish was to be fried here in S/E missouri !!!!anyone else with any thoughts of good low fat rib eyes or Bacon/lettuce/tomato sandwiches ???mark tssb

Tito

07-27-2006, 06:02 AM

Are you eating the creams? Cause oatmeal is supposed to do wonders.

http://a1468.g.akamai.net/f/1468/580/1d/pics.drugstore.com/prodimg/46889/200.jpg

ladyintheroom

07-27-2006, 06:17 AM

Cholesterol is measured in milligrams per decileter of blood. More important than the big number is the percentages of HDL, LDL, and triglycerides. Here is a link to some good info.
http://www.webmd.com/hw/cholesterol_management/hw207814.asp#tp17435
J

jfm

07-27-2006, 06:35 AM

My cholesterol and triglycerides were too high about a couple of years ago. My doctor sent me to a dietician, whose recommendations led me to start reading about low fat/high fiber diets. This, in turn, led me to Dean Ornish's diet.

It is an extremely low-fat diet, and encourages you to eat as much complex carbohydrates as you wish. The only problem is that eating out is very difficult, and many people have trouble with the vegetarian aspect. I’ve adapted somewhat by continuing to eat (cold-water) fish. The result is: after 6 months my cholesterol and triglycerides were within a hair’s width of normal. After 1 year they were normal. I’ve also lost a lot of fat.

Check out the books (although almost everything you need to know is available free at WebMD’s Ornish section). You don’t have to go to his extremes to see benefits, but making some small changes can really make a difference.

Dennis

07-27-2006, 06:47 AM

My cholesterol was high. I lost some weight and started taking fish oil along with more exercise and that brought it back down. I got the fish oil thing from my father in law who has seriously high cholesterol and his doctor perscribed fish oil in addition to other standard meds. You can pick it up at any granola store - I like the Carlson Super Omega-3 (not the orange - yuck). At my last check, my doctor approved of it as well and said to keep taking it.

Dennis

jer

07-27-2006, 06:58 AM

Some people can control with diet and exercise, and some people need the drugs. My doctor put me on Pravachol 5 years ago (my cholesterol was 250), and my cholseterol went down to 195. After a year I was developing muscle cramps and having difficulty losing weight. I went off the drug, lost 20 pounds, ate no red meat or dairy, ate avocados and fish oil, exercised every day. I went to the doctor and my cholesterol was 250. He laughed at me. Now I'm on Zocor (simvastin), I exercise 2-3 times a week, eat whatever I want (eggs every day), and my cholseterol is 195. Go figure.

tonyespo

07-27-2006, 01:06 PM

Mark, I am a heart attack survivor. Two years ago July I have a serious heart attack. I now have 6 stints in my heart. My cholesterol was 255 before my heart attack. I wasn't give meds for it. I was told to lose 40 lbs and watch my fats. Mark, that didn't work for me. There are a lot of good cholesterol medications out there. I am on Vitorin (Spelling ) I have also tried Zocor and Crestor. My C number is now 176 with the Vitorin. I eat pretty much anything I want and I don't exercise. I am still 40 lbs overweight. My heart is doing fine. I just had a check up a few weeks ago.

I suggest you ask your doctor about getting a cholesterol medication. I haven't met many guys who can control cholesterol with diet and exercise alone.

Good luck,
Tony Espo

stanmog

07-27-2006, 05:28 PM

Scorpio

07-27-2006, 05:29 PM

Mine was a little high last time a the Dr's. But with exercise and diet is under control. I just cut out all the fast food and really junky stuff. Now I am much better and no cholesterol meds. Hope you get yours under control.

Rafael

tonyespo

07-27-2006, 06:09 PM

At last!!! A topic on which I can offer an authorative reply ( I'm a cardiologist).

About 85% of your cholesterol is manufactured in your body ( i.e. is genetic: pick your parents carefully); the other 15% is more diet-related. Thus, on average, diet will reduce cholesterol for most people about 15%, which ususally isn't enough. In order to make an informed decision about how best to treat your cholesterol you need to know: your blood pressure; your gender and age; if you are diabetic; your lipid profile (total, HDL, and LDL cholesterols, and triglycerides); and any other risk factors for coronary disease. With this information your doctor can calculate your exact risk of developing coronary disease over the next 10 years based on the Framingham study. Once you know your risk, you can make a decision about whether or not to take drug treatment. If you are diabetic, you should take a statin drug, regardless of all other factors.

Regards,
Stan

Yep, that is exactly what my cardiologist told me. I could diet and exercise until hell froze over and I would only lower my cholestrol about 15%. I take a vytorin every night before bed and I have also started taking a niaspan with it and my cholesterol is fine. I eat the normal junk food that all Americans eat and I'm a couch potato. A few pills a day and I don't have to diet and exercise.

Life is good.

Thanks Dr. Stan for confirming what my Doctor told me. Have you ever put in 6 stints at one setting? I bet not. I'm considered a record holder here in Charlotte, NC.

moses

07-28-2006, 12:35 PM

Just a thought, but aren't there health concerns relative to your heart condition that stem from lack of good diet and exercise, but are independant of cholesterol level?

stanmog

07-28-2006, 02:56 PM

One of, if not [B]the[B] most important risk factors for coronary disease is a sedentary life style. Active regular exercise will reduce your risk of coronary disease more than any other risk modification. Smoking is another very potent risk factor. So regular exercise and smoking cessation will greatly reduce your risk of coronary disease virtually without any associated risk ("side effects") or cost. Statin drugs were the among thefirst drugs ever shown to reduce all cause mortality, but they have associated costs and risks; however, for every one person who has a serious adverse reaction to a statin, 30 treated patients' lives are saved by such treatment. In terms of diet, there are only two diets to my knowledge that have ever been shown to extend life: a markedly reduced calorie diet (near starvation), and the mediterranean diet. Taking cholesterol-lowering medication may be important (especially for diabetics aand people with known coronary disease), but smoking cessation, diet to achieve ideal body weight, and exercise are safe, free lifestyle modifications that are at least as impoortant as drug treatment.
Regards,
Stan

moses

07-28-2006, 03:14 PM

Stan,
I notice your avatar, speaking of coronary things.... Is that indicative of anything?

Larry C in Texas

07-28-2006, 04:02 PM

At my last physical in Dec05, my cholesterol was 259 and my triglycerides were 270. My doc started in on what I needed to do in terms of exercise and diet, and I promptly interrupted him with "Doc, you must think I've got a lot to live for, to think I'd do any of that stuff". I explained to him that I don't smoke, I don't drink, I don't gamble, I don't chase women, I don't go out to clubs, and I don't do any illicit drugs. Eating what I like and sitting in front of the TV are all I've got left in life. If you take those away, I'm liable to eat a pistol. I also really don't want to take any more medication. Between the blood pressure meds and the anti-depressants, I can barely afford to keep the NFL Sunday Ticket paid up.

Yeah, I know I'm 40 lbs overweight and yeah, I eat too much fried foods and ice cream and at 52 years old I should be taking better care of myself. But, if I drop dead tomorrow, I've had a good life and I won't be a bit mad about how things turned out. There's something to be said for enjoying life on your own terms, as long as you ain't hurting anyone else. So, I'll keep watching TV and eating Cheetos, and at least the years I have left will be happy ones.

Not recommended for anyone but me.

yasuo200365

07-28-2006, 04:54 PM

Gentlemen,

Stan is in the pay of drug companies & health clubs ...., take everything he says with a pinch of salt!

Regards
John:biggrin:

tonyespo

07-28-2006, 06:20 PM

Larry C.... I'm with you brother. I'm 59 years young. I don't smoke, I drink about a 5th of Gin a week as in Martini's. I eat what I want. I do what I want. My 36 years of marriage have been great. My sex life is great. I don't have any financial problems. If I drop dead tomorrow I have no regrets. What scares me is not dropping dead. What scares me is having a stroke and being a vegetable for the rest of my life. I don't want to put my family through that. That is the only reason I know I better get me heath in order. I'm not afraid of death. I'm afraid of being paralyzed for the rest of my life.

That's something to think about.

Tony Espo

mark the shoeshine boy

07-28-2006, 06:33 PM

total ch = 236

trig = 238

hdl = 37
ldl = 152

tc/hdl ratio = 6.4

weight 190....should be around 165 to 175
blood pressure normal with one medication...

the doctor feels that if i drop some weight, and walk more than my cholestrol will come in check. I know how to eat sticks/twigs/beaks and asphalt....my father has had two bypass operations...i get the CH from my grandmothers side of the family, where they all have blood pressure problems and cholestoral collectors...

put this on top of hypo (er) glycemia, where i gotta eat every few hours, with a job that doesn;t allow me to, sometimes....well it's fun...

but you guys can compare yout numbers to mine adn tell me what you think...

mark tssb

AACJ

07-28-2006, 07:02 PM

Well, I'll chime in now.

Mine hasn't changed in about 8 years but I've increased my excercise and watch what I eat, lost about 30 pounds but put it back on as muscle weight (muscle weights more than fat) I went to the Dr. Tuesday and she said I need to start some medication now. I just picked up my perscription a few minutes ago for Crestor but opted for the generic.

total ch = 256
trig = 94
hdl = 44
ldl = 193

She said I should see a significant improvement within 6 weeks. We shall see.

edit - I had an extra 1 in front of my triglycerides it's 94 not 194.

moses

07-28-2006, 08:06 PM

Well Art, it might not have worked for the cholesterol, but dropping 30 of fat and putting it back as muscle can't be a bad thing.....

AACJ

07-28-2006, 08:34 PM

Well Art, it might not have worked for the cholesterol, but dropping 30 of fat and putting it back as muscle can't be a bad thing.....

Hell no! I can finally get into some pants and shirts I previously thought were too small.

roughrider

07-29-2006, 01:33 AM

She said I should see a significant improvement within 6 weeks. We shall see.

I've tried Crestor before and it worked great for me. My doc wanted me to try Lovastatin because it's been around for over 10 years and is pretty safe. Lovastatin worked great for me too.

rikrdo

08-02-2006, 12:55 AM

Try having a glass of wine with dinner EVERY night.

There have been theories on why this practice is good for you and now there are more and more tests and case studies being performed to prove why. Check out this story below for some interesting thoughts and opinions.

I believe the longer I keep prescription drugs out of my system the better. (And Yes....I realize alcohol is a drug. Thank you very much).

http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-alcohol31jul31,1,6062867.story

TheChefs

08-02-2006, 01:13 AM

I agree with rikrdo, the longer you can keep drugs out of your system the better. All of them have sidefects and nothing is free. Here's a link http://medicine.ucsd.edu/ses/adverse_effects.htm

For those who take it, it might be good idea to supplement with CoQ10.

Also instead of only watching saturated fats in your diet you should also watch sugars. Just about all the food in USA is packed with it, watch for things like Corn Syrup.

stropmegently

08-09-2006, 10:56 AM

Everything in moderation. Glass of wine, junk food, etc, in moderation will not hurt. That being said, some form of exercise, such as even walking, would help. Again, do it in moderation. For some the joy of vigorous exercise is great but for some, sitting in front of the TV is fun. Just consider that if you do that, you may be hurting yourself and the ones you love. Do I want to drop dead right now? No. Is heredity a larger component of what we deal with every day than is what we eat or how we exercise, yes I think so. That is just my opinion. There is not a lot you can do to prevent heredity. I have known people who are active, eat well and still develop diabetes or high cholesterol and need drugs for it. While I have seen others, morbidly obese and totally out of shape, eat like pigs with fast food as a staple and their numbers, BP, cholesterol and such are better than mine by far!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So what does one do? I find exercise allows me to have more energy for the things I enjoy in life. As well, exercise will enable me to keep up, somewhat, with my kids. I enjoy watching TV and eating fast food, but I also enjoy exercise.

To each their own but please do not substitute drugs for common sense. If you can't walk up stairs due to fatigue, perhaps you should consider some more exercise. Parking at the end of the parking lot, not fighting for the closest spot is a form of exercise. Every little bit helps. If you can complete the daily tasks that you enjoy with the current shape you are in, then great. Ultimately happiness is what is the most important. The ideal body shape is the shape you are comfortable with, not what Dr. Phil says is the best shape.

All of this is my opinion, so take it for what it is worth, which is nothing :redface:

I do things I enjoy, such as eating, exercise and such. The only person I am concerned about impressing is my wife and to a degree myself. I try to control my weight because I have some really nice and broken in Levis that I want to continue to fit into.

Take care,

Darren

AACJ

09-05-2006, 02:06 AM

I found out something to do if your cholesterol medications (or any meds) are too expensive, could save 50% per month or more.

My meds call for 20mg tablets of Zocor, I asked my Dr. about it and she said she would prescribe me the 40mg tables and I should go buy a pill cutter. So I get a months supply of 40mg, cut them in half and end up with 2 months worth of 20mg pills.

The cost of 20mg vs 40mg tablets is literally PENNIES, 135.00 vs 135.50!! So right off the bat you are saving half of that per month (or only spending it every other month).

Now, if you do the same with mail order prescriptions thru your insurance company which typically send you a 90 days supply at an even greater discound, you can save even MORE money.

My Dr. said this was an industry practice an widley accepted, but unless you ask for it, they won't even bring it up.