Author Topic: Cholesterol Meds? (Read 553 times)

LePaul · « **on:** February 23, 2005, 02:58:32 PM »

On any?

My family has a history of high cholesterol...grandparents died of strokes in their 70s, etc etc. I've been very active at the gym, watching what I eat...and still score in between 210 and 280. Its the damndest thing.

Doc put me on Lipitor today, she thinks that will bing me down to normal, lower levels. Have a few bloods tests in the following weeks to make sure there are no liver issues,etc

Anyone else on this stuff, or others?

Id be curious what your before/after was.

Maverick · « **Reply #1 on:** February 23, 2005, 03:31:56 PM »

LePaul,

I'm not taking any cholesterol specific meds. I am taking a med for a thyroid deficiency. That problem has a side effect of raising cholesterol especially the bad one. It has come down some since I started that med. Ask you Dr. to check for thyroid function if he hasn't already.

Jackal1 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 23, 2005, 03:38:53 PM »

Taking Zocor. Along with a no fat, no sugar diet. (Which I`m getting quite good at cheating on) Lowered my cholestrol and tryglyceride count to near normal.

Toad · « **Reply #3 on:** February 23, 2005, 03:40:16 PM »

LePaul, I have had the opportunity to research this area diligently.

I can suggest some things besides Lipitor (which isn't cheap and which can cause some side effects) which should reduce your cholesterol somewhere between 10 and 20% with very little change in lifestyle and only very moderate cost.

How high is your cholesterol: what sort of percentage drop are they after?

I'll be glad to share what I've found out.

Here's the quick and dirty.

#1. Switch to Benecol margerine, which contains "stanols", naturally occuring plant substances that fake out your intestines. Your cholesterol receptors grab them and the cholesterol floats on by and out the exit. Good for 7-10% reduction in most folks. About a $1 a day.

#2. Take 1 TBS psyllium fiber per day ( I take 1 teaspoon 3x day). Good for 5-7% in most people. Cost is maybe .50 day.

You really won't notice much change in your lifestyle if you do this.

However, if you were at say 220 on the cholesterol, the Benecol might take you to say... 205. Adding the psyllium fiber might then bring you to 195.

Now that's barely in the acceptable range but it's easily achieved without Lipitor which will probably run you $3 a day.

Total cholesterol is only a small part of the story. Like I said, I'd be happy to chat with you about it.

LePaul · « **Reply #4 on:** February 23, 2005, 05:04:49 PM »

Toad,

I have the lab results from the last two tests...I dont have them with me here at work. I'll share them here...it doesnt bother me...and who knows...maybe we'll convince some lurker to have their cholesterol checked.

Toad · « **Reply #5 on:** February 23, 2005, 05:19:49 PM »

LP, after they told me to get mine down I reall went after it.

After three months, my Doc told my I was "the Poster Boy for cholesterol reduction". I had gone from 220 to 97.

He asked me to write down how I did it.

I'd be happy to E-mail you the lengthy Word article I wrote for him.

It has a lot in it.

Maverick · « **Reply #6 on:** February 23, 2005, 06:01:49 PM »

Toad,
Would you send me a copy as well?

LePaul · « **Reply #7 on:** February 23, 2005, 06:09:57 PM »

Toad

PM me on my CheckSix Forums. I'll give you my email.

Simaril · « **Reply #8 on:** February 23, 2005, 06:10:17 PM »

See talk about total cholesterol, but FYI --

Main concern now is the LDL "bad" stuff. It's for all purposes the cholesterol on its way to be layed in to the artery wall, while HDL as be cleared out of the wall.

LDL needs to be 100 or less to minimize heart disease.

In higher risk groups like diabetics, or past heart disease should be under 75.

Toad · « **Reply #9 on:** February 23, 2005, 06:35:51 PM »

Rog, LePaul.

Rog, Mav. Stick yer email in the Squad forum, ok? Or give me a call. I'd have printed out for you when you were here if I knew.

Sim, that's true.. which is why I said "Total cholesterol is only a small part of the story" in my first post. Generally though, the stanols and psyllium work primarily on lowering the LDL component. That's where you get the drop in total.

Tumor · « **Reply #10 on:** February 23, 2005, 06:51:29 PM »

Something to look for later. One of the pharm corps (Phizer I "think") is working on a couple new drugs, one of which actually reduces the amount of plaque that cholestoral has already deposited/formed in the arteries (something I think can't be achieved by anything currently available), the other, for lack of a better description, kills off HDL (err... whichever's the bad one). Anyway, these things have shown allot of promise, forecast for FDA approval in the next 3-5yrs (

)

Tumor

wombatt · « **Reply #11 on:** February 23, 2005, 07:28:57 PM »

Le Paul My wife takes BP meds I think Zocor ./
Not trying to be a smartazz but you might wanna try loosing weight.

When I was at 275Lbs my BP was high.
Now that Im at 250lbs its normal.

A little weight lose will really go a long way.
Case in point my wife has been working out 6 days a week with a trainer and has lost a lot of weight.

Doc says that in the future she might be able to get off the meds.
Good luck.

LePaul · « **Reply #12 on:** February 23, 2005, 07:33:15 PM »

I'm 5'10 and 179 pounds...weighed today

Go to the gym 3-4 times a week.

Dr says Im in excellent shape, I feel great...enjoy going to the gym

Its heredity.

wombatt · « **Reply #13 on:** February 23, 2005, 07:36:32 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by LePaul
I'm 5'10 and 179 pounds...weighed today

Its heredity.

Very well may be.
I have found that weight lose does help some folks but if its in your genes then meds may be the only way.

Raubvogel · « **Reply #14 on:** February 23, 2005, 08:13:22 PM »

I have hereditary high cholesterol and borderline high BP (actually have Dr. appt tomorrow for decision on BP meds)...anyways....I've been taking Zocor for about 2 years. Lowered my cholesterol from 275 to 180. Only take 1/2 pill (20mg I think) every day. Diet and exercise wasn't enough for me, but the Zocor worked.