Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jeannie Wagner on December 19, 2012 at 5:56am

I was also put on statins with slightly high cholesterol numbers. I also became intolerant of statins with severe muscle pain. My doctor now just advises me to keep my weight and BMI quite low to manage cholesterol. Actually he told me there was no reason to run Lipid tests since I could not go on statins. My understanding of the new Health Care Bill is that doctors and practices will be held accountable for their Patient's test results. So doctors could actually be fined if their patients don't go on drugs. As far as your HbA1c goes , it is great for a diabetic.

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Permalink Reply by Mayumi on December 19, 2012 at 6:41am

No one believes me that I am intolerant of statins. My present GP was probably not even out of school when I was experiencing issues. It has been a pleasure being able to enjoy the online friends here. When I am forced into taking statins, I will not be able to function, so thanks to my friends here for your kindness.

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Permalink Reply by meee on December 19, 2012 at 2:35pm

I would ask the doctor to call you and explain what this nurse has been saying to you, which is imo, utter bs. You have a right to know what is going. If the doctor is really telling the nurse to threaten patients with being released from a practice then you really need to find a new doctor. Just dig deep down inside and find that courage. There is no reason for you to be forced to take a drug that causes severe problems for you. Maybe you should explore some of the natural ways people have mentioned here to lower your cholesterol? How high is it btw if you don't mind sharing that?

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Permalink Reply by Mayumi on December 19, 2012 at 3:31pm

I am embarrassed that my levels are so high, but here are the numbers:

total cholesterol 359 (9.3)
HDL 72 (1.9)
LDL 269 (7)
Triglycerides 98 (1.1)
Trigs/HDL 1.24 (0.55)

I have started taking fish oil liquid form, reducing my carb consumption considerably from 180 to less than 75, and started
an exercise program by riding a stationary bike and hope to increase to 30-45 min per day.

:(

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Permalink Reply by Laddie on December 19, 2012 at 4:15pm

Those are pretty bad numbers, but if you can't take statins, you can't take them. My husband has been through all of the statins and can't take any of them. His cholesterol numbers aren't nearly as high as yours, but fortunately his doctors all agree that he can't take statins. His muscle enzymes are always off the charts when he takes statins, so at least he has "proof" that he can't take them.

I don't have any advice for you except to talk to your doctor before leaving the practice because of the nurse.

If it were me, I'd start Dr. Bernstein's diet to try to normalize BG levels as much as possible. Many people have also experienced huge improvements in their cholesterol numbers once BG levels are improved. Although your reduction of carbs to 75 should be good, I might even go as far as Bernstein's 30 per day.

But except for my experience watching my husband on statins, I'm just not the right person to give you advice. I am once of the lucky ones who always has great cholesterol numbers. I do think that exercise can improve your HDL.

Good luck to you as you try to figure out everything.

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Permalink Reply by Gerri on December 19, 2012 at 4:30pm

When I went low carb, eating a high fat diet, my lipids improved considerably. My experience isn't unique.

My triglycerides went down from a dose increase in thyroid medicine. Hypthyrodism effects serum lipids. Had to explain that to my doctor as he pushed statins:) Um, no, it's a low T3 thyroid problem.

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Permalink Reply by acidrock23 on December 19, 2012 at 5:02pm

You shouldn't be embarrassed by numbers when you're having problems with your doctor!!

Exercising and eating differently have made a big difference for me too! I admit I exercise a lot but I have gotten to the point where if I don't, I get cranky. I hope you can enjoy your bike and make it fun for you. I tried a brief period of riding my bike in place and discovered that I could enjoy movies while doing it. Maybe you can set yourself up with something fun to do to pass the time. I love music and running. I dunno about fish oil but I like eating fish a lot. If you have reduced your carbs that much I suspect that will make a big difference too.

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Permalink Reply by meee on December 19, 2012 at 5:18pm

I think you do need to do something to lower it... I wouldn't be embarrassed, we don't have control over our cholesterol, well, maybe if we eat a raw vegan diet we will have really good lipid levels, but a lot of it is controlled by hereditary factors and hormone levels I think.

I really would explore all the natural supplements out there and I would start taking no flush niacin to increase your hdl too. Here is an article I found that suggests other vitamins too. I had the lipid panel which tells you how large your lipids are.. I don't think I had small density lipids but they said something still about lowering overall CH, even though mine is low. I think the ldl was 100 or lower now, and the hdl was in 80's to 90s. I have lost the paper work at the moment but I will get another copy to review again. You should do that with all your paper work if you don't now.

I'm looking into cholestoff as I said before, I will ask myc doc if he thinks it is safe first. You take that 30 minutes before eating a meal.

That's great that you have lowered your carbs a lot... do you think you could do 30g a day? That does seem to help a lot of people lower it even more.. I found I was too hungry on 30g a day, but it may work for you if you increase protein and fat. I think going for a long walk every day is a good idea too as it seems to reduce stress levels and it is more relaxing than the bike alone. Maybe try drinking more water too?

Here are some recommendations from the natural news website which may help... I do a lot of these already, I wasn't aware they can help reduce ldl.

Green Tea

Green tea contains various compounds that lower LDL cholesterol levels. A study performed in Brazil where people consumed green tea extract in capsules resulted in a 4.5 percent lowering of LDL cholesterol levels.

Nuts

Eating nuts regularly, especially walnuts and almonds, may help reduce cholesterol levels of LDL cholesterol.

Niacin

Niacin, or vitamin B-3 helps lower LDL cholesterol levels as much as 10% and raise HDL cholesterol levels by 15% to 30%. Because of its many side effects, niacin should only be used under the supervision of a health practitioner.

Artichoke Leaf Extract

Artichoke leaf extract my help lower cholesterol levels by limiting its synthesis in the our bodies. Additionally, the extract may increase the flow of cholesterol excretion from the liver.

Soluble Fiber

Slow the absorption of cholesterol in the intestines by consuming foods such as oats, legumes, prunes, apples, carrots, broccoli and yams, all high in soluble fiber. Five to 10 grams daily can produce a 5 percent reduction in LDL cholesterol.

Policonsanol

Policonsanol is a dietary supplement made from Cuban sugarcane wax. It is not readily available in the US; however, non-Cuban products are available here which are made from beeswax or wheat germ. It is used to regular total cholesterol levels and is touted to be as effective as statins and red yeast rice. It may produce mild side effects such as digestive upsets, headaches and insomnia and can take two months or longer to show results.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.naturalnews.com/002692_cholesterol_health_drug.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mark-hyman/lower-cholesterol-natur...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/leo-galland-md/strawberries-for-weigh...

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Permalink Reply by Brian (bsc) on December 19, 2012 at 5:45pm

You have an HDL of 72 mg/dl and low Triglycerides of 98 mg/dl. Most experts would suggest that your LDL is irrelevant, a high LDL really doesn't matter because with a high HDL and low Tris, you will have a large fluffy LDL pattern which is "good." I have historically had high LDL as well. You should never be embarrassed by you health status here and your cholesterol levels are actually good in my view.

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Permalink Reply by Natalie ._c- on December 23, 2012 at 11:15pm

I would tend to agree that for starters, it might be good to follow Dr. Bernstein's plan. Then, if that helps, you can gradually add carbs back in until you find out how many you can tolerate.

It IS a nuisance to have to drastically reduce carbs, because we all have a natural fondness for them, but there are ways to substitute vegetables and nuts for them -- on my list, I have the plan to cook and mash cauliflower with a little milk, butter and salt -- I tried it once as a substitute for mashed potatoes -- I hadn't dried the cauliflower enough, so it was soupy, but the flavor was just like mashed potatoes. There are ways to use nut flours and other vegetables -- see about getting a low-carb cookbook, and try your hand at it. And there are good cooks on the Bernstein group -- Gerri is VERY good at it, and will give you suggestions if you ask! Good luck! :-)

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Permalink Reply by rayray on December 20, 2012 at 10:51pm

ik the feeling i went to a new endo dr an he refused me casue i dont take care of my diabetes an ppl say drs caint refuse u thats sum bs drs r like cops they can do wat ever they want

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Permalink Reply by Tracy Malloy on December 23, 2012 at 9:36am

It all comes down to insurance carriers. I just went through this although my Dr office wasn't jerky about it. They explained that they had a new from to complete for Blue Cross for all Diabetic patients and that they felt it had to do with the insurance reform. I just did my 3rd cholesterol check and hopefully it comes out good. My Doc has me taking fish oil and flaxseed oil to raise my good cholesterol and I will be spending at least an hour at her office Friday until my BP is good enough. At least she agrees that Diabetes, anxiety and depression from the Diabetes impacts all this. GOOD LUCK! I actually did get discharged from my last primary for being non- compliant. He was a moron though.

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