Cholesterol Drugs

[Marigold2]

Personally you can take or leave the drugs. The smoking will kill you. Does that sound harsh, I don't mean it too? I just want to be honest with you and maybe make you realize that the smoking will take 20 years off of your life. It you have 20 years to give that is ok. Personally I would much prefer die at 90 then 70.

[pomtzu]

If it ain't broke - don't fix it. I'm a firm believer of this.

I won't lecture on the smoking issue.

But if the cholesterol is only slightly elevated, I'd stay away from the cholesterol meds. Make changes in your diet, and take Omega 3 fish oil capsules. This is what my doctor advised me to do, and it brought my slightly elevated levels down.

[Freedom]

I tried for a year to lower my cholesterol with diet and exercise. I was at the Y at last 4 days per week, eating oatmeal, fruits and vegs. The numbers didn't budge.

I've been on Lipitor for over 10 years now, and my numbers are great!

I have a family history of high cholesterol and heart disease, so it was clear my issues are genetic and not to do w/ diet or lifestyle.

My doc will only order Lipitor. All the studies have been done w/ Lipitor. The other cholesterol lowering drugs don't have the same level of testing and studies behind them, nor the years of use. PLUS the company now has special cards, I only have a $12 copay for it! Crestor and the rest don't offer this either.

[Louie and me]

Thanks for all your imput (including the smoking lectures - I know, I know). Here's what caused me to think. My doctor is probably in his late 40s or early 50s. I noticed that he had trouble remembering words and then after he left to check for some samples for me came back into the room and had forgotten why he went out! He had told me earlier he was taking Crestor. When I was reading up on the drug after I got home I read feedback chat lines that mentioned memory loss as being a side effect! My husband has serious heart disease and is taking Lipitor. He doesn't seem to have a problem with side effects.
I walk a couple of miles every day, eat a balanced diet, take only Vitamin A and D and the odd Advil for arthritic pain, aced my bone density test and mammogram. I'm really reluctant to take Crestor.

[pomtzu]

Thanks for all your imput (including the smoking lectures - I know, I know). Here's what caused me to think. My doctor is probably in his late 40s or early 50s. I noticed that he had trouble remembering words and then after he left to check for some samples for me came back into the room and had forgotten why he went out! He had told me earlier he was taking Crestor. When I was reading up on the drug after I got home I read feedback chat lines that mentioned memory loss as being a side effect!

Yikes - I certainly wouldn't have a warm and fuzzy feeling about going to your doctor!!! What you said is actually kind of scary.

Seriously - try the Omega 3 fish oil capsules for a month or so - one after each meal. They have "burpless" ones if the regular ones make you burp a fishy taste. Then have your cholesterol checked again. If you aren't that high to start with, then I'll bet it brings it down.

Good luck!

[Freedom]

Do him a favor and tell him this.

Do yourself a favor and get a new doctor.

[Randi]

Years ago, my Cholesterol level were slightly to high, but I know why. I was working for a company who had a mile long lunch buffet and a really good chef. On top of that, customers sent us one box of chocolade after the other (Christmas was coming up).

Well, I didn't have to take any medicine, but I did start to walk more and eat more healthy. Now I take Omega-3 capsules or bottled fish-oil every day.

My doctor told me this: Avocados are good for you, but stay away from shrimps!