Ward
01-19-2005, 04:45 PM
Hi y'all! I'm a new member and here are my statistics:
TG 188
TC 306
HDL 62
LDL 206
Ratio 4.9
CRP 1.9
My mum had very high cholesterol. Mine has been stable at around 200-220 until a check-up last month which came back with the above numbers. My internist started me on 20mg Lipitor. I went in for a blood draw yesterday and am awaiting the results. Only one side effect so far but quite embarassing - foul-smelling gas. I am an otherwise very healthy 53 year old female. I walk vigorously an hour every day, yoga 1 1/2 hours once a week. Diet healthy. Lots of oat bran. A drink or two a day. The usual multi-vitamin supplements with extra calcium, glucosamine chondroitin, B-Complex, iron, 100mg niacin, garlic oil, aspirin 325. I take Triamterene, a diuretic, for high blood pressure which was also discovered at the check-up last month. My blood pressure is now normal.
The docs response to my report of the gas was to switch me to Vytorin. I was surprised, I thought he might just suggest a lower dose of Lipitor. I am considering whether or not to do this.
After my mum died and I was cleaning out her flat (in England), I found a closet almost floor to ceiling with boxes of Questran. This was the cholesterol medication she was on (this is a few years ago). She had complained of bad gas with it and instead of telling the doc she wouldn't take it, just stashed it away in the closet!
Advice greatly appreciated.
TG 188
TC 306
HDL 62
LDL 206
Ratio 4.9
CRP 1.9
My mum had very high cholesterol. Mine has been stable at around 200-220 until a check-up last month which came back with the above numbers. My internist started me on 20mg Lipitor. I went in for a blood draw yesterday and am awaiting the results. Only one side effect so far but quite embarassing - foul-smelling gas. I am an otherwise very healthy 53 year old female. I walk vigorously an hour every day, yoga 1 1/2 hours once a week. Diet healthy. Lots of oat bran. A drink or two a day. The usual multi-vitamin supplements with extra calcium, glucosamine chondroitin, B-Complex, iron, 100mg niacin, garlic oil, aspirin 325. I take Triamterene, a diuretic, for high blood pressure which was also discovered at the check-up last month. My blood pressure is now normal.
The docs response to my report of the gas was to switch me to Vytorin. I was surprised, I thought he might just suggest a lower dose of Lipitor. I am considering whether or not to do this.
After my mum died and I was cleaning out her flat (in England), I found a closet almost floor to ceiling with boxes of Questran. This was the cholesterol medication she was on (this is a few years ago). She had complained of bad gas with it and instead of telling the doc she wouldn't take it, just stashed it away in the closet!
Advice greatly appreciated.
Sponsor
NineLives
01-19-2005, 11:55 PM
Your ratio isn't really bad but anything above 4 needs to be treated with diet and exercise and possibly cholesterol meds. It sounds like you are already doing some good things with your diet and you are active so the meds sound like a good idea. Are you using olive oil? The oat bran is good. Are you drinking red wine?
vinny1957
01-20-2005, 10:40 AM
Welcome to the boards! I don't take the medication you do but I'm sure someone does here. Just wanted to say hi and a warm welcome. :wave:
Lenin
01-20-2005, 11:19 AM
Hi Ward,
An ODD response from your doctor; if anything Vytorin (statin with ezetimibe) will be MORE likely to produce gas than the single statin, Lipitor. Maybe the doctor got an inducement to push the VYTORIN?
If I read you right, you are awaiting the results of a month's trial on 20 mg.Lipitor. I anticipate the results will be startlingly good.
I HOPE the results aren't after having switched to the VYTORIN because then you won't know which did which.
Good Luck and make sure you report your results as soon as you get them. I for one am very curious...and curiosity killed the cat!:D
An ODD response from your doctor; if anything Vytorin (statin with ezetimibe) will be MORE likely to produce gas than the single statin, Lipitor. Maybe the doctor got an inducement to push the VYTORIN?
If I read you right, you are awaiting the results of a month's trial on 20 mg.Lipitor. I anticipate the results will be startlingly good.
I HOPE the results aren't after having switched to the VYTORIN because then you won't know which did which.
Good Luck and make sure you report your results as soon as you get them. I for one am very curious...and curiosity killed the cat!:D
Ward
01-20-2005, 06:01 PM
Hi Ward,
An ODD response from your doctor; if anything Vytorin (statin with ezetimibe) will be MORE likely to produce gas than the single statin, Lipitor. Maybe the doctor got an inducement to push the VYTORIN?:D
I did notice several boxes of Vytorin-emblazoned tissues in the waiting room on my way out.
A correction: I have been taking 40mg of Lipitor not 20mg as I previously stated. I am continuing with the Lipitor until I see what the new results are.
I did come across my last, previous bloodwork done in 1997. In the intervening period I quit smoking and started exercising, no other changes.
5/1997
TG 272
TC 263
HDL 53
LDL 156
Ratio 5.0
12/2004
TG 188
TC 306
HDL 62
LDL 206
Ratio 4.9
Any idea what would account for the decline in triglycerides but a rise in LDL?
My mum had high cholesterol, and a first heart attack at 62. She died of another heart attack at age 80. My dad died of a stroke at 60. Unknown cholesterol but high blood pressure.
Thanks for your response. I will post my latest results as soon as I get them.
An ODD response from your doctor; if anything Vytorin (statin with ezetimibe) will be MORE likely to produce gas than the single statin, Lipitor. Maybe the doctor got an inducement to push the VYTORIN?:D
I did notice several boxes of Vytorin-emblazoned tissues in the waiting room on my way out.
A correction: I have been taking 40mg of Lipitor not 20mg as I previously stated. I am continuing with the Lipitor until I see what the new results are.
I did come across my last, previous bloodwork done in 1997. In the intervening period I quit smoking and started exercising, no other changes.
5/1997
TG 272
TC 263
HDL 53
LDL 156
Ratio 5.0
12/2004
TG 188
TC 306
HDL 62
LDL 206
Ratio 4.9
Any idea what would account for the decline in triglycerides but a rise in LDL?
My mum had high cholesterol, and a first heart attack at 62. She died of another heart attack at age 80. My dad died of a stroke at 60. Unknown cholesterol but high blood pressure.
Thanks for your response. I will post my latest results as soon as I get them.
Ward
01-20-2005, 06:02 PM
Welcome to the boards! I don't take the medication you do but I'm sure someone does here. Just wanted to say hi and a warm welcome. :wave:
You're all so kind! Thanks.
You're all so kind! Thanks.
Ward
01-20-2005, 06:05 PM
Your ratio isn't really bad but anything above 4 needs to be treated with diet and exercise and possibly cholesterol meds. It sounds like you are already doing some good things with your diet and you are active so the meds sound like a good idea. Are you using olive oil? The oat bran is good. Are you drinking red wine?
Actually, Ouzo and champagne are my tipples of choice! Is it only red wine that has the benefits on cholesterol? I thought it was alcohol in general. I use mainly olive oil - some canola. LOTS of oats.
Actually, Ouzo and champagne are my tipples of choice! Is it only red wine that has the benefits on cholesterol? I thought it was alcohol in general. I use mainly olive oil - some canola. LOTS of oats.
NineLives
01-21-2005, 12:27 AM
Is it only red wine that has the benefits on cholesterol?
From what I've learned it is only the red wine. It sounds like you are doing alot of healthy things with your diet though.
From what I've learned it is only the red wine. It sounds like you are doing alot of healthy things with your diet though.
Lenin
01-22-2005, 10:17 AM
WARD,
Don't try to micro-compare the results of two tests 7 years apart. Even testing methhods differ over so long a period and since LDL is CALCULATED using a factor of triglycerides divided by 5 to approximate VLDL (VERY LDL:D), and increase in one and a decrease in the other could be attributable to simply putting more in "column A" than in "column B."
The Lipitor results will prove interesting, and with a mom and dad with proven serious vascular disease, there's little doubt in my mind that you need a statin to lower that total TC of 306 by a hundred to 150 points or so. Bet you'll get it!
Don't try to micro-compare the results of two tests 7 years apart. Even testing methhods differ over so long a period and since LDL is CALCULATED using a factor of triglycerides divided by 5 to approximate VLDL (VERY LDL:D), and increase in one and a decrease in the other could be attributable to simply putting more in "column A" than in "column B."
The Lipitor results will prove interesting, and with a mom and dad with proven serious vascular disease, there's little doubt in my mind that you need a statin to lower that total TC of 306 by a hundred to 150 points or so. Bet you'll get it!
Ward
01-22-2005, 01:24 PM
WARD,
since LDL is CALCULATED using a factor of triglycerides divided by 5 to approximate VLDL and increase in one and a decrease in the other could be attributable to simply putting more in "column A" than in "column B."
So should we put more weight in the ratio than the individual numbers? Also, what is VLDL as opposed to LDL?
since LDL is CALCULATED using a factor of triglycerides divided by 5 to approximate VLDL and increase in one and a decrease in the other could be attributable to simply putting more in "column A" than in "column B."
So should we put more weight in the ratio than the individual numbers? Also, what is VLDL as opposed to LDL?
Lenin
01-22-2005, 06:35 PM
VLDL is a very light and large particle of lipoprotein made up mostly of triglycerides with very little protein holding it together. I like this definition of the relationship:
LDL is the cholesterol rich remnants of the lipid transport vehicle VLDL (very-low density lipoproteins)
It might be really more accurate to look at the whole lipid picture as a continuum of particles of differeing density rather than individual distinct types.
THe borders of where one type begins and another ends are rather artificial and kind of "slippery."
LDL is the cholesterol rich remnants of the lipid transport vehicle VLDL (very-low density lipoproteins)
It might be really more accurate to look at the whole lipid picture as a continuum of particles of differeing density rather than individual distinct types.
THe borders of where one type begins and another ends are rather artificial and kind of "slippery."
Ward
01-24-2005, 07:12 PM
11/5/2004
TG 188
TC 306
HDL 62
LDL 206
Ratio 4.9
ALT 13
Started 40mg Lipitor 12/6/2004
1/17/2005
TG 145
TC 177
HDL 58
LDL 90
Ratio 3.1
ALT 23
I'm very pleased. As I mentioned earlier, I am having uncomfortable side effects. Doc prescribed 80mg tablets of Lipitor which he told me to cut in half to achieve the required dosage of 40mg. Rather than switch to Vytorin as he suggested I want to try lowering the dosage of Lipitor to 20mg and retesting after an interval to see if my results are still good. A couple of reasons - side effects and cost. Also, is the rise in ALT something to be concerned about? 2-40 is considered 'in range' on the test results.
Many thanks.
TG 188
TC 306
HDL 62
LDL 206
Ratio 4.9
ALT 13
Started 40mg Lipitor 12/6/2004
1/17/2005
TG 145
TC 177
HDL 58
LDL 90
Ratio 3.1
ALT 23
I'm very pleased. As I mentioned earlier, I am having uncomfortable side effects. Doc prescribed 80mg tablets of Lipitor which he told me to cut in half to achieve the required dosage of 40mg. Rather than switch to Vytorin as he suggested I want to try lowering the dosage of Lipitor to 20mg and retesting after an interval to see if my results are still good. A couple of reasons - side effects and cost. Also, is the rise in ALT something to be concerned about? 2-40 is considered 'in range' on the test results.
Many thanks.
Ward
01-24-2005, 07:25 PM
For some reason when I sent my previous message it posted but the thread did not show a new message has been posted. So I'm sending this in hopes it alerts you to the last message!
Lenin
01-25-2005, 09:41 AM
Congratulations Ward,
One can't expect much more than a TC drop of 129 and an LDL drop of 116...really amazing.
You will need to be quite "sharp":D with a razor blade to get those 80's into 20's but the monetary savings will be VERY rewarding. My friend chops simvastatins into quarters but there's always some MUTTERING during the process and a few are invariably "dustified."
It would be wonderful if you could get the same numbers with the 20's but I'll bet you won't be far off.
Your ALT remains perfectly normal...not to worry.The normal range of values for ALT (SGPT) is from 7 to 56 units per liter of serum.
P.s. Get some CoQ-10 if you haven't already done so.
One can't expect much more than a TC drop of 129 and an LDL drop of 116...really amazing.
You will need to be quite "sharp":D with a razor blade to get those 80's into 20's but the monetary savings will be VERY rewarding. My friend chops simvastatins into quarters but there's always some MUTTERING during the process and a few are invariably "dustified."
It would be wonderful if you could get the same numbers with the 20's but I'll bet you won't be far off.
Your ALT remains perfectly normal...not to worry.The normal range of values for ALT (SGPT) is from 7 to 56 units per liter of serum.
P.s. Get some CoQ-10 if you haven't already done so.
Ward
01-25-2005, 02:26 PM
Congratulations Ward
Thank you!
My friend chops simvastatins into quarters but there's always some MUTTERING during the process and a few are invariably "dustified."
I've been using this pill cutting device, basically a razor blade embedded in a lever that you lower onto the bottom part which holds the pill between two strips of rubber. "Dustified" is how some of mine end up too. Though I would guess I'm still saving money even if I lose a few.
Get some CoQ-10 if you haven't already done so.
Is this an over the counter supplement? Thanks for your help and encouragement.
Thank you!
My friend chops simvastatins into quarters but there's always some MUTTERING during the process and a few are invariably "dustified."
I've been using this pill cutting device, basically a razor blade embedded in a lever that you lower onto the bottom part which holds the pill between two strips of rubber. "Dustified" is how some of mine end up too. Though I would guess I'm still saving money even if I lose a few.
Get some CoQ-10 if you haven't already done so.
Is this an over the counter supplement? Thanks for your help and encouragement.
Lenin
01-25-2005, 03:33 PM
CoQ10 is a Health Food Store, or Drug Store staple. 100mg./day will more than cover your needs.
Shop around because prices differ wildly...best is around $30/120 horse capsules.
Consensus here is that it helps keep muscle pains away with statin use.
Shop around because prices differ wildly...best is around $30/120 horse capsules.
Consensus here is that it helps keep muscle pains away with statin use.