I have tried for several years to lower my cholesterol through diet and exercise without success. At the age of 57, I finally decided it must be a genetic thing (my parents both had high cholesterol; my brother is borderline high). I started taking 40mg Lovastatin (the generic form of Me****r) 3 months ago and I'm amazed at my results this week...

In November 2004 my numbers were: (These have been pretty consistent over the past 12 years)
TC - 289
HDL - 87
LDL - 179
Trigs - 113

My numbers have improved this week to:
TC - 165
HDL - 64
LDL - 87
Trigs - 71

Is it really possible that my numbers have improved this drastically in 3 months time? I'm sorry to see the drop in HDL, but 64 is still good.

Do you think it's possible I could lower my Lovastatin dosage if my results continue to be this good?

Thanks in advance for your comments... Kadey

Yes, it is possible to get numbers that low within 3 months. Seeing they came down that far, I personally would do a lower dose to see if U can maintain them, as U don't want to go too low. Too low cholesterol can be as bad as too high. Even your higher numbers weren't all that bad a ratio with such a high HDL, but glad U got the numbers where U want them... :)

Congratulations on getting your numbers down so well. Too bad you couldn't do it with diet and exercise, but many people can't, so you did what you had to do. At least you gave lifestyle changes a try. Although your HDL went down, the ratio of TC to HDL improved from 3.3 to 2.6, which is a great ratio.

Many people who get that good a result can lower their dosage, so I'd sure try it. The lower the dose, the smaller the chance of undesirable side effects. You could always up the dosage again if it doesn't produce adequate results.

Wonderful numbers, Kadey.

Yes, for many people statins work that well (I too am lucky.)

Maybe down the road you can do a month's trial with 20 mg. lovastatin. Many get the same results at the lower dosage of a statin (and cut their costs), but lovastain is among the weaker ones so maybe the 40 is required.
Only a personal test will determine whether you can take less.

Hi Kadey,

First of all, congratulations on the reduction in your numbers. It must feel good to receive blood test results where all the numbers are in the normal column. I hope someday I can join you in that.

I 'm curious. You say both your parents had high cholesterol.
I take it by the past tense that they are no longer living?

If so, did either pass away as a result of heart disease?

The reason I ask is because your ratio prior to the medication is 3.3 which is a great ratio in and of itself. Despite the dramatic drop in total cholesterol and LDL, your ratio has improved but by less than 1 point.

This whole numbers game is so confusing to me. Is it about the total OR is it about ratios???

Thank you all for your comments...

Babydog.. No, my parents did not have heart disease. They were both diagnosed with terminal cancers in 2001 (pancreatic and leukemia)... a real shock as they had both experienced excellent health their entire lives. They spent the majority of their senior years attempting to lower their cholesterol thru diet and exercise - also unsuccessfully. I remember my father's total cholesterol was in the middle 300's for years. He made a conscious effort to give up all the things he loved - eggs, bacon, ice cream - anything he felt was hindering his attempts at lowering his cholesterol. When he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer he ate a large bowl of ice cream every night :D . Bless his heart!!

I will continue with the 40mg Lovastatin for the next three months and if my numbers continue to be good, I'll lower my dosage to the 20mg for the next 3 month period. I hesitated to use a statin after reading all the posts in this board, but I felt comfortable with the fact that Lovastatin was one of the earlier statins put on the market... hopefully they've given it a great deal of trial. My doctor initially wanted to put me on Lipitor, but as I don't have prescription coverage, I asked if there was another less costly drug. I'm pleased with the results.

How much are you paying for the generic lovastatin, Kadey?

Kadey: I too got great results and I was only on 20mg but after a few months I got constipation (real bad) and then stomach pain, then bloody stools and eventually ended up with a colonoscopy. I went off the Lovastatin needless to say. I like the others suggest you try taking a lower dose since you are getting good numbers but be on the watch for side effects. You may be one of the lucky ones that can take a statin and have no problems, like Lenin who is very happy with his medication and seems to be doing very well. Eating healthy with cholesterol in mind, excercising and doing what you can in that area makes it possible to lower medicaions and that is a good goal we all should undertake. Good luck to you :)

Lenin, I'm paying $32.99/month for the 40mg Lovastatin at Costco, but I understand that some other pharmacies will match that price. That's considerably less than the Lipitor in my area.

Gardeningal, I've made it a point to up my fiber intake and so far so good... I eat oatmeal every morning for breakfast and have a wonderful whole wheat/wheat germ/wheat bran muffin recipe I use quite frequently. I also eat shelled raw unsalted sunflower seeds every day (I think I'm addicted!). Probably not too good for my weight (I could stand to lose 20 pounds), but they're better than some other "vices" I can think of (smoking, drinking...). But thank you for the advice, I'll watch carefully for any signs that I'm not tolerating the statins. (P.S. I just had my first colonscopy last month... what a treat that was... NOT!! This gettin' older is a bugger!)

Kadey,
Are you SURE that your insurance company isn't picking up HALF of that lovastatin bill...best price I can find is $62.99???????
If that's Costco's REAL price, I am truly AMAZED!

Lenin, that's the real price. Costco usually is less expensive, but this is better than expected. You can price drugs online.

Jacqueline...I am TRULY flabbergasted. I really thought NOBODY ever undercut drugstore dotcom. I guess I'll start pricing Costco before I order anything.

Lenin, I don't have prescription insurance... that's the price and that's why I asked to try Lovastatin before Lipitor. My QFC pharmacy wanted $77+/month, but they said they would match Costco's price. If I switch to the 20mg dose the price drops to $19.50/month, the 10mg are $13.60. How cool is that? I always wondered why so many people chose to try Lipitor first?