nov my cholesterol was 240,ldl was 178,and hdl was 40
january results were total 138,ldl 80 and hdl 39.so i need to get my hdl up.my question is how much saturated fats and cholesterol should be in my daily diet.like sat fat mg,or percenatge and cholesterol mg,or percentage?i am still not getting the hang of this.i dont know how much is ok and how much is too much...

nov my cholesterol was 240,ldl was 178,and hdl was 40
january results were total 138,ldl 80 and hdl 39.so i need to get my hdl up.my question is how much saturated fats and cholesterol should be in my daily diet.like sat fat mg,or percenatge and cholesterol mg,or percentage?i am still not getting the hang of this.i dont know how much is ok and how much is too much...

Did you mean 238 instead of 138??? I would not worry so much about saturated fats and cholesterol as I would about processed sugars and carbohydrates. Also worry about trans fats. It really isn't the cholesterol you ingest that is the problem. It is not bad cholesterol when you eat it. Cholesterol is only bad when it is oxidized. Also not all LDL is oxidized. LDL is vital for the body. (another stupid comment form the recent crestor study, is that there is no lower limit on LDL) Look up LDL essential for the body. THese aren't opinions just plain old bio-chemistry.

You're right, finres! LDL only becomes a problem once it is oxidized. But the drug companies are in the habit of making such a big deal about it just so that they can sell more drugs. And, of course they are opposed to common sense measures, such as taking high doses of antioxidants that would inhibit LDL oxidation and keep the person in good health without the intervention of drug therapy. Stupid? Well, of course it is. But then again, they are only interested in making money from the sale of their drugs. They despise people who ingest necessary supplements which can keep them in good health.

I came to this board recently because I was just put on 10 mg. Crestor as my TC escalated from 220 last year to 276 this year and my dr. sees evidence in various tests of arterial plaque. Unless stress caused this TC increase, I don't know what did. In addition to a healthy diet, I've taken CoQ10 for probably 10 years (when it was first publicized), and high doses of antioxidents. This past year I added Colestoff, niacin, and policosanol. I may be 65, but am in good health and walk at least an hour a day.

But I have to strongly agree with Melvi--there is too much condemnation of statins here in my opinion. I have friends who have taken them for years with no problems (and others who didn't and suffered stroke and heart attacks). I may regret taking Crestor, but on the other hand, if I had started statins sooner, maybe there would be no plaque.

One question--can a person take Colest-off or policosanol with a statin?

...Patty

One question--can a person take Colest-off or policosanol with a statin?

...Patty


hypatia,

I think you can safely take Colest-off with a statin - colestoff is only plant sterols - it does not act thru the liver as statins do...

I would not advise combining Policosanol and a statin however, since both act thru the liver... and the combination acting on the liver could be risky..

Why would you want to do that anyhow? If the Crestor is working, why would you want to enhance it with something else?

HubbleRules
:cool:

Good point, Hubble, and thanks...you're absolutely right. We'll find out next month if the Crestor really is doing the job.

p.s. I have gained much insight from your messages on the various threads.
...Patty

And as for the CQ10 I mentioned it to my Cardiologist I have to see because of a leaking heart valve which I got several yrs BEFORE I ever took statins, he is a Cardiologist at a top Heart and Lung Hospital in the city we live in, and he told me "you can buy it if it makes you feel better, but you are wasting your money".

That's about the kind of answer I would expect from most mainstream cardiologists. Statins will deplete your level of CoQ10, which is so vital in order for the heart to function properly. But, if you really believe, like your doctor suggests, that maintaining optimal levels of this crucial enzyme is a waste of money, then so be it. It's no skin off my nose.

HubbleRules said:

I wish I had visited this board BEFORE I had my problem, because my doctor never warned me of anything, and when the symptoms started, I just thought I was sleeping in a funny position and that the increasing pain was from that. Had I not searched the web and found forums like this, but continued the medications further, I'm sure my problem would have been more severe and even more long-lasting.

Total agreement here. I don't condemn the use of statins. I condemn doctors who won't even mention the possiblity of muscle damage from statins. My husband complained for years to his doctor about increasing pain in his hip and leg. She refused to even mention the possibility that Lipitor could be the problem. Obviously, his case was statin-related because the first time in five years he is almost pain-free.

We would probably still be listening to her tell him that he is just aging and needs Bextra if he hadn't stopped taking Lipitor by accident and then started taking a larger dose that almost sent him into kidney failure. Even then she would not admit it was the Lipitor. When I started searching for answers and found this board it was a revelation for me. What makes me think she was aware of the problems is that when my husband went by for a CPK test, at my request, she had called her medical liability attorney.

BTW. we own a restaurant in our small town and every few weeks a drug rep would come by to pick up lunch for his doctor and all her staff.

Jane

BTW. we own a restaurant in our small town and every few weeks a drug rep would come by to pick up lunch for his doctor and all her staff.

Jane


Aha! And that's just the tip of the iceberg! I'm sure it gets much worse than that, with all the fishy stuff that goes on between doctors and drug reps.

Yup, have to agree with Jane and Hubble here. We didn't have a computer when hubby was first put on statins, which he suffered with for almost 7 years. Like most drs., all we got was the arthristis routine, and just part of getting older. After I was put on in 2000, and got nasty GI problems, is when I started searching the web. It was the GI guy who said the statins were NOT for me, and I put 2 and 2 together and knew 90% of hubby's problems were statin related, so in the pail all of them went.

Yes, there are quite a few folks I know who have taken them and dumped them, but also know alot that do well on them. If people can take them with lil or no side affects, God bless them, but for those of us who had nasty side effects, sorry, they do more harm then good. Like Jane said, the biggest problem I think most people have is not having their drs, take them seriously when they do complain of unexpected and sudden problems, whether it be muscle aches or GI problems like myself. Guess we just get tired of them blaming everything on arthritis, or nerves, like I was told my stomach problems were before I saw a GI dr.

Like anything, there are folks who will have lil or no problems, and others who have nasty ones, so each person should be treated differently by a dr. and the dr. should listen to the patient. Every med. has a side effect, but when it is an effect that lowers your QUALITY of life, then the person needs to try alternatives. Hubby's cardio. man prescribes statins, but as he has said, if they mess up the quality of a persons life, they aren't worth it. As they say, there are 2 sides to every story and one kind of med is not going to be good for all people. Drs. need to start thinking like that, not ignore possible problems people are having until the problem may turn into a serious thing and really mess a person up. JMHO

Enjoy your day folks.... :wave:

JJ,

I have a question for you. Did your husband have a procedure done some time ago to clear blockages and improve blood flow to his feet? The reason I am asking is because my father, who is also diabetic, has poor circulation below the ankles. As a result, his mobility has become affected, and is unable to walk very well. Anyway, he just saw a vascular surgeon yesterday, who suggested that there is a procedure to clear these blockages and improve blood flow. He did say that he would need to have an arteriogram (I think that's what my father said) to determine precisely where these blockages are located first. Anyway, my father is hopeful that such a procedure may help him. Has your husband noticed any difference after this procedure was done.

JJ,

I have a question for you. Did your husband have a procedure done some time ago to clear blockages and improve blood flow to his feet? The reason I am asking is because my father, who is also diabetic, has poor circulation below the ankles. As a result, his mobility has become affected, and is unable to walk very well. Anyway, he just saw a vascular surgeon yesterday, who suggested that there is a procedure to clear these blockages and improve blood flow. He did say that he would need to have an arteriogram (I think that's what my father said) to determine precisely where these blockages are located first. Anyway, my father is hopeful that such a procedure may help him. Has your husband noticed any difference after this procedure was done.

No Arizona, he had the heart arteries cleaned in 94. Drs. always check his legs and feet, so far the pulse and blood flow is fine. I have heard of them doing that procedure for the legs, but so far hubby only has the PN, and truthfully they can't do much about it. He doesn't have problems walking, his major thing is the damn numbness and tingling feeling.

At nite is the worst when he is trying to get to sleep, but as I said, the blood flow is fine. Hopefully your dad has a good dr. that can see if there is blockage and take care of it, sure would help alot. Drs. told hubby his nerve endings are dying, that is the cause of his problems, and now it is spreading to his hands, very lil feeling left. I know he can stub his toes and not feel a thing, as right now he has a slightly black and blue toe and has no idea how he got it. Even when he was in the hospital, he finally put his sneakers on to walk around, as those lil bootie things they give U to wear, was not enough protection for him.

I wish your dad luck, let me know how it all goes when he sees the dr... :wave:

No Arizona, he had the heart arteries cleaned in 94. Drs. always check his legs and feet, so far the pulse and blood flow is fine. I have heard of them doing that procedure for the legs, but so far hubby only has the PN, and truthfully they can't do much about it. He doesn't have problems walking, his major thing is the damn numbness and tingling feeling.

At nite is the worst when he is trying to get to sleep, but as I said, the blood flow is fine. Hopefully your dad has a good dr. that can see if there is blockage and take care of it, sure would help alot. Drs. told hubby his nerve endings are dying, that is the cause of his problems, and now it is spreading to his hands, very lil feeling left. I know he can stub his toes and not feel a thing, as right now he has a slightly black and blue toe and has no idea how he got it. Even when he was in the hospital, he finally put his sneakers on to walk around, as those lil bootie things they give U to wear, was not enough protection for him.

I wish your dad luck, let me know how it all goes when he sees the dr... :wave:


JJ, my father also has PN. He developed this during the time he was taking Zocor. Then the doctor put him on Neurontin, which did nothing except create even more side-effects. He would also complain about being awakened in the middle of the night with stabbing pains in his foot. These symptoms eventually subsided after he quit taking both the Neurontin and Zocor. Actually, it's hard to say whether his feet problems are the result of the PN or the poor circulation. I'd hate for him to get his hopes up too high and then wind up no different than he was before. I know how much it bothers him knowing that he can't walk around well and do the things he once did. So far, it's been one disappointment after another for him. For example, he has endured about 3 compression fractures in his back due to osteoporosis. He underwent a procedure that was supposed to relieve a lot of his pain, and he had his hopes up. They injected some kind of bone cement into the fractured vertebra. Well, there was no improvement. In fact, if anything, he just got worse. The doctor said that the procedure went well, and that the pain he was still feeling was most likely from arthritis in his back. Oh well, what can you do? And they call these "The Golden Years?" :eek: You mean, this is what I have to look foward to?

JJ, my father also has PN. He developed this during the time he was taking Zocor. Then the doctor put him on Neurontin, which did nothing except create even more side-effects. He would also complain about being awakened in the middle of the night with stabbing pains in his foot. These symptoms eventually subsided after he quit taking both the Neurontin and Zocor. Actually, it's hard to say whether his feet problems are the result of the PN or the poor circulation. I'd hate for him to get his hopes up too high and then wind up no different than he was before. I know how much it bothers him knowing that he can't walk around well and do the things he once did. So far, it's been one disappointment after another for him. For example, he has endured about 3 compression fractures in his back due to osteoporosis. He underwent a procedure that was supposed to relieve a lot of his pain, and he had his hopes up. They injected some kind of bone cement into the fractured vertebra. Well, there was no improvement. In fact, if anything, he just got worse. The doctor said that the procedure went well, and that the pain he was still feeling was most likely from arthritis in his back. Oh well, what can you do? And they call these "The Golden Years?" :eek: You mean, this is what I have to look foward to?

Well I hate for him to get his hopes up if it is the PN, as I know hubby has been thru hell and back with it. He also started with the stabbing pains, that tingling like your feet are falling asleep thingy, etc. etc. Like I said, the cardio guy as well as his reg. dr. have checked him many times over, and both say the same,due to the statins and diabetes, it is PN and not a heck of alot U can do about it. For now they just have him on Darvocet I believe to help with the sleep, as it really bothers him when he is trying to sleep. Many times I have gotten kicked, as he doesn't realize he jerks a lil in his sleep, so the cat and I moved out of the room, due to getting kicked. I feel terrible for him and sure wish I could find help, but have resigned myself to the fact this is it, take it or leave it. He also gets it a lil when driving for any distance, that is why he had to retire early, driving a tractor trailer truck is NOT when U want to have no feeling, or pins and needles in your feet.

Wish I was more optimistic and could help you and your dad, but that is it here. If your dad has lousy pulse in the legs, then it could be a help to him, but hubby has fine pulse, so we know it isn't a blockage. I think your dad has a cardio man, so these would be questions to ask, and then see what the outcome looks like. I hear ya about the high hopes, and yes, I'm afraid this is what U MIGHT face in another 15 years, but hey, U might be the lucky one and have hardly any of this stuff. A friend of our's is 75 and I swear the guy has more get up and get then a 30 yr. old, so hang in there. Like I always say, getting old is NO problem, being there is a total bummer....... :p

Best of wishes, and do ask alot of questions before having your dad go thru anymore then necessary. If I remember right, Vipper has PN also, maybe he can weigh in on what he thinks of it all.

Keep me posted, and hopes it might work for your dad........ :wave:

For now they just have him on Darvocet I believe to help with the sleep, as it really bothers him when he is trying to sleep. Many times I have gotten kicked, as he doesn't realize he jerks a lil in his sleep, so the cat and I moved out of the room, due to getting kicked.

Well, I guess you had no other choice, unless you were willing to invest in a pair of shin guards :D . But seriously, I've heard my mother complain about being kicked by my father, too. Maybe that also has something to do with the PN. Then she complains that when he turns over on his side, he ends up pulling all the covers over to his side. If that's not bad enough, she also complains about him somehow ending up on her side of the bed. It sounds almost like one of those I Love Lucy comedies.

Well, I guess you had no other choice, unless you were willing to invest in a pair of shin guards :D . But seriously, I've heard my mother complain about being kicked by my father, too. Maybe that also has something to do with the PN. Then she complains that when he turns over on his side, he ends up pulling all the covers over to his side. If that's not bad enough, she also complains about him somehow ending up on her side of the bed. It sounds almost like one of those I Love Lucy comedies.

I needed more then shin guards, I've gotten smacked in the head, sides and back. Geez, U would think I was a battered woman. LOL Yes, they seem to jerk around alot while sleeping, guess due to not being able to get comfortable or something. He can't sleep under the covers, it bothers him alot, seems the weight of a blanket is too much, so he always lays on top of the comforter and wears sweats if it is cold. Ya really feel sorry for them, especially when U know there isn't a fool thing U can do. Your right, it is almost like a Lucy thing, only not funny, so I know what your mom is going thru too. My cat always laid on the bed, till he got kicked right off the bed one nite, guess he figured..Hmmm, this ain't for me. He will lay next to him as long as he is awake, but heads for my room when he is sleeping. God, I should write a book, bet alot of folks could relate to it.

I don't remember if it was yourself or Hubble who told me to go to the hospital with a 2x4 over the sugar incident, but I did make a trip down there. Not only did the girl not check his sugar when she was suppose to and it went up to over 500, next morning it was down to 55, man I was livid!!

As soon as I got off the phone I jumped in the car and went and asked for the dr., and yes, I was very cool and calm, but asked what was going on. Seems the gal didn't want to enter the room due to him being in isolation, so I told both the dr. and the head nurse, maybe if she is that paranoid of taking care of someone in isolation she should rethink her career, as there are going to be worse cases coming down the pike. Also told the dr., who was very nice, that as long as hubby is there, I would appreciate he NOT be taken care of by that girl, so they assigned her to someone else. Naturally I got a thousand apologies, but trust me, U don't mess with a 64 yr. old 5' woman who has NOT had her morning coffee...... :nono:

Oh well, hopefully when he is weaned off this Prednazone his sugar will go back to being taken care of with his reg. pills, neither of us are comfortable with the insulin thing, but so far, we have a visiting nurse 3 times a week, and she is VERY helpful. She has him fill 4 needles at a time to keep in the fridge, so that is alot easier then drawing it twice daily. Oh well, I'm sure there are many folks out there with worse problems then we have, but it sure takes alot out of ya, but I think we are doing ok for now.

Have a good one, and TTYL..... :wave:

I don't remember if it was yourself or Hubble who told me to go to the hospital with a 2x4 over the sugar incident, but I did make a trip down there. Not only did the girl not check his sugar when she was suppose to and it went up to over 500, next morning it was down to 55, man I was livid!!

As soon as I got off the phone I jumped in the car and went and asked for the dr., and yes, I was very cool and calm, but asked what was going on. Seems the gal didn't want to enter the room due to him being in isolation, so I told both the dr. and the head nurse, maybe if she is that paranoid of taking care of someone in isolation she should rethink her career, as there are going to be worse cases coming down the pike. Also told the dr., who was very nice, that as long as hubby is there, I would appreciate he NOT be taken care of by that girl, so they assigned her to someone else. Naturally I got a thousand apologies, but trust me, U don't mess with a 64 yr. old 5' woman who has NOT had her morning coffee...... :nono:


JJ,

It was me joking (at least half-joking) about the 2x4 ...

Your story above is shocking... My wife is a nurse and said that woman could have been fired for what she did (or rather what she DIDN'T do)...

Your husband was in isolation TO PROTECT HIM FROM INFECTION, not because he had anything infectious... And there are procedures and garb that they put on when working on anyone in isolation that protects both the patient and the health professional...

I'm sure they were nervous when you found out why she didn't check on him..

Thank goodness your hubby is OK...

HubbleRules
:cool:

JJ,

It was me joking (at least half-joking) about the 2x4 ...

Your story above is shocking... My wife is a nurse and said that woman could have been fired for what she did (or rather what she DIDN'T do)...

Your husband was in isolation TO PROTECT HIM FROM INFECTION, not because he had anything infectious... And there are procedures and garb that they put on when working on anyone in isolation that protects both the patient and the health professional...

I'm sure they were nervous when you found out why she didn't check on him..

Thank goodness your hubby is OK...

HubbleRules
:cool:

I kind of figured it was U, but the ole brain isn't working too great this week. Yes, even the dr. was pretty upset, like I told him, if she is going to be like that, I didn't feel comfortable with her "watching" over him. Good grief, with those kind of numbers he could have gone into shock, or don't they think us "ordinary" folks know this stuff?

I wore a mask for a few days, as did all the other nurses that came in. He was able to walk the halls, as the dr. took him for a walk, but yes, he had to wear a mask. Not only did he not need anyone giving him anything else, he didn't need to spread his advanced flu on anyone else either. Sheesh, she acted like he had a dreaded disease, so if she is going to be like that with other folks, find a new job!

Man, that Prednazone raises havoc with anyone with a diabetic condition..Woah! He will wean down to 20 mgs. tomorrow for I think 4 days, then the 10 for 4 days, so next week should be better. His sugar has been running about 80 in the a.m. and after the Prednazone and meals, it is about in the 200 range before supper. I will be happy when everything calms down, what a nightmare, but he is alot better, just very tired.

Hope U and the family have a great weekend, spring is coming, sooner or later. Sure will be glad to see it, enough with the drabness already..... :wave: