missree
08-13-2006, 10:35 AM
hello everyone.. I am a 60 yr old female, 5ft, and 200lbs. I recently had a chemical stress yest done, and showed that my heart was fine right now,but it also showed that I had "mild fixed perfusion defects in the anteroapical walls of the left ventricle, indicating mild anteroapical wall infarct without significant areas of ischemia"..I was told that was an indication that I had a "silent heart attack", with no damage to my heart.
I went for blood work and did a "Lipid Panel", it showed that my cholesterol was 325,triglycerides was 270, and my LDL was 220..I was put on Lipitor 40 mg,isn't that too high to start someone with? shouldn't they start you on a low dose than adjust it higher? I started 3 days ago.
I have an underactive thyroid,I take 88mcg of synthroid,I'm on lasix,20mg, and that's it..I don't really excersise, but now trying to watch what I eat.
I have read a lot on side effects from Lipitor,and I already have enough pain from lower back problems,and heel pain from heel spurs.
I went for blood work and did a "Lipid Panel", it showed that my cholesterol was 325,triglycerides was 270, and my LDL was 220..I was put on Lipitor 40 mg,isn't that too high to start someone with? shouldn't they start you on a low dose than adjust it higher? I started 3 days ago.
I have an underactive thyroid,I take 88mcg of synthroid,I'm on lasix,20mg, and that's it..I don't really excersise, but now trying to watch what I eat.
I have read a lot on side effects from Lipitor,and I already have enough pain from lower back problems,and heel pain from heel spurs.
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gardeninggal
08-13-2006, 04:11 PM
Missree, your right you should start at a lower dose how else are you to know if the lower dose would have been enough, you can always go up. Never take more of this stuff then needed and not at all if there is still another way to get your cholesterol lower. My husband had cholesterol readings over 300 and 10 mg of Lipitor was enough to bring it down. Your weight may be a contributing factor and you may want to work on getting your thyroid right and weight may come down which would make all your readings come down. Watch your consumption of soy because it inhibits the thyroid medication. Start a walking program, one of the best exercises there is. One of the best tips is to go back and read a lot of these posts because many people have found good ways to lower cholesterol and still retain their health. :)
missree
08-13-2006, 06:43 PM
:wave: hi gardeninggal, thanks for your input..yes I do know my weight has a lot to do with it, I have been on thyroid meds for 7 yrs now,and my weight is still the same. I don't like soy,so I don't have it..right now I can't walk very far, I get out of breath to easily,and my heels hurt too much.
I go to a Clinic, I don't have health insurance, and I think that makes a big difference how you get treated..I hardly get to see a "DR", most of the time I see a Nurse Practioner... I didn't think anything at the time about the dosage, or I would have said something....yes I will keep reading these posts,they are very informative.
I go to a Clinic, I don't have health insurance, and I think that makes a big difference how you get treated..I hardly get to see a "DR", most of the time I see a Nurse Practioner... I didn't think anything at the time about the dosage, or I would have said something....yes I will keep reading these posts,they are very informative.
BioAdoptMom3
08-13-2006, 11:47 PM
I think its too high too. My cholesterol dropped from 287 to 197 in only six weeks on 5 mg. of lipitor. The lowest dose they make is 10 and my doctor told me to cut it in half. It continues to work well. Good luck!
Nancy
Nancy
NHone
08-14-2006, 01:01 AM
Have you ever had your T3 tested? ALso how about intracellular magnesium?
Lenin
08-15-2006, 09:41 AM
missree,
Since you have heart disease, you want an LDL under 100...a large drop. It MAY require you take 40 mg. Lipitor.
Since the drug is hideously expensive and you pay out of pocket, retail, here's what I'd do in your situation.
Split the 40's in half and take 20 mg./day. When you go in for bloodwork in 4 or 8 weeks see if you get the LDL you need.
What will happen is they will either keep you at the 40's (in realiity 20's) or they will say you need more and prescribe 80's. You will then ditifully split them in half and take the 40 mg. halves.
Since 20's, 40's and 80's cost the same per pill, your cost will always be half with this technique.
For me I can get an LDL of 62 with 20 mg. Lipitor and "clean living".:D:D)<<My doctor thinks I'm taking 40 mg./day;) >>
Whatever you do, you really need that LDL below 100...or even 70 for plaque reversal.
Consider adding niacin and a low saturated fat diet to your regimen for added oomph.
Since you have heart disease, you want an LDL under 100...a large drop. It MAY require you take 40 mg. Lipitor.
Since the drug is hideously expensive and you pay out of pocket, retail, here's what I'd do in your situation.
Split the 40's in half and take 20 mg./day. When you go in for bloodwork in 4 or 8 weeks see if you get the LDL you need.
What will happen is they will either keep you at the 40's (in realiity 20's) or they will say you need more and prescribe 80's. You will then ditifully split them in half and take the 40 mg. halves.
Since 20's, 40's and 80's cost the same per pill, your cost will always be half with this technique.
For me I can get an LDL of 62 with 20 mg. Lipitor and "clean living".:D:D)<<My doctor thinks I'm taking 40 mg./day;) >>
Whatever you do, you really need that LDL below 100...or even 70 for plaque reversal.
Consider adding niacin and a low saturated fat diet to your regimen for added oomph.
LauraBow
08-15-2006, 02:22 PM
Have you tried cutting back on carbohydrates? I think you will find you not only lose weight but lower your LDL as well. A low carb diet produced amazing results for me.
I second Lenin's advice concerning cutting the pills in half at the start.
I second Lenin's advice concerning cutting the pills in half at the start.
NHone
08-15-2006, 04:28 PM
There is no evidence anywhere that lowering LDL to any level reverses plaque.
Lenin
08-30-2006, 11:11 AM
There is a great DEAL of evidence PROVING that extreme LDL reversal to levels of 60 or 70 reduces plaque, whether by diet or drugs.
The information on the several studies is readily available to anyone who takes a bit of time to look for it.
The information on the several studies is readily available to anyone who takes a bit of time to look for it.
NHone
08-30-2006, 03:56 PM
There is a great DEAL of evidence PROVING that extreme LDL reversal to levels of 60 or 70 reduces plaque, whether by diet or drugs.
The information on the several studies is readily available to anyone who takes a bit of time to look for it.
I have read the reports..and not just the conclusions. If inflammation is reduced, it will appear that the plaque has been reduced. The reduction of LDL has nothing to do with plaque reduction. Major studies have shown that reduction of inflammation appears to look like plaque has been reduced...and this is way before any drop in LDL.
The information on the several studies is readily available to anyone who takes a bit of time to look for it.
I have read the reports..and not just the conclusions. If inflammation is reduced, it will appear that the plaque has been reduced. The reduction of LDL has nothing to do with plaque reduction. Major studies have shown that reduction of inflammation appears to look like plaque has been reduced...and this is way before any drop in LDL.
Lenin
08-31-2006, 10:36 AM
If inflammation is reduced, it will appear that the plaque has been reduced.
Now, admit it...you just made that up!
Now, admit it...you just made that up!
NHone
08-31-2006, 03:01 PM
Now, admit it...you just made that up!
LOL....no, I did not just make this up. If you think about it, it makes perfect sense. If they are measuring the diameter of the artery (or interrior area), you get a reading....if you lower the inflammation in the inner layers it would seem that you have reduced plaque, when all you have done is reduce inflammation. As one specialist at St. Louis University said..it is wrong to think that lowering cholesterol would reduce plaque, when plaque is made of of very little cholestol. Plaque is made of many other things. Think about it....it makes perfect sense. I don't understand why the idea of inflammation and heart disease is so hard for some people to understand.
LOL....no, I did not just make this up. If you think about it, it makes perfect sense. If they are measuring the diameter of the artery (or interrior area), you get a reading....if you lower the inflammation in the inner layers it would seem that you have reduced plaque, when all you have done is reduce inflammation. As one specialist at St. Louis University said..it is wrong to think that lowering cholesterol would reduce plaque, when plaque is made of of very little cholestol. Plaque is made of many other things. Think about it....it makes perfect sense. I don't understand why the idea of inflammation and heart disease is so hard for some people to understand.