Hi kiddo..Now I hope I don't put myself on your NASTY list, as I am just trying to give you a little insight here. If I remember correctly you told us a while back you have a tendency to get extremely upset very easily and to let you know if we see it happening, and that is exactly what I think Gooba and a few others see, including myself.

I know you are very worried over the cholesterol and a few other problems, but by being so upset your only making things worse, PLEASE, try and calm down. You know hubby and I have also been in search of something going on 2 years now, as we have had all sorts of problems with meds., but so far we haven't, so the almighty search goes on. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/frown.gif

Last time his blood test showed his trigs. down but his darn cholesterol went up, now this time the cholesterol is down to 224 but the lousy trigs. went back up over 400. His cardiologist said he would love to put him on something, but the side effects he experiences are so lousy it isn't worth it, so to just keep up with his diet, but cut WAY back on the bread he likes to eat, and keep up with the exercise and see what happens in 3 months. There just isn't much out there for those of us who do have such rotten side effects from meds. One thing you do have to remember, unless you stick with one thing for at least 4 to 6 months, your not going to know if it is helping or not.
Trying to jump from one thing to another is only going to confuse you and your system. I know when they kept shoveing me on all sorts of different meds. I only got worse, so I finally got ticked and tossed everything in the pail and let my poor body take a break from too many meds.

I have to go in 2 weeks to the dr. so I know I am in for another round of it with her if my numbers are up again, so like they say, her we go again. I think she is also running out of options with me as I am also so sensative, but hey, sooner or later, hopefully sooner, something will work. I have really been cutting back even further on the carbs. although I was not a big carb. lover anyway, but I did eat my share. I also stopped taking the fish oil capsules, as my LDL seemed to really go up alot while I was taking them and it does say that could happen, but who knows, it might have been coincidense. Right now I am just taking it one day at a time and doing the best I can. Just have to wait a couple of weeks to see how the numbers are and take it from there. I hope U find a dr. you can work with soon, as that is the most important part, having complete faith in the dr. and being able to express your concerns to him/her. We here on the board can only offer suggestions that may or may not have worked, as we are not drs. and naturally not everything works the same for each person. Please keep us posted how it is going, calm those nerves down and as usual, I wish you the very best. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif JJ

thank you so much for your wonderful reply. You don't know how much it means to me to hear from someone who understands, and is in the same place as me. Yes, I do agree that I get emotional- but that is because I have tried so much and nothing seems to agree with me and at this point I just have nothing left to try. My doctors just throw their arms up and say, "oh well, I guess you should just take your chances since you cannot take any of the meds" I cannot buy this, and so the quest continues for me until I can find an answer to help me. I thought that this board was part of the quest, but I soon found out that this is not so and I do not feel comfortable with such a horrible and insensitive person reading and memorizing every word that I say. You are very kind for taking the time to write me and explain what you are going thru and what actions you are taking. It is great comfort to me to meet a nice person who truly should be on a support board. M

thank you for your kind and informative response. I certainly do appreciate you understanding where I am at this time and am so happy to communicate with someone who is in the same place as I am. I am trying very hard to cope with this huge problem, and I feel very lucky that | have such a wonderful family and many wonderful friends who are there for me as well. That is what is important to me. I do not appreciate a total stranger who is suppose to be on a compassionate support board telling me what I should or should not be doing. This board is for information for a cholesterol problem- that is all. That is what the reponses should cover. Again, thank you very much for your kind support- M

JJ please forgive me but I did not think that the post went thru the first time so I answered you twice. I just wanted to explain myself incase any board member complains that I submitted twice for the same post. I certainly did not mean to do this- it was an oversight--- M

Mandie,I am going to have to agree with JJ here.I see you getting upset and jumping all around.Calm down for your own well being.You mentioned your quest.I am a little unclear on what you are wanting.What are you looking for?In your other posts you asked for help and advice.I think you got it.I think Gooba gave you alot more than you were maybe ready for.I know it was more than I would have probably given.
When you said that the board was for cholesterol problems did you not take into consideration that there are alot of other things that can contribute to that?That stress and other things have a bearing on it.I like the support on this board because it covers the total person and all of their problems.The part about memorizing I do not understand.We are all strangers here and we only have what we put on this message board to get an idea of what each of us are going through.I look back at old posts to bring myself up to date especially if I find something that may help what somebody asked about earlier.That is the only way to be sure.Good luck on your quest.

thank you for your reply. There really is nothing more that I can say at this time. M

JJ,I know this is probably not going to help keep you from the nasty list,but thanks for the observation.
I got to wondering after rereading my dialogue if maybe I was misreading something or maybe I was too critical.So,I got curious and checked out the headache and bowel disorder boards to get an idea about what she may be looking for.Do me a favor and peruse through there and give me an opinion.Thanks

Mandie, I am glad U understand where I am coming from so that I am NOT trying to upset you anymore then you are. I am a mom of 3, and grandma of 3, so I am just trying to talk to you like I would them if in this situation. Guess it must be the Old Lady in me!! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

When I fIrst came on this board a couple of years ago, not only was I new to cholesterol problems, but also new to a computer so I was full of questions myself. Most of the time I got some darn good answers and sometimes I know I annoyed a few folks, but hey, that's life! It is not easy to find answers alot of times to some of these problems, especially when your so drug sensative, and yes, I know the feeling of the drs. throwing their hands in the air and making you feel like your wasteing their time, been there, done that too. Just take it as I tell most folks, one day at a time, things do have a way of working themselves out, sooner or later. I know your VERY concerned about your numbers, as most of us are, but just remember, take it one step at a time, and do get yourself a dr. who will listen to you and work with you. It isn't going to be easy, trust me, but they are out there. My very best to you, and I hope I have been of some help. Now to try and get my own problems and hubby's cleared, Hmmmm, not easy to say the least. Hang in there kiddo, there is light at the end of the tunnel. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Gooba, I am not about to go looking through her posts, as I am not really interested, but I do remember from awhile ago she has had multiple problems, so I think her nerves are getting the best of her right now. I do agree, and think she does also, that issue needs to be addressed so she can concentrate on her other problems. It is like anything, one step at a time, there is no way any of us are going to conquer all our problems at the same time. I just wish I was able to take a statin, as without having to change diet or anything it dropped my numbers like a rock within 3 weeks, but my poor body just couldn't handle the severe side effects. Oh well, such is life, and I refuse to stop looking for an answer. My very best to ALL of you, and hopefully those of us who are so drug sensative will lick this problem without lousy side effects. Take care folks, and stay cool!! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif JJ



[This message has been edited by JJ (edited 07-07-2002).]

Gooba,I am going to give you my opinion.I looked on those other boards and well,I was astonished as well as quite sympathetic.Here is a person who is scared about numerous things at the same time and seems overwhelmed with it all.It is understandable with those types of problems.I think your advice was well meant and not out of line.You did not misread the situation in my opinion.I would suggest that you could have addressed it with a bit more tact,especially in light of what she must be feeling.I also believe that you could have directed her to the stress and anxiety board and those people might be able to help give her direction and a handle on her emotions and fears.I hope that she takes the steps to alleviate them so that the other problems may not seem as overwhelming.

JJ Thank you so much for being so sympathetic. Yes I am very nervous and anxious because I have so many problems to deal with in my body. It is just so overwhelming to me and sometimes I just cannot cope. If you read the other boards you will know that I am walking around in constant pain and cannot get any help for this either. It is very hard to fight when pain consumes your life, and yet, I do try to make it thru each day with a smile. I really do not have any options at this time , as I have a wonderful loving family with children and grandchildren that give me much joy and keep me focused on living. I have been on the stress and anxiety boards and those people are just wonderful. I came to this board thinking the same. As far as reading thru my posts- if someone has nothing to do with their life, and finds that reading my posts give them so sort of meaning and purpose, then I just feel sorry for them. Everyone has baggage, as do I, but no one has the right to study and dissect it. However, I will not talk about that matter anymore , as it is being taken care of--- thanks again JJ for your help and understanding. You don't know how much it means to me.

Hey, I was a total wreck in 2000, it seemed if anything could go wrong with this old body it did! First it was the cholesterol stuff, then all of a sudden I went from a very low BP to extremely high, and got shoved on BP meds., then it was tests for stomach problems etc. etc. so I hear ya!! Some days I would get up and wonder if it was really EVER going to end, as the dr. was of absolutely no help what so ever.

It took me a few months to find a new one that seemed to actually listen to me and try to help straighten me out. Ya have to be a fighter, but there were days I wasn't in the mood or had the strength for it!

I guess I just finally got to the breaking point and told myself, either straighten up and fly right JJ, or life is going to be HELL, I chose to try and fly right!
Oh yeah, we still have our lousy days, but they are getting far and few between, so that is a blessing.

I have a drs. appt. next week for my BP, so this ought to be interesting, as I have been noticing my BP has been very low the last month, 95-128 over 69-81. Just for an experiement I didn't take my BP pills for 4 days last week to see what would happen, and it still stayed low, except for a couple of times it spiked to about 147/86, then after about an hr. went back down. I am hopeing maybe she will reduce the dose or even try me off of the Altace for awhile to see how it goes. Those pills seem to make me very tired and I noticed the last few months having a lousy backache and leg pain, plus some swelling in the ankles and feet. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/frown.gif
Good grief it is always some fool thing to keep ya going huh? I would say these so called "Golden Years" are a tad bit tarnished!! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif U take care, keep me posted how it is going and just remember....One day at a time, it does get better!! Hang in there kiddo, we are pulling for ya!! The very first thing U need to do is try and find a dr. U really like and can confide in, that is 95% of the battle!! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif JJ

TB,thanks for your response.I did not think I had misread the posts.What I have found out since my heart attacks is that there is alot of anxiety and depression,and people need help to deal with that.I started participating in heart attack support groups for myself and my wife in the beginning,as well as the cancer group for her and myself.It helped us out quite a bit.It is quite an eye opener as well as though provoking.That is why I used the tone that you may have picked up on and I chose my words carefully.I also participate in munerous heart attack and cancer groups on the web and I have to say it is like night and day.The anxiety that is felt here is real,but is not based on any urgent need for the majority of people here.They want to prevent a heart attack.In the groups,they have had one and they have an urgent need along with the fear and depression.When a person says that he has been experiencing intermittent chest pains and is going in for a stress test,and winders if he is going to have a heart attack in the office.What to expect.Those a urgent concerns.These are people who need the long discussions to allay their fears.And sometimes you need to just sit them down and tell them "how the hog ate the cabbage" so to speak.The use of "plain english" at times is needed.
Look at the people here,there are only 3 people who have admitted that they have had a heart attack.You and I are 2 of those.You need to come look at other boards on the web and get a better perspective on your condition.Talk with those people and see for yourself.

JJ I want to thank you so much for your support and good wishes. I do have a wonderful doctor that I say yesterday and he is really trying to help me- it is just hard to find something that agrees with me and helps me at the same time. I am very sensitive to meds and so it is very frustrating. I am a fighter, so I will not give up. It is very helpful when you have support boards online and you know that you are not alone when you have so many issues. Thanks again- M

Ok, glad U have a dr. who is trying to work with you. I must have misread something as I thought U said U were trying to find another dr. Hey, what can I tell ya, OLD AGE!! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

There are some out there that will not work with you, and the attitude is if ya don't do as I say and want ya to do, then your on your own. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/frown.gif

I know about being so sensative to meds. that is my biggest drawback, I take one lousy Tylenol for a headache and within an hr. I want to go to sleep. Oh well, I didn't ask for this over sensative body but I got it anyway, so just doing the best I can. Keep me posted how it is going, I have to go tuesday so God only knows what that will be like, as I know my dr. is getting extremely frustrated not being able to find something for me. Hubby's cardiologist seems to be the only one who really understands, as he has tried a few things himself and said it didn't agree with him either, so see, even some drs. have problems, just alot of them won't admit it. Take care!! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif JJ

JJ You are not kidding with frustration on the part of the dr. and the patient- it is really terrible. Well,I guess there are not too many options out there for help as of yet, although, I just read of a study research for a new investigational drug for cholesterol and I am going to call and see what that is all about. There are only 4 centers that are holding this, and one is in Soutern NJ. not too far from me. I am always looking for other answers, even though I am frustrated, I feel there has to be some answer for us. M

There are clinical trials for new treatments going on all of the time.I hope that it works out for you,but be aware that with all of your other problems,you are not a likely candidate for the research.They have narrow specific parameters that they are looking for in the study.I know,bacause both my wife and I are participating in 2 different ones.Good luck.

I am just checking out this trial. I certainly will not be part of anything that I feel is unsafe. It is just encouraging to know that they are looking for new meds for this problem.

Mandie dear, I do sympathize with you. I've been reading some of your posts and the replies to them. You remind me of myself a little when I first came on to the computer and it was the same time I found out I had all these problems at once. I first found out I was diabetic, then high cholesterol/triglycerides, blood pressure, had a hystrectomy & started on HRT (boy that was a real trip!), then on top of all that, I found out I had a meningioma (a tumor on the brain)!!! You want to talk about a nervous, scared, mixed up gal! I beleive I went and posted to every conceivable board on the web! I don't see that as a problem....we need all the help we can get at that time. Just as we are with people we know face to face who we don't always "click" with, there are boards and places on the computer that we don't seem to "click". Everyone doesn't see everything eye to eye all the time. And it isn't easy to "calm down" when everything is going wrong at once. Thank goodness I didn't have the sensitivities to meds that you seem to.

My advice to you is to hang in there, take the good with the bad and eventually you will get some sort of sense of direction to all of it. I do agree with JJ that find a dr you trust and can talk to is 90% of the battle. When you find that dr., stick with him/her and truly listen and try to follow what they recommend. I sincerely hope you'll feel better soon!
Hugs.........Carol http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/t_up.gif http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif

Grannynash,yes there is a difference in the statins.It is in how they control your cholesterol.Some work better at controlling LDL while others raise HDL and lower triglycerides.Discuss your concerns with your Doctor.I can understand your concern over the use of statins,but remember that this board is not a fair representation of the use of statins,or the problems associated with it.Your diabetes does complicate things somewhat by limiting some of the options you have.As an example,the use of niacin would probably help with the trigs,but your diabetes pretty much rules that out.So discuss your options with your Dr and get your concerns addressed.Good Luck.

Granny- thank you so much for being so understanding and kind. I truly appreciate your response and I am comforted to know that I am not the only one that is in the awful place. I know a lot of people just don't understand how awful it is to go thru so many problems without solutions. M