New #'s after Policosanal - High Cholesterol Message Board

RuthW · 07-08-2002, 11:47 AM

My hubby and I have just received our new numbers after 3 mos. of 20 mgs. a day. and to say the least, I'm a little disappointed. Mine are as follows:
(9/01) TC 296 7/02 322 Hubby's 4/02 181 7/02 201
Trig 228 131 418 336
HDL 60 72 29 32
LDL 190 224 Off Scale 102
Seems like we have managed to lower our tryglcerides and screw everything else up. We are under a lot of stress at the present time and wondering how much that has affected it. I have IBS and have to watch the fruit and veggies. I do eat alot of carbs b/c it goes down easier. Hubby has been losing weight slowly (dropped about 9 lbs since the first blood). Should we continue the policosanol (no side effects for either of us) or should we add something else w/ it. I will try to cut back on the carbs.
She wants to give us "Prabacol". Has anyone heard of this? I have tried a search and can't find anything.
I have been reading the board daily but didn't want to post until I had the new numbers. I thought I would ask you guys since you are a wealth of information, what do you think? Thanks!

gorgon · 07-08-2002, 12:55 PM

I can't say I'm too surprised. The results avail on the web from "real people" using policosanol are underwhelming. I tried it myself for a month - but had to stop (muscle aches) before I could get any numbers.
I'm trying tocotrienol(it's a vitamin-E that may reduce cholesterol). I'm not expecting much - so I won't be disappointed.
On your new med - is it Pravachol? This is a statin that some feel may have somewhat less side-effects. It's still a statin however, if you can't take them.

RuthW · 07-08-2002, 01:13 PM

Yes, that is the right name (the Dr. spelled it wrong--kind of makes ya wonder if they can't spell it why prescribe it?) No, we have never been on statins and from what I'm reading do not want to. I feel every day as we get older there is a new ache and pain. Why add a pill to make it worse?
I'm going to try one day a week w/ no carbs and do it gradually and see how that helps. One day a week walking more than I usually do. I think Granny Nash said tomatoes were good for cholesterol and the garden looks like it's going to be good this year. And hopefully this stressful situation we're in will change in 2 weeks.
I also found something else herbal but I have the name at home and see if this helps. Thanks for your reply!

gorgon · 07-08-2002, 03:26 PM

If you never tried a statin drug and have no negative reaction to it, it may be worthwhile to try one. They certainly will reduce your cholesterol levels and have other heart related benefits as well. They act as "blood thinners" and reduce the tendency of blood to break-off in "plaques" which can cause a stroke. For the majority of people who are at risk of heart trouble (family history or other risk factors)a statin drug can be a lifesaver - it is the few of us who have a side-effect from the statins that complain a lot on boards such as this. I wish I could tolerate it, I'd continue taking them in a minute.

JJ · 07-08-2002, 05:15 PM

Ruth I really feel for you and hubby, as it seems to be the same ole story here. One test the cholesterol is down but the trigs. are up, next test just the opposite.

I have to go next week to the dr. so know I will be due for my tests, good grief do I really want to know? NO!!!

I haven't seen many good reports about the Policosanal either, shame as I thought for sure it just might be something to look into. I'm at the point of almost just giving up and let the cards fall where they may.

Like Gorgon said, if U can take a statin it does drop your numbers like a rock, but seems like there are more of us who can't take them then those that can. Try cutting back more on the carbs. and see if the next test is better, what the heck have ya got to lose?
Unfortuneately hubby did, as he was a terrible bread eater, but it still didn't help, so now he is cutting back more, so if this don't work he said to heck with it, he can't give up much more. Like his cardiologist said, he is doing just about everything right, and due to his lousy side effects on statins, Tricor or Niacin the pains and aches aren't worth it for him. For now he is just going to keep checking him every six months and see how it goes.

I know my dr. is going to go into some kind of a tizzy, as she is also trying everything out there on me with no luck, so I am not looking forward to this coming visit at all. She is about ready to pull her hair out cause I seem to also not get along with the meds. Oh well, I didn't ask for this crazy drug sensative body, but I'm stuck with it!

Keep the faith, the quest still goes on! Keep us posted how it goes, and naturally we will do the same.
Best of luck!!

JJ