High cholesterol...

anyone have or know someone that has very high cholesterol? what do they take/do for it?
Are meds the only way to 'truely' lower it? I know watching your diet, supplements (garlic, etc...) can all help...
My mom has this and she has tried out SO many meds for cholesterol over the years. She always seems to get side affects from them, especially where her muscles/joints hurt. She stopped taking them last month and the Dr. gave her yet another one to try. She gets so depressed over this and I wish I had the answer

Re: High cholesterol...

When I was young I was diagnosed with high cholesterol (a nice little genetic feature I acquired from my dad). I'm not on meds, I just follow a strict diet. It works - for the last 5 years my cholesterol has gone below normal.

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Dont feel bad my is low both good and bad are low...

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My mom has this too! I think she is on pills right now and hates being on medication, but I know she also eats A LOT of plain oatmeal. The bottom line..I think a strict diet is the key. I tell my mom this all of the time...she is Italian and stubborn as a mule and lovvvves foods that are high in cholesterol.

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I'm 34 and have hhigh cholesterol. The doctor decided to put me on Crestor after my total was above 300! In my case I think it's inherited. Both my parents have high numbers, but they weren't as high as mine and didn't get high numbers until they were much older than I am now. I try to excersise as much as possible. Usually around this time of year, I start jogging 2 miles a day. I've tried to change my diet for the better, but it seems my cholesterol is just high. They took me off Crestor last year after my numbers were all below the warning numbers, and also because my CPK levels were elevated, indicating that the Crestir may have been damaging my liver. My numbers went back up last year, and I've been on Zetia for a bout a year. I just week and had everything checked last week, and I'm still above the normal numbers, but not by much.

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I don't remember feeling anything different when I started Zetia. I am on a low dose, only 10mg. I remember feeling different when I was on Crestor, but I think it was all in my head. I didn't want to be on any medication, and my mom kept finding all these articles in the newspaper about Crestor possibly causing some deaths.

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All these medications have side effects. Joint/Muscular problems is one of them.
I actually heard of someone who had the same problem. She did not want to take the medications and someone gave her this remedy. She said it worked and she doesn't have to take any cholesterol medications and her cholesterol levels are low.
She will do this three times a day. She bought regular oatmeal and put a few scoops on water and will leave it for a few hours. She will then drink this water throughout the day. She said that not only her cholesterol level dropped but she also lost some weight in the process. I'm not certain how true that is but maybe your mom can do this while she's taking the medication and see if this works for her.

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Mine was high the last time it was checked- about 240. I am not taking meds and will only do so as a last resort. I am trying to lose some weight, I have added a lot of fiber to my diet and cut way back on fried stuff. I eat more fruits and veggies too, and I also cut way back on meat.

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My mom lowered her cholesterol significantly (100 points) just by losing weight, exercising a little bit more, etc.

Soy products, cheerios and oatmeal cna reduce cholesterol. My FH's cholesterol went down about 40 points in 3 mos just by replacing his normal lunch with a salad. He didn't lose weight, but that small change made a big difference.


ETA Don't forget that there is ONLY cholesterol in animal products, so if you can avoid them you should be in good shape. Switch to egg wites, and replace meat with soy products. It will be a double effect..cutting out the cholesterol and saturated fat in meat, and adding beneficial soy.

Message edited 3/29/2006 11:48:57 AM.

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The last time I donated blood they did screening and I almost fainted when the results came in the mail that I was borderline high!!!!

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FH has high cholesterol. He tried to lose weight but it didn't work so his doctor put him on 10mg of Lipitor.
My mother had a major heart attach 4 years ago and under went triple bipass. she is now on Lipitor (not sure of doseage).
FBIL had his cholesterol taken 3 years ago and the doctor said that he was surprised that he was still alive. I think he was over 500. needless to say, he ignored the doctor and last summer he had a heart attach. he is now taken 80mg (i think) of lipitor.
FBIL in the only one to complain of pain from the drugs.

Re: High cholesterol...

They say you have to watch for c-reactive protein, more than cholesterol when it comes to heart attack risk. C-reactive protein indicates damage to arterial walls. If there is no damage, you can have as much cholesterol as you want, and you'll never get a blockage.