question

Thanks!!

Message edited 1/26/2012 8:44:02 AM.

Re: Cholesterol Drugs.. safe?

Your husband may have a thyroid or blood sugar issue that could be causing his cholesterol spike. He definitely needs to cut back what he's eating. Diet Coke is not healthy by any means, and could definitely be a contributing factor. He needs a solid diet/exercise routine. I am a nutritionist and see this all the time. There are vitamins he can take if he doesn't want to take RX meds.

Re: Cholesterol Drugs.. safe?

I'm 28 years old and my cholesterol was 280 and my doctor put me on Crestor. I was only on it for a short period of time, due to the fact that I switched doctors and the new dr. said there is not too much research about Crestor and the side effects to women who are of child bearing age.

While I was on Crestor, I did not suffer any side effects, but what I was told to watch out for didn't seem too serious. When the new doc pulled me off, I started taking fish oil and flaxseed oil. They lowered my cholesterol a bit...260. But I know someone whose father substantially lowered his cholesterol taking these same pills.

High cholesterol is something that can be inherited and something your body makes. Mine is totally in my genes as I'm/was an active person (competitive swimmer/runner) who watches what I eat and would consider myself to be somewhat health conscious.

Good luck to your DH. High cholesterol is a serious problem and can lead to heart disease/attack and or stroke.

Message edited 8/23/2011 8:21:46 PM.

Re: Cholesterol Drugs.. safe?

My father has been on med for his Cholesterol for years. Yes there are side effects but it is better than his arteries clogging up....Yes cholesterol can lead to heart disease.

My father's weight has always been normal if not on the smaller side and he eats normal...even when he was on a strict diet his cholesterol never was normal. Part of it is genetics and that you cannot change.

Be glad your DH found early and can work to keeping it under control.

My father makes visits to the cardio cath lab 2 x a year on average because of it and I truly believe if we had found out in his 30s or 40s he would be much better off.

Re: Cholesterol Drugs.. safe?

I've been on Simvastatin, Lipitor, etc. (elevated cholesterol, diabetic) and they all caused muscle ache/pain for me. I also have tried a lot of blood pressure meds, and there were several that gave me chest pain; The one I took that did not give me chest pain, Avapro, raised my potassium levels, so I was taken off that. I might be a bad nurse for saying this, and I know these drugs might be a life saver for some people, but my sensitivities to a number of drugs has given me a negative perspective on drugs. Which do I want, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or bad side effects? I'm tired of being a guinea pig for trying new drugs. And when I took just one pill or capsule of each drug I had a reaction to, that was a prescription thrown away, and $$$ down the drain, that we can't afford. Mary

Message edited 8/23/2011 8:33:06 PM.

Re: Cholesterol Drugs.. safe?

At his age, I would FIRST try to do everything I can to reduce my cholesterol for about 6 months to a year. That means CONSISTENT excercise, reduce alcohol, limit saturated fats (only skim milk/non fat dairy items), very little red meat, and INCREASE MONO unsaturated fats (look up a list of foods that have this), and do things to reduce stress as well. Does he know his HDL/LDL levels (good/bad cholesterol)?

What is the rest of his health like? His blood pressure, and blood glucose levels? Does he smoke/drink a lot? What about his BMI and waist circumference? IMO, just a high cholesterol, when in other areas of a person's life they are healthy is not a reason to go on meds, especially at a young age.

Obviously all of the above should be done under the direction of a physician and if he can a dietician.

BTW, Raisin Bran is not necessarily healthy, check out the amount of sugar!!

Re: Cholesterol Drugs.. safe?

I was on Lipitor for about a year and then when I got pregnant in 2009, I stopped taking it. My cholesterol was high but not too bad. After I had my son in October 2009, I didn't continue with the Lipitor. Too expensive. This past March, my numbers were way up. For me it his hereditary. I don't eat foods that are high in cholesterol and I don't eat any fried foods or fast food. I am now on Zocor... It is working for me.. I will probably be on it for the rest of my life.. No side effects.