High cholesterol - feeling smug

[BlueZircon]

Well in April at the time of my HA my cholesterol level was 10.6!!! I was put on a 5mg dose of statin and also changed my whole way of eating as I was determined to get the level down. Well it worked I have lost 1 stone 3 pounds and my level is now 3.7!!! Results said NORMAL!!! I couldn't believe it so, yes, I am feeling very proud of my efforts. I eat all my meals within a 6 hour period. I do not have breakfast (can't face it after all the meds) and lunch is between 2-3pm with dinner at 7-8[m. I have, unfortunately, given up butter, cream and cheese and replaced with Flora active. I have always cooked from scratch so didn't have to give up processed food or food with trans fats. I am a vegetarian but also eat fish/milk.

So that's one hurdle conquered. The next one is I am borderline Type 2 Diabetic. Although my level has come down by 2 it is still not enough. So that is my next challenge. Watch this space in a few months. I really would like to be smug again. LOL.

[cowparsley]

Good for you.Well done.

[lettingoffsteam]

Well done BlueZircon, that's a great achievement and you have every right to feel smug.

[benjijen]

Well done in finding what suits you. I eat differently from you but really agree on the restricted eating window; I know how much better it's made me feel. Good luck with your next step. x

[BlueZircon in reply to benjijen]

Thankyou.

[Kev12564]

Very well done!

Just curious, do you think you need to stay on the statins? It sounds like the other changes may have done the trick.

[BlueZircon in reply to Kev12564]

Hi CocoNutWater,

Went to GP last Friday and unfortunately he was called away that day due to his parents health problems. So I saw another GP who knew nothing about me whatsoever. I explained to her about my lower cholesterol and the problems I was having (pain-wise) with my statin. I also explained the research I had found (BMJ) that the statin I was on (Rosuvastatin) could increase blood sugar levels by up to 25% (I am borderline Type 2) and the research found was no benefit to HF patients. I asked if I could try Pravastatin which apparently gave the least side effects and only a 7% increase in blood sugar levels. Obviously, she was put out by my findings and said she would only give it to me in 40mg dose (the dose I was already on was 5mg). I asked why? She said that was the dose recommended by the Guidelines for HF. I lost it with her and said I only want the lowest dose possible and as she refused I said fine I will stop taking statins and discuss it with my Cardiologist in November. Just to add I believe GPs get paid incentives for putting patients on statins! Previously I had discussed statins with my GP and he pulled up a list of statins on his screen and said 'pick one'. However, I couldn't remember all the previous ones I have had (4 or 5) over the years so said I would come back with the list. What a difference between my own GP who knows me and my health conditions well and always listens to my concerns and the stand-in GP I saw. When I got all my blood results back (about 38 in total) my glucose level had dropped by 2 but the hospital had inserted a note (High but only to be expected). So my thinking is they are aware that Rosuvastatin causes this problem. Sorry this post is so long.

[45sue in reply to BlueZircon]

40 mg is the highest dose of Pravastatin. I think it is especially high to start on if you have had side effects from other statins. Due to my adverse reaction to Atorvastatin, my GP has put me on the lowest dose of Pravastatin (10mg), chosen because of least number of side effects, monitored by blood tests for the first month. I hope you can get back to see the GP who knows you.

[BlueZircon in reply to 45sue]

Exactly what I thought. Think stand-in GP was being pedantic! Hopefully I will get on Pravastatin soon. Although Rosuvastatin is a high statin and Pravastatin a medium one so 10mg would be the correct dose for me. To be honest I don't mind giving my body a short rest from them for a while. I am fed up with NHS quoting NICE Guidelines. I am an individual and refuse to be bracketed by NICE. LOL.

[Kev12564 in reply to BlueZircon]

My point was you’ve done so well with lifestyle charges, maybe ask your GP if you need statins at all.

GPs don’t have the time to discuss lifestyle changes and tend to dispense pills instead. You’ve done so well with lifestyle changes, your GP might be pleasantly surprised.

[BlueZircon in reply to Kev12564]

I am so lucky with my GP as he does have time for me and he would have been very pleased as he knew what I was doing to help myself. Statins are not just for cholesterol but also reduce the risk of fatty plaques breaking off from the walls of the arteries. So HF patients need to be on them for life. My point was that there is no concrete proof that Rosuvastatin helps HF patients with that apparently Pravastatin came out top and with the least side effects. So, yes, I will have to go back on statins.

[Kev12564 in reply to BlueZircon]

Good point about statins and plaque.

I’m not at that stage yet fortunately so I’ll try and get my cholesterol down by dietary changes first. Hope you get your statins sorted and keep up with the healthy lifestyle

[Kev12564 in reply to BlueZircon]

My point was you’ve done so well with lifestyle charges, maybe ask your GP if you need statins at all.

GPs don’t have the time to discuss lifestyle changes and tend to dispense pills instead. You’ve done so well with lifestyle changes, your GP might be pleasantly surprised.

[BlueZircon in reply to Kev12564]

Yes, I know what you meant. Unfortunately, I do have to be on statins for the rest of my life (not only because of heart problems but thyroid problems which cause high cholesterol). I did my own statin research and came up with Pravastatin 10mg. GP, HF Doctor, Cardiologist all agreed with my research and why I wanted to take Pravastatin.

[dunestar]

Feeling smug is good!

[Handel]

Nice one!You deserve to feel smug xxx

[Slimforsummer]

Brilliant result. Just proves that lowering the amount of LDL contained in high saturated fat foods that we eat (like high fat cheeses) does lower the amount of that substance in our blood and helps stops further fatty deposits in our arteries. I did they same and increased the amount of oily fish that I ate to increase my HDL (good fat) ratio. I also easily lost weight. The British Heart Foundation explain it all on their website and free 12 week email mini course. Good idea to talk to another dr who understands you and your medical needs.

[BlueZircon in reply to Slimforsummer]

Hi Slimforsummer,

I know what works for one person doesn't work for another. Definitely butter and cheese caused very highly cholesterol for me. However, once you work out what is the correct eating plan it is much easier to help yourself. I have now lost 1 stone 7 pound since my HA in April 2019 and being left with HF, so all the changes I have made, together with medication, has definitely improved the strain on my heart pumping. I have found a recipe for bread which uses flour, lemon juice and soy milk I don't add any salt as trying to stick to salt free diet. Do not know if you saw my post from Friday saw the HF Nurse and my ECG on that day was so improved she said I was now borderline HF and discharged me. Yippee!! Got to see HF Doctor next Thursday but am expecting her to do the same. So am feeling even more smug (if that is possible? - LOL) than I was before. There is a new book out by Dr William Li Eat to beat disease. Look it up on Amazon and read the blurb looks very interesting. I eat oily fish every day. Yes my LDL very low and HDL more than doubled.

[Slimforsummer]

Brilliant and just proves that small alterations in our eating can vastly improve our overall health. I follow all dietary recommendations given by the British Heart Foundation which are a real Mediterranean diet/ DASH eating plan. The added bonus is the lowering of blood pressure with weight loss, eating a balance of all food groups and exercise. Fantastic feeling when you have helped your health in this manner. Win win!

[ellra]

Well done x

[chickeninthewood]

Well done!