Familial Hyperlipidemia and Plaques around eyes...

[ikandee]

Hi, was diagnosed with familial hyperlipidemia when I was 20, after my mum had strokes we were all screened. Only myself (youngest) and my eldest sister had inherited high cholesterol. Both my daughters inherited it and 2 of my sister's 3 daughters.

Met someone I hadn't seen for a while today and she commented I hadn't blended concealer under my eyes and went rummaging in her bag for a mirror so I could correct it. When I examined my eyes, she was referring to plaques under my eyes.

My cholesterol has never been below 14 despite statins, I eat very healthy, don't drink and never smoked. Feels so unfair as I know at 45 the effects of high cholesterol are now taking a toll on my body. Last time I went to lipid clinic, consultant mentioned the dialysis type treatment, we're they filter cholesterol from the blood. My eldest sister hasn't ever had lipid levels anywhere near as high as mine, also commented she wouldn't be able sleep if her cholesterol was so high. Feeling pretty down. Any advice would be great x

[ikandee]

Thank you Traci x

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Hi, it must be very upsetting to be doing everything right and finding your cholesterol won't budge. As I understand it the apheresis treatment works well though so it may be worth trying, although it probably seems a bit scary.

[Aliwally]

Can I ask if statins have had any affect at all in lowering your cholesterol, especially at big doses?

[ikandee]

Not really to be honest. I've had simvastatin initially in 1990's, then atrovastatin, and recently rosuvastatin. With FH the minute you stop taking statins they shoot back up. My sister can't tolerate statins very well and has just been accepted on to a trial x