Plant sterols and Methotrexate

[welsh12]

Anyone take these gp doesn't want me to take statins but always says my cholesterol should be lower.

[hatshepsut]

Why does your GP not want you on statins ? They are extremely effective if your cholesterol is high, and give you a lot of protection against strokes and heart attacks.

[welsh12 in reply to hatshepsut]

Guidelines have changed levels for prescribing are higher I am not desperate to go on stating if I don't need them they do have side effects for some.

[Arthurthecat]

Strznge how we all get different treatment. I didn’t even have particularly high cholesterol back when I was first diagnosed in 2015 and I was immediately put on statins as a preventative measure - as it was explained to me then. Still on them now.

[wilbertjellyfish]

My first boss (a veterinarian) always said. " Drs differ, patients die" possibly the only sensible thing he said. It's a bit depressing but true. Drs are people they interpret data differently, some stick rigidly to the latest guidelines, some will think a bit more for themselves and weigh up the pros and cons. Don't be afraid to ask. Years ago my father in law lived with us, he had a cough, I rang his doctor, the doctor was prepared to prescribe furosemide over the phone dispite him having no heart conditions. I challenged this so he came out to the house, prescribed antibiotics and the cough went away.

[HappykindaGal]

I believe drinks like Benecol contain plant sterols and stanols. Not sure how effective they are though

[rmros in reply to HappykindaGal]

There’s plenty of evidence they reduce cholesterol, but not by that much. My cholesterol is high but not massively high. If I can get it down even a little bit with benecol (or Lidl’s equivalent) alongside other changes then it’s worth it to me.

[Bluegrapefruit]

I’ve been using plant sterols and milled flaxseed on my breakfast to see what impact that has as mine has risen on Rinvoq. There is a great podcast called Sliced Bread on BBC Sounds and they had an episode all on cholesterol and plant sterols / stanols, how they work and their effectiveness versus statins. I’m just waiting on a blood test result to see if dietary route has made any difference and if not I’ll see about a statin.

[welsh12 in reply to Bluegrapefruit]

Thanks

[welsh12 in reply to Bluegrapefruit]

I listened to the podcast interesting

[marti]

I'm on methotrexate and my chlorestol was getting high my nurse suggested just the supermarket own chlorestol lowering yoghurt drinks which contain plant sterols and fingers crossed they seem to be working, just have one every day and so far not had to go on statins.

[hazelcats]

My cholesterol has also risen on mtx and hydroxy. My Dr has tried an alternative non meds route and suggested intermittent fasting ( am doing 16/8) I feel fine on it and have bloods due in January to see if any positive impact.

[Samwise91]

I wish to contact an adviser before I post anything now. My hands are weak and I find difficulty in using keyboard at present.. advice welcomed.

[Neonkittie17 in reply to Samwise91]

I think it may be more useful to you in terms of response for you to post under a separate thread of your own as this one by Welsh is re statins, plant sterols and Mtx. Your post could be overlooked amongst this. It’s easy to start a new post/thread at the top of the page. It asks you what’s your question and the procedure is straight forward to follow.🩷

[rmros in reply to Samwise91]

Can you get some voice-activated software for typing? Try asking someone at your library for help maybe, if you can't do this yourself. Good luck.

[rmros]

Yes, but I haven't had my cholesterol retested yet to tell you if it's worked. I take it in the form of yoghurt drinks and spreads, not the tablets.

I believe my high cholesterol is mostly genetic. It's been high for as long as I've been tested for it. I'm overweight now (officially not obese anymore - see below) and I don't believe my cholesterol is all down to diet as what I eat is pretty good. I just ate (past tense - also see below) too much.

I've recently started using Mounjaro for weight loss. That is said to also improve cholesterol (not just throught diet changes). My blood pressure is lower already.

[welsh12 in reply to rmros]

Yes my diet is pretty good too

[MandiS in reply to rmros]

Hello could you let me know how you are doing on Monjouro I have high cholesterol don’t want to take statins as I believe it’s familial issue but the gene testing is too expensive. I am also on Benapali and now been offered Ritixumab but I’ve read so many people have felt better using the weight loss drugs. I am obese having put on 2 stone since diagnosis in 2018. How has the monjouro worked for you have you seen any improvement in your RA? I have it in the fridge but haven’t started it yet.

Thank you

[rmros in reply to MandiS]

Hi. I was in a prolonged flare when I started Mounjaro and although I was only taking it for weight loss within 24 hours of my first jab I felt better - less stiff and fatigued. I've done 2 weeks on the starting dose now and lost over 4kg.

I had some mild nausea, stomach cramps and headaches after the first dose - no worse than methotrexate - but none after the second. My blood pressure is down to near normal and remains to be seen if it's helped my cholesterol.

I'm off bad food now. I just have no desire to eat unhealthy food anymore.

[Redders1]

Methotrexate is an autoimmune suppressant which is normally prescribed for people like me who have an over active immune system. I’m taking it for rheumatoid arthritis and have been on it over 10 years. Methotrexate has not affected my weight.

My cholesterol is normal but nonetheless I was put on statins following a TIA purely as a precautionary measure. That was 18 months ago and I’m still on them as well as methotrexate.

Peter

[WilfDog]

Hi Welsh12This appears to be a good article regarding plant sterols and might be worth a read. heartuk.org.uk/healthy-livi...

Hope you manage to reduce your cholesterol

Take care xx

[welsh12]

Thanks