Cholesterol

[nailit]

just been told by my doctor that ive got high cholesterol (5.5) He's recommended statins, told him id think about it.

1)Anyone here lowered their cholesterol without statins?

2)Is 5.5 really high?

3)How bad are the side effects of statins?

4)Does sugar have an effect on cholesterol

5)Does alcohol have an effect on cholesterol?


Doctor said that I have an increased risk of heart attack or stroke in the next 10 years if it isn't lowered (my father died of heart disease and had 3 heart attacks, my mum has angina)
Looking for some real life advice rather than surfing the net and getting conflicting info.

Thanks

[douglas9401]

Take the tablets. They work. And with a couple of notable exceptions, you'll get better advice on medical matters from you doctor than on Answerbank.

[woofgang]

So far as side effects go, I think its a bit of a lottery. My husband had terrible trouble with them, my sister gets none. The side effects do go when you stop taking them so IMO that need not put you off trying them.

[Sqad]

"1)Anyone here lowered their cholesterol without statins? "

Many people....that is the commonest way that the medical profession use to lower the cholesterol.

\\\2)Is 5.5 really high? "

That is probably within normal limits although a profile of HDL (good cholesterol) and LDL ( bad cholesterol) would give us a better indication.

\\\How bad are the side effects of statins? \\

Varies, between no side effects at all, to muscle pains and extremely rarely, muscle death.

"4)Does sugar have an effect on cholesterol

5)Does alcohol have an effect on cholesterol? "

No idea and i doubt if anybody can give you a concise answer.

Bottom line.......follow the advice of your doctor.

[nailit]

Thanks for replies,
Sqad...
//That is probably within normal limits although a profile of HDL (good cholesterol) and LDL ( bad cholesterol) would give us a better indication.//
My doctor seemed to think it was high and told me I have a high risk of heart attack or stroke with in 10 yrs.

//"1)Anyone here lowered their cholesterol without statins? "

Many people....that is the commonest way that the medical profession use to lower the cholesterol.//
The doctor was pushing statins on to me, when I enquired about natural ways to reduce cholesterol he was still intent on statins.

Maybe statins will have to be considered but im reluctant to take more meds than im already on due to all the side effects.
Im already constipated from having to take tramadol and have uncontrollable cravings for sugar from taking mirtazapine (plus feeling lethargic most of the time)

Thanks again.

[hc4361]

You may not get any side effects. Many people don't and you won't know if you don't try them.

It seems to me you've made your mind and you're going to ignore the GP's advice and also sqad's.

[nailit]

//It seems to me you've made your mind and you're going to ignore the GP's advice and also sqad's//
Not at all, just looking at the alternatives at the moment hc. As I said, im reluctant to take on board any more meds but might have too

[hc4361]

Good luck with it, but be assured that if you do suffer any side effects they soon stop if you stop taking the tablets. No lasting damage.

[nailit]

ok thanks hc

[anneasquith]

Given you're family history and lifestyle, I would take the medication.

[Patsy33]

My husband has been on them last couple of weeks. He was like you unsure whether to take them. His cholesterol reading was the same as yours. I don't think that's too high, but if you have high blood pressure too, then it's very much recommended that you take the statins.

[ethandron]

Your GP knows your medical history along with all the meds you take, and is the only person you should be taking advice from. A lot depends on other things besides your cholesterol level as to whether or not you would be wise to take statins.
I know quite a number of people who take statins, myself and my other half included, and none of them have experienced any side effects whatsoever.

[queen 1954]

my father tried statins but couldnt deal with the side effects so he stopped taking them.he then starting eating the benecol products and his came down from 5.5 to 3 something in 6 months.worth a try.

[DTCwordfan]

I am 5.6, no fasting beforehand and that can have impact.....

HDLs 1.2 LDLs 3.6.....BP at 138/70.....so only marginal, my weight dropping slowly and, in part, my diet mainly carbs free so my cholesterol intake up, my GP okay with this.

The solution for you, shovel in the porridge, oats and lentils and soak out the cholestrol. Make sure you fast before the next measurement, no meat or cheese etc for 24 hours.... Failing this benecol. Personally, I would want to stay off statins.....

[piggynose]

i had 226 (5.86) in jan this year, then after a wake up call got a new reading in april, and it measured 178 ( 4.6). i'm 57, and used to be a strict vegetarian, but got a bit sloppy regards what i was eating. but after almost 4 months of detoxing, i got down to the safe figure.

[pastafreak]

Maybe try improving your numbers via diet....low carb has been shown to raise HDL numbers...those are the ones you want to be higher.

http://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/news/20100802/low-carb-diets-improve-cholesterol-long-term

http://www.drperlmutter.com/higher-dietary-carbohydrate-associated-lower-hdl/

[jamesnan]

Both my husband and myself were put on statins. I reacted to them, really bad back muscle pain, and it took trials of 4 different ones before I found one which did not cause the pain. My cholesterol reading has come right down from 7.5 to 4 something.
My husband was put on them when his reading was just over 5, he also reacted with muscle pain, and after coming off them, back on them to see, he decided, after consultation with the doctor, that he would not take them.

[nailit]

Thanks all for additional answers, much appreciated

[Puzzled001]

Try the statins, if like myself you suffer any side effects ,such as neuropathy, loss of feeling in fingers, toes etc ask to be put on Ezetrol(ezetimibe) instead, better than statins and no side effects. P

[jno]

one side effect I've found is that it raises travel insurance premiums. A lot of insurers ask if you've ever been prescribed statins.

[jourdain2]

I'm around 5.8 cholesterol reading and no-one is really bothered - either in UK or France. This is because my 'good' cholesterol (think that's the HDL) massively outweighs the 'bad' cholesterol. If you have to take the pills, take the pills - Mr. J2's French doc. used to call them 'chocolate pills' because you can continue to eat chocolate if you take them! He's been on them about 10 years after his triple heart bypass - no problems.

More to the point is your parents' history of heart problems. You need to monitor that quite carefully.