doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Hunting Health recap

Well at my last visit to the doc's, they said my LDL was 17x. I was floored. She (20 sumpin' PA) said she wanted me to take Lipitor and adjust my diet, etc.. I said I didn't want to take the drugs and I'd do better with my diet and exercise, weight, etc.. Well, I went back today, only 3 weeks later, and my LDL was back to about where it usually is, 123. The PA first asked if I had been taking the Lipitor, I said no. She was dumbfounded. I suggested possibly the first test was askew since I'd never had a cholesterol prob in the past. She admitted it could be. She said I don't need the drugs now, but be good anyway.

Well, I'm a happier guy tonight as I bbq a nice primerib roast...purely for research purposes only, of course. This is my first primerib roast and my wife wants to serve it for xmas eve dinner and she bought a small one for me to "practice" on. Hey! maybe she doesn't think I can cook?

Chuck, Lipitor is a pretty good drug. I sure understand wanting to avoid taking anything. But, Lipitor has shown few downsides and in some folks (Me) it dramatically lowers LDL in very small doses (10mg./day).
Take care.

Jake

I would go with 20mg generic Zocor instead it is just as effective as 10mg Lipitor prescribed just as much and is less expensive than no generic Lipior with most ins plans.

In the old thread we had talked about weight, eating, exercise and doing the right things to keep our cholesterol down. You are fortunate that you are not on any medication for this. The first time you had it checked you might not have fasted, they tell you not to eat anything for 12 hours so that they can get a good reading. In your case 123 LDL might sound good for you but for me that is high. Lipitor, Zocor, and the generics like Simvastatin all work on LDL, just that the generic is half the price. Zocor for a 10 mg. tablet is around $2.00, jump to 20 mg it is $4.00, so you can see the difference for people that don't have any medical benefits.
Almost 11 years ago at age 51 I had 3 heart attacks in 2 weeks. My total cholesterol was 211, weight 187 lbs. at 5'10". Unfortunatly in my case it was hereditary. I had damage to the front part of my heart and have been on Zocor, (now simvastatin), heart medicine, a water pill 10 mg., Niaspan (vitamin B12) and a coated asperin. My LDL is now 67 and tri-cylcerides about the same. Stress test I just had I did 12 1/2 minutes to get heart rate I believe to 137. Asked my cardialogist if I would ever be able to stop some of the meds, and his answer was no, becasue the meds prevent the heart from getting bigger in areas that you don't want it to.
So the main thing is, moderation, eat right, exercise and enjoy what you are doing, having a good time with your wife, dog and double guns.
Merry Christmas, and to some if that is not politically correct, too bad.

Hi Chuck:

I too had the same health problems several years ago. My wife also had the same problems, overweight, diabetes, blood pressure, bad hdl ldl etc. The Dr. suggested that we start medication to help cure the problem. I suggested that we should wait and see what I can do for my self.

My wife started us on the South Beach Diet. At the end of 30 days, I had lost 30 lbs. and all of my other problens were abated. I also tried to take the dog on a walk every day. When I returned to the Dr., he and his staff were amazed to see the progress that I had made. I think that diet and exercise will work better than taking medications.

Try it for weight loss control and other health problems.


Try the SBD. You can pick up sthe diet book and the diet cookbook at a book store. Follow the diet,and I will promise that you will improve your health.

Good luck,

Franchi

All this talk is still confusing to me and WebMD doesn't seem to supply answers. 2 weeks ago, after 2 hunting days with chest pain, I had a stent placed in my left anterior artery. It was 99% blocked. I had chest pains, pain down the left arm, jaw pain and shortness of breath. I didn't know I had heart problems and all through my on going cancer battle, they never checked for it.Good news is there is no heart attack and heart damage. Any rate my HDL is 23 and my LDL is 48. My triglycerides though are at 289. Ok, I am now on 10mg. of Lipitor, 75mg. of Plavix and 325 mg of asprin. Age 54, height 5'10" and 200lbs. I am not supposed to lose much wieght, because of my cancer according to my oncologist. I am active, I hunt when ever I can and climb trees to do it. But, since everything is low, except triglycerides, what am I to do. I am still waiting for follow up Dr. visits, which will take place after the 1st of the year, to hopefully get some answers.

Dave,
I went down this path in 1995 at age 48. Three months of chest pain and both arms hurting and shortness of breath led to bypass surgery and meds. I have ended up on lipitor after using all the cheaper statins first. Lipitor was the only one that worked. During these last years I have found a doctor that I feel comfortable with and have faith in. This has been very important to me and I sleep better with less worry. If you have a doctor that you are pleased with and have faith in don't let him get away. Best wishes my friend.
Ron

Dave,
My Dad's problem with triglycerides went away after the ever-present candy dish was removed from his TV room. He has increased his excercise to daily, at the gym all but Sunday. He is in pretty good shape for a near 80 year old career marine who smoked 2-3 packs of Pall Malls for forty years, but, isn't going to be running any marathons, soon.
You might want to watch the processed sugar intake.
Best,
Ted

Ron Overberg - You are one fortunate man. Glad all is well. It's no secret: move more, eat less. If you guys have a minute Google "Red Yeast Rice". It contains a natural statin that has done wonders for me. This same statin is synthesized in Mevacor.

I am 66 and recently had my blood profile done and everything checked out great. I eat what i want and need to lose about 10 lbs. but you know how that is. Take a couple high blood pills each morning. The Lord has certainly blessed me! Bobby