Cholesterol drugs

[playgtar]

My endo put me on Lipitor today. She said that 90% of us take something to lower our cholesterol. She thought it better to start early with it. She also said I'll be on it from now on. Do most of you take something for Cholesterol?

[lgvincent]

My cholesterol was fine until about 10 years ago when it started getting really high. I started on Lipitor at that time. I'm now on 40 mg of Zocor.

[valc3]

I went on Lipitor in Sept., 10mg. My cholesterol levels were normal. Dr and I evaluated the pros and the cons. If I hadn't had other complications from D, I wouldn't have started it. My Dr didn't give me the "just because" reason for going on it. I felt the pros of it out weighed the cons.

[Penny]

My endo put me on Lipitor today. She said that 90% of us take something to lower our cholesterol. She thought it better to start early with it. She also said I'll be on it from now on. Do most of you take something for Cholesterol?

I have been on Zocor for years despite good levels. It's just like the blood pressure medicine I don't really need, it just makes one less thing I have to worry about my health.

[christie]

i was on zocor, then the dr started me on lipitor but for me i did'nt feel good maybe it was just mental, and now i take lovastatin i have'nt had a check to see if it works as well as zocor,zocor got my numbers where they should be.

[kgm0612]

High cholesterol runs in my family. I've been on Lipitor for at least 6 or 7 years...........at least 3-4 years before being dx'd with diabetes.

Karen

[mg_2204]

People with diabetes should have a cholesterol lower than 5. People with diabetes and heart problems should be under 4.

With that said... I was put on medication to lower cholesterol because I can't achieve a level under 5 without meds. I have been on a special diet for a while but it seems I can't go lower than 5.2 which is quite frustrating to say the least. I also use Benecol products, eat healthy, and am still on a low fat diet. I will have another test done in June-July. I can't wait to see if I am now under 5. I take Crestor (Rosuvastatin) at the moment.

[Jamie]

I'm also on lipitor. I was put on it when I was diagnosed. At my most recent doctors appointment (in Feb), my doc mentioned my bad cholesterol had gone down, but my good cholesterol had also gone down by the same amount and the ratio between the two remained almost the same. Can anybody explain to me why this ratio is critical?

[Mark C]

One of the bennefits from Lipitor is the lowering of tri-glycerides, one of the diabetes "go-alongs". I've never had a problem with cholesterol, per se... but with high TGs.

Be aware one of the side effects are muscle cramps and aches, almost a feeling like you walked five miles...

[chumtochatwith]

Hi there,
I am a type 1 diagnosed two years ago. I started pumping three months ago and my endocrinologist decided to put me on Lipitor as well at my last appointment. My cholesterol levels were high at the previous appointment but she wanted to wait and see if it would stay that way. Well, it did. I haven't had any side effects luckily and I am more than willing to oblige with whatever my doctors prescribe. It's just another medicine to add to my pharmacy of prescription medication.
Good luck!
Chumtochatwith

[BriOnH]

This kind of scares me. So many people are on these statins. Why? In the end isnt it diet and exercise?

[rea]

I am having similar issues. I can't remember the numbers, but my cholesterol is high for a diabetic (fine for a normal person).

this runs in my family. I have been explained that some people have this tendancy, and no matter what you do, you will always run a high cholesterol.

well, I have gone from straight vegetarian and back to eating meat again, with very little difference in test results. I eat very little red meat, only lean meat, have a meditaranean style diet low in animal fats, high in olive oil, nuts, fish and green or coloured vegetables, etc. I excersize daily, running 6km every other day and I lift weights and take 45min walks in between.

I avoid eggs/ egg yolks, drink or bake with only soy milk or skim milk.

if anyone has any other ideas, I'll take them.

and no matter what I have done, probably by the end of this year I will also be on cholesterol medication.

what scares me, is my doc wants me to be put on the same thing my grandmother was put on after her heart attack when she turned 68. and I am only 29 years old!

[seacomp]

I avoid eggs/ egg yolks, drink or bake with only soy milk or skim milk.
You likely don't want to hear this, and I don't expect you to follow it, but when I went on a very low-carb diet, all my blood lipids, especially cholesterol measurably improved. I had about 20 large eggs per week on that diet.
That diet and exercise gave normal BG without medications, although that didn't last forever.

[Harold]

You likely don't want to hear this, and I don't expect you to follow it, but when I went on a very low-carb diet, all my blood lipids, especially cholesterol measurably improved. I had about 20 large eggs per week on that diet.
That diet and exercise gave normal BG without medications, although that didn't last forever.
Why not? I have known people that it has worked for and others that it only makes it worse. The only way to find out is to experiment.

[palefacegirl03]

I take 10mg Zetia for my high cholesterol.

[Aftiel]

Brion,

Yes diet and exercise definitely help - and work completely for some people. For me they dont.

My endo put me on Vytorin and my cholesterol is 170 now - far better than any of my non-diabetic co-workers.

The best I could do with serious diet and exercise was 230.

- Aftiel

[rea]

You likely don't want to hear this, and I don't expect you to follow it, but when I went on a very low-carb diet, all my blood lipids, especially cholesterol measurably improved. I had about 20 large eggs per week on that diet.
That diet and exercise gave normal BG without medications, although that didn't last forever.

My cholesterol seems to be purely hereditary. I could avoid all animal protein altogether, and have higher cholesterol. I could eat nothing BUT lean animal protein, and it didn't seem to make a difference for me. nothing I do, diet wise makes a difference.

I diet for my health and fitness now, not for my cholesterol.

I will say, though, that after a year and a half of six month diet 'tests', that oatmeal for breakfast, and red wine did help a bit for me. the change was enough of a difference, that it was noticed. it brought me to a normal level for a non diabetic. nothing else had done that.

but since I am a small lady, I don't think I could handle more than two glasses of red wine a day! (though some days . . .)

I am learning to accept, that like having diabetes, no matter what I do diet wise, It cannot be totally diet controlled. My father who is non-diabetic is also on cholesterol medication, as well as my grandmother who is non diabetic. it runs in the family.