Thursday, June 25, 2009

Bloodwork

Yesterday I went for some routine blood work at Kaiser. I have high cholesterol/triglycerides, but I cannot tolerate the statins that they prescribe for this problem. My last doctor tried me on 4 different kinds and all of them gave me muscle pain and fatigue. He also had me try taking Niacin and OTC Fish Oil.
My problem is genetic, NOT so much what I eat. I remember my mom's doctor used to tell me that my mom could stop eating all together and still have high cholesterol, and it appears I have the same problem. But my mom could take the statins with no problem.
When I was first diagnosed with high cholesterol/triglycerides, my total cholesterol count was 305. I started walking and hiking, tried to watch what I ate and lost 40 lbs. and I got my total count down to 265, but that's the best I could do. The my total count hovered between 270 and 280 for about 4 years. Now it's back up to 300. My good cholesterol however stays around 49 or 50, which is 10 points above normal and that is good.
I admit that I have not been watching my food intake as well as I used too plus Ben and I have started eating out more often again for lunch and I know that the fast-food is not good for me. I'm thinking that this is the reason my numbers have gone back up as I still walk and hike and I've only gained back 10 of the 40 lbs. I lost 5 years ago.
If they could come up with some kind of prescription medication for high cholesterol that did not cause the side effects, I'd take it in a minute.

1 comment:

  1. That's a shame about the side effects of the meds. I really admire you for walking and hiking like you do. I wish I could get motivated to do the same.

    ReplyDelete

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Kay