cholesterol

I was taking Simvastatin for my cholesterol but strangely enough it made my heart race and scared the hell outta me,I told my Doctor so she took me off it and started me on Lipitor. My Doctor gave me some free samples on more than one occassion.I was laid off last year and have no Insurance,currently I am not takin any Cholesterol meds…I can't afford them…

I know what you mean. The first cholesterol med my doctor prescribed was $60 a month. Nope, can't add that to my mix. So the next time I was in, he gave me a much less expensive one. I take a simple one called Pravastatin. It is in the $15 for 3 months at Kmart and Walmart. It has worked well for me. You might want to see if that will work for you.

My husband also just started a brand new one Tripilix and it is only $5 a month on Medicare, but they offer a "membership" kind of a card that got him that price, so you might ask about that one too.

just got an update from my doctor's office on the wild numbers previously found on my labs… yeah, it was a tech error… my numbers are steadily improving the LDL is the lowest it has ever been, and over all best it's been. The exercise must be the primary contributing factor… getting active again after so many years of recovery issues that kept me, literally down… all I can say, is this news made my day… yeehaw!

Any time a doctor tells me "Every diabetic should take this" is cause for caution. Ask a lot of questions on Why and what is it supposed to do and what are your natural options. Too often, they are not willing to tell us what dietary changes or exercise changes to make because they don't have faith in our ability to do it.

My cholesterol has come down beautifully with Pravastatin with no side effects. However, while my triglycerides have come down, he wants them lower and was going to prescribe another medicine. I asked him to allow my new diet plan that I worked out with my dietitian to have a chance to work first. So he is giving me 3 months to see if I can keep it going downward on my own. Last thing I want is another pill to take, good grief.

Sometimes you just have to get pushy with them until they realize that you do want to take charge and make the change. Ask him for more options, even supplements. Mine told me to double the intake of my Omega 3 oils to help increase my HDL and to continue in my exercise routine to help it.

There are a lot of options, you guys can work to find one together.

awesome… love the spunk… need it too! and you are so right on target with taking charge… the Pharmasuitical companies are taking our complacency to the bank… get even, take charge… and take your own money to the bank… or take an vacation with it…

I am just getting to know my doctor. It took me almost a year to get into any medical facility, and he is at one of our clinics. I figured I would get not so great help there, but I needed to get things worked out. He is a little on the conservative side, but he and I get along and as I get to know him better I will see how far we can go in working together. I go with my list of questions and he knows he will be in for a "treat" as mine are almost always off the wall, but it's all good so far. He is happy with how I have been doing. Once I got him to understand that I don't just want pills, I want HELP and guidance, I think he was refreshed by that.

After a seven year relationship with my doctor, we know each other's temperaments pretty well… and that helps so much… so time helps in building any relationship, but earning your doctors' respect is so valuable in getting quality attention in health care… Being perpared going in is so important. They work with sick people all the time and that takes a toll on their own health… they see so many people everyday who want them to fix them, while they do little or nothing to take charge of their poor choices. It really is a two way street… if a health professional is truely uncaring, change doctors, the sooner the better… even HMO's have lists of physicians you can choose from… I went through three before I found the one I could work WITH…At my first appointment with him, I told him that I was interested in 'doing the work' and wanted a partnership with him in changing my health for the better. I expected him to hold me accountable… because I sure as hell was going to hold him accountable… He laughed right out, and that was the beginning of a beautiful relationship…I have earned his respect, and he has earned mine. after five years with him, and much positive progress… he commended me, saying…have you noticed, we are seeing less and less of each other? and I said, we sure are… we must be doing something right… lol Then he addded, I really wish more people would take charge of their personal habits and be willing to do the work… he shared with me that he used my case history as a model when he spoke with other doctors about treatment plans for their patients… how cool is that? we can all do this… right Gabby? hit the deck running and no matter where you start… find out what your REAL limitations are, then challenge the hell out of life and see if it is really true… believe you can, and you'll get closer than if you doubt…

I've heard that it's mind over matter… but I believe that it can also be matter over mind… because if we change our enviroments… we will change or behaviors…be cause is we don't put negativity into our space… we can be affected by it… thus, cause and affect…

hugs, Jocelyn

What is your cholesterol breakdown? My opinion is that doctors are far to quick to prescribe cholesterol lowering medication and some have far to aggressive goals for target numbers.

I just went of Lipitor for I was having problems myself..I am still taking Tricor though. I dunno though I also have the neuropathy already…and am on Lyrica for it which helps a GREAT deal. Now its the muscle pain and joints that I am having issues with Lipitor..Like Muffin said though…most MD's can do paperwork and get you what you need covered..look into that maybe?? Good luck! What supplement are you taking may I ask, I may just check it out!! Thanks! Sheila

I was on lipitor too, and my insurance said the same thing , so my Dr. put me on simvastatin, but he said that if it didn't work or I had a problem with it to let him know and he could fix it so they would pay, because I couldn't take the other. Maybe ask your Dr.if he can do the same thing and get the lipitor back for you.