Fed Up

[derry60]

I was prescribed statins by my GP and I threw them straight to the bin.

Cholesterol can be naturally reduced by avoiding red meat, processed foods, saturated fats, prawns and crabs for now.

I also suggest drink Alpro unsweetened soya milk diluted with still water!

Prawns have no impact on blood Cholesterol. I don't think that red meat does either. Many eat red meat on the low carb woe

 

[jayney27]

Yes my doctor has ordered another blood test in 3 months for my diabetes and a cholesterol test in 6 months. I'm definitely interested in trying plant sterols to see if they help me. I really do not want to try the statins again.
I feel embarrassed saying, but with my health anxiety I see the worst in everything health wise, soon as I read the pancreas produces insulin, I start to convince myself I may have pancreatic cancer and start getting symptoms, when I was made aware about my cholesterol I'm convincing myself Im heading for an heart attack and start with symptoms. My life over the last 2 weeks have been like a living hell. Normal people just get on with it, unfortunately I can't, and it's not without trying either. I'm still waiting on an appointment to see a CBT specialist who can help me over come this anxiety. When I'm not sleeping, 90% of my thoughts are taken up with "what ifs"
I can honestly say, I cannot remember the last time I felt happy. My wife's birthday was recently and she said it was one of the best she has had. Yet it is all a front on my side because this nasty horrible health anxiety is always there.
We go on holiday next week, everyone is happy looking forward to it, me again is in termoil in my head thinking "what if I get poorly" "what if something is seriously wrong with me" it goes on and on and never let's up.
This forum as been a great support and opened many doors for me to start looking into other ways of dealing with health issues.
I do think a more natural approach is better than prescription meds, Im due to see the nurse tomorrow evening so I will ask her if she can give me a print out of blood test results.
Thanks again for all your replies.

Hi Marcus
I can relate to your worries about going on holiday and fearing that you won't enjoy it due to worrying about being unwell. I found myself in this situation twice. The first time was April 2017, I had a health scare, at this time I wasn't diabetic and was generally fit and well, the scare however was a big one, 3 days before I was due to go away I was at the hospital for investigations, the results would come back while I was away, not ideal but, my partner and I decided that we would go and do our best to not discuss possible outcomes or worry, we would face whatever it was when we got home. Thankfully I was given the all clear.
Fast forward to October 2017, visited the doctor, nothing serious, but being a female of a certain age, it was suggested that it might be a good idea to get a full blood test done, I agreed. The results came back, I was informed by the receptionist that there was an issue with my iron levels, not urgent, go on holiday but come in as soon as you get back for repeat bloods. This time around because we didn't really know what the potential health implications might be, it was a little harder to not worry and surmise, but as soon as we got to our hotel, my partner again suggested that we enjoy ourselves, worrying while we were thousands of miles away wasn't going to change anything, so whatever it was we would deal with it in the appropriate place, home not on hols.
As I'm writing to you via this forum you can rightly guess that this was when I was diagnosed with diabetes. As it urns out there were no concerns with my iron, the results were misinterpreted by the receptionist, I have since that episode signed up to get my results online.
I think what I'm hoping to convey is that you can use your time away from the normal routines to pressures to gain a little bit of perspective, maybe say to your wife that you would like to spend some quality time together and that together you will do whatever is necessary once you return. I expect she is worried too, but if you both make the same promise hopefully you can enjoy being away together.

I don't think you are alone in fearing the worst and imagining that the worse fate possible is waiting for you. However many times this isn't the case, again personally, I have a very good friend who shouldn't be here but is and is well and enjoying life.

I hope you have a wonderful holiday and when you get home things settle down for you. I'm now looking forward to my second holiday this year, life is to be lived in the best way we can.

 

[Alexandra100]

I was prescribed statins by my GP and I threw them straight to the bin.

I hope you are not in the UK, as this would have been a waste of precious NHS resources. Even elsewhere in the world it was a waste of the world's resources and an increase in the world's garbage disposal problems..

 

[Alexandra100]

the low carb woe

Yes! That's the diet I'm on. I just never knew its true name before.

 

[Resurgam]

I can stick to my low carb diet with a will of iron as I took Metformin and a statin for a few weeks two years ago.
My quality of life was so low that I even contemplated suicide, but then I stopped taking the tablets, stopped crying and itching and aching and forgetting that I was doing, I even managed to remember where I left the car at the supermarket after a few weeks. If the doctor were to suggest that I start taking them again I would decline. Extending a life not worth living is not a privilege but a punishment.
I was really put out to discover that eating low carb not only corrected my diabetes but lowered my cholesterol too.
If your doctor will listen to you them I suggest that you explain about your pain and that you wish to stop it - what suggestions can be made? I appreciate your anxiety causes difficulties, would a telephone consultation be possible perhaps?

 

[Marcus1234]

Hi Marcus
I can relate to your worries about going on holiday and fearing that you won't enjoy it due to worrying about being unwell. I found myself in this situation twice. The first time was April 2017, I had a health scare, at this time I wasn't diabetic and was generally fit and well, the scare however was a big one, 3 days before I was due to go away I was at the hospital for investigations, the results would come back while I was away, not ideal but, my partner and I decided that we would go and do our best to not discuss possible outcomes or worry, we would face whatever it was when we got home. Thankfully I was given the all clear.
Fast forward to October 2017, visited the doctor, nothing serious, but being a female of a certain age, it was suggested that it might be a good idea to get a full blood test done, I agreed. The results came back, I was informed by the receptionist that there was an issue with my iron levels, not urgent, go on holiday but come in as soon as you get back for repeat bloods. This time around because we didn't really know what the potential health implications might be, it was a little harder to not worry and surmise, but as soon as we got to our hotel, my partner again suggested that we enjoy ourselves, worrying while we were thousands of miles away wasn't going to change anything, so whatever it was we would deal with it in the appropriate place, home not on hols.
As I'm writing to you via this forum you can rightly guess that this was when I was diagnosed with diabetes. As it urns out there were no concerns with my iron, the results were misinterpreted by the receptionist, I have since that episode signed up to get my results online.
I think what I'm hoping to convey is that you can use your time away from the normal routines to pressures to gain a little bit of perspective, maybe say to your wife that you would like to spend some quality time together and that together you will do whatever is necessary once you return. I expect she is worried too, but if you both make the same promise hopefully you can enjoy being away together.

I don't think you are alone in fearing the worst and imagining that the worse fate possible is waiting for you. However many times this isn't the case, again personally, I have a very good friend who shouldn't be here but is and is well and enjoying life.

I hope you have a wonderful holiday and when you get home things settle down for you. I'm now looking forward to my second holiday this year, life is to be lived in the best way we can.

Thanks Jayney.
My wife came with me for my blood results and listened to what the doctor said. I have asked my wife what she thought about the doctor appointment and she said the doctor was very good apart from the statins. She said he has given you a full MOT and your health is good apart from the type 2 diabetes and the heart disease which can be slowed down or maybe reversed with good diet and exercise. She said he went through my blood results one by one and I'm not due anymore blood test for 3 months.
I understand that people always look at the worst case scenario but mine can be excessive and I think I get on my wife's nerves with it (even though she hasn't said)
She reminded me the other day about our return flight from Crete and we did laugh about it because our gate number had changed from 10 to 13 it sent me over the edge into panic mode. The reason behind the panic is because I see number 13 as an unlucky number and panicked for 4.5 hours back to the UK. (Pathetic I know)
We are looking forward to the break away and spending quality time together. I have been trying some thought switching techniques and sometimes they work and sometimes they don't, I am very focused on improving my quality of life and living life to the fullest, but it can be something that I have read or a comment that is made that starts the health anxiety ball rolling, when that happens it can take weeks or even months to get back to being somewhat normal again. My doctor is aware of this now because my wife told him and he said he will chase up the appointment I made myself and he will also refer me to the CBT specialist through the NHS.
Thanks again and enjoy your second holiday.

 

[Marcus1234]

I hope you are not in the UK, as this would have been a waste of precious NHS resources. Even elsewhere in the world it was a waste of the world's resources and an increase in the world's garbage disposal problems..

I wouldn't throw them in the rubbish, I would return them to the pharmacy who would probably throw them away and waste more NHS money.

 

[Bluetit1802]

I wouldn't throw them in the rubbish, I would return them to the pharmacy who would probably throw them away and waste more NHS money.

I returned an unopened, still sealed, box of tablets recently to the pharmacy. I asked what becomes of them. She said they are collected by a delivery van and taken to a central depot somewhere. She didn't know what happens after that. I did wonder if they are sorted and sent to 3rd World countries. Maybe, maybe not.

 

[Marcus1234]

I can stick to my low carb diet with a will of iron as I took Metformin and a statin for a few weeks two years ago.
My quality of life was so low that I even contemplated suicide, but then I stopped taking the tablets, stopped crying and itching and aching and forgetting that I was doing, I even managed to remember where I left the car at the supermarket after a few weeks. If the doctor were to suggest that I start taking them again I would decline. Extending a life not worth living is not a privilege but a punishment.
I was really put out to discover that eating low carb not only corrected my diabetes but lowered my cholesterol too.
If your doctor will listen to you them I suggest that you explain about your pain and that you wish to stop it - what suggestions can be made? I appreciate your anxiety causes difficulties, would a telephone consultation be possible perhaps?

I have spoken with the doctor about my concerns but I may as well speak to the wall. He is adamant I take them.
The ironic thing about this, is the video clip that was posted about statins, I watched it and he said statins can lead to raised liver enzymes and possible type 2 diabetes. Early last year I found some statins that was in date and tried them for 8 months and suffered terribly with the side effects, eventually I give up on them and could not cope any longer. Jumping forward to April this year and I started to feel fatigued, dizziness, headaches and urinating more often especially at night. 8 weeks later I am diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Maybe if I wouldn't have taken the statins for 8 months maybe I wouldn't have diabetes now. Maybe there is a connection between the two.

 

[jayney27]

Thanks Jayney.
My wife came with me for my blood results and listened to what the doctor said. I have asked my wife what she thought about the doctor appointment and she said the doctor was very good apart from the statins. She said he has given you a full MOT and your health is good apart from the type 2 diabetes and the heart disease which can be slowed down or maybe reversed with good diet and exercise. She said he went through my blood results one by one and I'm not due anymore blood test for 3 months.
I understand that people always look at the worst case scenario but mine can be excessive and I think I get on my wife's nerves with it (even though she hasn't said)
She reminded me the other day about our return flight from Crete and we did laugh about it because our gate number had changed from 10 to 13 it sent me over the edge into panic mode. The reason behind the panic is because I see number 13 as an unlucky number and panicked for 4.5 hours back to the UK. (Pathetic I know)
We are looking forward to the break away and spending quality time together. I have been trying some thought switching techniques and sometimes they work and sometimes they don't, I am very focused on improving my quality of life and living life to the fullest, but it can be something that I have read or a comment that is made that starts the health anxiety ball rolling, when that happens it can take weeks or even months to get back to being somewhat normal again. My doctor is aware of this now because my wife told him and he said he will chase up the appointment I made myself and he will also refer me to the CBT specialist through the NHS.
Thanks again and enjoy your second holiday.

This post already reads more positivity, you just need to take baby steps and take each day as it comes. I find it does help to have things to look forward to and hopefully enjoy. Your wife sounds very supportive which must be a great relief to you.
Where are you going for your holiday? I was in Crete in May, we had a lovely relaxing time while we were there.

 

[bulkbiker]

my cholesterol 2.5 years ago was 4.5, it is now 7.5 which means I have this condition regarding heart disease, she also told me my liver count was very high and asked if I drank alcohol, I do not drink and she said it will be because of your fatty liver then.

High cholesterol does not mean you have heart disease it simply means you have "high" cholesterol.
There is a huge amount of debate and controversy about cholesterol levels and their effect on health.

If your doctor really implied

Without him saying it, he was basically saying take them or you may suffer an heart attack.

then he is very ignorant of what "high" cholesterol is and the impact on your health.

Total cholesterol is a pretty meaningless number and you really need to see the breakdown of HDL, LDL and triglycerides.
If you didn't get those results then I would suggest asking for them (if they were measured in your test) and if they weren't then ask for a repeat test with "a full lipid profile" which you should have fasted for 10-12 hours before. Without knowing at least this there is no way I would be taking any pills that I know have a bad effect on me. If he is really worried then you could ask for a Coronary Artery Calcium Scan which actually looks for plaque build up in the heart rather than using cholesterol as a very bad proxy measure.

 

[Mbaker]

Hi @Marcus1234 I would point you towards videos from Ivor Cummins and David Fieldman on Youtube, for some clarification.

Eric Westman also states that doing LCHF has no evidence of being problematic with FH, as tests have shown issues with those on high carb (I would still play devils advocate if you do have FH) The ApoE4 gene which defines familiar hypercholesterolemia is meant to be a throw back to our evolutionary past, that has remained in some.

I think you should be specifically get tested due to your previous 4.5 reading. Also consider the calcium scan, as this as pointed out by @bulkbiker is the equivalent if not better than a HbA1c for blood glucose (Nuffield Health are a UK company which do this)

 

[DCUKMod]

Last week I recieved a call from the doctors receptionist to tell me my blood results are back and I have type 2 diabetes. and raised cholesterol 7.5 and raised liver AST ASL. I asked the receptionist if the doctor wants to discuss my results and she said no.I questioned this and was told if I want to see the doctor I can.
Today I visited the doctor to discuss my results and have been told that everything is good apart from my type 2 diagnosis and that I also have familial hypercholesterolemia which is a genetic condition. This means I am at a greater risk of heart disease and my risk of heart attack is the same as a 70 year old.
The Doctor wants me to take 40mg astrovastatin daily, however the last time I took these I suffered terribly with side effects, the doctor said even so, I have to take them.
I struggle daily with health anxiety and in the space of 2 weeks I have been diagnosed with the above conditions and feel worse than I did before my diagnosis.
I'm suffering daily with left flank and rib pain, lightheadedness, stomach ache and nauseous. I think this may be due to metformin, if I start statins I believe my symptoms will escalate further because the last time I was taking statins I did not have any energy at all and was aching all over my body.
Sorry for the rant and moaning but I thought I had achieved something by going to my doctor's and getting a proper diagnosis but now I feel like everything is falling down around me.

Thank you

Hi there Marcus - I justs wanted to mention that the treatment of familial hypererchlestorolaemia can differrr from "ordinary" elevated lipids. Do you have other family members who have had heart issues or hesart attcks at a fairly young age?

At one stage, my GP was concerned about my lipid levels and suggested the potential for the familial sort. At that point she mentioned the treatment can differ and that alternative (to stains) meds are more readily available. You could consider asking your GP to make a referal forr you to a hospital Lipids Clinic.

Good luck with it all, and enjoy your break.

 

[bulkbiker]

Hi there Marcus - I justs wanted to mention that the treatment of familial hypererchlestorolaemia can differrr from "ordinary" elevated lipids. Do you have other family members who have had heart issues or hesart attcks at a fairly young age?

At one stage, my GP was concerned about my lipid levels and suggested the potential for the familial sort. At that point she mentioned the treatment can differ and that alternative (to stains) meds are more readily available. You could consider asking your GP to make a referal forr you to a hospital Lipids Clinic.

Good luck with it all, and enjoy your break.

Surely though you either have FH from birth or you don't?
Is it something that can develop?
I seriously doubt that the GP is in any position to diagnose this at all as a previous total cholesterol was 4.5 mmol... and is just "making it up".

 

[dbr10]

Surely though you either have FH from birth or you don't?
Is it something that can develop?
I seriously doubt that the GP is in any position to diagnose this at all as a previous total cholesterol was 4.5 mmol... and is just "making it up".

If it's genetic it must show from birth I would have thought.

 

[Marcus1234]

This post already reads more positivity, you just need to take baby steps and take each day as it comes. I find it does help to have things to look forward to and hopefully enjoy. Your wife sounds very supportive which must be a great relief to you.
Where are you going for your holiday? I was in Crete in May, we had a lovely relaxing time while we were there.

Yes my wife is very supportive and has a good idea what is going on in my head at times. I am trying small steps and hoping there is light at the end of the tunnel.
We are going to Barcelona, we have been before and loved it so going again. There is so much to see and do La Rambla, Gothic quarter, the marina/harbour, Sagrada Familia, and Barcelona beach.
We went to Crete in October 2016 and it was just out of season, we had a lovely time and on the second from last day "I got food poisoning" then moved to gate 13 etc etc etc

 

[Marcus1234]

If it's genetic it must show from birth I would have thought.

My thoughts exactly

 

[Alexandra100]

I wouldn't throw them in the rubbish, I would return them to the pharmacy who would probably throw them away and waste more NHS money.

Yes, sadly UK pharmacies are usually not allowed to accept returned meds, however well sealed. Best therefore never to cash in a prescription unless one intends to at least try taking the drug.

 

[dbr10]

My thoughts exactly

And I never had a problem before.

 

[Marcus1234]

Surely though you either have FH from birth or you don't?
Is it something that can develop?
I seriously doubt that the GP is in any position to diagnose this at all as a previous total cholesterol was 4.5 mmol... and is just "making it up".

That is what puzzled me, I have reduced my cholesterol in the past. My GP says that because it has reached 7.5 that it is now FH genetic and when it gets back to normal levels I will be kept on a lower dose 10mg statins for the rest of my life.