3 Month Checkup (Kinda)

[Magic8Ball]

Well just got back from seeing the Cardiologist for my '3 Month Checkup' although it's a little short of that and finally had some good news...

My new valve is working perfectly and not leaking at all (good surgeon choice) and my heart chambers have actually shrunk back within range which was something the cardiologist was not expecting.

The only thing that is not quite normal is the thickness of the outer wall but he thinks that will reduce with time and also does not think i am entirely out of range as the figures he works with do not take into account large people of which i certainly qualify. He was also happy with my 10kg weight loss.

So all in all a good day.

One bad thing was my cholesterol which is too high, he wants to put me on lipitor (a statin) because of this and because i have one artery with a 30% blockage that he wants to stop getting bigger/reduce in size if possible.

Now i have read lots of statin bashing on this site of which i have no opinion either way....can anyone enlighten me on why this drug is not such a good idea as i questioned the cardiologist who said it was the only available drug that would reduce my cholesterol by enough to make a difference and that i wouldn't qualify for the alternatives unless i showed a bad reaction to the statin's....

My cholesterol was 5.9 (too high) of which my hdl was 0.9 (too low) and my ldl was 4.5 (too high, cardio wants closer to 2).....this gives a risk ratio of 6.6....

Regards.

 

[aussiemember]

Dave -

Don't know anything about statins but just wanted to congratulate you on an excellent 3 month report - Way To Go Mate (tried to make my congrats a bit Aussie )

 

[WayneGM]

Congratulations on the great report.

My wife's been on Lipitor for high cholestrol for a couple of years, but she has no other heart issues. I'd also be interested in hearing about anything to be concerned about. I have high cholestrol but apparent the "good" kind so I don't need to take anything.

 

[StretchL]

COngrats on the good checkup, Dave! I also dunno about statins, but I do wish you the very best!

 

[barttr1]

Lipitor

Lipitor

Hi Dave,
My cardio put me on Lipitor about three years ago. Since then, I had a Ross done (Jan 2006), and both sureon and cardio want me to stay on Lipitor (just 10mg). I believe that there have been some studies to suggest that Lipitor can be an issue for the liver in a small percentage of users. They can check this during standard blood screening. (Sorry for the lack of technical /medical details.)

In my case, the Lipitor is causing no problems and is doing a fantastic job of keeping my cholesterol WAAY down.

Glad your post-op is progressing well!

Bartt

 

[barttr1]

helpful (scary?) link

helpful (scary?) link

http://cholesterol.emedtv.com/lipitor/lipitor-liver-side-effects.html

Maybe this is more helpful....

Bartt

 

[Magic8Ball]

http://cholesterol.emedtv.com/lipitor/lipitor-liver-side-effects.html

Maybe this is more helpful....

Bartt

Yep, unfortunately not in calming my nerves about taking this drug though...

Would still like to hear some positives from anyone taking this...

I guess i'll make an appointment with my GP to discuss what the cardio has given me....

 

[Bradley White]

I know a lot of people on lipitor who have had no problems at all with it. Of course there are some who have had adverse reactions as is this case with any drug. On this site, it seems to have gotten a bad reputation because of side effects and over-prescription. Undoubtedly, both of these occur. However, this is not to say that it is not a life saving drug for many, many people. I suggest your try it out and see how it works. If you have bad side effects or it isn't working too well then you can swtich to a different drug.

Brad

 

[Jkm7]

Congratulations on your good check up. What good news that your heart enlargement has reduced. I know you are concerned about a leaky valve because of the enlargement. Hopefully the reduction in size will help.

I have taken Lipitor for three years with no apparent problems. I do not seem to have any side effects and my total cholesterol has definitely reduced since beginning it. My total cholesterol is now 123 with LDL of 69 and HDL of 46. I never had horribly high numbers but too high to suit either my cardio or me.

I pay attention to the thread/posts about statins and whether they are effective for women etc I have heart disease so some of the articles don't seem to apply to women who already have heart disease. They talk about whether statins prevent heart disease. I'm more interested in how effective they are in helping to treat someone who has already suffered a heart attack.

 

[Magic8Ball]

I guess i'll just give it a shot and watch carefully for any reactions.

Funny how paranoia sets in, since reading the posts about big budgets of drug companies i've had 3 appointments with doc's for different things and have noticed loads of things in each surgery with the pfizer logo on it or the lipitor logo on it which must have been given free....from staplers to carved wooden height measure's...

 

[aussigal]

Congrats on the almost perfect check-up...thats certainly great news about your heart chambers reducing in size.

I too got stung with the "Cholesterol thing" at a check-up...mine was 5.1 (just over 200 using the USA charts). Was put on Crestor in November and am due to have the blood-work done to check how its working. I was worried about Crestor 'cos it was new in Aus and I had heard/read it interferes with your INR. I decided not to worry about it. More blocked arteries would be a much bigger worry.

I hope you have good results with the Lipitor and dont have to give up any favourite foods 'cos theyre full of cholesterol.

 

[temp69]

Here's to calm you down some. I've been on statins for a few years, no big deal. have your blood checked to make sure your liver is okay.

I'm on lipitor now, and Zetia, which really brings my cholesterol down (about 150 or so I think)

best thing to do is to lose weight. stop eating anything with high fructose corn syrup in it. go and look at the stuff you buy, chances are you're gobbling tons of it. the stuff's rat poison.

don't worry about taking lipitor

 

[Nan]

Congratulations on your wonderful check up. What good news.

Re: Lipitor, I have been on statins for perhaps 8-10 years. First Lipitor and now vytorin which is a combination of Zocor and Zetia. Prior to treatment my cholesterol was close to 400. My last test had me at 190. So, I would say that they work really well.(for me) I have not had any side effects. I know some folks do, and you do need to get regular blood tests to make sure your liver isn't being affected. And you need to just notice if your muscles feel ok.

Most likely you'll do fine with it!

 

[Magic8Ball]

And you need to just notice if your muscles feel ok.

As i said above, i'm aching before i take the tablets, so i'm a little worried i won't notice any difference.

However ive just found out that my mum is taking the same pills (lower dose) and hasn't had any reaction so as long as it runs in the family i should be ok...

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[ptoddy]

Sorry it is a bit lake Magic but congratulations on the good post op check up

Keep it up!!!


Paul