Monday, March 15, 2010

What Am I?


  • I am 10.7mmol/L. & rising. (normal values less than 4.9mmol/L.)
  • I cause much grief & angst to my Owner.
  • I seem totally immune to strict dietary controls & high levels of aerobic exercise.


Yes, I am MOTH's cholesterol level. On Friday he received a copy of his latest test results with the following note from Dr. Tony.

'Dear MOTH - What are we going to do about this??? You are still the current record holder at the Clinic.'

He's tried everything - various statins didn't work, with one causing near-disastrous side effects. He eats well, with the fruit, vegies & legumes far outweighing the proteins, sugars & complex carbs. He has rolled oats & skinny milk most mornings for brekkie in an attempt to 'sop' up the enemy cholesterol. He has a physically demanding job, so gets heaps of gut-busting exercise every day. He rows on the water & in the gym & loves exercise. He's cut his alcohol intake down to one lo-cal stubbie a day & a small glass of red wine with dinner. Yet the levels are still escalating - from 9.1mmol/L. in April 2008, with this last LDL skyrocketing almost past a measurable amount. He is totally asymptomatic & on imaging there is not the slightest evidence of diffuse cardiovascular disease.

He is the victim of familial hypercholesterolemia, all his rellies had the same issues, yet all lived to their 80's & 90's. The poor darling has spent the weekend in a big deep hole, thinking that despite all his best efforts things have only got worse. What to do next, I don't know. He's back to the Dr. later in the week & is not looking forward to more lectures. It's horrible to see the stooped shoulders & weary look of defeat. Send him a hug today, he needs as many as he can get. Damn cholesterol!

Image: Quotes To Live By

27 comments:

  1. Oh, poor MOTH! I'm certaintly no expert on any matters medical, but surely the family history suggests that he could expect a similar long and healthy life? He's obviously doing everything right.
    Chin up MOTH,
    Kerri x

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  2. i would definitely look here:

    lef.org

    and see what their protocol is for lowering cholesterol. they are my 'health bible' and helped me recover from my disease and surgeries.

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  3. Oh Millie, I am sorry for MOTH, it is a constant battle and one that just isn't fair especially when he is being so good. I hope a solution is not far at hand.
    On another note, I am passing on the Sunshine Award to you for all your kind words over the past months. It has meant a lot to me. Thank you!
    Jeanne
    PS..I will think low cholesterol thoughts for MOTH :)

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  4. Ohhhh- poor darling MOTH. I have a friend that battles this very thing. She's doing everything right- and enjoys very few of lifes little pleasures-still those number ski-rocket. Right now she is in the midst of many high-tech-tests to try to figure this all out. Sounds like MOTH is doing it all correctly too.

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  5. Oh poor MOTH....

    Millie, my girfriend G also has cholesterol issues, despite her cutting almost all known fat from her diet. She's petite and slim, exercises and eats right...but is now on a half a tablet of some sort each day to get her cholesterol in check. She hates having to pop a pill each day but her (and my) attitude is, be thankful we live in an age where there are drugs available to help us along the way...

    He'll be OK, despite being in a bit of a funk...poor thing
    Lesley

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  6. awwwwww....
    that is so sad for moth to work so hard at something.....depriving him self of all his favorite things, and still the numbers climb.

    he might try actual cod liver oil made by 'carlson.'it is the best there is...yes...you pour it onto a spoon and swallow it.
    i am no health nut, but you should try this.
    it is great for the cholesterol and a myriad of other things
    i take it for my A.D.D. and it helps.
    just try one bottle and see what happens.

    moth,
    here is a big hug for you all your efforts.

    xx

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  7. Well, that clearly sucks! MOTH has my permission to have a full-strength beer tonight and watch a DVD of the Victoria Secrets fashion parade. Hugs.x

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  8. Hi Ya MOTH,

    I'm not a medical expert by an stretch of the imagination. It sounds like you are doing all you can to bring your cholestrol levels down. You sound healthier than most people and it sounds like there is something in the gene pool that is causing this trouble! Keep your chin up MOTH, and I hope they get to the bottom of this soon.
    Take care
    Janine
    XXOO
    N.W. Coast Tassie

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  9. Awww, MOTH. Sorry to hear about this. I hope someone can figure out something soon. Sending my best wishes!

    Happy Sunday.

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  10. This book saved the life of a neighbor who was a marathon runner & triathlete. He too was burdened with bad family genes of High Cholesterol.

    http://engine2diet.com/

    Good Luck and I hope you find a solution.

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  11. Oh dear MOTH... so sorry.
    HugHugHug!
    And a little kiss on the cheek too!

    Keep up the good work MOTH! Sounds like you are doing everything right.
    thinking of you and Miss M....
    joan

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  12. Millie, my sweet friend, I stumbled across this a few months ago and I wondered what you and MOTH might think of it.

    http://www.youtube.com/user/FatHeadMovie


    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8SSCNaaDcE&feature=related

    Always trying to find the truth, it is hard. Hope this helps. Heidi

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  13. Hi Millie and MOTH,
    sending big, colesterol-lowering hugs over your way as we speak!
    I'ts so unfair when despite your very best efforts, you don't see the results! I am glad to hear that you are very healthy regardless though... keep it up!
    :)

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  14. This is a good one. You don't have to publish my comments unless you think it will help. I know what you do for a living. Heidi

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghnf4-8PjR8&feature=related

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  15. How utterly frustrating! I wish I had some kind of recommendation, but I don't..just much love to you MOTH, I sincerely hope some solutions can be found..My husband has a PhD in genetics and he is always saying it all comes down to bloody genes in the end! Not very helpful..Rachaelx

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  16. Big hugs to you MOTH. Am I allowed to say that I think that there are some, like MOTH, who are always going to debunk the whole high cholesterol theory! I'm with Brismod - have a real beer tonight, and don't fret anymore. xx

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  17. Hi Millie - Poor MOTH - Mr A is in the same boat and he also eats well - family history - if you find the solution send it my way as well!! Leanne

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  18. OverthehillbutgreatviewMarch 15, 2010 at 9:35 PM

    Yes MOTH you deserve hugs through blogland. Hope they can find help and soon. xD

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  19. Thinking LOW LOW LOW for MOTH! Have no advice but it looks like there are some others here who have some opinions on the matter!
    Chin up mate!
    xo Lisa & the MR.

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  20. Well dayum.

    We had a Swiss Dr. friend, and he essentially poo-pooed our cholesterol fascination in this country. Who knows...but if all his rellies have it and live well into their 80's and 90's...

    Keep making the great choices.

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  21. Hi MOTH and Mill's,
    What a rotten shame that, even when you do everything right, it still won't go down.
    I am with Kerri though. It looks as if MOTH's family have all suffered with this problem but still live to a good old age so, maybe it's fine although, one would want to keep looking for a solution.Mine was 6 and the statin's have worked for me but, now they are saying that the statins aren't good for your liver and you have to have that monitored so, you can't win.
    There is, of course the 'Victoria's Secret Syndrome' that could be addressed !! perhaps watching that on a regular basis produces more of the stuff but, Mr Home is a devotee as you know of Victoria's Secret and his cholesterol is fine.!!!!
    Sending hugs, kisses and love MOTH's way and here's hoping the doc has another solution.
    Lots of love MOTH. XXXX

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  22. I have no advice so I send my thoughts and prayers to you and MOTH today.

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  23. Thank goodness our grandparents never had cholesterol tests! They'd never have lasted as long as they did ;-) I would jokingly say to give him a good feed of Roquefort and wine as it doesn't look like the healthy stuff's working. But I guess a big hug is surely more appropriate. Bugger it all!

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  24. Millie, I am sending hugs from all of us here...that's a whole lot of hugging going on for our beloved MOTH.

    A friend of mine recently had great success incorporating not only the rolled oats for brekky, but using oat milk as well. Looks like you've been given lots of helpful links by the other Hedgies, hope there's a solution in there for you. Meredy xo.

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  25. Oh dear, poor MOTH. You know my poor dad was told to cut back on the colestrol, and he was so good at it that though there was only a slight difference to the reading, he was practically emaciated!!! The Dr. took one look at him and said, Forget it! I think with MOTHs family history maybe he shouldn't worry so much either. Good luck.

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  26. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/niacin/CL00036


    Taken with or without a cholesterol lowering drug..

    talk to the doctor about it..

    we (hubby) has horribly high cholesterol, also.
    ahoy from Coastal Nest!

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  27. Scary stuff, my heart goes out to you.
    My Hubby's cholesterol was checked about a month ago and it was 300.
    I've been meaning to post on it, but my emotions are to fresh right now. He used to be on medication for it, but it had caused some liver and kidney damage and he had to spend some time in the hosp. (Long story) We are currently trying to figure out what to do and looking forward to meeting a nutritionist and a herbalist to discus some more natural options. Hopefully safer options.
    If you find any good info, please be sure to let me know. We are pretty desparate ourselves. You and your family will be in our prayers.
    Many Blessings,
    Molly

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And none will hear the postman's knock
Without a quickening of the heart.
For who can bear to feel himself forgotten?
~W.H. Auden

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