Hypercholesterolemia: your solutions, treatments and feelings

@nineteen_gale‍ 

Thank you for all the tips above.

Am slowly getting used to the 'porridge taste', taking it with raisins and blueberries at the moment. Am sure I'll adjust soon but will keep you posted as to discussions with the Doctor in due course.

Am cooking it with water then adding milk after; so far so good!

@lesmal‍ 

Thank you Lesley for your message. I am glad you are slowly getting accustomed to porridge. You are doing the right thing, eating it with Blue berries and raisins. You might also like to ry with dries mixed fruits, mixec seeds and nuts. Seeds and nuts have healthy fats required by the body, including Avocado pears. They help to lower your cholesterol. Yes please, do keep me posted after your consultation with GP.

Good luck

nineteen_gale 

@nineteen_gale @lesmal 

How to measure your cholesterol level on a daily basis? In case of hypercholesterolemia, this may be useful to evaluate the effectiveness of your treatment or a change in diet.

Cholesterol readers may be a solution but they are still not widely used.

They allow home tests to be carried out by placing a drop of blood on a strip: simple tests offer a colorimetric reading while electronic analyzers measure the total cholesterol level or even display a complete lipid balance.

These tests can be found on the Internet, in pharmacies or in medical equipment stores.

Have you ever used them before? Do you think these readers are reliable? Would you prefer to ask your doctor for blood tests? Is price a barrier for you?

@JosephineO

Thank you Josephine for this valuable information. 

No, I have not heard of it, but I suppose they would be available in Local Drug stores or Pharmacy. I personally would not like to test my Cholesterol on daily basis and be obsessed with it. I have my Fasting Lipids and total Cholesterol checks through my GP twice a year. At one time my Cholesterol had gone up to 6.4 when I was commenced on Staten. They did not suit me. I had severe muscle weakness and cramps it shot my Creatinine Kinase level very high. I was then commenced on substitute Cholesterol lowering medication called Azetemide which lessened the degree of muscle weakness and spasms, and brought my Cholesterol level down to 5..7 So under GP's supervision, I came off the medication, and with healthy diet, and exercise, I am managing to keep my levels down. I am due for Cholesterol check in 6 weeks. Will be interesting to find out if my levels have stayed down without medication. I hope they have.

@JosephineO‍ ... Thank you for the information; I presume they will be available soon if not already. I haven't tried but managed to see the doctor recently regarding statins. 

@nineteen_gale‍ ... I spoke to the Doctor re Furetimide and he didn't think it would make much difference. He was happy for me to stop Pravastatin and control cholesterol through diet and exercise. 

I am sure he will test cholesterol levels again in the next few months. 

Thank you all for your suggestions and support! 

Never heard of Furetimide. I was on Azetemide and i found them to be very good. it is good for you to contol your Cholesterol with healthy eating and exercise. Good luck with that. Pomegranate and water melon are very good Cholesterol lowering fruits. Keep continuity with exercises, at least 30 minutes a day for 5 days.

Good luck

@nineteen_gale‍ .. Apologies. .. I meant Azetemide as per your cardiologist. Will keep you posted as to progress.