Last night I kept thinking about the cholesterol numbers and this morning I began doing some research. I found several articles that say when you’ve lost even as few as 10 pounds, and are continuing to lose, it is not uncommon for your cholesterol to go up.
There are enough articles from various sites that I feel confident that my levels are up because of the weight loss and I’m not concerned. Here’s a quote from Canada Drug Pharmacy, which succinctly says what at least a dozen other articles I read had to say.
If you’re in the process of losing weight and your blood cholesterol levels are going up in spite of your weight loss, don’t panic. It’s completely normal for blood cholesterol levels to go up temporarily as your body burns some of the stored fat it’s carrying for fuel. You won’t be able to get accurate blood cholesterol readings until your weight has stabilized for at least four weeks, and your blood cholesterol levels have had a chance to normalize.
I am in the midst of losing so . . I’m no longer concerned.
As far as statins, I am not a doctor and I am not giving medical advice. Everyone has to make their own decision. My guess is there are some people who really NEED to be on statins. If you’re taking a statin or, are not opposed to taking a statin, that’s your choice and I do not fault you for it. I’m hesitant to even mention my reasons because no one who is taking them should get off them without first talking to their doctor. DO NOT MAKE A HEALTH DECISION BASED ON MY OPINION!
First, and foremost behind a whole lot of my medical opinions (and this is purely OPINION) is this: The pharmaceutical companies have lobbied for so many things that we don’t even have accurate knowledge any more on what is really in our best interest. I disagree vehemently with the amount of vaccines babies are given in rapid succession. In my opinion, some vaccines are great and some, I would be hard pressed to give my child based on what I’ve read lately.
I believe that some levels of various test results which are considered beyond “normal” have been influenced by the drug industry and I believe cholesterol is one of those levels.
Vince and I have done lots of research about statins. He was taking them and about the middle of the year, he decided he was not going to take them any longer, called and talked the doctor who said fine but let’s monitor your cholesterol. Not taking them, his levels are barely above normal.
Here’s where some of you may differ with me and some of you may simply get upset with me but I believe that so much of what we take meds for . . we’re simply being lazy. I believe that many (NOT ALL) of us can reduce our cholesterol by diet and exercise. That is why I was so baffled at my numbers but now I understand. There are some who cannot but I am not willing to accept that I am one who cannot. Who sets the levels at which we should be on meds? Is that level influenced by the drug industry?
Vince and I each get a coronary artery CT scan each year. We believe that tells more than a cholesterol reading and since having our last one, we’re both in good shape with our arteries.
Another area where many will differ with me but when I was volunteering at Chad’s school when he was in middle school (and he’s now almost 29), I was shocked at home many kids came to the nurse for their ADHD meds. Many had significant behavior problems. I know there are instances where kids are truly in need of these meds but there are SO MANY kids taking them. When Chad started kindergarten in public school, within days I was called in and told he needed to be tested for ADHD. I said no! Chad was an only child, used to being the center of attention and he had lots of energy and I was not going to stifle that, though I also was not going to put up with him being a distraction in class. I worked on reducing sugar and some food dyes. I can’t remember what all we did but we worked our tails off trying to get him to “conform” to public school “standards”. After about 3 more teacher conferences, we pulled him out of public school, put him in a private school where they had an entirely different attitude about discipline (yes, he had a few encounters with the principal’s paddle) but he excelled there. When we moved to Kentucky, and there was no private school available so we put him back in public school, it was back to getting recommendations to put him on meds and I fought it all the way through middle school. Finally, by the time he got to high school, he toned it down enough that I no longer got repeated requests to have him put on meds, but he was still a handful. Chad is energetic, creative and definitely has his own personality. I got so tired of school staff wanting all kids to fit into a little mold with less and less individualism.
There is not a doubt in my mind that based on today’s standards, if the meds given to school children today had been available when I was a kid, I would have been the poster child for them. I could not sit still . . still can’t. I would start something and jump to something else. I still do that today. You know how I operate. But, in my opinion, and again, it may be just an excuse .. it’s my energy level, my desire to do EVERYTHING . . even if some things I just start and never finish . . that makes me who I am today.
Here’s an example: I truly cannot sit through a movie. I lose interest. My mind wanders. After a few minutes I have no idea what’s going on in the movie and then I really have a hard time sitting still. I could take meds or, I can just not go to the movies! I can sit at home and knit while Vince watches a movie. Watch it if I’m interested or not pay any attention if I’m not interested. If there’s something that truly grabs my interest, I can sit through it without ever losing interest. I believe that in the interest of streamlining everything and passing government mandated testing, the schools have totally lost track of how to interest students. The tests are what matters. When I was a kid, there were levels of reading groups even in first and second grade. There was the slow group, the medium group and the advanced group. Do they even still have that? Some kids didn’t care. They were happy to be given one book to read all year. Others wanted to work hard and move up to where they were given several books a week to read. We’ve lost the competition or incentive that we once had because everyone has to be equal. Take me to a movie that 99% of the people love (Star Wars for instance) and if I don’t like it, I’m supposed to sit still and be quiet for 2 or 3 hours. Even as an adult .. I cannot do it.
I see kids in Walmart and my first thought is “I’d hate to be a teacher!”, and I’m not blaming the teachers .. there’s no way to have a learning atmosphere with the behavior of some kids but I’m wondering . . are these kids sitting in front of a TV while at home or are they out running and playing and jumping in piles of leaves? Are they out fishing in the local creek and knowing the joy of sitting quietly and waiting for the fish to bite? Are they eating fast food and soda or eating home cooked meals with water or milk? Are they going to bed at a regular time and getting enough sleep? Are they relaxed and feeling loved in a happy home? Or, are they getting screamed at for everything they do that disturb’s mom and dad’s tv show or interrupts their texting?
I know I sound pretty judgmental but look at families at restaurants. Are mom and dad interacting with the kids or are the kids sitting there trying to find something to do to entertain themselves while mom and dad are on the phone – texting or talking or looking for Pokemon?
Again, I’m not blaming the teachers. If I had a classroom full of kids who act like some I see out, I’d probably forget giving meds to the kids and be taking them myself.
Finally, my latest concern has been Type 2 Diabetes. I am a sugar addict. I hate to admit this but when baking or using sugar, it’s not rare for me to eat a teaspoon (or two) of sugar . . just out of the canister. I was drinking 5 or 6 Dr. Peppers per day. I mentioned in this morning’s post about my glucose levels. I’m not a stupid person but I never knew much about Type 2 Diabetes and didn’t realize that my bad eating habits could result in a Type 2 Diabetes diagnosis. My glucose levels are down from 106 to 77. Vince and I are testing ourselves at home so I knew my levels had come way down.
So many of our “illnesses” can be controlled by what we eat, exercise, maintaining a healthy lifestyle by reducing stress and getting enough sleep.
I will mention this again – do not take what I’m saying as medical gospel. This is just my opinion. I urge you, if you’re interested, do some research; find some documentaries and watch them. There are some real kooks out there (yep . . you’re probably thinking . . I’m reading a pretty kooky blog post right now!), find someone you trust and that seems to make sense. Listen to both sides of every argument, research both positions, talk with your doctor and then think about what you want to do.
We’re lucky that our doctor is very conservative. He was telling Vince about a rowing machine he uses that has helped him greatly reduce his weight and cholesterol. There are doctors out there who will agree with a conservative approach and doctors who will not. Again, find what’s best for you.
In all cases, we all need to do our homework about what’s best for us and not just blindly accept everything we’re told.
Cynthia says
I agree with you 100% on this. Years ago, more than 20 years, I went to the U of UT Medical Center to a heart Dr. because of high cholesterol. It is inherited. He told me in years to come drs. would try to force me to take statins and to never do it. He said they are a bad drug and the truth about the side effects were being hidden. I have not taken them although my 2 sisters do and both of them have developed heart issues. I have not. Is there a connection? Don’t know but I try to use herbs, good eating habits and exercise to stay healthy. It all takes work and commitment which in our fast food world isn’t always easy.
Lisa G Boyer says
Thank you, I enjoyed this! It’s so refreshing to read an opinion that’s based upon independent research, critical thinking, personal responsibility, and most importantly, observation. We must all be our own health advocates. “N=1” is such an important concept to remember–your test group is one (you). And I can also say this: your “ADHD” has served you well. My husband and son were also tagged as possible ADHD’s, and now one is a chiropractic physician and inventor and one has a doctorate in biochemistry. Both are brilliant men, and my husband can’t stand TV either!
Kathleen says
I totally agree with so much you said! It frustrates and even angers me that people cause so much of their health problems themselves. And then want an easy fix (pills) but won’t put forth the effort in ways where they can make a difference. I’m guilty of bad eating too often (I love carbs!) but try to keep things in balance. And being a former teacher, don’t get me started on the school system, parenting and the state of things now. (I loved the kids (most days) but what you think of as teaching is such a small part of the job now.) But I do try to keep an positive outlook on our future.
Linda in NE says
Judy, I agree with you entirely! Kids are definitely over-drugged. What they really need is better diet and plenty of opportunity to run off the energy. Plus, I think the smart ones are bored in school so they wind up distracting the rest. Like you say, the schools try to make everyone equal and smart, creative kids won’t allow themselves to be dumbed down.
Yes, the pharmaceutical companies do pretty much have control of the standards. I read more than one article about a committee that sets the standard for statin drug standards and the majority of the people on that committee are connected in one way or another to the companies. Can you say conflict of interest? I’ve refused to take statins for several years now. Yes, my cholesterol is a bit high but not dangerously. My blood glucose runs high, and statins are known to cause Type 2 diabetes, especially in women, so why would I take it?
My take on Type 2 diabetes is that the epidemic truly got started when processed food producers started loading everything up with High Fructose Corn Syrup. Over a hundred years ago the head of what became the FDA banned corn syrup in canned or processed foods because all the animals it was tested on became diabetic. He said that if corn syrup were put into the main-stream food supply we would become a nation of diabetics. He was right. HFCS is even worse than regular corn syrup since our bodies don’t know how to process it.
I think it’s up to each of us to do the reading and research and decide what is right for us and our families. I just don’t see popping pills & taking all kinds of medicine just because someone else thinks I should.
Thanks for a great post.
quiltingholliday says
Bravo Judy! I found your post to be very informative. The information really gives me a lot to think about & perhaps discuss w/ my Dr or research for myself. Thank you!
debbierhodes says
after a major heart attack and close call.. taking a statin seems like a very good idea.. My husband isn’t over weight, was in great physical condition but had a major heart attack and a year later a stent for further blockage… at that point you want anything you can to prevent that from happening again.. 7 years later he can work harder and longer than about any man I know.
JudyL says
That’s why I believe there are some who will benefit from the statins. It’s a decision everyone must make with their own doctor. Glad they’re working out so well for him and I would be doing the exact same thing in his position.
Ellen says
I”m in agreement with all of your assessments. instead of talking and doing, our society has turned to a drug-based solution. So so sad 🙁
Sharon Downey says
I also agree about taking the time to check out the medications that might be prescribed for us. Research them. Then decide if you really need them. My Doctor urged medicine for cholesterol. He felt my reading had become a little high. I made the mistake of starting it before doing the research. Shortly after starting my bones began to ache. So much so that my leg bones actually felt like they were splitting length wise. I couldn’t rest one knee on another and I normally sleep on my side. I also read that the reading can go higher while loosing weight which I was doing at the moment and that it can cause bones to ache. Also to notify the doctor if that happens. He told me to continue it. I’ve seen him at least 5 times since then because he checks my thyroid levels. He assumes I’m still taking the medicine and he assures me that they are now fine. So we are both happy and I’m pain free except for normal arthritis twinges now and then, because I don’t take it.
Liz says
Great post – now my two cents….
Yes, I have high cholesterol and so I was put on statins, but when I had the heart scans, I was at a zero level of blockage. Then, this spring, I mentioned that I have aches, knee pains and was having trouble walking to a friend and her first question was if I was on statins.
Many of us look at the side effects when we first get on a drug, but sometimes, it takes a while to materialize. For me, I took sulfa drugs as an antibiotic for many years, then one time, I got hives all over my body. My mom never had a problem with tetracycline and boom, she had a reaction.
Concerning statins, there is an issue with muscle pains. I knew about it when I first started, I never thought it would hit me later. I’m off statins and my cholesterol is higher, but I will just take the heart scans until they show blockage. I suspect I have the genetic tendency to higher cholesterol, but without the blockage issue. The problem is that I still have muscle issues – I can’t sit as long – I need to remember to get up and move otherwise the back of my legs are too tight and hurt.
I can’t talk about the hyperactivity issue in kids, but I do remember that when I was a kid, we walked to school, we had physical education classes, we had recess in the morning, at lunch and in the afternoon, we played on school teams and then we walked home. Part of the reason I eat fast is that I wanted to go out to play. At least, that’s what I tell myself…..
Quilterbee says
I was told years ago to take stations. They gave me charlie horses in my calves so I quit taking them. Now years later all my arteries are blocked and I am not able to have open heart surgery or stents. You can bet I wish I had followed my Dr’s advice to eat right, exercise and lose weight and take the station pill. That doesn’t mean everyone should take the pills. But everyone should eat right, exercise, and control there weight. I never really knew just how important it was to do this. It can save your life.
Dar in MO says
Judy, I totally agree with your informed opinion and if I had children would have done the same thing as you. My mother did not want me to get the polio vaccines when I was a child. I never knew why, but I was ok with it because the sight of a needle scared me to death. She didn’t take pills, walked every where (we didn’t have a car) and ate pretty healthy. Her only downfall was sweets, which I have inherited too. I’m trying hard to correct that. I exercise and eat well, but getting enough sleep is probably my worse trait. I feel I’m in pretty good health compared to others my age. I do not take any prescription medication–just calcium and fish oil supplements each day.