This is not to scare anyone ...

lindalegs
lindalegs Member Posts: 5,397
edited 16. Jan 2010, 08:12 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi All,

I had to see my GP before Christmas and whilst I was with him he said he'd like me to have a cholesterol check because people with long term illnesses are prone to heart attacks :shock: I wasn't particularly worried as I'm not overweight, my blood pressure is excellent, have a healthy diet although my exercise is restricted due to the limitations of having RA.

I have my results now and my cholesterol is 5.5 which is a little high ..... guidelines say it's best if it's below 5. My GP isn't worried about it and I'll just look at my diet again and increase the time I spend on the exercise bike in a hope to bring it down.

I just thought that next time you see your GP or nurse whether it's wise to see if you need yours checking, just to be on the safe side.

Luv Legs :D
Love, Legs x
'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'

Comments

  • annie_mial
    annie_mial Member Posts: 5,614
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks for the reminder, Legs. Last time I put my head above the parapet it was triglicerides they were waffling about, now it's something else.............can't win!

    Annie
  • salamander
    salamander Member Posts: 1,906
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    lindalegs wrote:
    Hi All,

    I had to see my GP before Christmas and whilst I was with him he said he'd like me to have a cholesterol check because people with long term illnesses are prone to heart attacks :shock: I wasn't particularly worried as I'm not overweight, my blood pressure is excellent, have a healthy diet although my exercise is restricted due to the limitations of having RA.

    I have my results now and my cholesterol is 5.5 which is a little high ..... guidelines say it's best if it's below 5. My GP isn't worried about it and I'll just look at my diet again and increase the time I spend on the exercise bike in a hope to bring it down.

    I just thought that next time you see your GP or nurse whether it's wise to see if you need yours checking, just to be on the safe side.

    Luv Legs :D

    Hi Linda, I had similar results a while ago and consultant said the balance of good cholesterol to bad was ok. That is what counts, not necessarily the total. Mine was something like 5.5 too. So wouldn't worry too much. You sound pretty fit apart from the RA!
    Sallyx
  • woodbon
    woodbon Member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello, I've had mine done recently but it was low, my husband has his done every six months, at the diabetic clinic. His is 5 something. But the doc dosn't worry about it.
    We should all know our colesteraol, I suppose and having it taken regularlly is a good thing, so that treatment can be given if needed. :wink: Love Sue
  • annebr
    annebr Member Posts: 730
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Not sure if people realise but there are two types of 'bad' cholestral. There is the type that is usually because of diet but there is also one which is genetics.

    The way it was explained to me is that you have both good and bad cholestral and yoor good can be normal and the bad can be one that is causing problems. I know my Aunt has this and I have neer met anyone who eats as healthy as she does (due to other health issues). This cannot be fixed with diet.

    It may be worth asking about?

    Anne
  • carol101
    carol101 Member Posts: 584
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi, i have recently had blood pressure, cholesterol etc, etc checked and despite weighing 20st everything is perfect. Even my nurse was surprised at how 'healthy' i am considering my weight.

    I am trying to loose, for my own self esteem more than anything, but being slim doesn't always mean you're healthy

    Carol X
  • suncatcher
    suncatcher Member Posts: 2,174
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks for the info will ask to get mine done. been wondering where you are not ween your name up lately nice to see you posting best wishes joanne :D
    Joanne
  • colinone
    colinone Member Posts: 1,039
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Its a known fact that RA can effect the muscles therefor it can effect your heart and lungs, Some medications we take can do the same thing.
    Colin
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,908
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks Linda
    perhaps an overhaul is due in the new year eh? Last time I had mine done I was about 20-something and it was 3.6! and about 80% proof! :wink:
    Eeeh! them were t' days eh?
    Toni xx
  • jaspercat
    jaspercat Member Posts: 1,238
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Linda, I already have my Cholestral checked every now and again, it is currently 6.0, my gp has already put me on Rosuvastatin on the advice of my Rheumy, it dosen't hurt to keep an eye on it though love Jaspercatxx
  • wibberley
    wibberley Member Posts: 421
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Linda, I've asked to have my cholesterol checked before but because I'm not overweight and my BP is normal, they've said 'No need'.

    Think I'll be more assertive next time!

    Lois x
  • lindalegs
    lindalegs Member Posts: 5,397
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi

    Just reading everyone's replies here.

    Seeing Jaspercat's and Lois's replies - doesn't it highlight the huge differences between doctors/rheumys/health authorities up and down the country? I must have been very naive - before coming on this forum I assumed that all health authorities treated people the same!!!!! No wonder we all get so confused?

    At what point do GP's prescibe statins then? Do they give you so long to try and lower your cholesterol levels through diet, exercise etc first, or does it depend on genetic factors, or pre-existing conditions? It's never been suggested to me that I have a test. I think I shall mention it next time.

    Lynn xxx

    The GP I saw was quite young and he said it was something that's recently come to light ..... so his younger training might play a part in getting me to have it done.

    Luv Legs :D
    Love, Legs x
    'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Legs,

    Sorry if the snowball hit you?

    I hate to think what mine might be........... Last time I had it tested it was just on 4 but what that means I don't know. They do mine here and there cus there is a history of heart attacks in my close family and I have the circulation thing. Maybe I should ask them to do it again.....

    Luv and a ((( )))

    Cris who really should grow up...... and learn to paint :wink: xxx
  • lindalegs
    lindalegs Member Posts: 5,397
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    skezier wrote:
    Hi Legs,

    Sorry if the snowball hit you?

    I hate to think what mine might be........... Last time I had it tested it was just on 4 but what that means I don't know. They do mine here and there cus there is a history of heart attacks in my close family and I have the circulation thing. Maybe I should ask them to do it again.....

    Luv and a ((( )))

    Cris who really should grow up...... and learn to paint :wink: xxx

    Hi Cris,

    You've been practising your aim then? k040.gif

    :lol::lol: I'm not worried about mine ...and yours sounds good .... I just wanted the Forum peeps to see whether they needed it checking if they didn't already have it done.

    Thanks everyone for your replies - it's been interesting reading them.

    Luv Legs :D
    Love, Legs x
    'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'
  • ichabod6
    ichabod6 Member Posts: 843
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Linda with the legs,

    Dont recall ever having my cholesterol checked but I
    will now. Have booked an appointment for 3 Feb.
    Thanks for the advice.
    I.
  • lindalegs
    lindalegs Member Posts: 5,397
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    ichabod6 wrote:
    Hello Linda with the legs,

    Dont recall ever having my cholesterol checked but I
    will now. Have booked an appointment for 3 Feb.
    Thanks for the advice.
    I.

    Good for you Ichy - it's probably fine too, but best to be safe eh!

    Luv Linda with the Legs :D
    Love, Legs x
    'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'
  • lindalegs
    lindalegs Member Posts: 5,397
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Legs


    Just thought you'd like to know, I had a letter from my GP this morning, asking me to make an appointment for their "well adults" clinic (now that IS ironic)!!!

    Didn't even know they ran this!! They check family history, BP, height, weight (that's me done for then) and cholesterol!!!!!!!!!

    This might be the new year reality check I need to get myself out of the winter, comfort food mindset I'm in just now :roll: :roll:

    Love from Lynn (who's on celery sticks for the next 3 weeks) :?


    ..................and no hot choccy :shock: :shock: :lol::lol:

    Luv Legs :lol:

    PS I detest celery sticks ....I really wonder what they were put on earth for :? ...... enjoy :lol::lol:
    Love, Legs x
    'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'
  • annie_mial
    annie_mial Member Posts: 5,614
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Legs, celery sticks were put on earth to fill with cream cheese with chopped onion, ham and pepper, or Stilton with apricots.........yum yum.....it's OK if you're a cheese freak!

    Annie (who's beginning to put on weight again and can't think why)
  • lindalegs
    lindalegs Member Posts: 5,397
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    annie_mial wrote:
    Legs, celery sticks were put on earth to fill with cream cheese with chopped onion, ham and pepper, or Stilton with apricots.........yum yum.....it's OK if you're a cheese freak!

    Annie (who's beginning to put on weight again and can't think why)

    Annie,

    How can you put on weight when eating celery :shock: aren't you supposed to burn off more calories when chewing them .....surely that compensates for all the lovely things you fill them with. :?

    .....me, I'd put all those lovely things onto a Carrs Melts Cracker .....now you're talking
    d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s b040.gif

    Luv Legs :lol:
    Love, Legs x
    'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'
  • denpen
    denpen Member Posts: 389
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi
    I saw the nurse practioner at my gp surgery last year my blood pressure was being monitered because it had been high for some time and cholesterol was 5.4 and because of family history she put me on simvastatin, I have never understood why I had to go on the tablets but I thought that she knows best.
    Last September after having my pre op I had my THR cancelled because of high levels in my liver so I had to undergo tests to try find the cause of the liver problem, my gp took me off simvastatin straight away because he couldnt understand why I was on them either, when I saw the Liver specialist he came to the conclusion that it was the simvastatin that had raised the levels in my liver as I had several blood tests which apparently the levels had come down gradually since coming off the simvastatin.

    If anyone saw it there was a TV program a couple of months ago about statins and the problems that they can cause within your body. Its worth having a good chat to the practioner if they want you to go on them.
    Take care
    Denise