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My better way of eating came after a couple of bouts with IBS and diverticulitis...I started studying nutrition and adopted a Mediterranean diet way of eating that's stood me in good stead with sunny health.
I used to eat not so well--lots of junky type foods and diet sodas--and I paid the price.
If I could turn back the clock, I would have adopted this new way of eating earlier and avoided the health problems of my earlier years...I used to smoke, too. Now I'm almost a jock with good health...who would have thunk it of a woman who would start her day with a doughnut, a cup of coffee and a cigarette??
I don't even know, or care, what constitutes high cholesterol. "Nearly" high is just how my doctor styled it. It was sort of like it was getting close to being a problem, so he wanted me to take a statin to keep it from becoming a problem.
To my way of thinking, that means I don't have a problem, so I won't take it. Actually, I wouldn't take it if I did. The potential liver damage isn't worth the potential benefits to my arteries. As you may know, statin's are hard enough on the liver by themselves and, if you drink alcohol, it's even worse. I like beer and don't have any intention of giving it up for the sake of taking a pill for a problem I don't yet have.
Why would I?
Well - if you really believe that your health is primarily your responsibility - you should get copies of your routine blood work and look at them. They're not too hard to decipher (as opposed to reading an echocardiogram) - especially when it comes to cholesterol. Your doctor may be great - or totally incompetent. He or she may be using the old guidelines (strict) or the new ones (stricter). Look at your numbers and decide for yourself what makes the most sense to you (statin or no statin).
FWIW - I am not exactly a teetotaler - and don't plan on becoming one . When I was on 20 mg simvastatin - my liver functions were fine. When I changed to 40 mg - the liver functions weren't normal. So I went back to 20 mg - and the liver functions went back to normal. OTOH - my husband takes a large dose of Lipitor - and his liver functions are always normal. No reason to speculate about what might happen - you can always experiment.
BTW - I am not totally sold on statins (a lot of the research is promising - but I doubt we'll know the whole story for decades). But - since they're usually low cost drugs with few or no side effects for most people - why not?
I definitely agree with other posters about some shots. Especially the pneumovax when you're about 65 - and an annual flu shot (still haven't decided about the shingles vaccination). Pneumonia and the flu can be very debilitating when you get older. The only time I was totally unable to take care of myself (except after one major surgery) was when I had the flu about 5 years ago. And I would also get that tetanus shot on a regular (10 year basis) if I engaged in any activities where I was often exposed to tetanus-possible situations (like I frequently get cuts and scratches when I'm gardening). Robyn
Pretty much the way I view it. I have a relative who swore by doctors. Had back surgery twice by the best surgeon, aftermath of which made her life a living hell. Never a believer in diet as a support system for her body, pretty much ate unnutritiously during her second pregnancy, after which it was determined she had Stage IV Hodgkins at age 34. Major radiation allowed her to live, but she had a radiation burn on her back that weeped until the day she died, intestines were ruined because of it, as were her lungs. Later in life she developed HBP and atrial fib, no medication prescribed for the AF, went to hospital for a test, suffered a massive stroke 45 minutes later, never spoke or walked again, died two weeks later at age 70.
Me, on the other hand, always ate fresh, organic, lots of raw food, never frozen or packaged. Never ate potato chips, candy, doritos, drank soda, or anything else like that. Never smoked, don't drink but wine or beer maybe 2-3x year. Can't tolerate alcohol, never could. Have always take a ton of supplements, as well. When I run out, I run down after a week or two. Really feel the difference. So, not quitting those.
I am 69 and in perfect health. No meds other than bioidentical estrogen a few times a week. No blood pressure problems. Barring accident or cancer, I'll probably go well into my 90s. I had a sickly aunt (my mother's sister) who died at 90, uncle (my father's brother) who also died at 90 - so I figure I have a long way to go, yet. Like stillkit, go to the doctor for a monitoring. So far, no problems. Slightly high cholesterol, so I've cut back on the butter, ice cream, carbs. Noticed a marked reduction in cholesterol and even glucose levels three months later. HDLs very high, triglycerides low.
Anywho, I think there is a place for allopathic and alternative medicine. Tests are useful, but bringing the body back in balance naturally is better than drugs. Did have a spell after I lost my job when blood pressure was elevated due to stress, readjustment. Went away in a couple of weeks, but if it hadn't, I would have taken blood pressure meds as I could feel the effects of the HP. Not a salt consumer, at all, so that was not a cause.
Too bad about Steve Jobs. Funny how people die as they live - "Think Different." He did and he paid for it. I love the Think Different slogan - "Here's to the crazy ones" ..........
Sad - I would have had the surgery because, from everything I've read, it was a very easily removed (and cured) cancer which is rare for pancreatic cancer. I have had a couple of major encounters with allopathic medicine and believe it has its place - but not exclusively. Alternative has its place as well. Just a matter of discernment. Steve made the wrong decision - but he always had his own reality and, up to that point, had come out on top. He never could be told what to do.
Fwiw, I was on Premarin for years, now on bioidentical Estrogen/Estradiol. I liked Premarin better, but developed at lump at age 62, doctor removed, biopsy negative. But that scared me, so went to bios instead. Not as effective on the hot flashes or skin preservation. But without it, I really feel the effects after a few weeks. Plumbing removed in my 40s, thus the Premarin which was a miracle for years.
I, too, love grapefruit - true health food and blood purifier. Robyn, that will keep you healthy. I need it for my liver. Couple days without fresh grapefruit/juice and I get very sluggish.
Not too many people (like maybe no one) I know have good results from back surgery. It is one of those chronic problems a lot of people have that doesn't seem to have any "magic bullets". The latest and greatest a few years ago was artificial disc replacement surgery - but that seems to have been a big bust (lots of recalls).
Your poor sister - with Hodgkin's lymphoma (I've known people who've died of it - some very young - it is a disease that young people get). OTOH - I don't think it had anything to do with her eating ice cream instead of broccoli. It's just not that kind of disease. I'm sure you've heard the phrase "that's heart attack food" - but I've never heard the phrase "that's Hodgkin's lymphoma food".
My husband has had high BP since he was a teenager - and he had endocarditis when he was in his 30's. He has a hole in his heart valve - and has been under the care of competent internal medicine docs and cardiologists ever since. I can't imagine any competent doctor not working up a-fib (what your sister had) and taking appropriate steps to deal with it.
Or a PCP identifying the problem - and sending the patient to a specialist for proper treatment. E.g., I love my PCP (board certified internist). But she has her limitations. When I had something down below drooping where it shouldn't be - we both thought it was a prolapsed bladder. But she sent me to a urogynecologist - who took a quick feel - and she said 90% it isn't a prolapsed bladder - it's a big cyst. An MRI confirmed her Dx - and I had the proper surgery to remove the thing. We don't run to specialists for every little thing - but PCPs - well it's like Dirty Harry said - "a man [woman] has to know his limitations". The best PCPs will deal with things they know how to deal with - and refer you to specialists when they're not sure.
I do agree with some posters who say a little medical knowledge that you get on the internet can be a dangerous thing. OTOH - being totally ignorant can be dangerous too - especially if you're dealing with something that's serious and/or deadly. And - since all doctors aren't created equal - it often doesn't hurt to do some reading and get a second opinion if you're not comfortable with what a doctor is (or isn't) doing (especially in the case of surgery - insurance will often pay for that second opinion).
I am not sure what types of things you put in the category of "alternative medicine" - so I can't comment. I think a lot of people turn to various "alternative" treatments when conventional (allopathic) medicine doesn't have any good answers (or any answers at all) for what ails them. E.g., remember people like Steve McQueen going to Mexico for Laetrile? My husband has MS - and - if you ever go on an MS chat board - you will see what I mean. No one who can't walk when he or she is 35 wants to hear that there is no cure - no "magic bullet". Luckily - my husband - at age 66 - still only has a medium case (and it was very mild - he used to run 2-3 miles a day - until he was about 60).
Anyway - as with most of our lives - we are neither saints nor sinners when it comes to our lifestyle - eating habits - etc. All things in moderation - even the occasional "chips and dips" while watching a good football game (although the Gators and the Jaguars are hardly worth the calories this year ).
BTW - I don't know the specifics of Steve Jobs' pancreatic cancer. It is (or used to be) usually a death sentence within a short period of time - except if it is caught very very early - which is unusual (there's a procedure that can be done then that's called a Whipple procedure). I was frankly surprised he lived as long as he lived after his diagnosis regardless of what he did or didn't do - but I guess there are medical professionals who think he might have lasted longer had he sought conventional medical treatment earlier (since neither I nor anyone in my family has pancreatic cancer - I don't keep on top of the "latest and greatest" in terms of medical care for it). Robyn
P.S. I used to make a nice salad with spring mix - red grapefruit segments - walnuts - and a vinaigrette (I like some Briannas Blush Wine). Now I substitute mandarin oranges for the grapefruit.
My better way of eating came after a couple of bouts with IBS and diverticulitis...I started studying nutrition and adopted a Mediterranean diet way of eating that's stood me in good stead with sunny health.
I used to eat not so well--lots of junky type foods and diet sodas--and I paid the price.
If I could turn back the clock, I would have adopted this new way of eating earlier and avoided the health problems of my earlier years...I used to smoke, too. Now I'm almost a jock with good health...who would have thunk it of a woman who would start her day with a doughnut, a cup of coffee and a cigarette??
Part of the new research on IBS - about the FODMOPs diet - contradicts the Mediterranean diet. Still - my attitude is - if it works for you - go with it.
I don't know what it is to have a couple of bouts with IBS - since I have had it on a pretty steady basis for about 40 years. Also - did you really have diverticulitis - or diverticulosis? Many people confuse the two. Did you run a fever - were you hospitalized and taken off solid food and put on IV antibiotics? Have part of your colon removed (even temporarily)? Etc. - etc. In a nutshell - the difference between diverticulosis and diverticulitis is the absence or presence of infection in a diverticulum (which is basically a small pouch in many places in the body - but most commonly in the colon when people are talking about GI problems). Robyn
The food you eat requires enzymes to digest it. If you cook food, those enzymes are destroyed in the cooking process. If you eat raw foods you do not have this problem because nature (or God, if you prefer) has put the enzymes that you need to digest the food DIRECTLY INTO THE FOOD you are eating.
If you find that you are having problems with raw food, then you need to start eating them by juicing them first, then as your body (and digestive tract) gets stronger and more used to the food, begin to eat a little solid raw food along with the juiced stuff.
I have read in several books that people with Crone's disease have been cured by eating raw. They never thought they would be able to do it, and were "prescribed" a diet with little fiber. But upon adopting a fully raw diet (slowly), they discovered not only that they could eat it, but it relieved the symptoms.
20yrsinBranson
No offense to you - because I know you mean well - but I am both a "foodie" and an excellent cook (first cold night of the year here in NE Florida - so it's made from scratch pasta fagioli for dinner tonight). And I'd rather slit my throat than spend the rest of my life eating raw stuff all mushed up in a food processor.
The best night of my whole life as a cook was when my husband and I rented a condo in North Carolina near our in-laws one Christmas. We had a party for family and their friends there. And my late MIL - who had a bazillion medical problems - including getting food down (won't bore you with the medical details) - consumed more calories eating my noodle kugel that night than she had perhaps consumed in the last 2 weeks (she weighed about 88 pounds then).
There are a lot of things I can live without. But good food and good sex aren't in that category. Also - I would hate to lose my eyesight - because I love to read. Robyn
I respect your opinion, and I have laughed at my share of jokes like: "MD stands for Major Deity". However, I would appreciate you at least considering the following in your perspective. A good doctor could be one of God's messengers.
Reminds me of the old joke. The doctor goes to see his 3 very sick/dying patients. A Catholic - a Protestant - and a Jew. He tells the Catholic the bad news - that he is very sick and dying. And asks him what he wants to do. And the Catholic says - I'd like to see my Priest. Says the same thing to the Protestant - and the Protestant says - I'd like to talk with my Minister. Finally tells the same thing to the Jew - and the Jew says - I want to see another doctor . Robyn
I think this is a wise post...making each bite of food count as good nutrition..I do much the same and have managed to stay healthy, my weight in a normal range, and am without meds...the blood pressure thing I'm still trying to figure out, too. Mine's high (where I'd be put on BP meds to bring it down) when I first get up and it comes down dramatically to a normal range (127/72) after a cardio/weight stint at the gym or doing yoga. Not sure what that means...is it high or not? Anyhow, I just plug along keeping up the exercise and the good eating and avoid the meds...
Vitamins? A few...fish oil helps my creaky knees, calcium with D, extra potassium, vitamin C especially during cold/flu season...supplemented by oranges/tangerines when in season.
To the OP, knowing you've identified your bad eating habits is the first step to a healthy change--and you seem motivated, too. I bet you'll do well. A suggestion is a consultation with a dietician to help you know what to shop for and what kind of meals you can make from a well-stocked pantry of whole grains, vegetables, fruits, legumes, good oils, and nuts and seeds.
This is not a diet, it's a new life-long healthy way of eating that fills you in all the hungry places with life-giving nutrients.
It's those highly processed foods with all the additives that will harm your health...learning to buy and prepare whole foods is your ticket to a long and healthy life...plus exercise, of course. You've gotta use your body or it will rust out...
It's normal for BP to be higher early in the day - then get lower. If yours is high in the morning - you probably need meds. I'm in the same boat. Haven't gained weight or anything like that. BP just seems to have gone from low to somewhat above normal as I've gotten older. Robyn
Well - if you really believe that your health is primarily your responsibility - you should get copies of your routine blood work and look at them. They're not too hard to decipher (as opposed to reading an echocardiogram) - especially when it comes to cholesterol. Your doctor may be great - or totally incompetent. He or she may be using the old guidelines (strict) or the new ones (stricter). Look at your numbers and decide for yourself what makes the most sense to you (statin or no statin).
FWIW - I am not exactly a teetotaler - and don't plan on becoming one . When I was on 20 mg simvastatin - my liver functions were fine. When I changed to 40 mg - the liver functions weren't normal. So I went back to 20 mg - and the liver functions went back to normal. OTOH - my husband takes a large dose of Lipitor - and his liver functions are always normal. No reason to speculate about what might happen - you can always experiment.
BTW - I am not totally sold on statins (a lot of the research is promising - but I doubt we'll know the whole story for decades). But - since they're usually low cost drugs with few or no side effects for most people - why not?
I definitely agree with other posters about some shots. Especially the pneumovax when you're about 65 - and an annual flu shot (still haven't decided about the shingles vaccination). Pneumonia and the flu can be very debilitating when you get older. The only time I was totally unable to take care of myself (except after one major surgery) was when I had the flu about 5 years ago. And I would also get that tetanus shot on a regular (10 year basis) if I engaged in any activities where I was often exposed to tetanus-possible situations (like I frequently get cuts and scratches when I'm gardening). Robyn
My health CARE is primarily my responsibility. My HEALTH is totally in God's hands, as is the case with everyone else. We are really only fooling ourselves if we think we can control our own future. I take Jesus at His word when He said to give no thought to tomorrow or to our bodies, but to leave that with God. I also know that in a passage from Revelations pertaining to the end days, we find this: "..for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived." (Rev. 18: 23) That word translated as "sorceries" is the Greek word Pharmakeia, from which, of course, we get the word pharmacy. It may mean nothing to you, but to me it's entirely plausible because so many people are taking so many drugs.
Medicines in general: I have a great reluctance to use any medicines or drugs of any kind that have been on the market for less than 30 years. Back during the Reagan years, drug companies were allowed to start marketing new drugs after doing only a required amount of preliminary testing. The reason, of course, was profitability. Under the old rules, testing had to be more comprehensive and lasted longer, meaning the drug companies could not begin making a return on their investments in research soon enough to suit them. Congress conveniently let them start marketing new drugs before they are fully tested, in effect using US as the long-term guinea pigs. That's how we've come to have so many recalled drugs, like Vioxx or whatever, long after they've been damaging people's health or even killing them. I guess the drug companies, and the government, believes the fast profit outweighs the risk of lawsuits down the road. In any case, it seems that far too many new "miracle" drugs end up being harmful after millions have used them, so I just won't take them. Just this week, I saw my first lawyer commercial targeting users of Zoloft and a couple of other seratonin uptake inhibitors which millions are using. I guess those are next.
This thread is really frustrating to me. When I took statins for four days I ended up in Urgent Care totally zoned out and my muscles just felt disconnected. The doctor told me to never take another statin again but my primary care doctors claimed they couldn't find the report and continued to push the cholesterol drugs. At times I have laid in bed clingling to my pillow too zoned out to move and just hoping my brain would recover. Other times I have had chest pain or become uncoordinated and had difficulty speaking. My neighbor is an emergency room drug overdose nurse and tells me about people being medivaced in with liver/kidney problems because of statins. I asked another nurse who would be responsible for my care if I took prescribed meds and they caused severe damage; totally my problem, of course.
My blood pressure is usually very low. But, one day while waiting for my husband at the clinic, I started feeling pretty bad. Seems I had gone too long since breakfast but didn't feel hungry. My blood pressure was very high until I had a few crackers at the clinic. That was documented by the nurse. Food effects my blood pressure but I'm no doctor.
The doctor has pushed me so hard about the drugs that now I don't tell them things I probably should like shortness of breath when riding my bike. I have always been sensitive to things like alcohol, even caffeine and sugar. Now that I'm in my 60's and the pharmaceutical companies want to sell me drugs, I find I am more sensitive than I ever knew.
Dr. Oz did a segment on the relationship between the pharmaceutical companies and doctors a few months ago which confirmed what I had suspected. Patient think for yourself.
I would recommend taking fish oil pills daily and Metamucil fiber tablets daily to counteract high cholesterol.
I, too, do not feel well taking statins so I am using the above recommendations.
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. When I was on 20 mg simvastatin - my liver functions were fine. When I changed to 40 mg - the liver functions weren't normal. So I went back to 20 mg - and the liver functions went back to normal. OTOH - my husband takes a large dose of Lipitor - and his liver functions are always normal. No reason to speculate about what might happen - you can always experiment.
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