My Zocor Testimony (better living through chemistry)

[Towncrier]

Since 1995, my cholesterol levels have been hovering around the 250 mark. Six months ago, my doctor decided that it was time to do something about my 231 reading, so he prescribed a low dosage of Zocor. Yesterday, I got the results. My total cholesterol reading is now 176. LDL dropped from 139 to 91. HDL dropped only slightly from 58 to 53. To say the least, I was quite impressed with the results.

It appears that my hypertension medication is also quite effective. My BP yesterday was 110/80, a far cry from the 144/106 reading from two years ago. So I suppose that I should put in a good word for Atacand as well.

Now I suppose that some of you are going to tell me that I could have achieved these same results through diet and exercise. But I am willing to bet that those of you who have gotten to know me realize that "diet" and "exercise" are two words that are not in my vocabulary.

So any of you out there who are taking medications to lower BP or cholesterol, keep taking those pills. Do it for your loved ones.

 

[mrsapalm]

Wow! Mine is at 294 and my doc prescribed Pravachol. But... I am young and still wondering whether I should wait before taking meds. I am on a low-fat/high-fiber diet... doing everything right, but the cholesterol level is a genetic thing. My dad had a heart attack at age 49, after being on meds for years and years. He's still on meds, and is doing better, but his levels will never be "normal."
I wholeheartedly agree that, through better living through chemistry, people like us can increase our time on Earth.
Congratulations to you!!
-MrsAPalm

 

[Dan Murphy]

That's great, John!!!! Great readings on both the cholesterol and BP. I also went from the low/mid 200's to about 185 on Zocor. Keep up the good readings (or should I say keep down the good readings? )

 

[Mskanga]

Now that's two things I don't have ...high BP and cholesterol ( recently checked ) but I have other parts of my body messed up! John , you and I are going to look like walking medecine cabinets between the two of us, LOL.
Great news on your improvement, I hope it stays that way!!

 

[Towncrier]

I remember your post Dan. I think that is what finally motivated me to follow doctors orders and start taking that particular medication.

 

[tedsmom]

The important thing is that it's down. The day may come when you are willing to make some lifestyle changes. In the meantime, isn't it great that there are medications that can help?

 

[damo]

My DH has just been put on Zocor after a year of diet and exercise and nutritional supplements to get the cholesterol down. There was minimal improvement before the prescription so I'm hoping that we'll notice some difference. It's very frustrating when you change your whole lifestyle and can't see results in the BP and cholesterol. Thanks for the vote of confidence for non drug-free living!

 

[Towncrier]

My wife could be a poster child (adult???) for Imitrex. She has had severe migraines since puberty. For her, Imitrex is a wonder drug. She still has monthly migraines, but at least she can get them under control.

I am truly greatful for all the wonderful medications that are available.

 

[Carl]

Yep. Zocor and Tenex do it for me, too.

 

[BethR]

Better living through Chemistry - My 4th Year Pharmacy Student DD would be happy to read your post Towncrier!!!
And I am happy too! Because I have both conditions that you speak of as well. I am on Lysinopril for my BP and it has come down from 152/102 to 117/86. I am still in a holding pattern for my cholesterol - the Dr. has given me 6 months to do the diet and exercise thing. I have 2.5 months left. I am kind of concerned about taking the new statin drugs but I understand that they are VERY effective (as you have seen).
Congratulations!

 

[Kermit]

Congratulations! That's wonderful. I think that there probably are some people who take cholesterol meds when there are other things they could do to take care of it naturally, but some people are genetically wired to have high levels of cholesterol. My mom fed us a diet of practically no fat and all fiber when I was in high school before she decided to go on Zocor. The diet did no good, so she's been on it for about 15 years and has great cholesterol levels.

 

[Mskanga]

DH should be on cholesterol meds, his cholesterol is ( at least it was high the last time he had it checked ) but he has no intentions of changing his ways, he blames it on my cooking but guess what?? I eat the same things and my level was 156 just in June, even the doctor was surprised. I wish dh would take this more seriously but I can't force him to do what he's not willing to do for himself.
I use Vioxx everyday for my osteoarthritis that I have had since I was 26 and I cannot function without it, I thank God for meds like this being available to us and for insurance companies that pay for them because they are expensive.
I just wish dh would take his health a bit more seriously.

 

[Boots]

My DH is on Zocor for his cholesterol and Adalat for his blood pressure. His is not his diet. He weights about 140lbs and does not eat much meat, exercises, and still had high cholesterol. His is inherited. His mother is a very tiny person and has them both. He has done wonderfully on Zocor and I recommend it for people who have trouble with cholesterol. He is was on Lescol for a long time and it simply did nothing. Glad to hear that you are doing so well on it!

 

[WebmasterAlex]

Much better to take the meds than to have a high B/P and high Cholesterol. The diet thing DOES work though, my B/P was routinely 140 over somewhere in the 90's and my cholesterol was 260, I lost a 100 pounds on the Atkin's diet and both my cholesterol and B/P are totally normal. The last time I checked I was 130/80 and 176.

 

[BethR]

Wish that I had the will power to do it without drugs Alex, because I know that my weight is a definate factor. But I think that I would still have a battle even IF I was a normal weight. BP runs rampant in my mother's side of the family - and they are all normal weight.
Now my brother (normal weight) and I (NOT normal weight :rolleyes) are both being treated for high BP and Tom takes one of the statins as well. I think that it is my future as well...

 

[Dan Murphy]

Very true, Beth. Oftentimes it is genetic, and while diet and lifstyle can help, and certainly not hurt, it is sometimes not the total answer. Frequently, when genetic, the meds are what is needed to lower from previously static thresholds and plateaus. Good luck.

 

[WebmasterAlex]

It is hard Beth... I am certainly not suggesting that the meds are never neccesary, in a lot of cases they are. It is certainly far better to take the meds then to live with a high B/P and cholesterol, I was just pointing out that in some cases, the diet and excersize routine alone can work.

 

[Chattyaholic]

Zocor worked well for me too. My cholesterol has been borderline the past few years, then it started creeping up higher and last November it was 263 so my doctor prescribed Zocor for me (no mention of losing weight, as she weighs more than I do!) and 3 months later it was down to 179. My Mom takes Zocor too, has taken it for several years. She's so tiny, about 5'2" and barely 100 pounds so you wouldn't think she'd have a problem, but at times her cholesterol has been higher than mine.