Need some advice on cholesterol meds..

[linzz]

I have a question for you guys who work in this area. My husband is a type 2 diabetic. He has high cholesterol, 2.8 as of last week. He is on 40 mg of Zocor and 10 mg. of Ezetimbe. His Dr. mentioned changing theses meds but decided to wait again until his next apt. (every 3 months). I don't understand why she is waiting for another 3 months, it seems his cholesterol has been at this level for 6 months now. I know he should be working much harder at his diet and excercise but like many patients, he doesn't do what he should do. Should I call the Dr. and talk to her about changing his meds or just keep nagging him to death to clean up his habits. He is a non smoker and rarely drinks, just eats too much junk. Thanks to anyone who answers.

[CHATSDALE]

talk with doctor about adding niacin and fiber to the mix and see if this of any benefit..diet and excerise are very important to control of this along with conrol of the dm2

you may be on a different scale my cholestral is noted with no decimal point

you really can't nag someone into it provide a balance diet if you do most of the shopping and cooking but i know from quitting smoking some times there is a time to do something. making a permanent life changing behavior is not easy

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

You definitely can't nag a person and change their habits.

My husband was diagnosed with metabolic syndrome over a year ago. At first he just took the meds but something clicked when his blood sugar was 300 one day. We immediately went to the track and walked/jogged. Since then he has been careful with his diet and started riding a bike. We also walk every night out to a local lake. Some hills involved in this. It is a nice time for us to be together while our 5 year old rides his bike.

I changed what and how I cook at home. He makes this great soup that he lives on all week when he is working . . . every bean imaginable, (black, pinto, kidney, etc.), green beans, tomatoes, onions, and adds lean hamburger . . . . his blood sugars are very stable when he eats alot of fiber.

I'd try diet and exercise first . . . .

Good luck.

steph

[healingtouchRN]

I have elevated cholesterol & am taking a natural remedy, policosanol, plus lipitor. I walk, swim, avoid fried or fatty foods, & practice relaxation response. My numbers have come down. I get my labs drawn quarterly. I am also a diabetic so I have to check my sugars as well. Nagging does not work. It didn't work with me. I work nights so junk food has always been an issue. I finally got my act together when the diabetes was diagnosed, & I decided that I was becoming like the patients I care for. I felt like another statistic. My husband has already had a coronary stent placed when he was age 38. He just has at 41 decided to start walking, & eating more healthy when I was diagnosed. Something will have make your spouse change. It won't be you. It has to come from within. Be supportive, caring, non dictatorial, encouraging & prayerful. It's a complex situtaion. Academically I knew what to do for myself, but this is a personal issue. Support groups help. I have an informal one that keep me going day to day.