High cholesterol worry

[Seryn]

The mystery of my legs and swelling continues. Dr has said it's not anxiety causing the root of my chronic problems....so that's made me anxious! However trying to stay positive and not have a breakdown my kidney, liver, iron and diabetes tests were all normal. I've got to go back for more bloods. (One way to get over my needles phobia all this honestly I could cry)

Only negative was my cholesterol was way too high for my age. Anyone have any good tips for lowering it quickly? I'm going to stop any takeaways and keep up with my no sugar diet. Is lowering cholesterol a slow process or will changes happen quickly if I sort my diet? My diet was awful up to two months ago and I've put on weight over the year so it's no shock.

I've got to have my electrolytes tested but it's a 5 week wait for bloods. they've given me water tablets to try and help the swelling (don't want to take them Dr said they can make you dizzy which will send my anxiety through the roof) but also to check my sodium and potassium levels. After that it's on to auto immune tests.

Health anxiety sucks. Health anxiety when something is actually wrong for once but they don't no what REALLY sucks. I want to curl up in a ball and ignore the world.

 

[Seryn]

Also I no this is health anxiety worry but I'm worried about anything heart related which they don't seem to be testing for so I must trust my Dr. My BP is fine and so was my heart rate. And I'm assuming since I had a lot a blood work something basic with heart must have been noted in my bloods. But with high cholesterol, I cough when I exercise and sometimes I get left shoulder pain and I explained about the other weeks where I was feeling unsteady on my feet, like I wasn't walking well I'm overthinking about my heart.

 

[bin_tenn]

I can relate to all of this, because heart worries are the primary source of any health anxiety I experience. Cholesterol can be a bit complicated, because there are so many factors. Diet (sugar, fat, etc), exercise frequency if at all, family history / genetics, etc. I deal with this myself, mostly because of genetics. I've switched to a very low sugar diet, and eating a lot of fruits and vegetables.

Fiber consumption is important, because it binds to LDL ("bad" cholesterol) in the colon which expels it with bowel movements. Keep up the low/no sugar diet. Drink plenty of water. Get more exercise, particularly things that get the heart going.

Dr has said it's not anxiety causing the root of my chronic problems

This doesn't surprise me at all. Many things can be attributed to anxiety, but people are sometimes too quick to dismiss any odd symptom or sensation as anxiety even when that's not the only possibility. It doesn't mean something is seriously wrong, just that there is *some kind* of physiological cause rather than mental. Having anxiety disorder doesn't mean we need to shove physical health aside.

 

[Seryn]

Thanks for that info. I think my cholesterol is all my doing. Years of far too high fats, dairy and sugar and nowhere near enough fruit veg or fibre. Not enough exercise. All I do is walk the dog. I took him for a second walk today and I'm regretting it as it's made my legs so painful tonight. Swelling isn't too bad but I have the most intense restless leg like sensations. Walking seems to aggravate it so much but I have a dog that needs his walk and I can't just sit at home all day. I am SO fed up and scared without answers.

I've also noticed despite massively improving my diet my weight is not coming off. Don't get me wrong I'm a kg or 2 lighter but not what I would have expected after 9weeks. So that worrying me too!

I've got to try stay positive. All of my blood tests were negative bar cholesterol and I've worried about them for so long. Its amazing that I can put those anxieties to bed. But my brain is going so fast thinking what on earth is causing these damn physical feelings. I always thought my physical feelings were anxiety symptoms. So to be told they're not has certainly increased my mental anxiety. It's like all the work I've done to not be scared of anxiety has been undone now because I can't blame everything on anxiety. Something being wrong is every health anxiety sufferers worst nightmare and I've been told it's not anxiety but we don't no what it is. Can feel myself spiraling with worry.

 

[SallyHart]

I watch Dr Berg Videos on youtube. He has a ton of stuff addressing all those issues you mention. There are a lot of testimonials in the comments. Go on his page and use the search function to get help on any particular issue. He gives great advice on how to solve things. I have watched him for years and he is great. BTW - Dr Berg is all about healthy eating and natural ways of eating.

 

[Chrissyjo]

Yeah I’ve got high cholesterol too. A few years ago it was over 5. It’s not 4.1 but I’m not sure why it’s lower.
I didn’t change my diet so unsure. I’m 52
More under than over weight. My diet isn’t super great but I don’t drink soft drink or have take away / pastries etc.
I do eat too much chocolate, maybe between 50-100g a day.
Not sure where you live but in Australia we have cholesterol lowering butter. It lowers it by 10%. Or you can get medication called statins. I tried them a few years ago but had to stop, they made me so nauseous.
My doc thinks mine might be genetic but I’m unsure why mine is high
Maybe change your diet and retest in a few months and see if it’s lower

 

[Seryn]

I always thought cholesterol was diet based so that's interesting. Thanks for the heads up on the butter I've just googled and we have two brands in the UK so I'll switch to that! It's the takeaways I think that are the worst ever since they started Uber eats in my area in 2022 it's just too easy to get fast food delivered. I've deleted the apps. Hopefully if I can loose 15kg I'll be back to a healthy weight. Just seems so so much harder to get a health BMI at 40! I haven't been that weight since I was 20! But at this point I'll try anything to stop all these physical symptoms. The stress is playing havoc on my anxiety. I just wish I could exercise without my legs feeling 10 times worse after. I'm also getting annoyed I don't have answers.

 

[bin_tenn]

I always thought cholesterol was diet based so that's interesting. Thanks for the heads up on the butter I've just googled and we have two brands in the UK so I'll switch to that! It's the takeaways I think that are the worst ever since they started Uber eats in my area in 2022 it's just too easy to get fast food delivered. I've deleted the apps. Hopefully if I can loose 15kg I'll be back to a healthy weight. Just seems so so much harder to get a health BMI at 40! I haven't been that weight since I was 20! But at this point I'll try anything to stop all these physical symptoms. The stress is playing havoc on my anxiety. I just wish I could exercise without my legs feeling 10 times worse after. I'm also getting annoyed I don't have answers.

I used to think it was primarily about diet as well, but it's definitely a lot more than that. Genetics, exercise level and diet are all very important in managing cholesterol. Even with a great diet, the presence of a genetic component or a lack of physical activity may still lead to abnormal cholesterol numbers. And in my case, despite a much improved diet and regular physical activity (although it's not specifically cardio) my cholesterol hasn't improved much, if at all. That's where medication comes in, usually statins.

I hope you can get these things under control soon, and I hope you can feel less anxious about it in general. I know how frustrating or scary it can be sometimes, you're not alone.

 

[Chrissyjo]

And in my case, despite a much improved diet and regular physical activity (although it's not specifically cardio) my cholesterol hasn't improved much, if at all. That's where medication comes in, usually statins

Yeah same. I do lots of exercise but it hasn’t helped my levels. Do you take statins?

 

[MARCC]

I have taken a high quality red yeast rice for many years. I went over this with my physician. I also eat salmon quite often. However, I am also 10 to 15 pounds overweight. Last time my blood was checked my cholesterol wax 150.

 

[bin_tenn]

Yeah same. I do lots of exercise but it hasn’t helped my levels. Do you take statins?

Not yet. That'll probably be the next step if my numbers haven't improved much when I go for my yearly checkup next year. I do currently take gemfibrozil which is a fibrate, because my triglycerides were extremely high this year. That med knocked them down to almost normal, in combination with cutting out almost all sugar. We'll see next year. I did recently buy a bicycle, and I ride with the kids, so maybe that'll help.

 

[Seryn]

My cholesterol was 160. I have no idea what that means but apparently it's on the high side for my age (39).

I'm new to blood results as you all no I'm terrified of needles and avoid them can someone make sense of this for me as I feel like my drs haven't explained anything because they were all normal. If my inflammation markers were normal does that mean what I'm feeling can't be inflammation? The sensation I get in my back and legs I would describe as feeling inflamed. Is this not the case if my inflammation markers were fine? I don't want to Google because i also no it's a cancer marker too and I don't need to go down that rabbit hole when it was normal.

 

[bin_tenn]

My cholesterol was 160. I have no idea what that means but apparently it's on the high side for my age (39).

Cholesterol isn't a single number, it's a combination of a few things. HDL ("good" cholesterol), LDL ("bad" cholesterol), triglycerides, VLDL, total cholesterol, LDL-HDL ratio. Sometimes one or more of those can be outside of the normal range, but another number is better than expected so it's ultimately not a problem.

I'm not sure about the inflammation, unfortunately.

 

[Chrissyjo]

My cholesterol was 160

They must do readings different in other countries as mine is 4.1. I don’t know the total amount of good and bad but the bad is 4.1
How are peoples readings over 100?

 

[Seryn]

She said it to me looking at me as if I'd be surprised but I had no idea what 160 meant in context other than her telling me it was high for my age. I'm not too worried as it was only presented to me when the Dr reviewed it as when I rung for results I was told all fine no concerns. Just must be something I need to be mindful of I guess.

 

[Chrissyjo]

I worry about my levels too but no sure what to do to fix it seeing as medication make me feel too unwell to continue. I need to cut back sugar but it’s hard.

 

[Seryn]

Yeh unfortunately I like all bad stuff! This last year I've been eating whatever I want which has been lovely mentally not constantly worrying and judging what I eat but obs there's been consequences to that and I'm 3 stone heavier than deemed a healthy BMI. Bit ashamed I've managed to put that much on in just over a year. Stopping buying processed sugar wasn't as hard as I anticipated, first week I'd walk past chocolate in the supermarket literally feeling angry I couldn't buy it! And I had weird symptoms of waking up at 3am for over a week. But then I was fine. Only annoying thing is my weight is coming down ridiculously slowly. Like just under half a stone in two months. I guess I just need to be patient. It's better then going up more. Also I'm grateful that I feel much more energised.

 

[TruthHurts]

The mystery of my legs and swelling continues. Dr has said it's not anxiety causing the root of my chronic problems....so that's made me anxious! However trying to stay positive and not have a breakdown my kidney, liver, iron and diabetes tests were all normal. I've got to go back for more bloods. (One way to get over my needles phobia all this honestly I could cry)

Only negative was my cholesterol was way too high for my age. Anyone have any good tips for lowering it quickly? I'm going to stop any takeaways and keep up with my no sugar diet. Is lowering cholesterol a slow process or will changes happen quickly if I sort my diet? My diet was awful up to two months ago and I've put on weight over the year so it's no shock.

I've got to have my electrolytes tested but it's a 5 week wait for bloods. they've given me water tablets to try and help the swelling (don't want to take them Dr said they can make you dizzy which will send my anxiety through the roof) but also to check my sodium and potassium levels. After that it's on to auto immune tests.

Health anxiety sucks. Health anxiety when something is actually wrong for once but they don't no what REALLY sucks. I want to curl up in a ball and ignore the world.

Limit your saturated fat intake and add more foods high in fiber like oatmeal, legumes, fruits, veggies etc fish oil will help to lower cholesterol as well or you can eat fish. Get active even if it's just walking more. If you do this your numbers will drop a good amount within 2 to 3 months and you should be able to get back within the normal range. I eat oatmeal with fruit, chia seeds, ground flax seed and cinnamon just about everyday.

 

[Seryn]

Thank you for that. Are there any other good breakfast ideas? I will eat anything in the world aside from oatmeal/porridge! I have tried so many times but it's just lumpy cardboard, it's just the one food I can't eat as well as nuts. I've been having Weetabix which might just be a UK think I don't know? But them with semi skimmed milk and a banana. Or brown bread toast with a apparently cholesterol busting butter. The last few months I've been great with fruit and veg. Always getting my 5 a day. I have salmon and tuna regularly. I think I'll cut back to a red meat once a week which will probably be minced beef in some variety or steak. Still on the massively reduced refined sugar kick. Aside from a couple take aways setting in. They really really need to go.

Exercise is a problem. What ever is causing the water retention in my legs and back is made ten times more painful with walking. I'm just about managing 3k steps with my dog everyday. Drs being incredibly slow diagnosing this. I've got 4ish weeks until my next bloods which are for electrolytes. That's not going to diagnose anything but then it will be after Xmas and hopefully testing for autoimmune markers and maybe that will explain what's going on. I might try swimming. I just could do without the expense of joining our local gym with a pool coming up to Xmas.

 

[Canuck]

Why don't you at least try the meds the doctor prescribed?