Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: aztecan on July 05, 2006, 11:55:40 pm
Title: OMG! I can't believe it!
Post by: aztecan on July 05, 2006, 11:55:40 pm
Well, I had my visit to the doc today. I am still somewhat amazed.
My overall cholesterol is basically sort of normal! EEP! The diet, exercise, fish oil and Zetia seem to be working!
I am pretty happy about this.
Overall cholesterol: 192 (normal range - 120-199)
LDL Cholesterol: 122 (normal range - 0-130)
HDL Cholesterol: 23 (normal range - 32-96)
Triglycerides: 237 (normal range - 30-200)
OK, so the numbers aren't exactly wonderful, but they are better than I have had in a long time, with the exception of when I was taking Vytorin, which dropped my overall cholesterol to about 140. It also hiked my CPKs up to 962, nearly cratered my liver and caused a lot of myopathy from which I am still recovering.
Tonight I will add a new drug, Niaspan. It is extended release niacin. I am supposed to take it just before bed. I am also supposed to take an aspirin or Ibuprofen a half-hour before I take the Niaspan. It is supposed to lessen the side effects, which my doc tells me probably will wear off with time.
I know a person here who takes it and says it seems to be working for him.
So, tonight I will get to try something new.
Wish me luck,
Mark
Oh, the other numbers are still OK. CD4's dropped by a little more than 300 to 1,170 (39 percent) and viral load remains undetectable. Guess my 10-year-old regimen is still working.
Title: Re: OMG! I can't believe it!
Post by: tnboy on July 06, 2006, 12:28:31 am
Sounds Good Mark!
Wishing you the VERY BEST LUCK! ;)
Mike
Title: Re: OMG! I can't believe it!
Post by: JohnOso on July 06, 2006, 04:30:44 am
GREAT job on those numbers Mark!
It's nice to see hard work paying off in the end.
I'm taking fish oil capsules also and i'm getting a lipid profile with my next set of labs at the end of this month. I've been pretty good at the exercise portion. Diet....well let's just say I need to work on that a little more. I don't think i'm eating enough actually, and need to tweak a few things here and there.
take care, John
Title: Re: OMG! I can't believe it!
Post by: J.R.E. on July 06, 2006, 07:39:15 am
Hello Mark,
Your numbers are not bad at all !! Looking good... especiallly when you consider the years of medication that you've been on.
The Best---Ray
Title: Re: OMG! I can't believe it!
Post by: Andy Velez on July 06, 2006, 09:02:53 am
Good for you, Mark! WAY TO GO!
Cheers,
Title: Re: OMG! I can't believe it!
Post by: RAB on July 06, 2006, 09:09:58 am
Mark:
Great News Guy! 10 years and your regimen is still kickin some serious butt! ;D
RAB
Title: Re: OMG! I can't believe it!
Post by: skeebo1969 on July 06, 2006, 09:28:35 am
Mark,
Congrats on the numbers!
Thomas
Title: Re: OMG! I can't believe it!
Post by: angels4kelly on July 06, 2006, 10:07:01 am
Hey Mark! I'm really happy for you ;D Good luck with the new medication!!
Peace, Kelly 8)
Title: Re: OMG! I can't believe it!
Post by: kcmetroman on July 06, 2006, 10:24:33 am
YOU GO BIG BUDDIE!!!
Title: Re: OMG! I can't believe it!
Post by: Robert on July 06, 2006, 10:26:58 am
Those are good numbers, mark. Congratulations!
But what's the Niaspan for? The liver? It seems the diet and exercise and fish oil have worked on your cholesterol so now maybe they'll concentrate on your liver?
robert
Title: Re: OMG! I can't believe it!
Post by: ademas on July 06, 2006, 10:52:24 am
good show there, aztecan!
I'll be interested to hear how the Niaspan works for you.
(I was on high doses of niacin for about 6 months, and it did wonders for my cholesterol. The "rush" just got worse and worse over time, though, and I opted out.)
Title: Re: OMG! I can't believe it!
Post by: Oceanbeach on July 06, 2006, 04:28:40 pm
Dear Mark,
I got good results yesterday too. Doctor said I should eat more fish. I said I do eat Fishsticks and frozen French Fries, isn't that a macro-biotic diet? Then, I went into the nurses office and interupted the current love of my life from his important work. I gave him a gift of herbs for stress and depression and let him return to his work. All things considered, yesterday was a very good day. Have the best day Michael
Title: Re: OMG! I can't believe it!
Post by: Teresa on July 06, 2006, 04:31:21 pm
Congratulations on the numbers!
Hope the new medication is going good for ya.
Hugs Teresa
Title: Re: OMG! I can't believe it!
Post by: jkinatl2 on July 06, 2006, 04:46:07 pm
What part of the fish IS the stick?
Mark, great news on great numbers. I hope they are reflected in the way you feel. From reading your thread regarding the floor-refinishing, I submit that you seem to be doing really well. I had to take a nap after READING about your efforts :)
Title: Re: OMG! I can't believe it!
Post by: AlanBama on July 06, 2006, 08:57:51 pm
That's great Mark! I don't think I know of anyone who has been on the same combo for as long as you have. I hope it continues to work well for you, and I can't wait to see you in Montreal.
Hugs,
Alan
Title: Re: OMG! I can't believe it!
Post by: zephyr on July 06, 2006, 09:02:43 pm
Hi Mark...
This is excellent news, my friend!
I'm doing a <<<HAPPY DANCE>>> for you!
Love,
Zephie
Title: Re: OMG! I can't believe it!
Post by: cubbybear on July 06, 2006, 10:10:11 pm
Great number there Mark! Big Woofs! xxx Matt
Title: Re: OMG! I can't believe it!
Post by: david25luvit on July 07, 2006, 01:14:35 am
Mark...sounds good to me, good buddy. Wishing you the best of luck... two years ago I remember when my tryclerides were over 500...talk about panic EEK!