POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Pre-HAART Long-Term Survivors => Topic started by: aztecan on November 21, 2011, 10:42:45 pm
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I know it's only numbers, but mine suck.
I had my semi-annual blood draw today. I saw the doctor this afternoon.
My overall cholesterol is 225. :o
The rest of the lipids aren't much better.
The only decent numbers are the triglycerides, which were 143.
I have noticed a trend since I started Isentress. When I first started the lipids plummeted. I was delighted.
Then, it seems despite my best efforts, they have been climbing steadily.
I eat vegetarian meals about 90 percent of the time, which is no small feat when you must make sure it is all gluten free.
Most of the rest of the meals contain fish. I rarely eat red meat, and when I do, it is usually lean pork or boneless, skinless chicken breast.
Until recently, I exercised at least two hours, three days a week, including cardio and strength training - and swimming.
I did lay off the exercise the last few weeks because i wanted to see if it would lower my CPKs. They were lower than they have been, down to about 600.
The last set of labs, the overall cholesterol was borderline, coming in a 199, or 198. But today's results are worse, and I was being especially careful the past few months to eschew all fat save olive oil and avocados, with the occasional fresh egg thrown in.
I am about to throw up my hands. i just don't know what else to do.
The doctor gave me a script increasing my Niaspan to 1,000 mgs (1 gram). Its not a big increase, I already take 750 mgs. Maybe it will help, but I'm not going to hold my breath.
sigh. :'(
Mark
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I make jokes about throwing up my hands and giving up myself because like you I have tried pretty damn hard to improve my problems with these issues . You have gone much futher in trying to improve your issues than I have been able to muster and have been an inspiration to me .
I wish I had the perfect answer for you but all I have to offer is that I'm searching for that answer also . This lipid cholesterol issue seems to be a tough one for us long term survivors . My doctors cant seem to offer me anything in the way of a solution and that's troubling too .
Good luck Mark ... and hang in there . BIG HUG , Jeff .
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Mark, I threw my hands up a yr ago when I discovered i had GI-disease, so I just do whatever is required of my SIBO-diet, it's hard to sick to, but, if I don't do it, I'll suffer even more, aint old age fun ;D I know this isn't really helpful, but ya know, what else is there to do, I just take it a day at a time, so cheer up Markus.....ok I can relate to all of this, and last check, my lipids aint all that great either , but I'm not gonna stress over any of it anymore ;)
"Throws hands in the air" and go's back into my hole, the same one I came outta of to post this little tidbit"
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Yep, sometimes all we can do is the best we can do. You're doing everything correctly so just follow the course. Those numbers aren't horrible by no means, but I understand you expecting them to be better. I've dealt with this issue for years and only recently starting having great numbers. I started Isentress about 2 years ago and your comment has me a bit concerned. I hope my latest results aren't a temporary result because of that.
Wolfie
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Thanks all. I was just a bit rattled last night.
I will try to tweak the diet a bit further, making sure no hidden fats are sneaking in, and then just go with it.
This is one of those times I wish I could add one more pill to the regimen - some kind of statin.
But, since that's not possible, I will do what I can do.
Dennis, you're right. Stressing over the numbers doesn't help anything. Hmmm, maybe I should increase my intake of Merlot? ;)
Hey Wolfie, regarding the Isentress, my observations are purely anecdotal and may only apply to me. When I first switched, the difference between my PI regimen and my current regimen was astounding.
My numbers are still much better than they were, so while they have increased, they are still not as bad as they have been.
So, there is reason to hope.
Anyway, thanks again y'all.
HUGS,
Mark
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Mark honey, I'm sorry you didn't get a 'better' report....but as we all know, you are doing everything you know to do, and that is all any of us could do (and a heck of a lot more than most of us do already) You have been and continue to be an inspiration to me.
HUGS,
Alan :-*
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Like everyone here Mark I wish your results mirrored the work you put into it , I cannot help thinking that without that work your numbers could be really high. Throwing hands up in the air well its all part off living with this thing which you do with a great deal off grace Mark.
with love
m
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I will try to tweak the diet a bit further, making sure no hidden fats are sneaking in, and then just go with it.
HUGS,
Mark
Mark, I understand, where your coming from. Honestly, for me, I don't think I can tweak it anymore. I am all tweaked out. I really don't believe I can improve my diet any more than I have.
If my numbers stay at the point they were last time, I'm just thinking this is the best I can do:
CHOLESTEROL 219 High mg/dL <200
CHOLESTEROL.IN HDL 64 mg/dL >40
CHOLESTEROL.IN LDL 130 mg/dL <130
CHOLESTEROL.IN HDL 3.4 <5.0
TRIGLYCERIDE 126 mg/dL <150
I Still need to loose another 5-10 pounds, and hopefully I can get some more improvement on these, numbers. ( at least that's what the doc tells me ) :-\
EDITED TO ADD: This time of the year will not do my body or weight any good ! ::)
Hugs---Ray
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Thanks all. I was just a bit rattled last night.
Dennis, you're right. Stressing over the numbers doesn't help anything. Hmmm, maybe I should increase my intake of Merlot? ;)
HUGS,
Mark
Mark honey, I had to give up Merlot last yr. so no grapes-of wrath for me ??? it's against my SIBO-Diet, in fact no fresh ANYTHING for me EVER :( everything I now eat has to be fully cooked , and NO dairy products @ all , so don't feel bad about any of this, life is too dam short Markus :-*