David Lasaine's Journal, 05 May 22

Fantastic that you are staying focused on health. I truly believe it's a more important metric than weight. No statins were involved for me, but I didn't like where my LDL was going and went nearly vegan. My cholesterol dropped and I feel fantastic  

Thanks for your input writingwyo. NOW, I have a new challenge to add to staying the course. Reversing heart disease. Even with the 'magic' statin lowering only the Tri's and the LDL's, the HDL's stayed the same and had NO effect on removing plaque buildup in my arteries which are now over 50% closed. So, doc...question #2. Why didn't you recommend a Cardiologist to at least get an angiogram to actually SEE my heart instead of looking at numbers on paper and acting as if you're watching a cartoon show? What the heck is going on? I have to do this all on my own? Oh, no... you are the doctor. But, again, I must thank this wonderful woman who I see only twice a week for 10 hours. Yet, she has transformed my life. I have seen the rib spreaders, the wound on the leg, the staples, and the scars... many times, on people I knew. You ain't going there on my dime buddy. 

I hope it works for you. I've seen three family members go through bypass surgery, so I know it's something best avoided if possible. I'm rooting for you! 

I looked up every item on my lab work and there is something called the "VLDL Calculated" range 5-30 (30 being the worst...related tooooo....LDL's). Even with the statin, I am at 25. Ummm....red flags anyone? BTW, I already made my own appt with a Cardio doc with my list of questions for him.  

Bravo👏🏽‼️🤙🏽 

Congrats! 

Some people have naturally high cholesterol numbers - doctors like to lower them with drugs and eating right doesn't necessarily work to reduce the bad numbers. Statins are a tool as well as diet and the effect of high cholesterol has always pointed to heart disease which is both environmental and hereditary. Good luck - I am sure you can find studies for drugs and against drugs 

But the cardiac doc visit is a good idea in my opinion 

Great post @David. Very touching. Congrats on the 30lb loss! Awesome job. The cardiac doctor recommendation by @abbadabba sounds like a good idea. Your drug Q?... Remember this.. Big pharma loves and cares for us all. Doctors are NEVER financially compensated and motivated to push meds on their patients. Big pharma would NEVER lie to us about ANYTHING! https://www.thennt.com/nnt/statins-persons-low-risk-cardiovascular-disease/ 

Congratulations! Love that you have someone who is so supportive! 💪🎉💪🎉💪🎉 

Thank you Diana 

Tattooed Chef makes a pretty tasty plant-based cauliflower pizza bowl that u might try🤙🏽 

Thanks to everyone for your kind comments. In total since April 15th, 2021, I have lost 46 lbs. Most without the statin and I believe all with the change in diet. The cardiologist checkup is to get his input and hopefully a baseline of where my arteries are. As far as big Pharma, lol. Of course, they would not lie. Ever. Never. I do not believe docs get compensated...(anymore) but do we know who is in who's pocket 100% for sure? No, we don't. Additionally, I do believe because I did learn from doctors about being a Massage Therapist, they only do what they know unless they expand their thought process outside the Pharma industry. I'll find out Friday when I show my doc the menus, I followed every day. If anything, a statin might be a 'quick fix' to lowering tris and most LDLs. But absolutely not to live on and depend on. When I went to a Medical University for my Massage Therapy training. I learned to look for the 'root' cause of any issue in addition to treatment. Of course, environmental issues fall into place, just look at how Monsanto and all its subsidiary companies have polluted the food industry. Almost everything they have touched had turned into either death by GMO food or India farmers committing suicide for their crops not producing as promised (documentary) and of course, hereditary issues fall in the puzzle, but why is it since following my lady friend's advice who is not from the US has had a larger impact and much better result than I've had my whole adult life? I've been on statins before and saw no change, in fact, there was no change in my VLDL this time around. Her suggestions are going too far outweigh (dietary) any medical take this drug first thing attitude. Almost 50 lbs. in a year. So, what did the statin do? I have no idea really since it was a tiny part of a 12 month period of eating right, planning every single meal, smoothie, tea, and snack before shopping, and shopping online not to be tempted to buy junk food also or stop at a fast-food joint. And to make matters worse or better, I cannot eat pizza anymore (at least white/wheat-based flour). It's too dang good to eat 2 pieces. The last time, she ate 3 pieces and I demolished the whole thing. For 3 days, I was wiped out. So, it's best to say no to bad food than to say, Okay, I'll try it. It just can't happen anymore. I will look for alternate flour though because I do like pizza.  

acomandr, I may have to avoid all flour-based products until I clear out my arteries.  

No flour in this frozen delight, David🤙🏽 

Keep in mind it can be just as much of a mistake to blanket reject all medical interventions as to blanket accept them. It's all a risk-benefit ratio. Sometimes the risks and symptoms of the disease are greater than the risks and side effects of the meds. You really have to weigh that and choose as wisely as you can with information from reliable sources (not Facebook). I wish you the best of luck with the cardiologist  

My total cholesterol (320) hasn't change at all after losing 27 lbs, but I did cut my Triglys from (150 to 73) and VLHL from (30 to 14) in two months eating mostly all eggs and meat. Blood work was perfect and BP was 110/65. My doctor is very confused.