Lesley Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 This is from a thread about Statins last year...... I could be here all night - but I'll try to keep it short I had a test a few years ago after my Mother had to have quintuple bypass. She was the most unlikely person to have heart problems and heart was the last thing to be checked. I and my two sisters were advised to be checked. One sister is thin and didn't bother to be checked, the other was very overweight and had a level of 4.2. Mine, bearing in mind I was normal weight and had been vegetarian for about 20 years, was 8.2. I was allowed to try reducing it with a low fat diet for over a year but it was still 7.9. Eventually, I agreed to try Statins - much against my will. My level came down to 5.3. A year later and it had risen to 6.7. I agreed to take a higher dose.........3 months later and my level was back down again. Nine months later at my annual check up and my level was back up I wasn't happy to keep increasing the Statins level and I've been reading a lot to see if there are alternatives. I started taking a high dose of fish oils and aloe vera juice. I chose products from Forever Living because they offer a money back guarantee if they don't work. After 8 weeks I had another test and my level was back down to 5.3. I'm now testing taking the fish oils but not taking Statins at all. My Practice Nurse is not impressed - nor is my GP, and I can't have any blood tests until my next review is due - because of the cost I bought some home tests and used one straight after the official one and the result was similar so I'm happy to use those until the next test. I would like to explore alternatives with the help of the nurse and GP but I don't have that choice. I'm monitoring it myself - I'm not into just disregarding the value of Statins but I also don't want to take them if I don't need them. I found a few others on the River Cottage forum who have also stopped taking Statins......but they don't chat much over there I have carried on on myown - still disappointed in the level of care I'm receiving. Took another home cholesterol test about 6 months ago which was still around the 5.5 mark. Today I had the letter about my annual check-up complete with the form for my blood test. I go to the hospital for the blood test and then phone and make a 20 minute appt. a week later with the PN. With the letter this time though is a note saying that there is no need for the cholesterol part of the test as current advice is that it isn't necessary. Why?? They know I haven't been taking Statins now for a year - why do they not want to monitor my health? What is the point of an appt. for the Healthy Heart Clinic if there is no cholesterol test? I have a family history so why can't I have a test? The blood test form just has a tick by 'renal'. I have lost some weight.....but not enough to keep the PN happy I expect. Is there any point in attending? - will I be blacklisted if I don't go? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 Sounds like a rock and hard place situation Lesley... not a lot of point in going, but you'll be damned if you don't. I hope that one of the nurses on here will be able to shed light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 I don't know this for sure, but I think cholestrol testing is now seen generally as being unrealiable: it takes a snapshot of levels at one time which might not reflect your general baseline level, also good/bad cholestrol? As I said, you should take the advice of someone who knows what they're talking about (and not me!). The health check I'm sure monitors stuff other than weight and cholestrol levels, and 20 mins with practice nurse is pretty good, I reckon! can you call the surgery to ask about no cholestrol testing? Can you discuss statins /no statins with the pracice nurse or doctor? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 There is the possibility that the letter is a standard one Lesley, so the sender will not be aware that you are not taking the statins. They will have a batch of healthscreens to do and yours is one. It's just a thought - worrying though it is. I'd ring and double check with the practice nurse. You certainly won't be damned if you don't go - it is voluntary, although I think they have to do a certain number to reach NHS targets. I'm really just thinking aloud here and could be completely wrong! Give them a ring, and hopefully one of current practice nurses will be along soon! TIGGY!! Where are you?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarrensWorld Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 PRAVAT..........? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted August 21, 2009 Author Share Posted August 21, 2009 PRAVAT..........? erm.... you've lost me? Snowy - I hadn't thought about it being a standard letter - I'll have to speak to the PN and risk having my ears chewed off again Chickenanne - I did speak to both PN and GP last year - and had my ears chewed off -and didn't I know that a cholesterol test cost £26??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 I'm afraid if she chews your ears off, I'd be wanting to speak to the practice manager about her attitude. Hope you get it sorted Lesley - wish I knew more about that area of practice, I'm so rusty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted August 22, 2009 Author Share Posted August 22, 2009 I have her email address so I'm going to email and ask if it was a standard letter and if it would be a good idea for me to have the one test a year I was previously told I could have. I don't want to go and have the blood test that is on the form and then have to go back for another, it takes a couple of hours waiting at Stratford Hospital. If all else fails then I can now have a test done at one of the pharmacies as I'm not taking the statins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarrensWorld Posted August 22, 2009 Share Posted August 22, 2009 PRAVAT..........? erm.... you've lost me? Sorry Lesley it's (Pravastatin Sodium). I tried Crestor (Rosuvastatin) but a host of side effects, made me........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted August 22, 2009 Share Posted August 22, 2009 I have her email address so I'm going to email and ask if it was a standard letter and if it would be a good idea for me to have the one test a year I was previously told I could have. I don't want to go and have the blood test that is on the form and then have to go back for another, it takes a couple of hours waiting at Stratford Hospital. If all else fails then I can now have a test done at one of the pharmacies as I'm not taking the statins. Hi Lesley, I work in hospital Labs that do the tests you are talking about. When it comes to adding on one cholesterol test on to one blood form, the cost is a pittence compared to the treatment of the complications of a patient who's high cholesterol has gone unmonitored for a long time. I think your GP is being very short sighted and only thinking of the cost to his practice rather than the cost to the NHS as a whole. Prevention is better than cure . Depending on what other tests are ticked on your form, pm me if you want, I am betting they won't even have to take an extra blood sample for the test you want. Is it a modern electronic printed form or an old fashioned form where you tick the boxes of the tests you want? If it's the latter I'd be tempted to tick the box and blame clerical error . After all, everyone knows mistakes happen in the NHS all the time . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted August 22, 2009 Author Share Posted August 22, 2009 Hi Warren - Egluntine and I had been looking, and she's just found it .....but.....it's still a statin and I'm not taking them at all - I'm happy with the high strength fish oils.....as long as they are working, that's why I need to know my cholesterol level, even if it's not an exact science. That was one of the arguments I used when I wanted to stop taking them funnily enough - they weren't convinced Mostin - unfortunately it is the first computer generated form I've had I'm going to ask nicely as I think you're right - I should be monitored. If I get no joy then I'll make an appointment with the Practice Manager. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted August 25, 2009 Share Posted August 25, 2009 Chickenanne - I did speak to both PN and GP last year - and had my ears chewed off -and didn't I know that a cholesterol test cost £26??? Thats a disgrace, whatever happened to "patient empowerment" or whatever the buzzword is? You're supposed to take control of your treatment and make a well-informed choice - how can you do that if your medical "professionals" won't help? Any chance of registering with a new practice? Failing that I would speak to the practice manager if you don't get any joy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggy Posted August 25, 2009 Share Posted August 25, 2009 There is the possibility that the letter is a standard one Lesley, so the sender will not be aware that you are not taking the statins. They will have a batch of healthscreens to do and yours is one. It's just a thought - worrying though it is. I'd ring and double check with the practice nurse. You certainly won't be damned if you don't go - it is voluntary, although I think they have to do a certain number to reach NHS targets. I'm really just thinking aloud here and could be completely wrong! Give them a ring, and hopefully one of current practice nurses will be along soon! TIGGY!! Where are you?? sorry I've been on holiday so have just caught up with this. OK here goes, screening for people at high risk for heat disease goes like this, if you have a strong family history of heat attack strokes or any other circulatory disease or diabetes it is reasonable to have your blood fats tested, we look for fasting triglyceride levels & the ratio of good & bad cholesterol (HDL & LDL) it depends on what this is rather than your total cholesterol really, also other factors such as your BMI smoking blood pressure gender & age are considered. In some people the risk of taking statins out weighs the benefits. If you have already been put onto statins then we need to check your liver function every so often & how your cholesterol is doing, if you are being prescibed fish oils for this purpose then its reasonable to have your cholesterol measured every so often, or how do we know if the treatment is helping? The annual review allows patients to see nurse or GP to ask questions about thier blood pressure treatment & make alterations to medication. Guidelines change all the time Of course the annual review gains points for the practice (= payment) but it does encourage better management of long term conditions because sensible practices use clerical support to get patients in who would otherwise not bother & could be developing complications without realising it. I hope this helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted August 26, 2009 Author Share Posted August 26, 2009 Thanks Tiggy. I haven't had a full test for ages - just total cholesterol and I haven't been prescribed fish oils - I changed over to them myself after doing a lot of reading. Even though the PN has seen what they did, no-one is interested in monitoring my cholesterol levels properly I don't really want to do it alone - I'd like to be monitored but I'll carry on if my home test shows my level to be OK. I can't really change practice either - I did try that but when I got to the front of the queue in the practice near to our village I had my ears chewed off there as well Although that practice was nearer - only a couple of miles away instead of 6 miles - the receptionist said our village is now 'out of their area' The next nearest 'belongs' to the next town and our address is Stratford. There are two other practices in Stratford, one is a two doctor practice.....and I fell out with one GP over the care of my Gran when I was her carer ......so I thought 'better the devil I know' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Lesley, I'm so sorry you're going through this. I would suggest the best way to handle this is to make an appointment to see the PN and to ask for some support in helping you manage this. In preparation for the meeting PRACTICE (out loud) what you want to say. Also, PRACTICE (out loud!) what you are going to say i ff she starts to chew your ears off. Your strategy in the chewing of ears situation could be something like this. In a very calm manner say: "Sorry, can I just stop you there please. (put your hand out in front of you in a stop gesture). "I'm feeling somewhat upset and frustrated that when I try and get some help it seems as though all I get is an ear chewing... "I appreciate you are trying to help me but it's having the opposite effect. I've actually been avoiding coming in to the surgery because of the ear chewing you gave me last time." "Can I share with you what's been going on and then get your advice and support?" Or something like that. You really do need to PRACTICE IT OUT LOUD. If you just think about it in your head it will come out all wrong when you try and say it. Practice Practice Practice. Then when it comes to it it will be front of mind and front o tongue, and you won't fall over your words or start to get upset. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggy Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 no one should 'chew your ear off' for trying to be sensible about your own health, having a chat with the GP or practice nurse to explain your worries should be enough to get a proper screening done even if its just to put your mind at rest, if everything turns out to be fine then its realistic to do a total cholesterol every so often if you have a significant family history, what you need to know is have you inherited a metabolic problem that causes derranged blood fats. If so then you need closer monitoring & possibly treatment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
