Well, I went to the doctor for a check on my cholesterol yesterday. And the good news is that in just 3 months, I have lowered it by 30 points! With Niacin (1000 mg daily). Niacin (one of the B vitamins), as those taking the instant release stuff know, causes "hot flashes" and worse - itching! According to my doctor, the itching is because of histamines and is normal (which is good news, I am not allergic to it, and bad news! Like I need to scratch more?).
I just started the regimen in April, so I should have my Cholesterol down in the good range the next time I see him. My cholesterol is partly hereditary (my mother has been on Niacin, Omega-3 and Red Rice for years), so I am just glad I can control it without going to a Statin drugs (possible side effects - DEATH - you know the routine). And it may be playing a role in my BP as well, since the nurse was kind of concerned about that (although the doctor did not seem to be). It was 102/60. hey! It is not high! If the Niacin continues to work as it has, I may be able to get off the Lisinopril so my BP goes back to a more normal range.
But the bad news. Niacin does have a side effect other than hot flashes and itching. (what does not these days?) I am slightly diabetic. not enough for my doctor to worry, but enough for him to tell me to cut out the carbohydrates!
That means potatoes (I love French Fries and Baked potatoes) and worst of all - PASTA! Pasta is my favorite food! In fact my favorite dish (other than eating steamed blue crabs - but that is an event, not a dish) is Seafood Linguine! Before, because of the Cholesterol, I had to stop eating the clams/mussels/shrimp. Now I have to stop eating the linguine! (but I can eat the clams/mussels/shrimp).
So I guess I am getting healthy, but at the rate I am going, I am not going to be able to eat anything in 20 years except oatmeal! And I hate oatmeal!
I am beginning to believe people do not die of natural causes. They die because they get tired of all the dos and don'ts that comes with living!