Like I've already told you, I'll be really pissed if you die. So, whatever the thing you need to do will turn out to be, do the thing.  

Good luck - I hope you can get things back to a normal range with dietary changes and avoid any meds.  I have a predisposition to high cholesterol from dad's side of the family, and a history of "cardiovascular issues" on moms side -- a wonderful genetic cocktail -- and the meds for me were pretty much unavoidable.

Are your sodium levels in a normal range?  

Mushrooms (esp. shiitake) are naturally high in vitamin D.

Will they be doing any followup tests during the 90-days, or only at the end? If they're doing interim tests then, as others have suggested, viewing it as a set of smaller goals could help you from feeling overwhelmed.

I think I'm in your doctor's corner regarding the high cholesterol and starting scripts sooner rather than later.  The problem is, you might have to try a couple of different ones because different people experience some annoying side effects from some like night time leg cramps, etc.  Another tip, try different ones instead of taking additional meds to control the side effects if at all possible. 

7 hours ago, Wayne Gray said:

On the good side of things ... I've found a recipe for parsnip/carrot fries that looks great.

Parsnips! They might look okay on the surface (psst... no they don’t, they look suspect; they’re all white and wrinkly looking) but underneath they’re evil, evil things. Believe me, I have known this from childhood—and I’m 60 years old, I ought’a know—when my mother tried to hide them in mashed potatoes, unsuccessfully. My brother, who’s two years younger, concurs.

Eat well, not too much, mostly plants (not parsnips) and best of luck!

30 minutes ago, Ron said:

Parsnips! They might look okay on the surface (psst... no they don’t, they look suspect; they’re all white and wrinkly looking) but underneath they’re evil, evil things. Believe me, I have known this from childhood—and I’m 60 years old, I ought’a know—when my mother tried to hide them in mashed potatoes, unsuccessfully. My brother, who’s two years younger, concurs.

Eat well, not too much, mostly plants (not parsnips) and best of luck!

Hahaha.

You'll be happy to know that the parsnip fries turned out great. Crispy with a healthy dose of olive oil, salt and pepper, they're not all that bad.

I'm trying to do the "mostly veggies and fruit" thing. Whole grain with a lot of soluble fiber, lean meats too.

Thank you for the well-wishes.

1 hour ago, Daddydavek said:

I think I'm in your doctor's corner regarding the high cholesterol and starting scripts sooner rather than later.  The problem is, you might have to try a couple of different ones because different people experience some annoying side effects from some like night time leg cramps, etc.  Another tip, try different ones instead of taking additional meds to control the side effects if at all possible. 

Maybe I should have just said yes to the medication. But, I have to know. I have to know if I can do it on my own first. I'm perfectly willing to accept that I may not be able to overcome genetics, even with a very strict diet and exercise regimen. If that's the case then so be it. But I really do have to try first.

10 hours ago, Ron said:

Parsnips! They might look okay on the surface (psst... no they don’t, they look suspect; they’re all white and wrinkly looking) but underneath they’re evil, evil things. Believe me, I have known this from childhood—and I’m 60 years old, I ought’a know—when my mother tried to hide them in mashed potatoes, unsuccessfully. My brother, who’s two years younger, concurs.

Eat well, not too much, mostly plants (not parsnips) and best of luck!

You're weird. Parsnips are the best. ❤️ 

14 hours ago, MichaelS36 said:

It's a shock at first. But you will likely find, since you are already health conscious, you don't have to change a huge amount. I gave up a lot when I was diagnosed.  But tim really saved me. I've tried and enjoyed things I would never have considered.  Seriously? Zucchini noodles? But yes, I eat and enjoy them. He comes to me often ... will you try this? I say yes, because why the hell not try?

Go for it Wayne. This is just another challenge.  Isn't that what life is?

It is still a shock. I'm thinking about everything. I stood at the counter of the coffee shop this morning, ordered my latte, then immediately changed my order to hemp milk vs regular. I need to take a hard look at anything with animal products in it now. Milk is an unnecessary dose of cholesterol, as is creamer. I also put in twenty minutes on the elliptical before work, and I'll be using the Smith Machine tonight when I get home.

Thanks for relating your own experience. I value knowing that it can be done, you know? I realize our situations are different, but they're relatable, regardless. I love the willingness to try new things, and I'm lucky that I feel the same way. There's no harm in trying.

You're right - this is another challenge. I've had them before, and this is something I can deal with. It's still new and a bit raw, but I'll get it figured out.

Thanks, Mike.

21 hours ago, Fae Briona said:

Good luck - I hope you can get things back to a normal range with dietary changes and avoid any meds.  I have a predisposition to high cholesterol from dad's side of the family, and a history of "cardiovascular issues" on moms side -- a wonderful genetic cocktail -- and the meds for me were pretty much unavoidable.

Are your sodium levels in a normal range?  

Mushrooms (esp. shiitake) are naturally high in vitamin D.

Will they be doing any followup tests during the 90-days, or only at the end? If they're doing interim tests then, as others have suggested, viewing it as a set of smaller goals could help you from feeling overwhelmed.

Thank you, Fae.

My father died of a massive heart attack, but my mother is still going strong. Her heart seems to be made of some pretty stern stuff, and has always been healthy cardiovascularly. Maybe I'll luck out there.

My sodium is fine, blood sugar too. So that's good. I'm exploring options for vitamin D supplementation through my diet, and I saw that mushrooms were one of the things recommended. They're cholesterol-free too, so win-win.

They're going to retest my levels at the end of the ninety day period. Otherwise the insurance will see the repeated testing as unnecessary, and I'll foot the bill for the whole cost of those additional tests. As it is, I'll probably have to pay for the ones at ninety days (for those living outside the US, this is what for profit healthcare systems look like).

I am feeling less overwhelmed and forcing myself to be more conscious. I have coworkers who invited me to lunch today, and I had to say no. They're going to go to have Mexican food, and that's just a minefield for me. Instead, I'm having a turkey wrap with cheddar cheese. It has 30% of my allowable cholesterol for the day, and is my first dose of the stuff.

I have to put in the work. No matter what else I do, most of that is paying a lot of attention to what I eat.

21 hours ago, Thorn Wilde said:

Like I've already told you, I'll be really pissed if you die. So, whatever the thing you need to do will turn out to be, do the thing.  

I'll be pissed if I die too. I have too much to do.

Thanks, Thorn. 🙂

17 hours ago, Wayne Gray said:

I'm sorry, Sir. I shall not name my sources!

don't think you have to.. he was a Detective, he's figured that out..LOL

19 hours ago, Wayne Gray said:

I'm sorry, Sir. I shall not name my sources!

Oh Wayne, please don't call me Sir.  

W

I think that there is no reason voor panic and that you must not refuse certain food for fear of high cholesterol. So is milk important for calcium intake , folic acid and vitamins B. Choose only (semi-)skimmed milk. 
    In eggs is vitamin D. But eggs are rich in cholesterol. You just can keep eating eggs but no  more than twice a week. If you will eat less meat, which is  good , then you must  get your protein from somewhere else such as milk and eggs. 

You need cholesterol but there is good cholesterol and bad cholesterol. The bad cholesterol is in saturated fat, such in meat, milk, cheese , , and butter. The good cholesterol is in  (multi -) unsaturated fatty acids. Found In vegetable oils (olive oilp)and fish. They will have a positive effect on cholesterol levels. Nowadays we know that it's about the right balance between the good and the bad cholesterol. Also daily exercise lowers cholesterol levels in the blood.
    Vitamin D is only 10% from the diet (mainly from fatty fish and cod liver oil) In vegetarians is more often low vitamin D levels seen than in meat eaters. The remainder of the Vitamine D is produced in the skin by sunlight. Therefore it is important, even in winter, to be  at least 15 to 30 minutes a day with unveiled face (and if possible hands)  outside, even if it is cloudy.

You can see that what is good for de vitamine D and calcium is not always good for the cholesterol. So I recommend a visit to a dietician. 
But with  moving to a healthy lifestyle in the outdoors you come a long way.

I am a dutch public pharmasist

On 12/18/2019 at 4:13 PM, MichaelS36 said:

Oh Wayne, please don't call me Sir.  

You got it, Mike.

Thanks again for the support.

10 minutes ago, dutch woman said:

I think that there is no reason voor panic and that you must not refuse certain food for fear of high cholesterol. So is milk important for calcium intake , folic acid and vitamins B. Choose only (semi-)skimmed milk. 
    In eggs is vitamin D. But eggs are rich in cholesterol. You just can keep eating eggs but no  more than twice a week. If you will eat less meat, which is  good , then you must  get your protein from somewhere else such as milk and eggs. 

You need cholesterol but there is good cholesterol and bad cholesterol. The bad cholesterol is in saturated fat, such in meat, milk, cheese , , and butter. The good cholesterol is in  (multi -) unsaturated fatty acids. Found In vegetable oils (olive oilp)and fish. They will have a positive effect on cholesterol levels. Nowadays we know that it's about the right balance between the good and the bad cholesterol. Also daily exercise lowers cholesterol levels in the blood.
    Vitamin D is only 10% from the diet (mainly from fatty fish and cod liver oil) In vegetarians is more often low vitamin D levels seen than in meat eaters. The remainder of the Vitamine D is produced in the skin by sunlight. Therefore it is important, even in winter, to be  at least 15 to 30 minutes a day with unveiled face (and if possible hands)  outside, even if it is cloudy.

You can see that what is good for de vitamine D and calcium is not always good for the cholesterol. So I recommend a visit to a dietician. 
But with  moving to a healthy lifestyle in the outdoors you come a long way.

I am a dutch public pharmasist

Thanks for the great and thoughtful comment.

The name "Gray" really is a misrepresentation of how I do just about everything, unfortunately. I'm either black or white - pretty awful at moderation. I know that I have to try. I love eggs, dairy, and red meat. Denying them all the time isn't the answer, and I know that, but it's very hard for me to strike a balance. Once I visit our dietitian I'll have a better idea of where "center" should be, and I can throw myself at her recommended plan. Till then, I'm eating a lot of lentils, Greek yogurt (surprisingly low in cholesterol!), sweet potato, nuts, leafy greens, fruits and vegetables.

Sunlight here is pretty tough to come by. It's often cloudy and rainy in our part of the world, particularly right now. I don't have a windowed office either, so I'll have to make an active attempt to get light during the day. Your advice is a good reminder.

Between my father's death of a heart attack and my lipid panel numbers my provider was fairly concerned. He's allowing me to try and lower my numbers before medication, and I'm thankful for the shot. I don't want to screw it up.

I'll work at the not-panicking.