Let me start off by saying that my new GP thinks I'm a liar. She keeps telling me that I need to "diet and exercise" to reduce my cholesterol levels, and she REFUSES to prescribe me my Lipitor for controlling the levels, even though the elevated levels are partially BP meds' faults. Also, I'm 5lbs underweight, have tried a nutritionist for 12 weeks (who ultimately said that there is nothing I could naturally do about the cholesterol), AND I have a number of labs showing which medications have caused high cholesterol and which ones haven't.

She obviously doesn't understand that BP meds can cause liver, cholesterol, and diabetic problems. THANK GOD I do not have blood sugar problems, because she'd probably accused me of eating poorly for that too and who knows what could've happened to me if I wasn't prescribed insulin. (And I swear to god I hope I don't get diabetes.)

I'm fortunate that my old GP gave me two 90-day prescriptions for Lipitor (before I moved), which I plan to continue taking. My new GP doesn't like the nutritionist's notes about how I naturally can't do anything about the cholesterol. (I got my triglycerides down to 38 after cutting out certain foods from my diet, which is an extremely low number (bottom 5-10% of people). So in theory, my cholesterol should have dropped instead of increased.) She thinks the nutritionist is wrong, even though my dad, my grandpa, 4 of my dad's cousins, my dad's brother, and my dad's sister all have high cholesterol, and half of them are not overweight. Combine that with BP meds and you can see the issue.

I would probably get a heart attack if I went cold turkey off my cholesterol medication. Time for a new GP, preferably one who isn't a moron. She's playing "nutritionist" and "cardiac specialist" even though she does not have the qualifications.

[Blueberrybook]

Have you tried taking fish oil pills to reduce triglycerides? Ironically, cholesterol meds often cause triglycerides to go up. That has been my husband’s experience. He is thin too with high cholesterol and doesn’t eat tons of fatty foods. The fish oil pills helps keep his triglycerides down. He is not on any psych meds, just synthroid for his thyroid.

[Nammu]

Sounds like a very close minded GP! Yup time for a new one.

I agree, time for a new one

(((((bluebicycle)))))

[Unrigged64072835]

Wow, your GP is a piece of work.

Definitely need someone who understands your issues.

[Victoria'smom]

I hope you aren't stuck with her. I'd change gp. Possibly report her.

[Wild Coyote]

Damn!

Good thing you can look out for yourself!


WC

[*Laurie*]

How extremely frustrating and upsetting for you, blue. It's a terrible and even scary feeling to have a closed-minded, ignorant GP because they have so much power over your medical care.

Please find a new GP and leave the jerk you have in the dust.

[bizi]

isn't lipitor a relatively good med?
Is it a statin? maybe she is afraid of prescribing it to you for fear that you would get more side effects. But you have been o it right?
so You may not be able to tell what side effects are from what?
bizi

[Pookyl]

I’m not sure I’d fire my GP just because of a difference of opinion in Lipitor, but each to their own.

[~Christina]

I got a lousy GP when I moved to Florida last year he just liked to argue about my blood pressure of 110/70 wanting me on med ? Wha!? Hu?! No need to medicate my perfectly good blood pressure. Silly ignorant probably lowest scores in med school guy.

I promptly found a new one and she was great.