21st June 2006
Here is my strategy for trying to control cholesterol and to "reverse" plaque buildup, and to prevent restenosis. As stated elsewhere, I have had two stents and three angioplasties since May 1 to preventing further blockage and avoiding bypass.
I had been on 3g of fish oil per day along with VitC, VitE, multi...and when angina struck in late April, I immediately increased dramatically. I went to 8g fish oil, 10-12g VitC, added 3g lysine, 1.5g proline (see Pauling site for details), 100mg CoQ10, in addition to previous intakes. I also added EDTA chelation (controversial I know and more reading has made me more doubtful and I am reevaluating continuing the chelation). I also had been taking 20mg Lipitor and this was increased to 40mg. Post first angio/stent, they added 75mg Plavix. I continued my 325mg aspirin.
This resulted in LDLs dropping from 92 to 75 with HDLs in the low 35 range. Total at 170, Trig at 150. Not bad.
But...second blockage 6 weeks later, so I have adjusted further. Changed to Vytorin (10mg/40mg) which adds the Zetia sequesting agent to Zocor instead of the Lipitor. While I haven't researched it myself, my primary says that the Zocor has evidence of contributing to HDL elevation while the Lipitor does not. In addition, I added 500mg Niaspan, a slow release niacin, which raises HDL. Finally, 30mg of isosorbid, a slow acting nitro to help present spasm.
In spite of all of this, I still have plenty of PVCs (I know, somewhat unrelated to cholesterol reduction), and don't feel all that great. I plan to reenter cadiac rehab next week and will hope for the best. I do not know any other vairable knobs to try and would appreciate any new suggestions.
Hope this helps.
Ken
I had been on 3g of fish oil per day along with VitC, VitE, multi...and when angina struck in late April, I immediately increased dramatically. I went to 8g fish oil, 10-12g VitC, added 3g lysine, 1.5g proline (see Pauling site for details), 100mg CoQ10, in addition to previous intakes. I also added EDTA chelation (controversial I know and more reading has made me more doubtful and I am reevaluating continuing the chelation). I also had been taking 20mg Lipitor and this was increased to 40mg. Post first angio/stent, they added 75mg Plavix. I continued my 325mg aspirin.
This resulted in LDLs dropping from 92 to 75 with HDLs in the low 35 range. Total at 170, Trig at 150. Not bad.
But...second blockage 6 weeks later, so I have adjusted further. Changed to Vytorin (10mg/40mg) which adds the Zetia sequesting agent to Zocor instead of the Lipitor. While I haven't researched it myself, my primary says that the Zocor has evidence of contributing to HDL elevation while the Lipitor does not. In addition, I added 500mg Niaspan, a slow release niacin, which raises HDL. Finally, 30mg of isosorbid, a slow acting nitro to help present spasm.
In spite of all of this, I still have plenty of PVCs (I know, somewhat unrelated to cholesterol reduction), and don't feel all that great. I plan to reenter cadiac rehab next week and will hope for the best. I do not know any other vairable knobs to try and would appreciate any new suggestions.
Hope this helps.
Ken