An "Episode" I'd like to have missed...

[CanyonBaby 1,852]

So I went to see my PCP today, after having a strange "Episode" in the grocery the other day (strange flutter and pressure in my heart that lasted about 10 minutes or so). She informs me that my diabetes is in remission (YAY!), my blood pressure is normal (YAY!), my triglycerides are normal (say WHAT? You're kidding, right?!), and my LDL is OUT OF THIS WORLD.......it's never been so high and what is going on here? Seriously, WHAT IS GOING ON??? She hasn't a clue, so has me do an EKG. Apparently I had an "Episode" of some strange type, and now I must undergo a stress test. STRESS TEST? Cannot she see I am already under stress and isn't it OBVIOUS? (Just kidding!)

As I await said test, coming in late May, I am wondering if anyone else out there has had such strange results with their cholesterol levels? I am following my plan as closely as possible, and we cannot figure it out. She does not feel it was a "mistake" or false reading. Any ideas?

[ab123. 90]

What were the results of your EKG? If she was super concerned she probably would have sent you for your stress test as a stat order so that is a good sign. (retired RN)

[CanyonBaby 1,852]

That I hadn't had a heart attack then, but maybe prior to. Uncertain. An "episode of some type". Enough of a concern to do a stress test, and if I had another "episode", I need to go to the ER (after taking 2 aspirin). I've had the "flutter"-thing for years (possibly my MVP), but I never had the pressure with it before, and it (flutter) had never lasted that long (and it wasn't even a stressful day!).

It's not so much the "episode" that concerns us, it's the cholesterol thing. Just really strange. No explaining it, so I wondered if anyone else had experienced this after WLS. So back to Lipitor I go, for the time-being. I wonder if, since my WLS was done in December-last, if this particular cholesterol just hasn't "caught-up" with the other numbers, and may take longer to do so. What do you think?

[JM1997 3]

Just curious but what was your cholesterol? So everything else is normal beside that then? I agree if the PCP felt it was serious he would've sent you earlier but maybe you should consult with a cardiologist and go sooner. Good luck and keep us posted.

[ab123. 90]

@@CanyonBaby going into hospital to have my sleeve! I will get back to you. I did a lot of Telemetry nursing.

[CanyonBaby 1,852]

@@lynneanne

Best wishes and safe surgery for you!!! I'm sure you'll do great! Let me know how you do....Your in my prayers....

[CanyonBaby 1,852]

@@JM1997

I don't have the numbers, but she said that the good cholesterol was perfect, as was the triglycerides. It is the bad cholesterol that was so off, and what was strange was it was soooooo much higher than at my worst. She is very concerned as I am diabetic (although in remission), and have a strong family history of heart disease (most of people die between 33-65 years old), and my sis just passed at 56. Mom was 64. Cousin 33..... so I understand her concern for that. She and I both felt it was so strange that the one number (and not all of them) was so out of whack. She is supposedly going to chat with my NUT to see what her take on it is. It is a mystery, indeed!

BTW, The reasoning for the delay in the stress test is (of course) insurance approval. I have to have it approved before I can get it done. Once approved, it'll get done.

[CanyonBaby 1,852]

lynneanne, I hope your surgery went well and you are recovering spectacularly!

JM1997, My stress test is now scheduled for the 6th of May, so will find out more then.

Thanks for caring!

[Kimcamm 102]

CanyonBaby sorry to hear about your episode. Just shooting in the dark here but maybe the high Protein diet is too hard on your system and maybe a more vegan diet might turn that cholesterol number around. Again not sure but I'm thinking of you and sending positive thoughts and prayers your way. Please update us when you can. Hugs

[CanyonBaby 1,852]

@@Kimcamm

You are soooo sweet! Thanks for the kind thoughts and suggestion. You know, I have often thought of going that way, vegan, I mean, but the carnivore in me always has it's way with me! I hate eating living creatures, but it is what I eat. I don't know how I would be able to change that, but I'm seeing the dietician on the 4th, so I'll ask her. Maybe it is just what I have to do. And accept it. Your's is a very valid point, one I hadn't thought of.

Sad news for me, my PCP is retiring at the end of June and I am soooo bummed. She has helped me so much, now I will cry.

Hugs back!!!!

[NikkiDoc 312]

I had a couple of episodes very similar to yours. In each case I figured out I was dehydrated.

If I were you I would ask to have the cholesterol re-run. I had a test come back for triglycerides that was like 3 times my previous numbers. When we re-ran it only a few days later it was back to normal. We don't know if it was a spike due to something I ate shortly before the blood draw or if it was a lab error. Since yours is such an anomaly I would verify the results. Everybody makes mistakes, including lab techs. If I remember correctly cholestrol is highly variable depending on what you ate in the last week or so before the blood draw.

My husband had a co-worker that was vegan. He ate no animal products. None, nada, zip. He still had to be on cholesterol lowering medicine. He had a strong genetic disposition towards high cholesterol, his whole family had high cholestrol. It isn't always from what you eat, it can be you own body just produces too much.

[CanyonBaby 1,852]

@@NikkiDoc

I agree, I think the test needs to be redone. And it will be in June. I DO have a bad family history with cholesterol, and I think it is just the way it is going to be. Most meds I've taken don't even phase it in the slightest. In fact, the meds actually cause me more harm by throwing my liver off. Too weird. So I guess we'll see what the stress test says, and go from there.

Thank you so much for your insight, everyone as been so helpful! Have a great day!