Welcome to the Community About Nothing, and Yet Everything.
My cardiologist doesn't know it yet, but in my mind I fired him today. Here's the story:
Cardiologist orders a stress echo, CT cardiac scoring and a lipid panel following a couple of episodes of non-specific chest pain that I already knew with absolute certainty were NOT cardiac in nature. I passed the stress echo with flying colors, hitting 13 METS during the evolution. My cholesterol numbers were all in the "green" zone, even if just barely. HDL, LDL and Triglycerides ALL within the zone. My CT cardiac scoring was a 74 total, squarely in the "low to moderate" risk category. In fact, I just watched a video of the doctor that INVENTED the procedure and by his scale, I'm in the low category. But, for the sake of this little diatribe let's stick with "low to moderate".
I get a phone call today from my cardiologist's assistant (nurse?) who tells me that my doctor has reviewed my tests, especially my lipid numbers and that I am in an "extremely high" risk category for cardiac disease and he wants me to start an "aggressive course of statins" to get my numbers back in line. (words in quotes are exact words used)
I informed the nurse that unfortunately, I am going to be a non-compliant patient and do not want a prescription for statins. My doctor wants me to accept a risk (at whatever level) to my liver for the sake of making good numbers gooder? Are you effing kidding me?
I am 6'1" tall. I weigh 176 pounds. I do not have a sedentary job. I walk a LOT. I eat one meal a day. I don't use alcohol (for many months now, and likely never again, but we'll see). I no longer smoke. I do use smokeless tobacco which has its own dangers, but not nearly the cardiac implications of smoke. My high blood pressure is genetic and is not affected by diet or exercise and is very well controlled by nebivolol. My depression and anxiety have been significantly affected in a positive way by sertraline. My lipid numbers are the best I've had in my life, and I find little reason that they won't continue to improve (and depending on how you interpret Dave Feldman's work, the numbers may or may not be of practical use).
Statins are NOT called for in my case, as I see it. Even less, an "aggressive course".
Doctor, you're fired.
"I am standing on the Mountain of Right, and you are standing in the Valley of Wrong." Deputy Frank Sloup, Pinal County, AZ
Why do I like this one? I have a primary residence on the Mountain of Right.
Of you who read my previous post, how many of you caught the quote I stole from a movie? Can you name the movie and who said it?
Bet you didn’t know there would be a test…..
So, I have completed 4 of 6 chemo infusions, and I have to say that the last one seems to have caused almost no side effects that cannot be otherwise explained by the disease itself. I remain exhausted all the time, and I go home at the end of the workday positively depleted. That, however, seems to be due to the anemia that somewhat existed before chemo started but certainly seems to have been exacerbated by it.
I presently sit at a 40% disability rating with the Veterans Administration with some big stuff pending. I am awaiting a decision on my hearing loss and the PTSD/Depression. The cancer aspect takes a step forward with an exam by a VA contracted provider who will provide a recommendation as to the service connection to the cancer. If it goes my way and I get to 100%, then as soon as the first check hits the bank, I’m retired. While this exam is scheduled for Monday, I have no assurance that a VA determination will be quickly forthcoming. Patience is the key.
My spirits ...
