So, I have high cholesterol...

[JetFixxxer]

Diet... Cut back on the coke.. drink mo tea..

[emperor_black]

I drink coke probably 5 to 10 times a year. That's it! I'm not kidding. But I love coffee and drink at least 4 times a day. I will try to drink more tea.

[drockilles]

I can relate. 26 years old, high cholesterol and blood pressure. Cholesterol was 252. I was on Zocor for about three months, and it dropped to about 198. Not bad considering I didn't take the pill regularly. They switched me to Tricor to lower my triglycerides, but I haven't really been taking it. I'll deal with the high blood pressure, it lessens the chances of my ass getting sent to Iraq/Afghanistan. I'm exercising more and eating healthier, so I'll let it go on it's own. Hereditary in my case anyway. My sister is 29, weighs maybe 100 pounds, goes between vegan and vegetarian, doesn't smoke or drink, and her cholesterol is 288.
I'd say avoid the pills, I didn't experience any bad side effects, but the ones that exist don't sound like fun. Plus, you can't drink when you're on cholesterol meds.

[JetFixxxer]

I drink coke probably 5 to 10 times a year. That's it! I'm not kidding. But I love coffee and drink at least 4 times a day. I will try to drink more tea.

Actually they recommend 2 cups of day of coffee (de-caf) it suppose to be good for the colon.. I drink coffee but it's black no sugar, no cream and if you stick a spoon in it the spoon should stand up by itself. If you can stomach it Oatmeal is great in reducing bad cholesterol.. I have the banana nut from quaker oats.

There's conflicting articles about coffee but here's a few in favor of coffee. http://health.msn.com/centers/highbl...ntid=100163442
http://health.msn.com/healthnews/art...ntid=100167275

Here's another article about pumpkin pie and coffee.. http://health.msn.com/menshealth/art...ntid=100165129

[Bert]

Drink more alcohol ... red wine is best. Seriously, it works!

[FusionFarmer]

. Plus, you can't drink when you're on cholesterol meds.

sure ya can, just not excessively

[lerxstcat]

I've been on Lipitor for about 4 years along with a bunch of other meds for cholesterol, high blood pressure and my heart. Haven't had a heart ATTACK but I have congestive heart failure. So far I've been lucky to not have major side effects. I do have a lot of weakness and pain on the left side but that's the side affected by the stroke.

I would say take the pills while you look for an alternative method. Trust me, you don't want to have a stroke if you play guitar.... You can always stop the Lipitor if you find another way to achieve a lower cholesterol level, but if you have a stroke you might never fully recover. It's been 4 years this October since I had mine and it hasn't gotten any better for me.

[Spacelord]

I had a test done several years ago and they said I had 250+. Wife was all freaked out, especially since we had a close friend die of a heart attack. I had pretty much ignored that number. I went and got tested with my new Dr. and the tests came back way under normal. I adjusted my eating very little, and wasn't exercising that much more.. so I think the first test was whacked. At least I hope it wasn't the 2nd test that was whacked....