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Husband and wife seek answers on cholesterol, seeing spots
By PETER GOTT, M.D. Newspaper Enterprise Association
Published: 11/3/2009 2:19 AM
Last Modified: 11/3/2009 7:37 AM
Dear Dr. Gott:
My doctor wanted me to take a statin to lower my cholesterol, but I declined because of the side effects. I tried using your recommendation of niacin instead. I am an 84-year-old male in fairly good health, and, after three months of therapy, my figures are as follows: triglycerides went from 115 to 63, HDL went from 70 to 95, LDL went from 137 to 126, and my total went from 230 to 234 (I believe mainly due to the large increase in my HDL). I would appreciate your opinion on how effective the niacin has been.
Also, my 82-year-old wife had a mild stroke four years ago and now sees several small spots in both eyes. The stroke did not seem to do her any other damage, so her doctor concluded that they were on her brain rather than in her eyes. Lately, she has become tired all the time and has no energy. She gets almost eight hours of sleep at night, naps for an hour or two in the afternoon and again in the evening. Her blood work is normal, and she doesn't have a thyroid problem. Any ideas?
Dear Reader:
At age 84 and with a total cholesterol of 230, I would not worry. In my opinion, you did not need a statin drug. Your numbers were all within normal limits. You can stick with the niacin, but I don't believe it is necessary.
Stroke can cause several different types of visual problems, such as blurred or double vision. Seeing several spots is not typical. This sounds like floaters, which are the shadows of undissolved particles of the gel-like vitreous fluid that fills the eyeball.
I
urge your wife to be seen by an ophthalmologist for testing and diagnosis.
If your wife ever complains of flashes of light, she needs to be seen by an eye specialist immediately, as this is a warning sign that the optic nerve and retina are being stretched or pulled.
Write Dr. Gott c/o United Media, 200 Madison Ave. 4th floor, New York, NY 10016.
By PETER GOTT, M.D. Newspaper Enterprise Association
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