Nasty shock off doctor this morning

[pollylocketpickedapocket]

Cholesterol and blood pressure through the roof. I’m 41 bmi 28.
I’ve had a shocking lifestyle the last couple of years, fried food , alcohol takeaways nearly every day.
I’m at higher risk of a stroke or heart attack.
I had concerns about my liver as my appetite has decreased and I’ve developed discord eczema.
I’m in shock, I knew I wasn’t as healthy as I used to be but didn’t know things were this bad.
A scan I had a year ago shown fatty liver although I wasn’t told till yesterday.
I’ve also had jaw pain occasionally over the last few months, last maybe a minute, it’s very occasional so I’m worried about that too.
Dr said he’ll see me in 3-6 months and to make lifestyle changes.
I’m worried sick, I’m a single mum to a 5yo
Do I need aspirin or what? Anything that could help.

Both my parents had mini stroke in their 40s. We have family history of hypertension.
They've changed their life style completely, and actually very healthy and rarely gets ill these days.

Sorry missed out the most relevant point there! What I was surprised to learn was that responding to a fatty liver is not necessarily about eating less fat, although I am sure that helps. Do not cut out good fats though as in avocados and smoked mackerel. It is about eating less processed carbs and sugar that turn in to fat ie white bread and biscuits. A person with more medical knowledge than me will be able to explain this better!

Do not panic. You can sort this. I was like you a couple of years ago, and turned it all around with better lifestyle choices, no meds at all. My cholesterol was over ten, very high bp, I also had a very fatty liver (undiagnosed hereditary condition as that turned out). Basically stress, overwork and not looking after myself were the causes. I cut out alcohol completely and my liver went back to normal over a year or so. Better eating, and more walking also helped. My cholesterol has been coming down ever since (no statins - my gp wanted me to take them and I refused - turns out they were not necessary, so glad I stuck to my guns). Good luck op

I’d say don’t get distracted with a complaint - better to focus on what will have the best outcome for you at the moment. Changes to alcohol, food and exercise.
Look into fatty liver - you can really make a difference by stopping drinking.

When you say BP through the roof, is it? They'd have given you meds if that were the case?

@Ostara212

When you say BP through the roof, is it? They'd have given you meds if that were the case?

Sorry it’s high bp, but really high cholesterol

Hi did say he didn’t want me taking medication, I don’t want medication, I also don’t want a heart attack or stroke!!!

Don't panic, I find the minute I start panicking about my health it just makes me reach for the crap stuff even more! I used to have high blood pressure years ago and would spend all day panicking about it whilst smoking cigarette after cigarette and drinking alcohol because I was so stressed about it! It was ridiculous really but it is how we are programmed I guess.

If you do one thing only, lay off the alcohol, I am now 10 months off alcohol and my blood pressure reduced within about a month and has stayed at near perfect levels.

I have found that I have managed to lose 4 stone fairly easily without cutting out too much from my diet, I went to Team RH and was given a very sensible calorie target to achieve daily which allows me to eat whatever I want and more importantly I have enough food that I am not deprived and bingeing - at first I thought that is far too many calories, I will never lose weight on that but I have and more importantly it feels like it will be easier to keep off.

As others have said, if you were at dangerous levels the doctor would have prescribed medication straight away so try not to panic, but also don't let that stop you from taking action.

Good luck x

Jaw pain is often caused by clenching or grinding your teeth. I was under stress and my molars started hurting. I was completely unaware of it till I ended up at the emergency dentist with a suspected abscess. It was painful. Luckily the dentist picked up right away what it was - I made a very determined effort to stop clenching during the day and actually got a specially made splint to wear at night. It stopped that pain which the more I worried the worse it got. Most times your top and bottom teeth should not be touching - that is the way your teeth are meant to work. In times of stress, I have an app on my phone which goes off every so often - you can set it for a particular time - to remind me to stop clenching. Often if you are a clencher or grinder and you rub the muscles on your face in front of your ears and down to your jaw they will feel a bit sore - that's because they're doing a lot of work on keeping that clenching going on.

I don’t think you have grounds for complaints either.
The doctor has informed you of your current situation. Up to you now to make changes.
Well done on giving up booze! That will help with the fatty liver.
Diet changes, gentle exercise, no more highly processed food: if the ingredients list has something that isn’t in your cupboard/easily accessible don’t eat it. No trans fats, loads of veg. You can totally sort this!

5 isn’t that high for total cholesterol. What exactly was measured?

Honestly, try to view this as a gift. You’ve been given advance warning at a point where you can do something about it, and small changes are all that realistically are needed. You have all the motivation you need in your child, being around for them.
Ditch the alcohol, make sure you get 10000 steps in daily, try to cook at home, aim for 3 days of workouts if you can. Loads of great free content on YouTube, have a look at Walk at Home or Get Fit With Rick for easy enjoyable at home exercises. If it all seems too much in one go then start small, go a week without alcohol, then move on to the next thing.
If you want to join a weight loss plan you can, but simple and sustainable is the way to go. And plan in a few treats too, you don’t have to go cold turkey on it all. You’ve got this.

What was your cholesterol, if it was very high he could have suggested statins, you can lower it yourself with diet, exercise and benecol is very good. A one off BP measurement doesnt tell the doctor much, will you go for more readings or monitor it yourself at home. What do you feel you want to complain about, isn't it better just to focus on reversing any damage.

If I were you I would not take aspirin. It is linked to liver damage. If you were using it therapeutically, rather than taking an occasional pill for a headache etc. it should be done with the supervision of your doctor, and you would likely need regular blood tests to monitor your liver function.

I think you need to make massive changes but please don't be put off by thinking its important you do it all at once.
THIS. Best of luck OP, deep breath, you can totally do this

I had jaw pain when I was very stressed at work. Could you see your dentist about that?

Oh and make a dentist appointment if you can, they will be able to assess pretty quickly if it’s something needing treatment. It might be stress, decay, receding gums, who knows.

Yes 5 isn’t that high ?
My very thin and fit DH, with low bp, had cholesterol quite a bit higher than that.

5 isn’t that high for cholesterol. My GP said she doesn’t become concerned until it stays over 7 for a prolonged period. Anything between 3-7 she see’s as slightly elevated and just needing to have a bit of a healthier lifestyle. My dad’s was 13 once and the GP said he was a walking heart attack and immediately put him on statins. He wasn’t overweight and lived quite a healthy lifestyle but apparently his was the inherited type of high cholesterol.
I have it too ever since I was a child and my level is at 6 (I’m early thirties) and my GP said to come back when I’m 40 and if it’s still 6 or above she’ll consider putting me on statins then

I think them not telling you about the fatty liver is a bit of a red herring. Its not like you thought that drinking alcohol and eating takeaways was good for you - its not the doctor's fault you've had an unhealthy lifestyle. Its good to hear that the liver thing can be reversed - I have a family member who's been diagnosed with this, and I know its scary.

I have found Noom really helpful. If you can afford to sign up to it I would. It helped me understand what healthy eating looked like (paying for the meal / recipe ideas helped but if you say no first time it offers it to you again at a reduced price). I found healthy foods I liked eating, do a little bit of exercise each day and the change is massive. Weight loss, improved blood pressure. Don’t panic, you can do it.

Sounds like you're being given a 'warning'. If the GP was really concerned you would have been prescribed meds. I am on both meds for lowering BP and statins for cholesterol (and my cholesterol is fine, it's preventative).

Don't panic. My husband has had NASH for the past 10 years. No medications to take for it just monitoring. He has other health conditions yet surprisingly his cholesterol is perfect. Make your lifestyle changes and take it as a warning.

I’m really not sure about the cholesterol then, dr this morning said it was very high. I phoned for these results last week initially and was told it was ok.
Nurse did my bp 3 times and was a bit concerned, I need to go back in two weeks for that to be checked again, no idea of actually numbers again.

GPs van prescribe gym membership in some areas in the UK. Or your council might give you free/discount gym on some days with the Everybody Active program. See if it's in your area.

I've been missing in action from Mumsnet for the past two weeks because I HAD A STROKE! Do whatever is necessary NOW!