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Now I am hungry....all this talk of fantastic food! If only someone could invent a way to teleport the food through the computer....It all sounds so good....
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Veronica, I found that with flour too. I brought back from England my aunt's recipe for sponge cake - lovely and light - and made it here. It did not turn out well and I generally do pretty well with baking. I made short crust over there too, but couldn't do the same here though figured one out that worked here.
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Well I got my blood report back and like I thought I'm anemic, B12 deficient and surprisingly have high cholesterol. The reason I am surprised about the cholesterol is that I am 53 and have never had high cholesterol before.

I don't want to go on a statin drug. I've heard so many bad stories about the side effects. Apart from diet and exercise are there any natural ways to lower cholesterol that ye all know about? Bring on the answers you smart people.

Also thank you all for bucking up my morale. Especially you, CM. Great answer!
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We make scones at work. Sweet though not savory about 9 different flavored.
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Gershun, do you mean yes, you are anemic and B12 deficient? I can certainly understand feeling shocked by the high cholesterol reading when you haven't had it before. I, also, would be leery about going on the statin drugs; if I'm not mistaken I believe a read the possibility of glucose/insulin problems, apart from the other side effects and risks. The elevated cholesterol may be related to the elevated levels of stress, which increases blood sugar levels, so given the ongoing stress you have been experiencing, that would explain it. You might want to try exercise and drinking more water to flush out your system. Is there a professionally guided relaxation class that you could go join? I went through a period of acute anxiety when I sustained an injury that caused blurred vision for almost a year. At the time there was a renowned relaxation clinic called Dorothy Madget Clinic (in Ontario and no longer operating), but I'm wondering if there are similar clinics where you live. I found it very helpful in containing and reducing the anxiety. They also taught related topics on stress triggers and management.
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@gershun - 4 omega-3 caps a day, or niacin is another one. Talk to your doc about them. S/he can prescribe extended release niacin which does not produce the flush. Or take a baby aspirin 30 mins before and only take the niacin after a meal. Your body adjusts. Both sig other and I had slightly high cholesterol and that has lowered it. It is not the fat in your diet that produces cholesterol it is the scars, so cut back on sugars and simple carbs.
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* not scars -sugars*
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Yes, globetrotter I am anemic and b12 deficient. But I am not surprised at that. I've suffered with anemia for a while. You could have a point with the anxiety and stress being a factor.

emjo I will try the omega-3 caps. I know my Mom had been taking those at one time.
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Veronica..I can't imagine not coming back to this site...even after.....I feel like I have known so many of you all of my life. The folks with whom I connect during the difficult times in my life are the ones with whom I never want to lose contact....On the flip side, and sadly, folks whom I known all my life, have disappeared from my life and so I can't imagine I will ever want to remain in contact with them. To some extent, knowing me, I most likely will pop in every blue moon, but won't be there for the regular reunions, get togethers etc....why would I want to...

This is not a whine, but I finally fixed myself that rib eye with a a few scalloped potatoes tonight. I have gotten to where I don't eat meat very often, mostly because I am trying to go vegan, but I think I must have been literally craving protein because it almost felt like once I enjoyed that meal, I felt so much better....makes me think my lack of a proper nutritional plan these days is truly affecting me a lot more than I realized....

It was another hot hot day today and thankfully they are mentioning more potential for rain tomorrow...I am hoping for an early fall...this intense heat. coupled with the extra lbs I put on the past year is making me drag...I'm so aggravated at myself...I'm not depressed, in fact I am enjoying my time with Mama...that scare at respite kind of jolted me back to reality...so how can I be this blah....not mentally, buy phsically feel like I'm dragging my knuckles behind me...

Gershun, glad you got your results back so now you can zero in on what any issues are going on. I have never had high cholesterol either, but recall back when I was going through a lot of stress several years back, it seemed to be higher than normal. In those days I worked out a lot, so watching my diet and working out did help a lot with that...but sounds like the others have so much better information and advice on that that me.... I know the b12 deficiency is a bummer....are they going to give you injections? I asked for those when mine was low..the pills just don't ever seem to cut it for me..but the injections were awesome...
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Gershen, what about Vit. D, since they are also testing for that now. That tiny pill has no bad side effects, and I feel better.
Be sure to get the sub-lingual B-12, or if you really want to feel better, get your doc to inject you im. No, not instant message, intra-muscular. Because, B-12 is not easily absorbed in your stomach/gut.
The debate about statins continue, financed by the pharmaceutical companies.
I personally stopped statins, no actual evidence.
Now, take this advice from "Foods That Heal", suck it up and eat that liver! So much better than pills, you can even eat it with BACON.
My theory about cholesterol circulating in the blood is that is a good thing, your blood is circulating it and removing it. IT is not clogging your arteries if it is circulating. Have you lost weight?
This is just imop, not a doctor, not a nurse, not a nutritionist. Used to be a medical assistant with some R.N. school. Definitely not an expert! I fully expect the expert scientists to be rotflol at my cholesterol theory.
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Gershen, you know to always follow your doctor's advice.
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10 years ago, I was diagnosed with extremely low vitamin D and my body was found to no longer be making needed level of testosterone for every day. Thus, I had osteoporosis at 48. I take my prescription meds in the morning and the evening, but take my various supplements in the middle or the day,. It just works better that way.
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Good comments everybody.

Hope, you are right about protein. It makes such a difference. I am like you. I hardly ever eat meat. But when hubby and I have a barbecue its like a shot of adrenaline. Suddenly I have so much more energy. I don't know why I don't eat meat more often but its just never been a dietary staple with me. I used to also work out more but my heart just hasn't been into it lately. That, combined with the antidepressant I've been on and the motivation just is not there.

Sendme2help I've read all the articles lately about how cholesterol isn't the bad guy that people have been saying it is. But I've always eaten healthy. Still do. Just not as much. I've gained about 5 Ibs. since my Mom died but thats it. I know if I just start walking more I could lose that in a second.

My doctor wants to see me again next week to discuss the blood work and he hasn't been my doctor that long but I will see what he suggests. I'd definitely rather not take statin drugs though if there is an alternative.

Thanks ye all for your suggestions. You guys are the greatest!
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What is the purpose of the new Facebook Twitter, Pintarest and LinkedIn buttons? I don't want my posts on those forums for the world to see!
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Goodnight, Gershen.
Hope, why is it that some people post exactly what is going on with me? Saves time, but sometimes the coincidence is unusual. I had steak last night too, after missing it for over a month, felt better this morning too. That is not so unusual, but I am thinking of taking notes? Goodnight, Hope.
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Gladimhere, can we find out somehow? AC was working on the site lately.

I was looking for you on a comment you made earlier, but now I forgot what. It is only 11:00 p.m. here in So Cal., but I'm tired. I'll review later.
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We could always click on them and see what happens..................maybe not:)

I am going to bed. Just watched N.Y. Housewives and Orange County Housewives.
My God..........these women give me a headache. They have so much yet have so little.....if you know what I mean.

Anyhows, Good Night John Boy, Good Night Mary Ellen. Remember The Waltons.
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Hey Gershun, hope you're feeling better! You got some excellent suggestions and advice! Nice!! I used to watch all those housewife shows, I mean watched them religiously. Strange thing is, I have not watched one single episode since mom passed. Not sure what that's about but I simply have zero desire to do so.

Did I miss something? Jude is now a Falcon? LOL sheesh, miss a damn day here, people turn into birds!

Hope, you are such a lovely person inside and out. Perhaps you're right, I am doing to much and it's turning into me just bouncing from project to project and everything else falls apart. Once I'm done with this one, I'm gonna chill for awhile, take my girls walking along the rivers or something like that. I would go fishing but the rivers are low and with the record temps the fish were dying so they closed everything to all fishing. Bummer.

Stacey, your post brought tears to my eyes.... your daughter sounds like a lovely young woman. At 21, having an awesome tech job is in itself awesome!! There was just so much going on in both of your lives you lost track of things trying to keep everyone happy. Wonderful that you two worked through it and remained best friends. You indeed are one of the lucky ones to have such a huge support team. Many don't. Many do it alone. There is a staggering amount of people who lose relationships with their siblings. Well, you know all this since you've been trolling this forum! LOL It is just so tragic...

No, I do not work. When mom passed I decided to take the summer off and do the whole decompression thing which apparently I'm doing correctly! LOL Yes, the house is mine. Basically daddy gave it to me for leaving my life and helping both of them leave there life.

Hope, I could never go vegan!! Even though I find it inhumane how some animals are treated... I uhm, love my meat, all meat... not so much fish, good solid meat!! LOL!!! Sadly I'm not much of a veggie eater or green leafy foods. Mostly meat. D*mn... I'm starving now and want to make that Shepard pie 57 mentioned!! YIKES!
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Pamz, yes, that is my Charlie-girl, now nearly two! It's funny, sometimes my icon pops up with her baby, hairless piz, then other times her older pix on the back of my couch, with full fair, she is half Chihuahua and half Maltese. Sheds everywhere, and is a total kick, and the love of my life!
Jude, thank you for the recipes. Yummy! I have saved them all! We have a local butcher shop, that has home made Bangers, and their breakfast sausages aren't fatty like the ones in our grocery stores. Cool, gonna get on those Sausage Rolls soon! Love to you for posting the recipes! I really appreciated that! Keep them comming Falcon!
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She's absolutely gorgeous, Stacey - that little face, awwwww. What a hug bundle.
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Susan, I've been wondering if you are finding it more challenging now that mom's in the home? It was very hard having mom here at home but I've always felt it was more difficult having a parent in a home.

And where did lucky disappear to?
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Gershun. So glad you are finally getting to the bottom of it! All the above suggestions are great, and I have nothing to add except the bit about elevated BS and cholesterol in times of stress, that is the real deal! And maybe you have found a great new doctor, and he will be on board with helping you with your b12 insufficiency. At least now you know why you have felt so sluggish lately! Have a great day!
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Veronica, thank you. Yes I went to lunch and was really glad I did. Her and I will always have a bond since she was the one beside me when mom passed.

She looked like she aged a lot. I can't imagine how difficult it is to be a hospice nurse and watching people you come to care for die. She also has 3 kids, a house and a plethora of animals!! Her narc mom is dying and her trifling siblings won't even tell her if she's already gone or not. Her father whom she just loved passed a year ago.

I need to keep it firmly ingrained in my head that lives are always not what they appear to be on the outside.
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Jeanette -

you know, having Mom at home was challenging in many ways. But having her at the NH is a different kind of challenging. Whereas before I could keep on top of all of her medical issues because I was always at every single appointment and talked to every single doctor, now I have to beg for info, because the docs come into the nursing home and do their thing while I'm not there. So when things like this kidney issue come up, I'm blindsided, because I had no idea there was anything going on with her kidneys - then I find out it's been coming on for weeks and no one told me. GRRR. I worry about her day and night, because I'm not there 24/7 to watch over her. I know the NH is doing a good job taking care of her, and she seems happier now (the Zoloft is helping) but I get frustrated when she has bad days and I can't pin down what the problem is - and the nursing staff looks at me like I have 2 heads when I start asking - like I should just let them do their thing and leave them alone. I've learned which staff members I can talk to and which I can't - the ones that will give me the info I need, vs. the ones that will give me "the look" and blow me off.

Speaking of the medical issues, the nephrologist feels the kidney issues were caused by the 2 diuretics she was on for the fluid in her lungs/chest, so he d/c'd those - but they have to REALLY monitor her now, because without those diuretics, she's going to start building up fluid again - it's just a matter of time. He discovered something odd too - she expressed pain when he pressed the stethoscope on her back on one side, near her ribcage. He ordered a new chest x-ray to make sure of what's going on there. Never seems to end, does it? Her potassium was low, but now that the diuretics are d/c'd, that should regulate itself.

Mom was in far better spirits this morning, ate a decent breakfast and seemed happy - she even commented on how much she liked her private room.

As far as me at home, I've been in a rut for a couple of weeks with work and visiting mom and dr. appts. I've had a few productive days, but most of my time is spent running to see mom, back home to work, trying to work on reorganizing the house and selling unnecessary items, do some laundry/dishes, maybe cook a bit and then back to the NH to see mom, then back home to work for a few more hours before I fall into bed around midnight or 1am.
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JeanetteB, I'm so happy for you, what a treasured gift to leave you. It will be so awesome transforming your house exactly the way you want it! Yes I am definitely one of the lucky ones when it comes to family, however, now that My Parents have both passed, and while we all remain close, I don't get to see them as often as when we were running like chickens caring for them both, Gheez, I used to see 3-4 of them every day there in the end, but that's OK, there are enough birthday and holiday festivities to see them plenty and all 6 of us live with in a 10 mile radius, lol, never did we cut those apron strings! Now I still have my crazy husband's sibling's to deal with! Later!
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The thing to remember about cholesterol is that there are two types, one is inherited and the other not. Same treatment. they like to stop the meds once you are over 70 (elderly) I did take Lovastatin for many years with no ill effects that I know of. Can't tolerate the juicy steaks or fatty foods anymore for other reasons but I do eat a lot of cottage cheese and Boost
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First off Jeanette, I watch the Housewives shows. Why? I find it makes me feel better about myself. I feel so darn sweet and pure watching these women. Its kind of like slowing down to watch a car wreck.

Stacey you are so lucky to be close to your siblings. I thought for one stupid second that my Mom's death would bring us closer. What was I thinking. Most of my e-mails never get returned and if they do its so long after I sent them that I can't remember what I said.

Veronica my Mom was a natural producer of cholesterol. So is my Brother. I don't think thats the case with me cause otherwise it would of probably shown up before now. Also the doctor didn't get me to fast before the test. He said it wasn't necessary. But my hubby's Dad is a doctor and he thinks I should redo the bloodwork after fasting. He thinks it will make a big difference. I get a kick out of doctors. They always seem to disagree with each other. Its like a big pissing contest.

Susan, I know exactly what you mean when you say its frustrating when the doc.
won't tell you anything. One day you are in charge of your Mom's care. The next it feels like everyone is keeping things secret from you. It got to the point at my Mom's nursing home where they stopped returning my calls and put their heads down and tried to look busy when I visited. You'd think they would appreciate sons and daughters who actually care.
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Jeanette that is soooo funny what you said about Jude turning into a bird. She should of at least given us some kind of notice before hand.

Come on Jude or I mean Falcon. We could of gotten our bird feeders ready.

Speaking of birds I got bit by one the other day at the pet store. I was scratching its neck and then hubby came over and the bird got aggressive and bit me. My hubby seems to have that affect on people. (and birds)
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My mom called while I was at work AGAIN, while I was in a meeting AGAIN. Called three times in ten minutes, and left three snippy little voicemails accusing me of abandoning her AGAIN. ( I go every Saturday, was there last saturday and will be there again this saturday) I KNOW it is not her fault, but it still stresses me out and gets me upset and a little pissy.
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Lois, my husband was having "melt-downs"...wanted a divorce, wanted to live some where else, wanted to die, someone was taking his money, etc...he was finally referred to a geriatric psychiatrist and prescribed Seroquel (.25 mg/ 1/4 tablet) when I saw one of his spells coming on (he's start getting agitated). It worked great...he'd go take a nap shortly after getting his medication. Eventually, his depression medication was changed and Nuedexta (for PBA) was added...he's doing much better. I thought I was going to lose my mind before I got the help he needed! Still not easy having to be responsible for everything, but controlling his crazy spells has really reduced my stress.
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