Jan 09, 2004 07:57 PM
7642 Views
(Updated Jan 09, 2004 07:57 PM)
Just recently I had a burst blood vessel in my eye, and I went to the doctors to see if anything was untoward. He gave me a thorough going over, by checking my blood pressure and eyesight among other things. He also took a blood sample and sent this off for testing.
On returning a week later to see him for the result, he diagnosed that I had slightly high Cholesterol and put me on a course of Lipitor Tablets. He told me that these tablets belong to medicines that are known as Lipid regulating medicines and are taken orally with water to reduce the fats in my blood known as Cholesterol and Triglycerides.
He asked me if anyone in my family has or is suffering from high Cholesterol as this is known to happen. I told him that my mother suffered from heart disease and my brother has high Cholesterol.
These Lipitor tablets are white and oval in shape and contain Atorvastatin Calcium trihydrate in strengths 10, 20, 40, or 80mg of the active ingredient Atorvastatin. As my Cholesterol is only slightly high, my doctor prescribed the 10mg strength for me. The tablets come in aluminium-foiled blister packs and come in boxes containing 28.
Other(inactive ingredients) are calcium carbonate, microcrystalline cellulose, lactose, croscarmellose sodium, polysorbate 80, hydoxypropyl cellulose, and magnesium stearate.
On the information leaflet that comes with the packet of tablets, it states that you can take them at any time of the day. My doctor told me to take the tablets at night before going to bed. The reason he told me to take regularly at the same time each night is that: Lipitor tablets can take a while to be absorbed into the bloodstream.
He also told me not to have much red meat or fatty foods, as these help to increase levels of Cholesterol. Foods he told me to eat are vegetables and fruit. I have also increased my exercise routines to enable my blood pressure to be reduced, as this is also a factor in my high Cholesterol level. I did get more exercise a few years ago when I managed and trained a local junior football side in which my son played.
So anyone out there, take note that exercise does help keep you fit and healthy.
As with all medicines(especially those prescribed by the doctor), some side effects may occur. These can be sickness, stomach pains, headaches, muscle pains, and diarrhoea. At the moment I have not suffered from any ill effects by taking Lipitor tablets. If I do get any of the above or any other side effects, I shall consult my doctor straight away, as other problems may be occurring with my health, and you only live once. According to the leaflet you should not take Lipitor if you are pregnant, breast-feeding or suffering from liver problems. If in doubt, then talk to your doctor.
There are some more useful tips that the doctor passed on to me for a healthier lifestyle. Some of these are on the leaflet that comes with the Lipitor tablets.
See your doctor or nurse for regular check-ups
Stop smoking
Reduce saturated fats and replace some of these with monounsaturates or polyunsaturates
Take regular exercise, such as swimming, walking or dancing
Keep an active sex life
Keep your levels of alcohol intake fairly low, although a glass of red wine will keep your heart healthy(I like a glass now and again)
Keep your weight down to reasonable level
Finally, relax and laugh
People do say that laughter is the best medicine.
Lipitor is a registered trademark and is manufactured by: Pfizer Ltd, Walton Oaks, Dorking Road, Tadworth, Surrey, UK, KT20 7NS.
