You have to keep a sense of humor in spite of it all.

My daughter has familial hypercholesterolemia. We adopted her so she didn't get my genes. She is a hypochondriac but she never worries too much about her cholesterol levels. She has been on rosuvastatin for 20 years since she was diagnosed at age 15. She is the last person that you would suspect would have a high cholesterol level.

My daughter knows that some of my problems are hereditary. She is glad that she doesn't have my genes.

I never had high cholesterol until I was taking prednisone daily for PMR. I took atorvastatin for at least 10 years. My PCP started atorvastatin but it came as a recommendation from a cardiologist who started three blood pressure medications.

When I got off prednisone my cholesterol level was below normal so my rheumatologist stopped atorvastatin because "the statin might have been contributing to my symptoms." My endocrinologist didn't think my cholesterol level could be "too low" so he started Zetia. My PCP withheld her opinion about my cholesterol level. However, she was agreeable to stopping all my blood pressure medications because my blood pressure was too low.

My daughter was intrigued with my medication fiasco so she stopped her statin too. Her cardiologist wasn't too happy when her cholesterol level went up to 350.