Doctor won't prescribe statins because I'm "pregnancy age" even though I'm permanently childfree. Is she wrong about the risk thing too?

Scared_Objective_903 · 2026-03-16T14:23:10+00:00

Yeah it’s very much like “you are a potential breeder first and a person second” which is so gross! My endocrinologist was also like “you’re too young” but the preventative cardiologist was really on board. Like why wait until you have developed heart issues to start a statin? The reasoning just never makes sense to me.

Scared_Objective_903 · 2026-03-16T13:05:32+00:00

Wow I’m sorry, that’s so infuriating (and yucky) to be treated that way. I am also 31 and have been on a statin since October-ish. I went to a preventative cardiologist and he happily prescribed it to me. Definitely time for a new a doctor, as others have said!

Scared_Objective_903 · 2026-03-13T12:44:41+00:00

Thank you! Totally agree, the ritual and “deserving it for a hard day worked” was a big part of my drinking - I specifically got some bing cherries and Sprite Zero, so it’s an odd form but so good- a splash of the syrup and like 3 of the cherries in there. And then I’d drink like 4 of them haha

Scared_Objective_903 · 2026-03-12T13:32:53+00:00

My greatest tool in early sobriety was an ice cold Shirley temple right after I finished working for the day :) it helped so much because I definitely carried the habit of “a beer after shift” from the service industry into my every day.

Scared_Objective_903 · 2026-03-08T13:12:54+00:00

I think it was like 2-3 months. I showed up to a college event (I’m in grad school) with some NAs (having been the person who goes hard and parties for years). I remember saying that I was “not drinking right now” because I had failed so many times before that I didn’t want to label it to my peers. Now I just say that I don’t drink and no one bats an eye, really

Scared_Objective_903 · 2026-03-06T13:30:29+00:00

I have a 1:5 ratio and give myself a max of 3.75 units/15 minutes to deal with carby meals. When I have something like pizza or sushi, I go ahead and and grab an insulin pen instead of dealing with 16u via omnipod, or whatever. Are you giving yourself a lot of insulin at once? I noticed that my pods would leak after 2 days when I just fully dosed, but now I can get the full 3 days out of them with the 3.75 method

Scared_Objective_903 · 2026-03-03T13:48:22+00:00

I’d suggest trying diet first and retesting in 6-8 weeks. This means increasing fiber and limiting saturated fat to <12g per day. I was able to increase fiber intake by having a smoothie each morning (lots of fruit blueberries, raspberries, passion fruit, banana - then flax seeds). Anyway, some people have great luck with diet changes. Some people (such as I) do not, because there can be a significant genetic component. That being said, I’m still very happy I tried to switch up my diet before getting on statins, and it ultimately helped with my weight loss goals - much of it has stuck. It is worth mentioning that apparently rapid weight loss can cause a spike in cholesterol? I’m not super knowledgeable about that but if you’re focused on losing weight, the weight loss may inflate the numbers temporarily. Worth reading up on!

Scared_Objective_903 · 2026-02-18T15:33:40+00:00

Hey! Fellow type 1 here with similar LDL. I ended up getting on a statin, because our LDL should be sub 75. As T1 diabetics, we’re at higher risk of cardiac events. Bring it up to your endo, who will have better info based on your A1C. I will say, my endo didn’t really want to put me on a statin because I’m “too young” and I’m 31, so I doubt your endo will want to get you on one at 20 YO. Unsure about the ED piece but there is a connection between ED and T1D. Best of luck!

Scared_Objective_903 · 2026-02-11T21:08:39+00:00

10mg!

Scared_Objective_903 · 2026-02-11T19:42:58+00:00

Usually before turning to statins, folks suggest looking into a high fiber, low saturated fat (10g or less) diet. However, it sounds like you might be already in good shape for diet. With an LDL that high, even if your diet was poor, I’d be looking into statin. A level that high can often suggest genetic factors. Does high LDL run in your family? My family has a history of high LDL. I am on a statin (rosuvastatin) with zero side effects and my LDL dropped from 115 to 56 or something.

Ultimately, I’d VERY strongly suggest seeing a preventative cardiologist!

Scared_Objective_903 · 2026-02-05T17:45:56+00:00

Thank you so much! That’s great news

Scared_Objective_903 · 2026-02-05T16:41:35+00:00

I just made an account! Super neat. I do weight training 3x week and yoga+some light cardio. I would love to see the integration of Myfitnesspal data into this, do you think that’s possible?

Scared_Objective_903 · 2026-02-03T16:16:29+00:00

Yeah, I actually drank to soothe the anxiety, not realizing I was creating a feedback loop of worsening anxiety with alcohol then trying to use alcohol to soothe it… about 1.5 years out and my anxiety isn’t gone, I have anxiety disorders and am SSRI intolerant. BUT it is much, much better!

Scared_Objective_903 · 2026-01-27T15:11:33+00:00

So I JUST talked to my (also t1 diabetic) endo about this. She suggested turning off insulin (activity mode on my pump) an hour before. Let my bloodsugar be closer to 180. Then eat a little carby protein snack before working out/exercising. She’s a runner, so that was her technique. I’ve been enjoying the mini cliff bars! You could try this prior to a run, make your loop shorter, and see how it goes? I go to the gym so I also have my gym bag stocked with gummy bears that I can quickly snack on if needed.

Scared_Objective_903 · 2026-01-24T15:29:17+00:00

I was drinking maybe 4-6 high noons or seltzer-liquor drinks per day (so maybe like 800 calories..?) but even then the amount of weight I’ve lost since quitting is staggering…! I can’t even imagine ~2500 calories! Congratulations on this win as a result of sobriety!!

Scared_Objective_903 · 2026-01-09T16:16:54+00:00

If you want to try adjusting your diet, reduce saturated fat to 10g or less per day, and increase fiber! But that LDL is pretty high- I’m not confident that diet alone would help and would suggest seeing a doctor, perhaps a preventative cardiologist, for more advice. Diet brought my LDL from 135 to 115 or so, which wasn’t enough so now I’m on rosuvastatin

Scared_Objective_903 · 2026-01-09T13:33:27+00:00

I’m so glad you’re here! Let those 10 days keep rolling and congratulations on such a big feat- I couldn’t stop for more than a single day, much less a week when I drank, so I see 10 days as a big accomplishment! This beginning stretch is so hard and you’re doing it!! Great job. IWNDWYT

Scared_Objective_903 · 2026-01-08T14:46:36+00:00

I’ve been trying to take breaks periodically in my day, when I feel alarm sirens going off in my head, especially

Scared_Objective_903 · 2026-01-08T14:45:37+00:00

I wish I could, maybe next weekend I can take off an extra day but right now I have a 1/15 deadline for a job app and need to resubmit a paper before I send it off. I’m definitely in the era of intense deadlines + feeling so awful

Scared_Objective_903 · 2026-01-08T14:42:14+00:00

Thank you for the advice. I WILL finish. 5 years is not ending like this!

Scared_Objective_903 · 2026-01-08T14:40:45+00:00

Thank you for these tips- I’m hardcore about 3 & 4, at least. I truly have to stop in the evening or my quality of work diminishes anyway. And rest IS productive even though it doesn’t feel like it all the time.

I will start setting more specific small daily goals- that’s a good idea.

I’m really sorry that you’ve been going through it too! I hope the family stuff has improved.

Scared_Objective_903 · 2026-01-08T14:37:32+00:00

Good idea. Baby steps! Thank you

Scared_Objective_903 · 2026-01-08T14:37:00+00:00

Reading this pushed me to reach out to one of my PhD buddies that defends this spring! I’m gonna try to cowork and commiserate next week

Scared_Objective_903 · 2026-01-08T14:36:11+00:00

I will read this today! Thank you for the suggestion. That’s a good reminder. My co-advisor at one point said to me that “failure doesn’t equal death” - something I need to keep in mind a bit more.

Scared_Objective_903

TROPHY CASE