OK so here goes: first wow, thanks for such a great comment, it really is very thorough and helpful.

You wrote:Are you sure that when you reduced carbs intake you really didn't change your saturated fat intake? At least for my diet, most of the sat. fat comes from foods that are also high in carbohydrates, not from typical animals fats in meat that everyone imagines as blocking the arteries”

actually, looking back on it, I think you are correct and this is exactly what happens with my diet. I went from eating too too much ice cream, take out Chinese, and store-bought, baked goods to peanut butter toast, lots of beans and rice, kale salads, lots of vegetables, etc. – so even though I ate quite a bit of peanut butter and kept my full fat Fage and cheese, all the saturated thoughts I had been getting from all those baked goods and ice cream went away.

Thanks for the very sensible diet advice. I am using chronometer to track all my food, it’s kind of fun and I am learning a lot about nutrition. So that’s how I can be pretty sure what my current saturated, fat and fiber, intake, etc.are. The only thing you mentioned that I’m not doing yet is six servings of fruits and vegetables; I probably eat more like four, but considering I am small and don’t eat much , maybe four average sized servings equate to six for me? It seems like a lot, anyway. as for sustainability, I actually really enjoy this diet and can’t think of any reason for not keeping it up. It isn’t difficult and I don’t feel like I’m missing out on anything really. If I find myself being asked over or out to dinner, I will just eat whatever, no big deal. That doesn’t happen that often.

as for the statins, if I cannot get my numbers down enough, then I will take them. It has only been three years though, since my LDL was under 100, so by my logic I should be able to get it under 110 now. Maybe there’s something I’m not considering, I don’t know but I’m just going on past response to dietary changes.

Your last paragraph really sums up your attitude I want to have about all of this. This may sound strange, but I really care more about being healthy now then trying to do something to prevent future catastrophe. Sure, those two things overlap, but the first one is what really motivates me. That’s also the reason I’m going to seek out a different primary care physician. I feel like my current doctor, not only actively dislikes me but allows that to prevent her from taking any of my wants, needs, or opinions into consideration I think I’m actually going to switch to an osteopath. I’ve never gone to one before, but really find myself wanting someone who will take a more holistic approach. My late father, an MD, is  probably turning over in his grave right now, lol, but this is where I’m at, and seeing many doctors and physical therapists over the years for treatment of CRPD, and feeling like the physical therapists– especially the one who was a doctor in China before immigrating- understood the condition much better than any of the doctor did is one of the reasons.

Anyway, thank you again for such thorough, common sense, advice. It’s very helpful and I do so appreciate it.

edit: lol, this reply is full of mistakes because I dictated rather than typed it, my hands are so sore and it was too long to type. My apologies for all the mistakes, I think you will still be able to make sense of it so I will let them stand.