--there are certainly ways to lower cholesterol that are not pharmacuetically as dangerous--niacin, for example, works for many, as do fish/krill/flax oil. Have you tried any of those?

Still looking for a doctor that practices integrated medicine. So far I have found those who received degrees in third world countries and practice alternative medicine such as acupuncture, t'ai chi etc. or cater only to women. It seems to be a form of medicine in Houston at least that is not in the mainstream. Am I on the right track? Maybe I need some more narrow parameters in my search.

Here are two places to look for integrative MD's. Some of these are in different areas, so look for MD's. I am sure there are other areas to search areas for integrative MD's. also.

http://integrativemedicine.arizona.edu/

http://www.anh-usa.org/

I used the search function at Sally's first link:

http://www.vitals.com/doctors/Dr_Ana...on/credentials

I'd call there and ask about the integrative approach.
PN, statins/cholesterol etc.

Glenntaj, I'm sorry I didn't get back to you sooner on your suggestions for lowering my cholesterol. I have tried niacin in the past and could not tolerate it. Maybe I need to try it again. Also, the latest research as I understand it, does not show that fish oil(without the fish) is effective in preventing heart attacks. They recommend fresh salmon or some other oily fish 3 times a week at a minimum to do the job.

On the subject of doctors, I found a Dr Gilbert Manso who has a medical degree from the University of Texas who practices the integrated approach and claims to have also studied medicine in europe and asia as well. I will also check out Ana Blackmon.

This is an interesting article:

http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/05...ess/55173.html

Dr Blackmon is no longer taking new medicare patients. I hope this isn't going to be a continuing problem. Would one of you mind taking a look at Dr Gilbert Manso on Regency Square Blvd in Houston? His interests and focus seems to be somewhat different than Dr Blackmon.

Being a Medicare patient, may be a problem. Medicare limits testing, and testing is the heart of integrative medicine.

Your next step may be to find an internist who is not 100% cholesterol brainwashed. That might be tough. Get that book I suggested and arm yourself with it, take it with you and see if the new doctor will allow what Dr. Cohen suggests...starting at very low doses. It may be that Medicare will only allow one test a year...for cholesterol. So that alone will be a problem, in order to see progress with a new dosing regimen.

You should also know that Lipitor increases risk of hemorrhagic strokes.
http://www.dukehealth.org/health_library/news/10199

I take it that no one took a look at Dr Manso or, if they did, concluded that he was really "out there".

I really want to follow your advice, Mrs. D. But the road you have described is fraught with land mines. My main complaint coming into this forum was and is the peripheral neuropathy in my feet. Inasmuch as the Mayo Clinic in 2008 said there was no cure, partial or otherwise, I assume that will be the reaction of any legitimate doctor I find. That will probably prohibit any further conversation on an actual cure meaning a significant and long lasting reduction/elimination of pain. My statement that statin drugs could be the cause of my neuropathy will no doubt fall on deaf ears even if I bring and quote from the book. I'm sure that any doctor I visit has a firm belief that he is the expert based on his education and training. I could also give him the book but I doubt he would read it. I wouldn't hesitate to try both.

In order to get anywhere with this, I might have to do some self-doctoring inasmuch as I prudently follow the forums and book's advice. I will, of course, follow up with blood tests.

If you have medicare it isn't so good with testing as you said, even worse if you have medicaid also. Many doctors are now refusing to treat at all, as they are not getting enough payment from the system. I do not know what the answer is to this problem. . ginnie