u/Correct_Ring_7273

60yo F here, generally healthy and active, BMI 25. My cholesterol's run borderline high since my 20s, with LDLs of about 120, and I have a family history (mother had a heart attack at age 54 and three strokes since then). So I eat mostly plant-based, have a big bowl of steel-cut oats with apple, berries, chai spice, and walnuts every morning, eat beans daily, almost never eat red meat or chicken, have fish or eggs maybe once every month. I do enjoy ice cream about 1-2x a month. In 2024 my calcium score was tested at 0 and Lp(a) of 7, so that was reassuring. Didn't get cholesterol checked last year, but as of my annual checkup last week it's up to
LDL 137
HDL 66
triglycerides 138
total cholesterol 231.

My PCP hasn't reached out to me about these numbers, but a family friend who's a primary care doc suggested adding psyllium husk for a month or two and if that doesn't budge the numbers enough, either keep on with it or ask my PCP about a low-dose statin as an "insurance policy."

So I started in with the psyllium husk but I'm struggling with it. I can only force myself to drink about 1/2 teaspoon per cup of water. It's a mental hangup, I guess. Is it supposed to dissolve? Do you get used to it? Any tips?

Also, does this seem like a reasonable strategy overall?

My dad passed away last year, and my elderly mother lives in their house. She is quite frail with significant health issues and is fortunate in that she can afford helpers to come in during the day to help with dressing, cooking, etc. My nephew lives there basically just so someone is there in the house overnight with her in case she falls, and I visit for a few days every month (I live a 9 hour drive away). The current issue is the thermostat. She feels cold a lot and will turn the heat up to 80 (in the winter) or now, in the summer, when it's in the 90s out and heat index over 100, she keeps switching the thermostat to HEAT and jamming it up to 78 or 79. The only upstairs thermostat is in her bedroom, so for example last night the heat was pouring out of the register in my bedroom. She has insomnia, which seems to increase her fall risk, so I don't want to knock on her door in the middle of the night, nor would that prevent her from just putting it back up again afterward. I've talked to her about this and she just shuts down and refuses to answer, which is what she does when she disagrees. The helpers want us to get lock boxes for the thermostats, which seems a bit aggressive. I was wondering if there's maybe a thermostat that you can program instead, where it's hard to override the program? She's not tech savvy.

My 85 year-old mother refuses to shower. My brother and I are trying to get a warm-water bidet installed in her house -- she's agreed to use it. We'll replace her old toilet to an ADA-height Gerber Viper at the same time. (The plumber she likes only carries Gerber). He recommends that we get a Toto Washlet from Amazon, for the bidet, and he'll install it. Will that work with the Viper? Also, I was thinking that the Washlet remote may be confusing for her, but at least she could reach it. I don't think she can easily reach controls down at the side of the seat. What am I forgetting to think about here?

[ETA: I don't know why it looks like this post is duplicated!]

[ETA: Thanks, all. I shared your recommendations with my brother. We ordered a Toto Washlet , mostly because that's what the plumber seems comfortable installing. We may look into the others for my MIL!]

Just saw an "online doctor note" service advertised on a different Reddit thread.
I suspect the online doctors are very accommodating to students, whether or not the students are actually sick.
You may be on the receiving end of one of these notes some day soon!

[Just to clarify: I don't ask for doctor's notes! I have a "maximum missed days of class" policy and a late-papers-redo policy instead].