topic Re: What Cholesterol Medication do you take???? in Wellness

What Cholesterol Medication do you take????

gem lover — Sun, 09 Mar 2014 17:15:29 GMT

I have been on Lipitor for years and now my doctor changed me to Pravachol. They both seem to have the same side effects. Has anyone tried Reclast? Are you on a medicine that you feel has less side effects than either of the above? My main thing seems to be muscle and bone pain, muscle stiffness, joint pain, chills, cough and belching. Do find this happens to you as well. Does anyone have any suggestions?????

Re: What Cholesterol Medication do you take????

hckynut — Sun, 09 Mar 2014 17:25:44 GMT

On 3/9/2014 gem lover said:
I have been on Lipitor for years and now my doctor changed me to Pravachol. They both seem to have the same side effects. Has anyone tried Reclast? Are you on a medicine that you feel has less side effects than either of the above? My main thing seems to be muscle and bone pain, muscle stiffness, joint pain, chills, cough and belching. Do find this happens to you as well. Does anyone have any suggestions?????

I've been taking 20mg per night of Lipitor/Atorvastatin since 2003 with absolutely no side effects. My wife since her stroke in December has been taking 40mg per night of Atorvastatin with no side effects.

What is the reason(s) you are on a statin? What dosage have you been taking and has the doctor considered reducing the dose?

Re: What Cholesterol Medication do you take????

Allegheny — Sun, 09 Mar 2014 17:55:08 GMT

I have been on statins for at least 20 years. I am in my early 60s. I was first on Lipitor, then due to insurance overage was switched to Zocor. Zocor did not work well. So my doctor placed me back on Lipitor. Then came the generic Lipitor. Recently it appears that the generic is not working well so I am on Crestor. Crestor has worked very well. While it is not the preferred drug by my insurance, my physician gave me a discount card issued by the manufacturer so I pay $18 a month.

I have no noticeable side effects. However, I have spoken with my physician about my hair thinning which he admits can be attributed to statins. Of bigger concern is impaired glucose tolerance. While I am not diabetic, a 2 hour glucose tolerance test showed impairment. Again, my physician told me that statins could contribute to that. I am not happy. He replied well we can treat diabetes. Basically he is trying to treat the worst of two evils.

I am seriously thinking about stopping statins and looking for a more natural, healthy way of controlling high cholesterol or just living with it and take my chances. Guess it shows that I am frustrated. Sorry for rambling.

Re: What Cholesterol Medication do you take????

Sooner — Sun, 09 Mar 2014 17:58:27 GMT

I am so lucky because I have never been on it! Everybody I know is but me. I have blood work done every 6 months too.

Re: What Cholesterol Medication do you take????

Shelbelle — Sun, 09 Mar 2014 18:02:19 GMT

Reclast is an IV infusion drug used for osteoporosis, is that what you referred to?

As far as checking cholesterol, I take Puritans Pride plant sterol complex called Cholest Wise.

Nothing that is RX.

Re: What Cholesterol Medication do you take????

Gracies Mom — Sun, 09 Mar 2014 18:45:38 GMT

Gem Lover...

I've been on Lipitor for a few years and am now experiencing side effects---the muscles in my neck ache and so do the muscles in my eyes--I know that sounds weird, but it's true.When I stop the drug, the pains stop. I tried stopping it for a week and I started to feel much better--I started it and that night the side effects started again--so it's definitely the Lipitor. Pravachol and Zocor give me muscle pain,too. Am seeing my doctor next week--I'm sure he will want me to try Crestor (which has no generic yet and will cost me $20 a month--vs. the $5 for 3 months the others cost me).

It's so frustrating! I have to take something for my lipids because I'm also diabetic and my blood tests fly out of control without taking something to keep my lipids in check--but I also don't want to feel miserable every day of my life because of a drug effect. It's a big problem.

Re: What Cholesterol Medication do you take????

Ranchergal — Sun, 09 Mar 2014 19:09:24 GMT

I take Crestor. I take 2-3 mgs a day. I do this by splitting a 10 mg pill in four parts. My heart specialist said Crestor doesn't need to be taken daily to be effective and not taking it daily or in very small dosages helps to avoid side effects. Taking Crestor in small dosages has continued to control my cholesterol, cut costs, and I've suffered no side effects. My friend takes a 10mg. pill three times weekly. She has good cholesterol readings and also has had no side effects.

Re: What Cholesterol Medication do you take????

GCR18 — Sun, 09 Mar 2014 19:22:46 GMT

I've been taking pravastatin for about four years. No side effects.

Re: What Cholesterol Medication do you take????

RedTop — Sun, 09 Mar 2014 19:27:43 GMT

I count my blessings every day that I don't take blood pressure or cholesterol medications. My total cholesterol was 116 when I had labs done last month, and my triglyceride level was 96. Cholesterol is not an issue in my family history.

Re: What Cholesterol Medication do you take????

Jessa9 — Sun, 09 Mar 2014 19:29:16 GMT

I don't take any. I have used ceylone cinnamon capsules and this past year I used artichoke extract. Last year my cholesterol was 209 and this year it is 166.

Re: What Cholesterol Medication do you take????

Annabellethecat66 — Sun, 09 Mar 2014 19:30:32 GMT

I have to see my Endochronologist (sp) tomorrow. That office ran all of my blood specs and called and said my cholosterol was a little high.

I won't be surprised if he wants to put me on something. However, I go to a cardiologist also. I want to show him the cholosterol and see what he thinks. He already give me something for my heart. I think he is the best person to decide this.

This brings up a problem most of us over around 55 often fine. I go to a Cardiologist, an Endochronologist, a pain management Dr. Many people see even more Drs.

I believe a person has to be their own advocate. I have taught my daughters that they know their body better than anyone. This teaching came into account recently with one of my daughters. It helped her to ignore the Dr when he said, "You're fine" and went to the Dr I recommended. Found out she wasn't fine.

My point is to listen to the Dr, educate yourself, talk to others. Take all of the information and decide what works for your body.

Unfortunately something like Cholosterol is a killer and doesn't give a lot of warning. I think you are wise to talk to others and see what works for them. Then listen to your Dr. If you don't trust him, why go to him?

Re: What Cholesterol Medication do you take????

KelBell — Sun, 09 Mar 2014 19:33:17 GMT

PLEASE be careful of taking statin drugs. They can be SO dangerous! I really don't think the person taking them necessarily notices all the side effects (my dad certainly didn't). He had very bad muscle aches, "mind" issues, + other things. It was like flipping a switch when he started taking them...one day normal, then issues started in. PLEASE research!

Re: What Cholesterol Medication do you take????

151949 — Sun, 09 Mar 2014 19:39:11 GMT

Your only other choice is a low fat diet and exercise.

Re: What Cholesterol Medication do you take????

Annabellethecat66 — Sun, 09 Mar 2014 19:44:31 GMT

It is amazing the things Dr's don't see or hear when we talk to them.

I'll give you an example that happened on Thursday. This was between me and the PA (Physician's Assistant, the IN THING with Drs these days, I guess it saves money). This girl just graduated from college last year (I know, she told me and she is only 23 years old).

So this office manages my pain. I won't go into all of it but she wanted to give me a muscle relaxant. I said, "You see where I had to write down again where I take LYRICA for Fibromyalgia?" You know Fibromyalgia already makes you feel very tired? I've never known a muscle relaxant that didn't make you feel like a noodle!" I told her I didn't want it.

So I took two prescriptions (neither was a muscle relaxant) to the CVS I always go to. I go to pick them up and the girl says, "Oh! Here's the 3rd prescription". I said, "I only brought in 2". She says, "someone in the Drs office called it in for you". I said, "I'll take it but I'm not going to TAKE it". She said, "You can't return it. Are you sure? It will cost you $200!" I said, "No way do I want it".

The Pharmacist was nearby and walked over. She knows me and my medicine. She said, "A muscle relaxant would not be good for you. You take Lyrica for the Fibromyalgia". I'm not saying it would hurt you but it would be counter-productive to take that when you take Lyrica and have Fibromyalgia".

Can you believe it? Like everyone here said. Just educated yourself. Maybe go back and talk to the Dr about why you feel this way or that way.

I'm not saying don't listen, I'm saying listen to everyone, educate yourself and discuss your feelings with the Dr then decide.

My sister-in-law died from Cirosis of the Liver. She'd never had a drink of alcohol. The medicine she had to take to keep her alive gave it to her. She knew it could happen but she educated herself and made the decision. That's what matters.

Re: What Cholesterol Medication do you take????

nagrom — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 01:17:09 GMT

Mom was on statins as the only thing that would keep her cholesterol numbers low enough. She was thin and exercised daily. In fact she watched her diet so close that she would not eat butter, mayonaise, red meat etc etc. Her body produced cholesterol since she did not eat anything with cholesterol in her diet. Her numbers were in the 300s. Medication is the only thing that would bring her numbers down. The best advice is to go to your doctor and work with him to make an informed decision. These boards are very savvy but nothing compared to your doctor. Your body may react to other meds or supplements that interact with statins. He would know where to tweak meds or change some to make it work for you.

Re: What Cholesterol Medication do you take????

makeup addict — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 01:33:57 GMT

Simvasatin. No side effects.

Re: What Cholesterol Medication do you take????

millieshops — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 01:38:53 GMT

Simvastatin. I used it to get my levels lower. That worked, so we stopped it, but my levels went back up, so it's in my pill regimen again. No side effects for me.

When I was in my 30's and 40's and even my 50's, I was overweight and eating garbage. My cholesterol levels were fine. Now I'm much thinner, walk more, and eat better, I can't keep my levels down without that daily med. It could be age (70+) or it could be genes, or it could be years of sinful living!

Re: What Cholesterol Medication do you take????

Feline Fine — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 04:19:05 GMT

Been on Zocor (simvastatin) for years - I'm almost 51, BTW - and haven't had any issues that I know of. The benefits, at least for me personally, outweigh any risks.

There are risks with everything in life, including scripts and OTC meds, and even vitamins and supplements. You just gotta weigh the pros and cons, and make smart decisions.

Re: What Cholesterol Medication do you take????

patbz — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 04:50:07 GMT

Lipitor for 13 yrs, no side effects. BTW I am 70, have yearly physicals and me and my doctors consider me to be in excellent health.

Re: What Cholesterol Medication do you take????

Cyndog — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 05:17:55 GMT

I went off Zocor when gradually after a few years on it my calves began to ache, first at night and then all the time. Can't say for sure what it is, but a lot of people had similar effects and worse. Been off it a year, pain still there. I'm taking my chances with high cholesterol now.