topic Re: What alternative things do you take and do instead of statins? in Wellness

What alternative things do you take and do instead of statins?

AngelPuppy1 — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 12:02:36 GMT

My lab work shows that my cholesterol is elevated again, and my dr. is after me to take statins. I went on one for a short time a few years ago and had very bad side affects. I had really bad pain in my arms and legs and could hardly walk or even lift a coffee cup! I said --- Nope --- this is not for me!

Since I have ongoing issues with tendonitis in both ankles, continuing back issues, arthritis and fibro, osteoporosis, etc., I do not feel statins are safe for me to use.

I have also read that statins can cause your achilles tendon to spontaneously rupture. And I do have already an achilles tendon issue.

I don't want to get a stroke or any serious heart issues either, so I am worried about that, and being made to feel that I HAVE to go on statins!

Are there are any supplements, particular brands of herbal things, minerals, vitamins, etc., that you take instead, and have had good results?

I know that my diet in the last few months has not been very good and that I need to make some serious adjustments, which I am really going to try and make. I do walk most days which is about all I can do considering the health issues I have.

When you do list your products, etc., please be specific as to what it is, the brand name, etc.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you!

Re: What alternative things do you take and do instead of statins?

on the bay — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 12:32:35 GMT

Hi,@AngelPuppy1

Garlic lowered my bad cholesterol by 30 points after one month.

Ginger works too.

Of course with everything look up side effects and anything else you may need to know.

I won't take statins either and primary care doctor I had said he would not take them either and he had high cholesterol also. I know some do take them with no ill effects.

Red Yeast Rice also works but it has the same components of statins and potential side effects so I stopped taking that.

Re: What alternative things do you take and do instead of statins?

SeaMaiden — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 12:26:19 GMT

@AngelPuppy1 Even with a very good diet for the past 30 plus years, my cholesterol has gone up...aging? Genetics? Who knows. I take a lot of natural supplements. NEVER pharmaceuticals....

My cholesterol has been slowly going down over the past several blood tests. I even dropped 20 pounds and that did not make a huge difference. Right now I am taking:

Bergamont

Berberine

Red Yeast Rice

flush free niacin

Pantethine

policosanol

just to name a few. I am a supplement junkie....love the research and never have a bad reaction. I have been taking natural supplements for over 30 years daily....still living to talk about it🙂❤️

Re: What alternative things do you take and do instead of statins?

CelticCrafter — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 12:47:15 GMT

@AngelPuppy1 how elevated?

My husbands total was 202, so just over.

Everything with this doctor is a pill because it's a "little high" so she prescribed Atorvastatin the generic for Lipitor.

You have no idea what it did to his blood sugar and we are still trying to get it back to where it had been.

Re: What alternative things do you take and do instead of statins?

Meowingkitty — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 13:10:26 GMT

@AngelPuppy1 wrote:
My lab work shows that my cholesterol is elevated again, and my dr. is after me to take statins. I went on one for a short time a few years ago and had very bad side affects. I had really bad pain in my arms and legs and could hardly walk or even lift a coffee cup! I said --- Nope --- this is not for me!

Since I have ongoing issues with tendonitis in both ankles, continuing back issues, arthritis and fibro, osteoporosis, etc., I do not feel statins are safe for me to use.

I have also read that statins can cause your achilles tendon to spontaneously rupture. And I do have already an achilles tendon issue.

I don't want to get a stroke or any serious heart issues either, so I am worried about that, and being made to feel that I HAVE to go on statins!

Are there are any supplements, particular brands of herbal things, minerals, vitamins, etc., that you take instead, and have had good results?

I know that my diet in the last few months has not been very good and that I need to make some serious adjustments, which I am really going to try and make. I do walk most days which is about all I can do considering the health issues I have.

When you do list your products, etc., please be specific as to what it is, the brand name, etc.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you!

Your post could have been written by me. My last visit my cholesterol was high and the first thing my Dr. said as she walked into the room was "are you ready for statins?" I said no and I wanted to try other methods. She didn't seem so happy but I didn't care. I tried garlic and it didn't work. I'm back to Red Yeast Rice. I also told her I wanted to see a dietitian so I'm currently working with one. She suggested taking a couple of spoonfuls of Hemp Hearts daily. You can get them online, Sprouts, Costco and they have a slightly nutty flavor. You can put them in pudding, yogurt, oatmeal, muffins etc. and they don't have the properties to get you high if your worried about hemp products. Watch the sugar, eat more fiber, oats like oatmeal, stay away from white bread, eat more veggies. I haven't had a recheck of my cholesterol lately as I wanted to try diet changes for a few months first.

Re: What alternative things do you take and do instead of statins?

Skyegirl21 — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 13:09:30 GMT

I was eating a lot of cheese, and formed the icky yellow cholesterol eye-patches ( called Xanthelasma). So I immediately stopped eating cheese and minimized saturated animal fat (beef). I also take turmeric, had then frozen off, and so far they have not recurred-

I realize cholesterol is made by the body ( not all due to diet), but a plant-based diet and less saturated fats, helps a lot! And exercise!

Re: What alternative things do you take and do instead of statins?

SeaMaiden — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 13:13:13 GMT

@AngelPuppy1 Regular cardiovascular Exercise is a huge component to lowering cholesterol too. I have been slacking in this department myself the past few years....lazyiness on my part. I need to get on the ball and off my butt!

Re: What alternative things do you take and do instead of statins?

catter70 — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 13:14:41 GMT

I was taking something with statins years ago and had terrible pain in my arms and shoulders. I stopped taking them for years. Tried red yeast rice and had the same problem. A year ago doc talked me in to Ezetimbie and asid I shouldn't have problems. Filled the script, got it home and a side affect is muscle pain, etc. Now having right arm and shoulder pain again and trouble lifting right arm. Not sure if it's the meds or something else could be going on. Will discuss with him at next appointment.

Re: What alternative things do you take and do instead of statins?

sann — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 13:24:01 GMT

I have been taking a statin medication since 2018...fortunately with no side effects ...my cardiologist has advised me if I don't take the med the risk of having a heart attack❤️ or stroke are very likely because these drugs help prevent buildup of plaque in the arteries which interferes with blood flow to and from the heart ♥️ since I have a family history of stroke I see this medication as life saving....hopefully for those who are experiencing side effects your Doctor can find a Med that can work for you....♥️

Re: What alternative things do you take and do instead of statins?

Sunshine Kate — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 13:32:57 GMT

@on the bay wrote:
Hi,@AngelPuppy1
Garlic lowered my bad cholesterol by 30 points after one month.
Ginger works too.
Of course with everything look up side effects and anything else you may need to know.
I won't take statins either and primary care doctor I had said he would not take them either and he had high cholesterol also. I know some do take them with no ill effects.
Red Yeast Rice also works but it has the same components of statins and potential side effects so I stopped taking that.

@on the bay, what brand of Garlic supplement are you taking and like? TIA

Re: What alternative things do you take and do instead of statins?

Beth-QVC — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 13:46:16 GMT

argumentative

Re: What alternative things do you take and do instead of statins?

evelyner — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 14:16:09 GMT

2 years ago I was hospitalized with Covid Pneumonia. When I read my report it mentioned some blockage of arteries. I too was fighting statins till I saw that. I rushed to the doctor to get a prescription. Both my parents had high cholesterol and were on it. I'm thankful that there's something to help me.

Re: What alternative things do you take and do instead of statins?

JeanLouiseFinch — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 14:31:59 GMT

My NP knows my feelings on statins. She suggested fish oil, but I've found this version of Omega-3's that I like. I always get the abbreviations wrong, but my bad cholesterol is good. My good cholesterol is high because I'm following a keto lifestyle. It doesn't worry me. I was seeing a cardiologist for awhile following a wonky pre surgical EKG. He did another one in the office and it was fine. He still had me come back a few times and finally released me last summer saying he didn't believe I ever had any heart disease.

Re: What alternative things do you take and do instead of statins?

Marp — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 14:28:29 GMT

@AngelPuppy1, my mom had essentially the same reaction to statins that you did.

The only supplement she took after stopping the statin was Slo-Niacin.

However, the biggest impact on her levels occurred within a month of significantly reducing her consumption of high fructose corn sweeter; a drop of 30 points.

Re: What alternative things do you take and do instead of statins?

SilleeMee — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 15:54:53 GMT

Berberine has done wonders for me. It made my cholesterol and A1c numbers normal. Now I no longer take any Rx meds.

ETA-

There is and has been ongoing research about berberine. The NIH has published many articles regarding it's effects on cholesterol and glucose management. In the works is the FDA's approval of berberine used as a drug for heart heath which includes A1c and cholesterol monitoring.

Berberine, like metformin, is made from a plant root and both share glucose-lowering capabilities. The difference is berberine does not have the side effects as metformin nor does it come with any similar to those described as side effects of taking statins. It's a win-win situation.

Re: What alternative things do you take and do instead of statins?

Jk9 — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 14:50:22 GMT

@AngelPuppy1 My experience was like @Icegoddess . Crestor gave me terrible side effects but a generic simvastatin has significantly lowered my cholesterol without the same side effects. I have also cleaned up my diet and exercise more. It's up to you, but I wouldn't rule medication completely out because of side effects without trying alternative medications first.

Re: What alternative things do you take and do instead of statins?

wagirl — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 15:11:07 GMT

@AngelPuppy1 ---I cannot take any statins--and when I took Crestor in the early 2000's. I did have Achilles tendon issues with each one--of course back then, that side effect was not a thing and I ended up doing surgery on both of them when, IF, I would have known that the statin was the cause, I could have stopped taking it and maybe not had the surgery!! Got walnut sized lumps on the backs of my heels and did a years worth of p/t and shots that did nothing.

I took niaspan, which is niacin basically, that did amazing things for my numbers but----it makes you flush and while it can be a little uncomfortable and you turn red and get very warm, that only lasts for about 20 minutes. I stopped taking it when I was going thru chemo --tried it again a few years ago and it was just too much for me. My cardi dr suggested taking red yeast rice--that is a plant sterol, and not sure it did much for me either. I have familial high cholesterol but also have a very high HDL that is also a family thing---am not on anything right now--broke my ankle in Oct so had to cancel my cardiologist appt as I couldn't walk. Am walking now but still not able to go very far yet. My dr is very much for trying natural things first and he has said he has more things I can try. Just gotta get there !!!

Re: What alternative things do you take and do instead of statins?

ThinkingOutLoud — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 15:28:42 GMT

Haven't read the replies but I was told years ago that the 'acceptable numbers' were changed to get more people on rx so your numbers

*might* actually be fine.

Re: What alternative things do you take and do instead of statins?

ThinkingOutLoud — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 15:28:00 GMT

If you do try garlic, get kyolic which is odorless.

Re: What alternative things do you take and do instead of statins?

Effie54 — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 15:41:55 GMT

Traditional physicians aren't going to help you with supplements to lower your cholesterol. Their job is to push statins on those to get their numbers down. Of course, there are alternatives that are natural. But my best advice is go to a naturopath for professional assistance. It can be done.