Community Chat

[SuhseK]

My Aunt is Almost 71.  She just had her annual physical, and things looked good, with the exception of her cholesterol, which is high. 

Her Dr. wants her to  start Lipitor, and she's someone who is reluctant to do RX  meds. It's not that she won't, she's just nervous. 

If you, or someone in your family, takes, has taken the drug, I'd love your thoughts and opinions. Any serious side effects, what was/is the worst side effect, etc.

Of course she's going to discuss her concerns and reservations, with her Dr., but she'd  love to hear some, experiences, from folks with personal experience. 

Thanks Much! 

[daisy4]

I am a little older than your aunt, and I have been taking the generic form of Lipitor for many years.  The doctor had tried several different brands with me, but none of them worked as well as Lipitor.  I have not had any side effects at all.  Good luck!

[proudlyfromNJ]

I also take the generic of Lipitor. But yes, everyone can react differently. 

[patbz]

I'm 77 and I've been on  generic Lipitor for more than 20 years with no side effects and it works!

[Kachina624]

I've taken statins for years and have never had even a hint of a side effect.

[ALRATIBA]

I took it for 8 months back around 2006. 

The side effects were terrible.  I could barely walk - months of PT.

A co-workers wife ended up in a wheelchair - and physical therapy.

Another woman I know lost part of her liver.  

There has been so much research on lipitor and it's side effects.  I wouldn't recommend it to anyone based on my personal experience with it.

READ THE RESEARCH.

[Shelbelle]

For 16 years I take OTC supplement for my cholesterol, Cholest Wise from Puritans Pride, I dont want to take statins, so this is second best. 

[itsmagic]

If she decides to take it, my suggestion is to ask her doctor to start off prescribing the lowest dose and see how it affects her and if it sufficiently controls her cholesterol.  I’m very sensitive to drugs that are prescribed to me and I find the lowest dose works best with no side effects. 

[on the bay]

@SuhseK,

Doctors will readily prescribe statins for high cholesterol.

My last and one of my favorite physicians after saying he could prescribe me a statin for my high cholesterol and I said no. He said he has high cholesterol and he would not take statins.

Another physician talked about them and when I told her I would try red yeast rice, *which has the same properties as some of the rx drugs), she said, thats a good idea.

However now I take garlic. I actually tested this, getting a blood test for cholesterol and a month or so later again after taking a garlic capsule (any generic brand will do), and it was lower by 30 points.

There are other supplements that help even if it is due to genetic reasons rather than diet.

You can search that and see others.

Of course its important to read any side effects or contra-indications for supplements too. 

Also I like to look at a site called askapatient.com with actual patient experiences from taking a drug, the reason, their age and gender and how long, side effects, and if it worked. It can be a little off-putting sometimes reading the negative ones, but so can the long forms they hand you at the pharmacy listing side effects when we actually read them.

You are a sweet niece to help her with this.

[pinkcrystal]

I had a physician tell me that there is no point prescribing a statin to anyone after the age of 70.  It's a drug that should be started in early to middle age.  Just what I was told.