Wellness

[makeup addict]

Yes, do your research. Even Dr. Weil states that statins are more effective than some of the over the counter products. Godfathers girlfriend: size 4, taught aerobics, are heathy and didn't want to do meds. She had a stroke and now takes several meds plus therapy for the stroke. Do what I did. Discuss with your doctor about stopping the statin for three months and check your cholesterol numbers then. Compare it to when you've take the state for thee months. What do the numbers show you? Your LDL is almost normal now, but you have plaque. You do not need to add to it.

[makeup addict]

I've been on statins for years and I'm not diabetic, my grandfather died I his 40s due to heart disease. Both parents have high chol. Mom is diabetic; half her family has or has died from juv. Diabetes type I. She had it before the cholesterol. Statins are the best choice for me.

[wagirl]

Don't take them!! I cannot take any statins at all, due to very serious side effects. So bad that the Crestor I took caused achilles tendonitis, unbe knownst to me and my drs. that was a side effect , and ended up having un needed surgery to remove huge walnut sized lumps off each tendon. I spent a few years of trying physical therapy, meds, exercises and nothing worked. That was $15,000 for each tendon and a few years later, I just stumbled across a study that mentioned that side effect from Crestor and if I had only stopped taking the drug, in a few months the problem would have resolved itself. And it took me over a year to recover fully from taking Crestor. Was awful!!!!

[LilacTree]

You have a good HDL, and I would bet your triglycerides are normal as well. Many women have a little bit high LDL, but yours is not high enough to warrant taking this toxic med, IMO.

No one can make this decision but you. Recent studies have indicated that elevated cholesterol is not the big indicator of heart attacks it was once thought to be, especially considering your normal HDL levels. I would bet your ratios are good.

Do a lot of research and then make the decision you think is right for you.

I, for one, can't believe that doctors are still prescribing statins (which they themselves don't like to take).

However, again, it must be your decision.

[ID2]

On 2/24/2014 chessylady said: What test did you take that shows you have plaque? 149 is not a vey high LDL. Have you had a heart attack or a stroke?

Obviously you are unaware of the new guidelines. LDL levels should now be around 100. 149 is exorbitant! OP stop discussing this important health issue with strangers on a message board. Make an appt with your primary care doctor and hash it out with them.

[hckynut]

On 2/24/2014 lexi said:

Doctor prescribed statins more than once. Cramps in legs made me stop statins. Latest test shows hdl 55....ldl 149 .....Doc is really pushing the statins again because I have some plaque. What would u do?

Tia.lexi

As one that has never had an LDL over 65 and this same man having my right coronary artery 100% blocked in both of my heart attacks? It is obvious that for me LDL was not the "be all" when it came to having a heart event.

My total readings never exceeded 180 and my HDL most of those years was above 60, which is good for a male. My HDL/LDL/VLDL ratio also never got higher than a 2.2, which is great for the male gender. However I could not escape who gave me birth and the genetics that came along with it.

I have been taking Lipitor(Atorvastatin)since my first heart attack in 2003. My dose, comparatively speaking, which is 20mg per day is relatively a low dose. My wife after she had her stroke is now taking the same med except she is taking 40mg per day. She has not genetic predisposition to heart disease but her genetics predispose her to strokes. Her father died of a stroke when he was 56 years old.

There are some that firmly believe that all statins are bad for everyone and there are others like myself that do not have the same beliefs. Since I've been on this statin for over 10 years now, with no concern able side effects, my beliefs for myself and for my wife remain the same.

Why would I be willing to risk another heart attack after my right coronary artery has been 100% blocked twice, and all my lipid numbers are in a category that most can only "wish for"? The answer for me is simple, I will not quit taking this statin as for me the good has been proven to outweigh any bad that I have found. I have done my own extensive studies on Lipitor and my conclusion is that it is right for me and for my wife.

Until something comes along that is verifiable proof that this is doing myself or my wife more harm than good we will both continue to take this statin until otherwise advised by our treating doctors.

[Jersey Born]

Here is something that indicates statins do not work for women, and should not be prescribed for women.

[Shelbelle]

Try something OTC that adds up to at least 2 grams of plant sterols daily. Nature Made CholestOff or Puritans Pride Phytosterol Complex or their CholestWise. Just make sure you take enough to give you the total intake of at least 2 grams daily.

[lexi]

Thanks again....

Appreciate the responses

[dex]

I was able to lower my husbands with a strict diet and plant sterols.We mostly followed dash but I made sure to cut out fatty foods and include lots of veggies and fruits.we eat organic non gmo when possible,no packaged products, lots of fiber(flax,chia,and hemp hearts).we have low sugar and try to be scrim gluten free.It worked...yeah oh and nuts and seeds as a snack daily