Wellness

[Shelbelle]

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@PamfromCT wrote:

My DH suffered ill effects from Statin drugs, leaving him with neuropathy in his feet, despite no diabetes.  My DH's PCP recommended he try an over the counter medication produced by Nature Made called CholestOff Complete.  It is important to use the "Complete" version.  The results have been excellent, and DH's cardiologist, who had never heard of this, has been very happy with the results.  He had never heard of this, and he is now recommending this supplement to patients having side effects with Statins.  My DH's blood work continues to be very good.  

I would recommend talking to your doctor about this option.

FYI, Puritans Pride Cholest Wise is even more comprehensive than the Nature Made Complete, check it out if interested in a better formula. 

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[IMW]

Similar issues here, just stopped statins to see if any improvement. Am doing this under my md’s care.

[Lipstickdiva]

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@ID2 wrote:

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@on the bay wrote:

I have heard that and I have a primary care doctor who told me he would not take them!

A good but sometimes scary to read real reviews is askapatient.com. Then at least you know its not just you and a doctor can't say to you"Oh, it shouldn't or doesn't cause those side effects!"

There are many substitute things you can take to lower cholesterol-red yeast rice (same properties as statins but not usually side effects, niacin, garlic, many others. I hope you feel better. I would stop if I had all those reactions.

No one needs that, especially with a difficult physical job.

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Wow how can our doctors advice be so different?? Sure, I'm a type 1 diabetic and a statin is crutial for me. But my doctor (perfect health) told me that he's always asking his own doctor when he can take a statin. He tells me all the time to not believe all the bad press statins get. Its pretty much a miracle drug. My doctor said that he will be taking a statin once his doctor gives him the ok. 

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So your doctor, who is in perfect health, wants to start taking a statin? 

I would be running in the opposite direction from him fearing he's over medicating me with things "just because."

Also, there is a lot of information out there about the side effects of statins.  At lease one was pulled from the market (Baycol) because of muscle destruction which lead to over 30 deaths.

So I would question any doctor that told me not to believe all the negative press about statins.  He's a little out of touch.  

[hckynut]

@Sweet Caroline 1

Have had 72 Cardiac Rehab Classes, 36 after each heart attack, and almost every patient was on a Statin. Some were on much higher doses than myself, and had mostly problems with muscles cramping(spasms).

There are many different Statin Drugs, some work better for some patients than others. It is not unusual for their Doctor to try to find one with fewer, if any, side effects. I personally have been on Lipitor, or it's genetic, since July 2003. I take my 20mg pill before I call it a night.

I have had no noticeable side effects except maybe a tighter quad muscle on occasion. I know this because, as an athlete, stretching all muscle groups is part of my every day routine. Maybe my stretching has kept me from having muscle issues that many on Statins experience, that I do not know, but it physiologically makes good sense to me.

Most patients I met were on 40mg tablets, or higher, per day. My being on only 20mg might also factor into why I have had no problems over my 15 years on Lipitor. You should check with your doctor and ask questions about your present Statin, and dosage. Make sure she/he understands your problems, especially since it could effect your ability to continue doing your job.

Best to you,

hn

[sidsmom]

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@Lipstickdiva wrote:

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@ID2 wrote:

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@on the bay wrote:

I have heard that and I have a primary care doctor who told me he would not take them!

A good but sometimes scary to read real reviews is askapatient.com. Then at least you know its not just you and a doctor can't say to you"Oh, it shouldn't or doesn't cause those side effects!"

There are many substitute things you can take to lower cholesterol-red yeast rice (same properties as statins but not usually side effects, niacin, garlic, many others. I hope you feel better. I would stop if I had all those reactions.

No one needs that, especially with a difficult physical job.

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Wow how can our doctors advice be so different?? Sure, I'm a type 1 diabetic and a statin is crutial for me. But my doctor (perfect health) told me that he's always asking his own doctor when he can take a statin. He tells me all the time to not believe all the bad press statins get. Its pretty much a miracle drug. My doctor said that he will be taking a statin once his doctor gives him the ok. 

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So your doctor, who is in perfect health, wants to start taking a statin? 

I would be running in the opposite direction from him fearing he's over medicating me with things "just because."

Also, there is a lot of information out there about the side effects of statins.  At lease one was pulled from the market (Baycol) because of muscle destruction which lead to over 30 deaths.

So I would question any doctor that told me not to believe all the negative press about statins.  He's a little out of touch.  

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@Lipstickdiva

YES!  I totally agree.  I saw that & literally ‘gasped’.

It’s one thing if the Dr shares medical info, but for the patient 

to deem that as ‘perfect health’....that shows the disconnect when

patients begin taking medication, they deemed themselves

as now ‘healthy’.   Stuns me. But I see it time & time again.

[Trinity11]

I really think if you trust your doctor, you should heed his or her advice. It's about your own set of labs and nobody but your doctor can tell you what to do or not do.

I didn't listen and read all the horror stories about statins. I always had muscle pain with them so I stopped taking them. I ate clean and figured that was enough. 2016 I had a major heart attack and subsequently went into heart failure. Off and on after I took statins but could never stay on them. 2017 another heart attack. Back in December I went off them for a few weeks had labs done and saw a great increase in my cholesterol. I am back taking them because every single study I have read statins save lives of people with coronary artery disease.

I do have some discomfort from them but it's better than dying. It's a choice you need to make for yourself @Sweet Caroline 1. You wrote you have blocked arteries and since only 15 percent of our cholesterol is due to what we eat, the rest is produced from our liver, it is a tough decision. Blocked arteries rarely if ever get better. I went on the protocol of plant based eating and got a lot worse. Grains, fruits and vegetables only made my triglycerides sky rocket. So I take Lipitor. Only 10 mg but my last labs were excellent. I am out of heart failure and hope to live a lot longer.

Good luck with your decision.

[Icegoddess]

@Sweet Caroline 1, my doctor put me on Crestor and I had the same problem.  I told him I would rather die of a heart attack than to live like that.  It was miserable, and I am generally an active person going to the gym and ice skating every week.  He immediately took me off of it.  However, after my results at my yearly physical he suggested trying the generic Simvastatin.  I have not had any problem taking that.  So, maybe a different version will work for you.  Talk to your doctor.

As far as Red Yeast Rice goes, if you do your research you will find that you can also get the same side effects from it (which BTW is breaking down of muscle).  Tried the niacin at the doctor's suggestion, but as he suspected it didn't help.

Bergamot has shown some promise, and I have been taking it along with my statin, and yes, my doctor knows I'm taking it.  However, I may stop if I don't see significant improvement this time as it can get kinda expensive.  

[on the bay]

Red Yeast rice does have the same properties as statins and works in the same way. I have tried it however and did not get any muscle pain.

I read that even though it has the same properties as statins, for some it doesn't cause as many side effects. I don't know why.

I guess like the suggestions to try different statins, you try different things to see what works best.

Garlic capsules have also shown to drop cholesterol by 30 points.

They have for me.

I have that genetic high cholesterol, that diet does not effect. I mostly eat whole food, vegetables fish anyway because I like it.

I've heard good things about cholest-off too and have tried that but it is a little more expensive than garlic or apple cider vinegar capsules.

Everyone is so different in how drugs affect and work for them.

It's scary to try different things but great when we find something that works without horrendous side effects that can affect our quality of life.Its encouraging to know that people here have tried different ones without the muscle pain.

As far as trusting doctors go, it depends on the doctor. Even then, I'm going to head to the mayo clinic and other websites to read all I can about everything.

I had a doctor prescribe that rx that was that class of drugs that are a substitute for aspirin type things to save stomach issues.(cox 2 inhibitors)Bextra I think it was. It was several years ago. When I got home, I heard on the news it was discontinued due to heart attacks and deaths! So much for doctor recommendations. They don't all have time to read about everything and I think prescribe what they have drug reps recommend.I called their office and told them of its removal from the market!

I had a doctor who told me he would never recommend a new drug to his patients unless it had been on the market for 5 years and he wouldn't take it or let his family take it until it was 10 years on the market! I think even when we like and trust our doctors, we have to try all we can to learn about what we are taking.

[Renata22]

I agree with @felixmom, if you decide to continue taking statins, please look into this. It has helped my husband with these same issues. 

[sidsmom]

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@Trinity11 wrote:

only 15 percent of our cholesterol is due to what we eat

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Might want to check sources for that.

I know the CNN article which you refer that number.

Discovered this is Dr. Steve Nissen’s opinion only.

Also discovered Dr. Steve Nissen is deeply involved with The 

study/research of Cholesterol Lowering Drugs, so of course

he will champion & cherry pick his #s to reflect the miracle effects

of deadly cholesterol drugs.

So PlayLike 15% is a correct number.

Why donkey-punch that number with meat, dairy, eggs, oil,

processed foods, alcohol, stress?

Dr. Nissen hurts the Cleveland Clinic w/ this unsubstantiated information.

Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, also Cleveland Clinic, has mountains of 

case studies, research & experience to say,

diet/lifestyle can reverse heart disease. It’s fact. Period.