Wellness

[Sooner]

I got bullied into taking them by my doctor in January and I hate taking them.  I have very vivid dreams, a few other issues and think it's only for money.

When I see my doc he looks at his computer, not me, goes by statistics and if anything shows up sends me to a specialist.  I guess I'm just happy to have any doctor and too many other problems in my life to worry about changing.  

[sunsetbeach]

I have hereditary high cholesterol.  I went back and forth with my doctor for years because I was so resistant to taking anything.  I exercise 7 days a week, eat a healthy diet for the most part and still have sky high cholesterol.  Finally a few years ago I participated in a study at Duke Univeristy Hospital regarding statins.  Through blood work and other testing, it determined that I would successfully be able to take certain statins without side effects.  Since then I've taken 10mg of simvastatin 3 days a week, Monday, Wednesday, Friday.  My numbers came down enough to get me out of the high range and I have had no side effects.  My bloodwork was checked last week and all is good.

[1Professor]

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@sunsetbeach wrote:

I have hereditary high cholesterol.  I went back and forth with my doctor for years because I was so resistant to taking anything.  I exercise 7 days a week, eat a healthy diet for the most part and still have sky high cholesterol.  Finally a few years ago I participated in a study at Duke Univeristy Hospital regarding statins.  Through blood work and other testing, it determined that I would successfully be able to take certain statins without side effects.  Since then I've taken 10mg of simvastatin 3 days a week, Monday, Wednesday, Friday.  My numbers came down enough to get me out of the high range and I have had no side effects.  My bloodwork was checked last week and all is good.

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@sunsetbeach   Congratulations!

Deep gratitude for sharing your story.

[gizmogal]

@1Professor @You more than once referred to Livotor in your original post. Did you mean LIPITOR?  (Generic is called Atorvastatin).  If you did find information on some statin called LIVOTOR, since you are a researcher and scientist,  could you refer me to any article or resource that reviews that drug?? I can't find anything about it and any search engine keeps reverting to Lipitor.  I can't find LIVOTOR. in a Physicians Desk Reference or in the Epocrates app. Where can I get more info or can you clarify that you typed the wrong drug name initially and state the correct product?

I have been on Atorvastatin for about 15 years. First 10mg but more recently, at age 75 and a diabetic, I was required to try 20mg. It has had a very beneficial effect all these years and I have suffered no side effects at all. My cholesterol is back to good numbers with the higher dose, my A1C is appropriate and I don't eat more plant based than anything else. I'd say I enjoy vegetables and eat them, all kinds, but I just roasted a chicken for myself and enjoyed that with a green salad. 

I take responsibility for my health and collaborate with my doctor to keep the goals of good health. I get blood tests quarterly and I stay aware of my numbers.  Each person must approach their health with understanding facts about their bodies, having confidence in their doctors, and making decisions based on science as much as their personal beliefs.

I could not ever be convinced to get off my statin and just eat a lot differently or take various supplements.  And I would not try to convince anyone that statins are not at all dangerous, or are necessary, or categorically do not produce any unpleasant or intolerable side effects. I only speak for me, my body, my philosophy about health. 

Please advise where I can find Livotor?

 
I'm glad any forum members are healthy no matter what regimen they follow. Whatever helps us thrive and enjoy a long life is just the right thing for us, individually. 

[Q4u]

My story:  Over 20 years ago I was prescribed Simvastaton.  A statin to improve my 200 cholesterol.  It did, but 20 years ago no one mentioned taking CoQ, never heard of it ..... in 18 months my Doc said everything was going great but the muscles in my legs were getting weaker and I went to the doctor to find out why.  I suddenly had a very hard time with the stairs (especially to the Motor Home.  Was also getting sharp "electrical type" pains down my legs.  And guess what also showed up??  ...  Diabetes!!  My doctor handled it like "well, just one of those things"..... and we started treating that!!  Funny thing though and this is really telling.  No one told me (at the time or when I was diagnosed) that this was one of the maybe side effects, especially if you have family members or a pre-disposition towards it.  No one on either side of the family had or has diabetes. Nor did I have any markers in my health history that would provide a clue to this being imminent.  Nothing.  Ate conservatively and ate healthy most of the time.

Had this happened to me today I would have had more information.  I wouldn't have taken a Statin without CoQ10 (or no Statin at all).  So I am Diabetic and live it every day.  I have a "do not give Statins" on my record as being allergic.  Not so sure if I'm allergic but my legs have weakened and have not gotten better since I've taken a statin (and yes, I've tried others and had the same experience).  I no longer have the electric type pains and my leg weakness deterioration has halted.

Many people do not have this experience and are successful in taking Statins, but some are not and this is just to warn you to continue to do your research, there's a lot out there now and one I was interested in called "Spacedoc.com".  This gentleman was a doctor and astronaut and taking the statins recommended about 20 years ago.  He didn't do well..                

[1Professor]

@gizmogal 

As you suspected, it is Lipitor.

However, the Q wouldn't let me edit the post. Tried many times.

I have Atorvastatin 10 mg (for Lipitor).

Haven't started it yet.

Thanks for sharing specifics about your experience.

Nothing here should be the basis for anyone deciding, but so many are confused, or, as one contributor said, "felt bullied" into taking a statin. Not everyone can easily research or even know where to look.

My sister had such a painful muscle/joint reaction that her doctor took her off. That happens with some, obviously not most. 

Even if taking a statin, however, we need to address the actual cause of heart disease (build up of plaque in the arteries). Plant diets, diets low in sugar/sodium/fats help.

Some supplements may help.

Evidence that oat bran (a soluble fiber), for example, can reduce the existing plaques somewhat.

I am always applauding folks on the Wellness threads for their thoughtfulness on so many topics.

As you have said, we want the best quality life and we want to help our bodies achieve that—no matter how many physical issues we cope with or what age we achieve . . .

[1Professor]

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@Q4u wrote:

My story:  Over 20 years ago I was prescribed Simvastaton.  A statin to improve my 200 cholesterol.  It did, but 20 years ago no one mentioned taking CoQ, never heard of it ..... in 18 months my Doc said everything was going great but the muscles in my legs were getting weaker and I went to the doctor to find out why.  I suddenly had a very hard time with the stairs (especially to the Motor Home.  Was also getting sharp "electrical type" pains down my legs.  And guess what also showed up??  ...  Diabetes!!  My doctor handled it like "well, just one of those things"..... and we started treating that!!  Funny thing though and this is really telling.  No one told me (at the time or when I was diagnosed) that this was one of the maybe side effects, especially if you have family members or a pre-disposition towards it.  No one on either side of the family had or has diabetes. Nor did I have any markers in my health history that would provide a clue to this being imminent.  Nothing.  Ate conservatively and ate healthy most of the time.

Had this happened to me today I would have had more information.  I wouldn't have taken a Statin without CoQ10 (or no Statin at all).  So I am Diabetic and live it every day.  I have a "do not give Statins" on my record as being allergic.  Not so sure if I'm allergic but my legs have weakened and have not gotten better since I've taken a statin (and yes, I've tried others and had the same experience).  I no longer have the electric type pains and my leg weakness deterioration has halted.

Many people do not have this experience and are successful in taking Statins, but some are not and this is just to warn you to continue to do your research, there's a lot out there now and one I was interested in called "Spacedoc.com".  This gentleman was a doctor and astronaut and taking the statins recommended about 20 years ago.  He didn't do well..                

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@Q4u 

Wow. You are SO right. It took medicine a while to realize the coQ10 connection. You suffered for that.

I first heard about coQ10 from an Andrew Lessman presentation.

Not just for those taking statins, but it actually begins to weaken in our bodies as we age.

So Late last year I started coQ10 (prior to my blood work and suggestion to take a statin based on my tests).

It is essential to several organs I hold dear (brain, heart, eyes).

Deep appreciation for your story.

[1Professor]

@gizmogal 

Finally broke through the Edit-a-Post Guard and fixed it!

[hckynutjohn]

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@Sooner wrote:

I got bullied into taking them by my doctor in January and I hate taking them.  I have very vivid dreams, a few other issues and think it's only for money.

When I see my doc he looks at his computer, not me, goes by statistics and if anything shows up sends me to a specialist.  I guess I'm just happy to have any doctor and too many other problems in my life to worry about changing.  

Holy Moly @Sooner 

Have I been misreading who you are all these years, or?  "bullied/doctor that doesn't look at you/happy to have any doctor"!

hckynut 🇺🇸

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[ID2]

I just shake my head in disbelief. Statins are out there to help you live longer without the potential of dying before your time! Right? Stop spreading untrue rumors and have a heart-to-heart with your doctor. Geez.