Wellness

[I am still oxox]

My husband has taken 10 mg of generic lipator for about 5 years or more. He watches what he eats sometime its inherited

[SilleeMee]

I was on a statin until my A1C went way up. No other side effects except for that then my doctor wanted to put me on metformin. Told my doctor I was quitting the statin so no need to give me a Rx for the metformin and said I was going to find a better way. I did and now I take berberine. Works for me, no side effects but there can be for some people.

I would still be on statins only if my cholesterol was still too high and I was evaluated to be at a high risk for cardiovascular disease. I'm none of those things. So statins be gone! 

[Shelbelle]

I take Zetia, a non statin cholesterol lowering drug, but not as potent as a statin, so results are more limited. 

[Tinkrbl44]

@ThinkingOutLoud 

Interesting, but the problem for many is that they don't fully understand the difference between good cholesterol and bad cholesterol.  

[bargainsgirl]

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@Shelbelle wrote:

I take Zetia, a non statin cholesterol lowering drug, but not as potent as a statin, so results are more limited. 

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I subbed Zetia for Simvastatin and yes it is not as potent.  My total number is about 240 and my good cholesterol numbers are good.  My mom and some of her sisters had very high cholesterol way over 300. She was on no other drugs and was quite healthy until she was diagnosed with cancer and died at 80. She could not tolerate any statins and stopped taking them. So much for avoiding cardiovascular disease...

[deeva]

Big pharma uses the same tactics with high blood pressure meds. According to the AMA's new guidelines, blood pressure should be no higher than 130/ 80 for someone over 65. 

Guess who funds the studies? Big pharmaceutical companies. Put more people on meds, watch the profits grow. 

[wagirl]

I am wondering how many of the posters here have familial high cholesterol like I do. Opinions are so anti drug control of this condition --and having gone thru 50 years of dealing with this, and the side effects there are not alot of things that can be done for my type. My dad died at age 47 from this. I have done the natural route with the berberine and a few other supplements that did absolutely ZERO for my lipids. I've done the life style change and I feel better. But still have high lipid #s. I have taken so many statins and zetia that worked a bit but after a few months, suffered from the joint pains. I know about the need cholesterol has to function but I am certain, I don't need as high cholesterol as my #'s are. Now I have to admit--the one thing that did lower my numbers was when I was taking Niaspan--that is an old time method--is B3 --niacin--was taking 2000mg a day and the flushing that took place was pretty intense but I tolerated that for a few years maybe in my 40's/50s---fantastic numbers!! But then after cancer and those treatments, I stopped any type of meds due to chemo/radiation and then tried that again and could not tolerate the flushing at all. So now I have a fantastic cardiologist as well as a pharm d dr that are helping me with all this. I trust them both and am willing to try what they suggest. I feel like it is thought that  I am taking the easy way out. I am not. I just trying to figure out what is best for me--and let me tell you--IT AIN'T EASY!!

[ID2]

I've been taking a statin for years. No side effects whatsoever. My blood tests are perfect. I'm a happy camper! 

[Estates]

@wagirl I'm waving my hand. I have high lipoprotein in my family. My mother,youngest and older brothers all died of heart attacks. 2 sisters died from vascular dementia,one other brother just diagnosed with it and other brother had triple bypass surgery.So as you can see,a history of heart disease in my family. I have a 537 score on my lipoprotein test.Should be 150. Statins not doing much and my A!C crept up to 6.6 despite exercise and weight loss. I have tried every price and type of berberine to no effect. 

I had a genetic test done 25 years ago. The doctor told me my results indicated I had a 50% chance of having a heart attack in my 50-60s.Well,here I am in my 60s so I faced my fear and went to a cardiologist. They ran echo/vascular scan/calcium score tests.All came back fine.I was put on Repatha which has dropped all my numbers down significantly. I also started metformin because of my A!C. Still exercising 5-6 days a week and my constant effort to lose weight and eat right.It is a daily battle for me. 

[wagirl]

@Estates ------YOU------are my hero😁. I've had the same type of tests and scans thru the years too. As well as other ...stuff too. My A1C is a concern but the metformin ripped my stomach apart --I'm such a fragile flower😣.I have my yearly appt with my cardi dr coming up as well as one with the pharmacist that helps me with the cholesterol issues. I have 2 brothers who have the same thing too, only not nearly as persnickety as me--and just my dad died  of heart issues --not sure about his family as they were/are in New York--I am Wa state. I don't really diet--but I eat mindfully and much less too and exercising--nope--just walking. Am going to be the  ripe old age of 72 next month, god willing and the creek don't rise!!! I have lost about 15 pounds recently so am at my ideal weight and BMI.Love that!! It's a battle---