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Experience with Statins - 1/24/2011 4:31:47 AM

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As much as I don't want to, it's looking like I may have to just give in and go on a statin soon.
I have a huge history of cardiac disease in my family...my mother died of a heart attack at 62. My dad had a quad bypass and a bulging abdominal aortic aneurism (sp?) that they caught before it burst thanks to the need for the quad. Almost all of my relatives on both sides of the family have died from either strokes or heart disease...so I have all of that going for me.
I have a physical coming up in about a week and I know my cholesterol will once again be high. It was 309 at the last checkup. My blood pressure has been consistently high since August also. I watch what I eat, do moderate exercise and am not overweight.
My question is...if you are on a statin, which one? What side effects have you experienced? Has it been effective in lowering your levels?

Yes, I know not to expect expert medical advice here...I'm looking more for personal experience with the different "brands" and how they affected you, good and bad. The stuff doctors don't like to spend much of their time discussing.

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RE: Experience with Statins - 1/24/2011 6:14:24 AM

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Lipitor - good results - no side affects

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RE: Experience with Statins - 1/24/2011 6:41:30 AM

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I have high cholesterol and triglycerides on both sides of my family, and no heart issues on either. Part of the issue is hereditary.

I eat no mammals and hardly any fried food. I DO eat a lot of eggs. So most of my cholesterol is manufactured by my body, which I've heard is the kind that causes no problems, as opposed to the ingested kind.

I took Lipitor briefly and it messed up my liver in a few months. Went off it, and my liver returned to normal.

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RE: Experience with Statins - 1/24/2011 6:52:31 AM

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John is a Type 2 diabetic Aileen and he has been on Lipitor for years, although with losing 60 pounds and drastic dietary changes they have lowered his dosage and hope to get him off it eventually. He hasn't had any problems with it but it can cause elevated liver counts so I would just as soon see him off it, but his cholesterol is half of what it was prior, so it can be really beneficial, just keep an eye on those liver counts which I am sure your Dr. will.

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RE: Experience with Statins - 1/24/2011 7:20:15 AM

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Gary took lipitor for years without any problems. Then all of a sudden his legs hurt and cramped all night long. He was pacing the house all night long with restless leg syndrome. The doctor's assistant suggested that he go off lipitor and see if that helped the legs. Within a few days he was able to sleep again. They tried another statin, simvastatin, and he's had no problems with it. Have also had a friend's mother experience the same leg pain while on lipitor.

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RE: Experience with Statins - 1/24/2011 7:33:49 AM

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Have you tried fish oil capsules?

That works well for a lot of people without adding a statin.

Here are other foods as well:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cholesterol/CL00002

http://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/Blog/Amy-Campbell/oil_changes_part_2/

A friend did remarkably well by cutting out processed foods and switching to grapeseed oil for cooking.

I think Statins have their place but since you are leary of them... there are other options worth a try.

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RE: Experience with Statins - 1/24/2011 11:14:57 AM

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I was on Lipitor with no problems, but it's still on patent and I don't have insurance so I switched to an off patent one, simvastatin. My major annoyance with it is that they want it taken last thing at night which is a problem because I use a mineralizing paste on my teeth last thing and then can't drink for 30 minutes. I'd prefer if I could take it in the morning with the other stuff.

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RE: Experience with Statins - 1/24/2011 6:16:11 PM

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Thanks for the feedback everyone.
I have tried for years to lower it with fish oil and countless other methods.
None of it has worked. Going on a statin is a last alternative for me and I'm not very fond of it, but it's better than dropping dead.
I suppose it will be trial and error to see which is the best one for me and hopefully they'll start me on the least intrusive dose.
I plan on pursuing this with a cardiologist along with my internist.
And I plan on being as well informed as I can be which is why I find it helpful to get this kind of personal feedback.

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RE: Experience with Statins - 1/24/2011 6:42:25 PM

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Krill oil, (mega red), is a form of fish oil without the fishy burps.
garlic supliments, and flaxseed oil all can help as well.

It's true that it is all trial and error. if the only side effect is joint pain, and the meds are working, try a glucosamine/condroiten/msm (sp?)suppliment. This is what my mother does, it works for her.

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RE: Experience with Statins - 1/25/2011 6:59:20 PM

MstrDennynSlave

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I am on Lovastatin and have been for 3 years. I've had no side effects from it. My cholesterol levels have dropped well into the normal range. Even with eating eggs every morning for breakfast. My liver function is normal, no problems there. I was instructed to take it at suppertime. All statins work best if taken either at supper or in the evening. Preferably at supper unless you eat a snack in the evening.

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RE: Experience with Statins - 1/26/2011 4:11:32 AM

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My mom had tried all the brand names with leg issues and such named here, however, the doc then put her on simvastatin and she has had no issues and its generic. As you probably will know many times they say to take CoQ10 -- which is good for you anyway, to help with side effects of some of the brand names.

I am sorry you have to go this way, it sucks when medications become a need in life.

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RE: Experience with Statins - 1/26/2011 1:18:16 PM

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quote:

ORIGINAL: MstrDennynSlave
All statins work best if taken either at supper or in the evening. Preferably at supper unless you eat a snack in the evening.

Really? Who told you that? I was told to take it at bedtime myself. I'd love to move it up to suppertime. Must ask pharmacist.

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RE: Experience with Statins - 1/26/2011 1:27:50 PM

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Lipitor is really good.....After using it for only three three months my total cholesterol went from 240 to 170 and now I just take half the amount I used to...It is expensive though as there is no generic but there is supposed to be one coming out around November.

< Message edited by playfulotter -- 1/26/2011 1:28:24 PM >

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RE: Experience with Statins - 1/27/2011 2:36:42 PM

hereyesruponyou

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I react poorly to statins. They tend to make me feel like I am 80 with major arthritis (so achy i have trouble getting up, or sitting down, anything that involves movement), so I avoid them. I do take Zetia and Trilipix for Triglycerides, which are hereditarily bad for me. in working to control my trig and increase my good cholesterol, i have had my bad (ldl), drop considerably. Make sure you have a decent level of hdl. They recommend a level of 40, but I have seen that 60 is really preferable. From the way I had it explained to me, the hdl is like a bath scrubbie in your veins, helping to clear the sticky ldl out of your system. I can't say I know enough about biology to say that's true, but I can say I have seen a major decline in my ldl as I have gotten my hdl up.

Avocados, eggs, 70% dark chocolate, blueberries, pomagranite juice, olive oil all help. Then just cutting the carbs (carbs = sugar = high triglycerides) and adding some exercise. I feel better than I have in years and the 35lbs I lost without feeling like I was trying were greatly appreciated!

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RE: Experience with Statins - 1/27/2011 6:18:43 PM

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I've taken Crestor for years with no side effects at all. My cholesterol dropped from 270 to 150 in three weeks when I started to take it. I get lab work done every six months and continue to have good levels.

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RE: Experience with Statins - 1/27/2011 9:34:32 PM

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Zocor works great for me, though the first weeks had be wondering what I had gotten myself into because of back pain and other old agey feelings. I would highly recommend taking CoQ10 at the same time to help with the symptoms and because it would probably be good for you anyways. I tend to resist taking meds, but this one I do.

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