Who takes a statin?

The only statin I've been able to tolerate is Crestor which I'm currently taking.I've read so much conflicting info regarding the recent study that showed that Crestor reduced inflammation in the body. It also caused a significant rise in diabetes among those taking it & that scares me. I feel myself craving sweets more all the time which sure isn't helping my weight any. I also take fish oil daily (2400 mgs) & that is known to reduce cholestrol. During a heart cath in June the cardio doc said my arteries were nice & clean (his words) so I guess I'm wondering why I'm taking a statin at all. Are they routinely prescribed when a heart condition is present? I was scared spitless this summer by the heart failure & sudden need for PM/ICD so I accepted my doctor's recommendations out of fear I suppose. The highest my cholestrol had ever been was 240 & most recent was 173 on the statin. So again my question is, how many of us take statin drugs?

7 Comments

My Experience

by janetinak - 2008-11-30 11:11:43

I am running in the 220 range for cholesterol & with my family history I have tried several. They seem to work but I get muscle aches, tendonitis & joint pains within 4-6 wks & feel awful. I have a PM for Afib & after an AV node ablation am 100% dependent. I'd like to be able to take them but don't like how I feel with them. Execpt for the electrical problem EP says I have a teenagers heart, hard to believe as I am in my late 60's. Must be the daily exercise. It will be really interesting to see what others say to your questions. I am doing the baby aspirin, fish oil tabs & COQ10 route also. Been drinking a skim milk with plant sterols in it so hope that helps.

Lets here what others say,

Janet

Statin Drugs

by chillks - 2008-12-01 04:12:01

I take Zocor daily...do not have high cholesterol but as a preventative...I am also on plavix, 325 mg. aspril and 50 mg of toprol. Had a heart attack and two stents in mid-May and a pacemaker implanted on June 22nd. I read a lot about the bad side effects of statin drugs but have decided I just have to do what the cardiologist tells me. I have added a CQ10 capsule daily which says it is good to take if you are on statin drugs. Hope you are doing better soon!

OATMEAL!

by sculptor - 2008-12-01 04:12:05

Oatmeal lowers cholesterol! It seriously does. One bowl in the morning will do it. Check your cholesterol after a month of this and prepare to be happily surprised.

If you don't like oatmeal, try Cheerios or other oat cereal. It doesn't work as quickly, but it works.

Just my experience, but it has helped everyone else I've told.

Good luck!

Muscle pain....

by Bionic Beat - 2008-12-01 04:12:21

I was on statins for high cholesterol but stopped them when the muscle pain was too miserable.

Also found that my memory was not as good on statins, read that you need cholesterol for brain function, so it wasn't imagined...IMO

I use regular exercise and diet to try to keep it down....lots of steel cut oatmeal and lean meats.

I'm not convinced that statins are such a good thing....my problem is mainly genetic......also cholesterol is produced by ones' liver......and I refuse to take drugs for a 'natural' or 'normal' situation.

Do you know that the drug companies/docs are now promoting statins for folk with normal cholesterol levels????

Sounds like a great money-making scheme to me!!

BTW, my arteries are clear, might view it differently if they were NOT.

Personal decisions galore!


Bionic Beat

More on Oatmeal.....

by Bionic Beat - 2008-12-01 04:12:33

The Steel Cut oatmeal is the best choice but it's expensive in Ontario.

The large flake oatmeal, is just as good and much more economical......one bowl a day will do it for ya!

Sculptor and I agree! lol


Bionic Beat

Muscle and Joint Pain

by Bionic Man - 2008-12-01 08:12:33

I was put on Statins a number of years ago. I was told my bad cholesteol was high and due to genetics and there was nothing other than medicine I could do about it. I did physical labor and heavy weightlifting and began to develop joint pain and muscle pain. I figured the pain was due to my lifestyle until someone told me about the side effects of the statin drugs. I talked to my Dr about it. He did a blood test and told me never to take a statin drug again. The blood test will show how it's effecting your muscles. After several weeks I was almost pain free. I was eating right and lowered my cholesterol. Unfortunately after my pacemaker my cholesterol was checked and it was high again, even though I was till eating right. I was put on a different statin 2 weeks ago. So far I'm OK but I need to give it some more time. I'm currently on Pravastatin. I believe the Dr's are too quick when it comes to prescribing this medicine. I never given any advice to try to decrease it on my own. I was told you would have to be a vegetarian and with my history that wouldn't help either.
When this drug was first prescribed to me 15 years ago, the Dr said "This is a wonderful drug and everyone should be on it". I didn't find it wonderful.

Statins

by ElectricFrank - 2008-12-01 12:12:21

My cholesterol also runs in the 240-270's and has been there all my life (I', 78) or at least since testing became popular. I made the decision not to take statins when they first appeared and haven't changed my mind.
Your experience with the cath is similar to my brothers. He let the doc talk him into taking statins. He was so proud to get his cholesterol down to around 100 from 240. Then after a year on them he started developing muscle weakness and pain. I sent him a copy of an article on this side effect and he called the doctor. The doc gave him the usual brush off, but said if my brother was concerned to get a liver test. The docs office called very late in the day and told him stop the statins and come in for an appt. Seems his liver readings were on the verge of causing serious damage. It took him nearly a year to recover.

Now the interesting part. Since he had to get off the statins his cholesterol went back up to 245 and the doc was concerned. He had a chemical stress test that was "a bit off" and so had a cath. Same as you they found his arteries clean.

Bottom line is that the main education that the docs get comes from the pharmaceutical company reps who have a vested interest in selling drugs. While there are cases where statins are useful, they just throw them at everyone. Since they lowered the recommended target level for cholesterol to 100 almost everyone is a candidate.

Do a Google search on statin side effects for more info.

frank

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