I need to ask about Statins

I have taken Crestor for 15 years. I tried Lipitor and Pravachol and neither of them worked. I can give you leg pain but I take CoQ10 for that. I don’t have diabetes but there are plenty of stroke deaths in my family.

Yes, I have been on cholesterol meds since I was about 29 or so. I used to take Lipitor and then had to switch to Zocor, probably for some insurance related reason. I didnt feel awful on the Lipito, but I feel better on Zocor and my cholesterol level is lower on it

My mother has taken Lipitor for 20 years, no side effects. It must work because her cholesterol is excellent despite her diet which isn't. She loves her fast food. I wish she would eat healthier but she's reached an age few have in our family. If I get to that age, I'm going to eat whatever I want too.

If you can avoid statins, do so.  There are more natural remedies that your doctor can recommend.  Many people can't tolerate statins and they can be nasty.  Though they are fine for some people.  My sil's osteopath and my RSDS doc are strictly against them.

I've been on statins for quite some time. No diabetes, but my father had heart disease and died of a heart attack at age 43. My cholesterol is within normal limits with medication. As far as I know, I don't have any side effects, although my family says I'm forgetting things. So maybe--

I'm curious as to what you are taking instead of statins. I've put the doctors off for years about taking them. This past Fall I finally agreed to try Crestor. I lasted less than 6 weeks on it before I quit taking it. Horrible leg cramps and pain in my feet.

I, too, take the generic for Crestor. I’ve been on several different statins for over 25 years. The changes in medication have all been insurance related. I could go on a long rant about how my health care is apparently decided by my insurance company and not by my doctors or what is best for me. But that’s a whole ‘nuther thread. I’m also a Type 2 diabetic. I’ve not experienced any problems from taking statins for so many years.

On the other hand, my brother in law said that statins made him suicidal and refused to take them. A few years ago he had a heart attack and had a triple-bypass. He is also a type 2 diabetic. He now takes a statin with no current issues.

My endocrinologist wanted to put me on a statin for preventative measures. I'm a diabetic but that weird type 2.5 that's got characteristics of both types. My only lipid abnormality is elevated triglycerides and Vascepa takes care of that without any side effects. But it's a good preventative for diabetics who can tolerate it.

When I tried the statins (I tried two, Crestor was one, I don't remember the other) they both exacerbated my autoimmune disease symptoms and my lab tests showed increased inflammation levels.

My stroke is believed to have been an inflammation related complication of my autoimmune disease. So the increased inflammation levels canceled out the preventative benefits.

I had a cardiovascular workup and the cardiologist didn't find any problems. So for now statins are a no-go. The risk outweighs the benefit. That may change at some point though.

**GypsyGirl** and CarolinaGirl71, I am on Ezetimibe 10mg, and I'm also taking Omega 3. I'm also eating low carb, but I try to lean more heavily on chicken and fish than beef.

I did not want to take statins but high cholesterol is genetic for my family. My sister had a stroke at age 50 so my docs put me on statins and aspirin because of it. I have been on pravastatin for about a year now with no issues.

This is what I'm having a hard time understanding!