Statins -- SEs?

Mel,

I've been on statins for years. The SE's you mention are fairly common, and the trick is finding the one that works on your cholesterol without the SE's. I've been on Simvastatin (zocor) for quite a while, and never really noticed what you're seeing.

That being said, I think I personally probably really don't need to be on them. My family history suggests I'm in one of the genetic groups that runs high on cholesterols without having the cardiac issues that go with them. I'm going to be interested to see what my numbers look like this fall..I've started a serious exercise program (swimming almost daily--competition type training) a couple of months ago. I wonder what my numbers are doing?

I've been taking Lipitor/atorvastatin for almost 20 years. Zero side effects. But, I only take 10mg, which I think is the lowest dosage. I think that the issues with statins increase along with the dosage.

Some years ago I was started on Lovastatin and had similar SE's. Light headed, some confusion even. I was convinced it was the statin but the doc was not. He did switch me to Zocor anyway and the SE's went away. He didn't say it but he believed this was all in my head.

Hitting the gym hard worked for me. Lost a bunch of weight and now I'm off all meds except Cialis...


Hope you get it sorted out - Jon

The statins make everything taste like a metal spoon.

That's the only SE I noticed.

I am not 100% convinced it's really helped me.

Andrew

Sometimes I think statins are one of the most over-used drugs on the market. We've found another "condition" (high cholesterol) and now we have to "treat" it. Another place where true risk assessment and understanding metabolic variables is critically needed.

Just my opinion.

Mel, I'm on Crestor 10 mg. since June, no side effects. I agree with (i think) Halbert, that its a question of finding the right statin for you personally.
@Clocknut - just an FYI regarding the lightening of your wallet - it was announced last week that Watson Pharmaceuticals has gotten approval for their generic version of Crestor. I dont know if its available yet, but its coming, so thats good news for us both.

Back to Mel (and Halbert, and all) - there is a lot of controversy about statins, and about how important cholesterol actually is to Heart Disease. There is a big faction that says that Triglycerides (which is not a cholesterol, its a fat in the blood) and HDL (good cholesterol) are the two most important factors in lipid world I am evidence of that - i never had high cholesterol, or high LDL (BAD cholesterol) i only had very high Triglycerides all my life, till recently, and low HDL (WHICH is bad). And i have heart disease.
Many people with heart disease do not have high cholesterol. Hard to explain. The mainstream medical community, (which i call the "take these pills and you'll be fine" faction) is all about LDL and Total Cholesterol, and statins.

But there is a big and growing faction that believes its not important.

Nobody knows anything for sure.

I have been on a low 10mg statin lipitor for a few months now. My cholesterol dropped 75 points in two months but I also modified diet, eating mo veggies and fruits. Although it has not been proven, statins may have a impact on PC.

Thanks for all the responses. It's great to be able to post a question and get feedback from those who have been there!

Mel

Doubl:

Did you have any indications (pain, etc.) that this was happening? Had you stopped (or never started) exercising?

Mel

I've been feeling better since yesterday.
It may have just been some "flu symptoms" or something heat-related.

I may have been too quick to blame it on the statin

Mel

Hi Mel,

I've been on various statin drugs for years. My cholesterol is mostly familial, and a bit of lifestyle.

I am recently at the high end of "normal". All other blood work is fine.

My family doc seemed to be on a crusade to have everyone's cholesterol at low levels. Years ago, he kept upping my dose, changing meds, until I was on the newest and greatest Crestor at 40 mG/day (a high dose).

It did lower my cholesterol. It also made me unable to exercise due to muscle weakness and pain. Also had the most awful dreams...had some weird memory issues, too.

I'm on Zocor at 10 mG/day. He (family doc) wanted me to double recently. I said no. My numbers haven't gone up...just my age :)

Last year, I did 18 minutes on the full hook up, ramp rising, stress test. I don't know how standardized these tests are...I assume they are. I've been told that's pretty good for an older fart, non-athlete type like myself at 60 at the time.

The test was administered with my internist doc present. He said I did good.

I have read a lot about statins over the years and there is a growing controversy over their use and efficacy.

I won't weigh in on that any more...except to say I have had problems with these drugs. Google statin side effects and you can read for yourself, if you haven't already.

All the best,

Mike