High Cholesterol :: Weaning Off Statins Easy?
Apr 13, 2016
I have entrenched myself in a low-fat Mediterranean diet and now have much better lipo-gram figures. I now wish to wean off my statin tablets. Is this easy to do?
View 1 Replies
Apr 13, 2016
Advertisement
High Cholesterol :: Can't Take Statins - Natural Ways To Reduce It?
Saw doc yesterday my cholesterol is 248 I can't take statins he's given me niacin. I'm starting fish oil 100mg a day any other natural advice
View 4 RepliesCholesterol Is 6.4 - Scared To Take Statins - Diet?
I've just been diagnosed with hardening arteries in my legs, the GP said I must take statins but I also suffer from fibromyalgia and chronic back pain so don't want to. Cholesterol is 6.4 with high LDL. Can I reduce this with diet?
View 7 RepliesCholesterol Level :: Familial Hypercholesterolaemia And Statins
I have been diagnosed with Familial Hypercholesterolaemia at the age of 5, after around 30 years of battling with doctors over my diet. Up until now, my combined cholesterol has never gone below 7.0 (without statins which I took for a few months around 5 years ago - it went down to around 4.0), and doctors continually insisted that my diet was at fault.
After another round of insisting that I take statins, I refused and was sent to the lipid clinic, where they looked at my history and proudly announced that my diet was not at fault and it was hereditary.
They then insisted I go on statins, as in their words, I have nearly 50 years worth of <fat> lining my blood vessels.
They did no cardiac tests or ultrasounds or stethoscope on my neck, etc., to find out if I was "furred up", and they then referred me back to the GP.
The GP didn't get in touch with me, so I made an appointment to see him, where he put me on a low dose of steroid.
I asked him about whether I should find out if I WAS at risk of heart disease before he shoved me on them, as in my mind, if my cholesterol had been so high ALL my life, then why did I not have any of the associated symptoms of FH, such as early heart disease, fat deposits on eyes etc?
Also I have reduced thyroid function (not reduced enough to be treated under the current guidelines however).
So, a couple of weeks later, at a pre-op for an upcoming gynae procedure I am to have, I mentioned about not having my heart looked at in years, and the kind nurse did an ECG and listened to my heart with a stethoscope. I was told my heart was ok.
What I would like to know is, would that "OK" on my heart health be a good reason not to take statins, or would further tests need to be done to ascertain whether I am at increased risk of heart disease - other than my cholesterol level.
I have read recently that if your heart and vascular health is OK, it doesn't matter what your cholesterol level is, it will still lower your risk - is that correct?
High Cholesterol :: Cholesterol Vs. CPK Number
For several years I took Simvastatin lowest dose (cut in HALF) and had good cholesterol numbers that satisfied the internist. That doc retired and new internist did a CPK test last year (my first one ever) and found it elevated to 243 so stopped the statin due to fears of muscle damage.
A year later (last week) the retested CPK, after taking NO statin for a year, was 303 and chol. numbers were back up (see below)!! So, doc says go ahead and take atorvastatin because there is a percentage of people who have high CPK with no other apparent problem. He said atorvastatin is more effective re chol. lowering than simvastatin which I'd had years ago. Is that so?
I am female, 64 years old and at age 55 had a calcium scan of the heart which showed ZERO calcium score. This was because I had similar TC numbers to current numbers and one doc (a cardiologist!) said 'have the scan' -- "find out if you need a statin." When he saw the ZERO calcium score for someone 55 he laughed and said I did not need a statin.
Years later, however, this new internist/gerontologist says that's fine but that is just the hardened cholesterol seen in the zero score, not the 'soft,' which is what travels and causes heart attacks and stroke. Great! Money spent for nothing on the test! Guess I need to educate the cardiologist?
My current chol. numbers before re-starting a statin last week were: Total Chol: 251; HDL: 77; LDL: 157; and Trigs: 87. Ratio is 3.26 -- Doc says he does 'not like' the 157 LDL.
So... a week ago I started on atorvastatin at a super low dose (I cut the 10 mg. pills into quarters so 2.5 per day. I have read in multiple places that it's stronger than simvastatin so wanted to start LOW and research shows that 2.5 is often enough to bring numbers to reasonable levels. I am not aiming to have the world's lowest cholesterol.
Last night and today I developed sharp pains in upper mid section and read the 'side effects' -- sure enough -- it's a possibility. Have also experienced increase in heartburn since taking these pills for a week. Started almost immediately. Is there a connection?
NOTE: Gallbladder removed in '04, before ever starting on any statin at all -- I'm one of the many who still has occasional GB related pains, likely from sphincter of oddi problems (sludge or stones formed by liver). It is called SOD III and it's not uncommon and since it's not a frequent occurrence, there is nothing to do about it per gastro doc. I have not had an episode in three+ years until last night/today, though this was mild.
Any relation to start-up of atorvastatin and these pains? Who knows? I would prefer taking NO statins since they are known to raise glucose a little and can bring on Diabetes type 2. My fasting glucose is high normal already at 98 and type II runs in my family at older ages. Swell.
What do YOU experts think of this? Would you be concerned about taking atorvastatin (or switching to simvastatin, which I took with no obvious problems for a few years?) Or would you just say forget the statins and live your life and don't worry about it? There is NO history of heart attack in anyone on either side of my family before age 80 and no 'strokes' at all.
Normal SGPT And ALT With High Cholesterol And High LDL
I am 35 year old unmarried female, i am 5feet 2 inch and my current weight is 63 kg/ 140 lb after one year dieting started when i was 77 kg.I have high cholesterol and high LDL issue in genes (my father had high cholesterol with high bp issue). My Blood pressure is normal, My cholesterol was 207 mg/dl, LDL = 160 mg/dl and HDL= 40mg/dl from 2011 to june 2015 with few up and downs but in reports of oct 2015 and march 2016 my cholesterol is increased up to 260 mg/dl, LDL = 198 mg/dl, HDL=51mg/dl, triglycerides = 100 mg/dl ,my other results are
Liver function test result are ALT/SGPT = 16U/L, SGOT = 19U/L, alkaline phosphate = 114 U/L , i am vitamin D deficient. march 2016 current level of vitamin D(25-OH) =26ng/ml . i take 600000 IU two injections in 2013 when my level was 4ng/ml and then i take 200000 IU one capsule in oct 2015 .
My prolactin level is also high since 2002 means between 75 to 100 ng/ml
My menstrual cycle is also irregular means come with gap of 40 to 70 days.
kindly tell me why my cholesterol and LDL is high if SPGT/ALT is normal. Since august 2015 i limit my whole day oil consumption is olive oil two table spoon in a day and one table spoon purified butter in a day. once in a week i eat one dunkin donut, 250 gram yogurt . i eat one egg daily.
High Cholesterol Along With My High Blood Pressure
Recently been diagnosed with high cholesterol along with my high blood pressure. Was on atenolol and bendrofluazide but these weren't keeping my bp down so was put on lisinopril. I have had pains in my stomach since i started my new meds wake in the night with a jolt, am tired and feel weak all the time, i'm only 43 and not over weight. Has anyone else had these symptoms. I'm unsure what is causing what as every thing has changed all at once?
View 1 RepliesHigh Cholestrol :: Are Statins THAT Dangerous?
I'm a 18 year old female, currently taking 20 mg of atorvastatin every day due to familial hypercholesterolemia. I have tried to control my LDL doing only diet, but it didn't help much, the reason why my doc prescribed me the pills.
I've been taking the medication for three or four months now and I didn't notice any side effects.
However, seeing people complaining about side effects on the internet, especially pain or muscle damage is making me seriously consider stop taking them. Nobody here has any good or tolerable experience with statins to share?
High Cholesterol :: Vaccine - Anyone Used?
I searched for 'cholesterol vaccine' on the internet but could only find scientific papers and financial information. I read some but it is really over my head.
Did anyone here use it ? Does your insurance cover it ?
Can Atorvastatin Help Against High Cholesterol?
61 and Yesterday my doctor told me that I have high cholesterol levels. I know how dangerous it can be, I know that it can affect my heart and trust me that is the last thing that I want because I had really good and quality life in these 61 years. He told me that I should not be that worried but he told me that he needs to prescribe some medication for me. He gave me atorvastatin drug. I am wondering how this drug can help me against high cholesterol?
View 8 RepliesHigh Cholesterol :: Recommended Dosage On The RYR?
what is the recommended dosage on the RYR (Red yeast Rice)?
take 1 600 mg tablet daily
High Cholesterol :: How To Bring It Down Naturally
My diet included Extra Virgin olive oil, and olive oil margarine, and as I was working ( and eating cheese) on a daily business as well as lots of yoghurt and full milk when I was diagnosed with high cholesterol ( 8.9). I tried to bring down my score and virtually stopped eating cheese and ate only alpro yoghurt. I also stopped eating biscuits and made my own as I heard purchased biscuits have a high content of 'bad' fats, but my score still yo-yo'd around 7.9 - 8.9 ( only going down to 6.8 ounce). and was put on pills which was much better. I'm told my high score is probably also due to hereditary reasons as my mother is also very high. Recently docs have taken me off the pills due to press articles and I'm trying to find out what I can do to bring my score down naturally. As cutting out so much cheese which didn't make any diff to my score, can you help as to what else I can try?
View 7 RepliesAngina Due To High Cholesterol Levels
Hubby has had a few chest pains, so we went to the GP where he had an ECG, all pretty normal but we got referred to the hospital anyway, where hubby had another ECG, blood test and we were told that he may have Angina also his Cholesterol levels were high? i am puzzled as to why, we eat a healthy diet, we eat lean proteins, no fats, fruit and veg, we never eat fast foods and all our foods are home cooking and no fats, hubby doesn't drink or smoke, so why? we can't eat any better also he can't exercise as he has chronic Degenerative disc problems which makes him very immobile!!!! so can anyone tell me ,what i do now, how can i lower the cholesterol levels, hubby is a bit overweight but only due to his back problem, not food! he has to go for an Angiogram in a few weeks.
View 3 RepliesSertraline Causing High Cholesterol?
Has anyone had an increase in their cholesterol levels whilst taking Sertraline?
Ramipril :: Causing High Cholesterol
I am on day 3 as I post, I recently went to my doctor with a cold (being asthmatic) I had high blood pressure and he sent me for a cholesterol. My result was 5.6 , my salt Intake was "I must say" very heavy, as well as salt on everything I also ate salted peanuts almost every night. I just wondered, Is It true that the pill Ramipril Is really a snake venom ?
View 2 RepliesHigh Cholesterol :: 5mg Simvastatin Vs 10 Mg Atorvastatin
I take 5mg generic zocor, how would that compare to 10 mg generic Lipitor? If I go higher than 5 I get memory problems. My sister takes 10mg Lipitor and has no side effects.
View 3 RepliesHigh Cholesterol :: Numbness And Tingling?
Can high cholesterol cause numbness or tingling?
View 1 RepliesHigh Cholesterol :: LDL 331, HDL 34 Very High
My doctor called me and told me to go to my pharmacy TODAY and pick up my rx for statins. My LDL is 331 and my HDL is only 34.
He put me on Pravachol 40 mg.
High Cholesterol - Runs In Family And Genes
Last few months have been very painful for me for many other reason. My brother (28) went for his routine blood test and was found to have 10.4 cholesterol. he was advised to go to specialist lipid clinic. Initially was advised dietary change... nothing happen... was put on Simvastatin... had some minor side effects and was changed to some other medication..
His specialist advised all my family to have blood test. We all had that... it was all ok but I was found to have 10.6 !!!.....I (24) went through the same process.. lipid clinic... dietary change... another test....the result was 9.4 this time, which is still to high the consultant said it was "PFH" ... I dont f**king know whats that ... but he told me that the P stands for "Possible" and something to do with "gene" rather than my diet and I am advised to take Simvastatin.....
(Both me and my brother are non smoker, non drinker and have ok lifestyle and similar diet and have around 25 BMI)
My Concern.... If that is genetic.... it is with us for all these 24 years... and with that high level of cholesterol me and/or my brother should have had 3/4 stroke or angina over the years..... we both feel fine... IS OUR BODY ADOPTED TO THAT LEVEL OF CHOLESTEROL? I am trying to search answer for this ..... can this not happen ...
High Cholesterol 275 - With Bronchitis And Sprained Ankle
Wow, I've just been slapped in the face with high cholesterol. I had no idea. I am a very healthy daily eater. My problem has been lacking of exercise because of sprained ankle, then bronchitis...over the last 5 months I am up 12 pounds.
Then I had my blood tests, Cholesterol 275...HDL 65, Trig 207, LDL 169. Wow... I know that much is hereditary and stress.
Now I'm on a special diet and will lose these pounds. Off of fats and red meat...but this scares me...
Thyroid Disorders :: High Cholesterol With L-Thyroxine
Have been on L-Tyroxine probably 30 years. When I weighed 120, cholesterol was 190, now that I am 68 and 30 lbs more, 150 at 5'4", my cholesterol is 416 (LDL in 300 range). I eat clean, no breads, cereals, carbs, etc (except only once in a while) eat wild game, game hen, fish, chicken, loads of fruits, veggies, etc., every thing super lean, fresh. take loads of supplements. I lift weights, do yoga, stretches, heavy gardening. Therefore, I find it absurd that my LDL is that high! I have absolutely no health issues except high cholesterol. Would Armour be better?
View 1 Replies