Anybody on a Statin?

El Wood · Oct 13, 2013

Well, my doctor finally talked me into a physical. I'm 34 years old and figured it was time. What could it hurt, right (I told him to hold off on the prostate check until after 40...)? I should also add that my wife had a say in the matter too...

Anyway, I just got my results back and my cholesterol was 259. HDL was 51, LDL was 166 and Trigly-something was 209. From what my doctor said, it's high and we should talk about going on a Statin. I should add that I do have heart disease in my family. My dad had heart surgery and my uncles have stints in their hearts. My mother has high cholesterol too. She ended up becoming a vegan instead of taking meds. I don't think I could do that. I like my steak and taters too much. I exercise about 3 days a week and weigh in at about 185. Bad genes I guess...

Is anyone here on a Statin? What's your opinion on taking them?

gwdixon · Oct 13, 2013

I take them. They definitely lower cholesterol if that is your concern.

Do a Google search for side effects. Mayo Clinic usually is a good place to start.

Egbert · Oct 13, 2013

Although your LDL is too high, your ratio is within the desired range. 51 HDL is very good. I have trouble getting mine to stay around 40.

For me, I've opted away from statins and use something that stays out of the liver.

Statins have a long list of "great" side-effects - but - they also have a long list of "bad" side-effects. I may eventually have to use them but not until I have exhausted all other options.

DABSGT · Oct 13, 2013

El Wood I had a Herat attach at age 46 almost 13 years ago. I have been on statin since. Thing is I had the complete physical a week to 10 days before and my total number 186! Any way the drug has been doing its job only side effect I have had some leg, thigh, pain.
Best of luck and now with your family history go for regular check ups. You wouldn't let your tractor go with out regular maintenance would you?

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

radioman · Oct 13, 2013

I been taking them. I have tried several varieties due to cost. There was one I wont go back to that made me have a dry cough. Now I am not taking any due to no insurance.
Wife lost her job and I have to wait till enrollment to switch over for me and then start new in jan. (there is more to this story about innsurance so dont say three is cobra and such as we cannot afford it). When new insurance kicks in, Ill be back on statin drugs again.

dave1949 · Oct 13, 2013

Thirty four sounds young to go on statins, assume you will be taking them for the duration.

What other options did your doctor give you? Diet, lose weight, more exercise, yadda, yadda?

If you need them, statins are a great thing, but all medicine has side effects. At your age, looking at 50 years of pills, I would try to get things under control without pills, if that is possible. If not, then be grateful they are available. My Mom has been down the same path as your family; bypass surgery, stents, catheter roto-rooting, blood thinners and statins. She's 87 and still kicking but she watches her diet and has for the past 28 years now since her bypass.

I have been taking a statin for two years, I am 64. Haven't had any side effects yet. It's time to get back into the gym though for some cardio workouts.

SPIKER · Oct 13, 2013

I been on them but usually not very long as they caused too much BAD side effects. I ended up with rather high amounts of joint, leg and arm pain. It took away my motivation and I wanted to sleep all day & wake up to the joint and extremity pain... Even tried Red Rice yeast stuff which also caused issues on top of terrible indigestion.

Mark

JimRB · Oct 13, 2013

I do not know anything about them personally. I heard something about memory loss. Major Side Effects of Statin Drugs

300UGUY · Oct 13, 2013

I have been on anti chorlestrol drugs of of some sort since I was 34. Statins work, but they do have side effects. I was never able to diet or exercise enough to get my numbers down. I tested @283. After a year of diet, losing 20lbs, and eating basically grass, I came out at 286. You can do a lot with diet and exercise, but genetics are pretty powerful. At least that's what my doc said. I am now on a generic, atorvastin. I was taking Caduet, a combination bp, chl pill, but the generics are cheaper. I don't notice a side effect except a dry throat, I use cough drops to lessen that. But I am not positive that the cough is due to the drug. It is a pia, but you need to get those numbers down. Losing weight and exercise is always good.