Anybody on a Statin?

[teejk]

I'm on them but can't remember why. My total was high but the "good to bad" was high also (I think they can measure total, HDL and trigs; LDL is calculated from those 3 points). I had something wrong at age 50 which got me to a cardiologist. He said as a rule of thumb you can judge "normal" LDL as the 50 are born with and add 1 point for every year you are alive. I did drop about 35 lbs. and at last check my LDL was 63 while on Lipitor (10mg I think). But I do have all the side-effects although it's hard to say whether it's a function of getting old or the drug. I'm due for a physical and hope the numbers are such that I can convince the the doc to take me off for awhile just to see what happens.

Did you fast before the blood work? It makes a difference.

 

[Stimw]

I have been taking Simvastatin for about 2 years. The only side effect that I have seen is I keep getting older!
My cholesterol was running 240-260 for the last 8 years. 6 months after taking Simvst. it is down to 140.
I'm 65, quit active and still working 30-40 hours a week with my own business.
A little over a year ago I had an emergency appendectomy and spent 5 days in the hospital. During that time and about 10 days total I stopped taking the med and didn't notice any difference other than post surgery weakness.

I am skeptical of the whole cholesterol program. I remember a story about an 18 year old healthy active under 100lb girl with a reading of 300!!! When they investigated the only thing she was eating was Yogurt.
I wonder if Bacardi raises it????

 

[bvahjen]

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?

I have very similar numbers and have taken them. Discuss any side effects with your doctor. Most people tolerate them well.

 

[phiferpharm]

I've been on them since 2006, when I had stents put in. Just had a quad Bypass two weeks ago. I haven't noticed any side effects from the drugs, but since I had to have the surgery, I'm not sure they have done me a lot of good either.

 

[Bird]

My doctor had me taking one a day 20 mg Simvastatin from Feb. 2007, until last Nov. when he changed it to one a day 20 mg Atorvastatin. That's the only prescription medication I regularly take. I do take a couple of Bausch & Lomb PreserVision ARED eye vitamin pills a day, OTC stuff that was recommended by the eye doctor who did the retina surgery on my eyes.

Before I started on the statins, my total cholesterol was running 204 to 217 and since starting on them, it's been 130 to 172.

 

[randy41]

i didn't read all the posts so someone may have posted this already but wouldn't a diet change help greatly? especially at such a young age? i don't think chemistry is always the best solution...but it is the easiest.

 

[El Wood]

I don't think my diet is too bad. I try to stay away from fried food and stuff that contains too much sugar. I try to exercise 3 or 4 days a week.

My mother also had high cholesterol and tried improving her diet but couldn't get her numbers down. She doesn't like taking medication and the only way she could get her cholesterol in range was to become a vegetarian. I'm guessing that's my only solution too.

The thought of taking a pill for the rest of my life does scare me a little. Maybe it's just a part of getting older though...

 

[HillStreet]

Been on statin for 4 years and it really controls the cholesterol and triglyceride numbers. No side effects whatsoever. I am age 60 and have lately done some reading for my general health. I made my living on the road and " fast food" was an everyday part of my life, and other than working hard I did not exercise. Recently retired, I now eat oatmeal every morning, cook at home with lean meats and veggies, and walk about 3 miles a day. Go to doctor in a few weeks and hoping to get dosage reduced and better lab results.

My reading gave me a much clearer understanding that some simple changes can eliminate a lot of problems. When I was eating 5000 greasy and fatty calories a day I knew I was on the wrong path and just let the medication overcome my bad habits. Now I am giving it an honest effort to make some permanent changes for the good. Beautiful autumn days like we've had here in Maine the past week make me want to live until 100, but I'll take what I can get.

 

[tcartwri]

I don't think my diet is too bad. I try to stay away from fried food and stuff that contains too much sugar. I try to exercise 3 or 4 days a week.

My mother also had high cholesterol and tried improving her diet but couldn't get her numbers down. She doesn't like taking medication and the only way she could get her cholesterol in range was to become a vegetarian. I'm guessing that's my only solution too.

The thought of taking a pill for the rest of my life does scare me a little. Maybe it's just a part of getting older though...

Taking a spoonfull of Metamucil before diner will knock your numbers down pretty significantly. It also lowers your appetite at the same time.