cholesterol medicines and exercise

Some people experience muscle aches and pains associated with the use of statins (Zocor, Lipitor, Crestor, etc.)  That could certainly be a negative factor in training.  I find that those folks are in the minority though.  Most people tolerate taking them with virtually no side effects.

Depending on what your LDL is and what your goal is, you might be able to be put on something that's not a statin, like Zetia.  Much less chance of side effects (although side effects with statins is relatively low anyway) and very well tolerated.

You'll probably just have to try something and see how it works for you.

I was on Crestor for a couple of years and then switched to lovastatin (Mevacor), mainly because it's a lot cheaper on my health plan.  Have not noticed any effects good or bad from either (other than lower cholesterol in blood tests).

And personally, I take the dosage my doctor prescribes...

Your statement "but for some people who do not want to change their eating and exercise its an easy way to lower cholesterol" is both ignorant and condescending. The OP exercises enough and I'm willing to bet that his diet is better than the average person's diet. Thing is, diet only accounts for about 20% of the cholesterol number. The majority of cholesterol is made by the body itself.

To the OP: When I initially started taking Lipitor I noticed muscle aches. However, it turned out that there was a bug going around that only produced muscle aches but no other cold or flu symptoms. My wife experienced muscle aches around the same time and she's not on a statin. So, it wasn't the statin that caused my muscle aches. I've noticed no side effects and it doesn't seem to hamper my exercise. Then again, I tend to forget taking the stuff - I'm the worst patient ever.

Whenever someone starts claiming a "conspiracy by the medical-industrial complex," their credibility goes down the toilet. Not that I don't think Pfizer makes a tidy profit from sales of Lipitor; I just don't go for ad hominem attacks. The group below, who identify themselves as "cholesterol skeptics," doesn't resort to such personal attacks but instead, examines the research regarding cholesterol and heart disease. Their conclusion is that while there is an association between high cholesterol and heart disease, association does not equal causation. Their point of view is interesting and worth reading if you're the type of person who likes to question authority. These individuals are either brilliant visionaries or total nutjobs. Time will tell.

http://www.thincs.org/

Thanks everyone for their responses.  Truth is, my diet is pretty good. And I workout 5-6 days a week doing mostly cardio.  My family has a history of high cholesterol.  80% of your cholesterol is produced in your body and not from diet.  I figure that I will make another stab at limiting my diet even more and see what happens, at the level that my cholesterol is, I expect that it will be recommended that I take some medicine.

I just wanted to know what others had experience.  I looked online and found some info, but not much specific to endurance exercise and statins.  I did see the muscle ache stuff and liver concerns, but nothing on intense cardiovascular exercise.

Thanks again.

Same here - family history. I'm not saying you shouldn't watch your diet, but yeah, our bodies like to make the stuff. You might also try taking fish oil which will raise HDL. I get my high cholesterol from my mom, and she's big into taking fish oil. Although her total cholesterol was somewhat high, her doctor decided not to put her on statins because her HDL was also very high. She'll turn 72 in about two weeks and she has had no heart problems to date.

Crap, I always go researching this stuff when the topic comes up instead of working. This is a Wikipedia entry but it's one of the most intelligent things I've read to date on cholesterol and heart disease. Bottom line: the idea that cholesterol gets randomly deposited and "clogs" the arteries is highly oversimplified. It's a process, much like everything else that goes on in the body. I guess I should keep taking my Lipitor.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atherosclerosis

So lack of CoQ10 causes certain symptoms.  You have those symptoms, therefore you lack CoQ10?

Ummm...no.

Someone who actually understands logic. I'm impressed.

"If the car runs, then the car has fuel. The car has fuel. Therefore, the car runs."

This argument parallels the one above and is a logical fallacy. The car can have fuel but still not run because of other things being wrong with it.

Having said that, I take a CoQ10 supplement with my statin. I realize that all I may be getting is very expensive urine.

Just as a side note.  I understand cholesterol.  I have actually lead health hear seminars and talked in great length about cholesterol.  What I don't know is the impact of the medications on endurance athletes.  That being said, it sounds like there are several uncommon side effects that could affect a person, but they are not common and you won't know until you try.

Does that about sum it up?

I would say that your summation is generally correct, based on my own reading and non-epert knowledge. The one bad thing is that while the side effects are rare, they can be severe. The worst thing that could happen to a statin user is rhabdomyolysis. This condition has also been seen in people who have done very strenuous exercise. It's indeed very rare for exercise or statin use by themselves to cause this condition. I guess my question is what happens when you combine statin use and exercise? I'm not saying this to scare you or to raise conspiracy theories. I figure since you obviously know about cholesterol and heart disease to some extent, you should be informed. I personally have gone cross-country skiing at altitude while on Lipitor and I'm still in one piece, so it may be that there's nothing to worry about.

BTW - Given that you're somewhat of an expert on cholesterol, have you heard of the "cholesterol skeptics" and if so, what do you think? Are these guys total crackpots?

Well, first off, I have some knowledge, but it is dated (I was in the fitness field in the 90s (B.A. in Kinesiology)).  Second, they are no more "crackpots" then those who say "vaccinations for kids are dangerous".  Or those that say strength training for endurance athletes is crazy talk.  As much as we know about the human body, we know nothing.  Just my opinion.  So to answer your question, no they are not crackpots, but maybe could use a little more of an open mind and research.  Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. 

For me, I have knocked of almost all my other risk factors, so now it is on to this one.

Oh, I'm not arguing against CoQ10.  Just pointing out the fallacy that you summarized as well.