Statin drugs

I take lovastatin, to keep my cholesterol in check.  Took my numbers from mid 200's down to low 100's.  No side effects that I've noticed whatsoever.

x2 on Lovastatin (10mg).  No side effects right now, but I did fell a bit fatigued when I first started it.

Doc put me on a low dose (10 mg) of simvastatin after trying everything else to get my cholesterol under control.  I'm one of the lucky ones who just got it via genetics.  ;-)

Levels are down and have not had any side effects at all.

Simvastatin,  my cholesterol levels went down.   No side effects that I can detect.   Although a co worker was telling me once about how he got side effects and quit.

I think I'm in the got in my genes problem, since I really watch the cholesterol intake in foods...

Wondering if the rest of those who are on statins were told by their docs to take at night before bed?  The only thing I noticed at first when I started on mine was about 15-30 minutes after taking I felt a kind of warm, flush feeling.  Not bad, in fact it felt kinda nice.  That faded after a few weeks on the meds.

I take it first thing in the morning.  Never felt any flush feeling.      Wife made an interesting comment awhile back,  since the medication worked and the numbers are lower,  why do you need to keep taking them?

Doctor also said that if I took Fish oil capsules, Omega 3 supplment that that would also help lower  Cloreshterol (?)?

I'd been taking flax, fish oil etc. etc. and nothing got my levels down.  My doc did not rush to put me on meds.  Again, I think it is just hereditary in some people.

My hubby was put on statins after his heart attack.  They got the cholesterol levels down but he had bad side effects (muscle aches/weakness and anxiety) so he had to go off of them.  He had been on Lipitor, Crestor, Pravastatin (Pravacor? can't remember) and one other that I can't remember (not all at once, they just kept trying different ones.) He is now on niacin, omega-3 fish oils, and a mostly vegan diet (I give him some fish to help get protein.)  He's only been on the vegan diet for 2-3 weeks, so no idea if it's working on the cholesterol, but as soon as he went off the statins he dropped 20 lbs without even trying. Plus his strength in cycling (his sport of choice) went way up.  Also, when we started researching statins because of his side effects, we found out that there are a lot of people that experience memory problems/forgetfulness while on statins. But most people don't associate it with the drug.  There are several books out there on the subject, basically they say that if you must take statins, really try to take the LOWEST dose possible.

He's due to go back for more blood work soon, so I'll let you know if the vegan diet is working.

While you may be correct (and I do believe that you are, at least partially), there is substantial correlational evidence between the two.

My personal belief is that most atherosclerotic disease is inflammatory.  Inflammation in the presence of high blood lipid levels means deposition of those lipids to form plaques and blockages.  I think cholesterol isn't THE cause, but it's part of the process.

Yes, there have been cases where there were bad side effects, such as memory loss, but I think saying that this has happened "alot" is over stating it.  There have also been some recent breakthroughs which allow doctors to tell those who are genetically pre-disposed to these types of side effects which are caused by certain kinds of statins, but not all.  At least that ismy understanding.  With that knowledge hopefully doctors can get those who could benefit from statins on the right type of the drug whilke avoiding the side effects.

They usually, but not always, go hand in hand.  I've asked my doctor to get my CRP (c reactive protein) levels checked when he sends out my blood work.  They do not always do this unless you ask.  It is an indicator of inflammation.  IMO, bottom line, get it checked when you're getting your other levels checked.

IMO, and I'd hope most decent doctors would agree, statins should be a last resort.  Always try diet/exercise first.  But as mentioned in many cases it is just hereditary and no amount of dieting or exercise will make a big enough dent.

Interesting podcast on this very topic I highly recommend...

http://fitnessrocks.org/2008/11/16/big-money-bad-science-whats-the-best-way-to-prevent-heart-disease/