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Statin Intolerance: What did you do?
Heart & Blood Health | Last Active: Apr 28 9:14am | Replies (110)Comment receiving replies
I have high LDL cholesterol and my doctor has prescribed several different statins for me, all of which I could not tolerate. The latest one he's prescribed is ezetimibe which I have yet to try.
I feel like a guinea pig with all these tests. The side effects are not anything I care to experience, either. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/20153-ezetimibe-tablets. They include skin rash, face, lips and throat swelling, joint pain, diarrhea, and possibly others not mentioned.
I'm trying to find a natural alternative. The high LDL cholesterol is the only negative in my labs. Everything else is normal. After losing 60 pounds over the course of a year, I had to go back on 1 50mg Losartan tablet daily for blood pressure. My BP is now very good - in the 116/74 range daily.
I exercise an hour daily walking and stationary bike and have a good diet eating mostly chicken, turkey, and fish and lots of fruits and vegetables. I cook from scratch, use avocado oil and ghee, and read labels. Even my husband does since I am gluten intolerant and have some food sensitivities. We don't buy products (condiments, etc.) with unhealthy additives or that are high in saturated fats. I'm reducing my salt intake even though it's normal (140 and the range is 135-245) which may help according to my doctor. My glucose is 83. My calcium is 8.9 (range is 8.7-10.4). So all labs are good except this high LDL. My father had blocked carotids due to triglyceride build-up, but he had a high fat diet, which I don't.
Any suggestions about natural alternatives to reduce high LDL are welcome.
Thanks!
Replies to "I have high LDL cholesterol and my doctor has prescribed several different statins for me, all..."
You are doing everything right. Our bodies naturally make cholesterol.
Stick with your diet, try not to worry too much.
Hello @jeridenn and welcome to Connect. High cholesterol numbers are concerning because we know how they can affect our cardiovascular system. I had been taking a statin for over 20 years and all of a sudden, my triglycerides, (which had been maintained under 170) hit a high of 300. It was uncertain as to why there was this sudden increase. There had been no change in my weight, lifestyle or stress.
My cardiologist prescribed a prescription-strength Omega 3 medication called Lovaza and in just 30 days the triglycerides were reduced to 120 and the other cholesterol numbers were also reduced. I had no side effects from this medication, and I've continued using it along with a statin prescription. Here is some information about Lovaza from the drugs.com website.
https://www.drugs.com/mtm/lovaza.html
As you well know, everyone reacts to medications differently, I recognize that you might not have the same response as I have had, but if you have not tried this medication, you might consider asking your doctor about it.
I could not tolerate any of the oral statins. Tried them all over a 20 year time span . Tried Repatha and no issues and cut cholesterol by 50% ! Great drug but can be expensive without insurance
I have high VLDL and Lp(a) which seemingly cannot be affected by diet. It is genetic. I was unable to take statins due to muscle issues with every type. I was put on Praluent which worked like a charm in lowering overall cholesterol and especially LDL. No side effects. Then my insurance ceased covering Praluent and I was switched to Repatha. I have not had a blood test since I went on Repatha to be able to assess its effectiveness but I haven't had any side effects.
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Plant sterols have above average evidence behind them. My father’s neurologist recommended that because he also can’t tolerate statins. We tried Cholesto-pure by Pure Encapsulations. It’s pricey, but not a statin. The mechanism of action is similar to Zetia (what you’re doctor prescribed). Even natural solutions also have side effects though. It draws out cholesterol through the stool. My dad couldn’t tolerate it because of GI side effects, but he had other co-occurring GI conditions.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/17368-phytosterols-sterols--stanols
I understand and can totally relate to being displeased with the uncertainty and potential side effects, but not everyone experiences those side effects. That said, I’m still very cautious because I know my body and I’m sensitive to medications, even those that are “generally well tolerated,” so it comes down for me to how willing I am to take the risk.
For what it’s worth, most people I know who’ve been on Zetia have had no issues with it, even when they couldn’t tolerate other statins, so it may be worth trying. One strategy I use is to take half of the suggested dose (if it can be done safely). That way I can see how well I tolerate it and if I end up needing less, that’s even better.
His cardiologist also recommended psyllium fiber (Metamucil). That didn’t work for him either, so he used a generic form of the SunFiber supplement—it completely dissolves in anything and has no flavor. The brand we use is Healthy Origins I think—has a yellow cap on it.