1. < Heart & Blood Health

What statin (if any) have you taken long term?

Posted by cantbelievethis @cantbelievethis, Jul 10, 2023

First off, I realize all stains have side effects so I am "not" asking for one with *no side effects*. I am wanting to know in general what people take.

What has been your history in taking them? Did you start with one then move on to another, etc.

My experience with them has been Lipitor a few years back. I felt aches and pains from it so it was discontinued. So then doctor tried Crestor. I am not the best person to be talking about statins because after taking the crestor, I eventually stopped taking it as taking a med every day was "getting to me". (notice no thought for my health, just the inconvenience of taking a med daily.)

I don't recall anything bad from the crestor but I didn't take it that long.

Which brings me to the present day. Cardiologist who I just started to see ....new to him and hadn't been under the care of one prior...primary care was ordering the statins, well the new cardiologist wants me on a statin and ordered Lipitor. I wish I had spoken up and told him I had been prescribed it in the past and it didn't work out too well but was nervous etc. during the appointment and thought "give it another try, maybe this time it will work". I just got the RX and haven't picked it up from the pharmacy yet.

So, what if any statin has worked best for you. What dose do you take?

Doctor said he is starting me off with 20 mgs a day.

Cholesterol level: 220.

Thank you!!

Cheers. 🙂

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agb | @agb | May 29 8:39am

No side effects at all. I don’t get any skin irritation and weird as it may sound, to me, the best place for the injection is in the stomach area. You pinch the skin and press the injection there. Zero bleeding or anything else

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con123 | @con123 | Jul 28 8:01am

I have been taking Lipitor 20mg since August 22, almost 2 years now. I have had aches all over - hips, legs, back, elbow, hands. It limits my activities because I have always been very active. I also have intermittent leg cramps that wake me at night. My doctors downplay my complaints and it is upsetting. It all started with a spike in cholesterol to 296. My PCP called in a statin without discussing with me. I refused it and went to a cardiologist. Had a bunch of tests - calcium score of 0, passed stress tests and CT/MRI. Yet, they said I needed the statin. I also have high blood pressure, so was considered to be a cardiac risk. After 6 months of statin therapy, my cholesterol decreased to 213. Cardio dr. said I could take it M,W,F only. At that dosage, it decreased to 194. I have not had it checked since November 2023. I have changed my diet a lot as well. I keep trying to beg off this drug, and cardio dr. allowed me one week off to see if I felt better. I did not, but I think that is not long enough for things to change. Maybe I'll ask to try another, but Lipitor is supposed to be well tolerated.

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1 reply
bbonchek | @bbonchek | Jul 29 4:43am

I also could not tolerate statins. After trying 4 different major ones of which all caused negative side effects, I started the Repatha injections. I have been doing that for 8 months with positive results and no side effects. On the other hand, my husband has taken Lipitor for many years with positive results and no side effects. The human body reacts in many different ways. We must be smart, diligent, and thoughtful on how we deal with our meds to get the best outcomes we can.

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gerrycf | @gerrycf | Jul 30 9:52am
In reply to @con123 "I have been taking Lipitor 20mg since August 22, almost 2 years now. I have had..." + (show)
@con123

I have been taking Lipitor 20mg since August 22, almost 2 years now. I have had aches all over - hips, legs, back, elbow, hands. It limits my activities because I have always been very active. I also have intermittent leg cramps that wake me at night. My doctors downplay my complaints and it is upsetting. It all started with a spike in cholesterol to 296. My PCP called in a statin without discussing with me. I refused it and went to a cardiologist. Had a bunch of tests - calcium score of 0, passed stress tests and CT/MRI. Yet, they said I needed the statin. I also have high blood pressure, so was considered to be a cardiac risk. After 6 months of statin therapy, my cholesterol decreased to 213. Cardio dr. said I could take it M,W,F only. At that dosage, it decreased to 194. I have not had it checked since November 2023. I have changed my diet a lot as well. I keep trying to beg off this drug, and cardio dr. allowed me one week off to see if I felt better. I did not, but I think that is not long enough for things to change. Maybe I'll ask to try another, but Lipitor is supposed to be well tolerated.

Jump to this post

I personally had all your symptoms with Lipitor, crestor, zocor, all of them and they barely reduced the level. I started repatha and then praluent injections ONLY (not combined with statin) and levels dropped from 302 to 155/165. Less muscle and joint achy for sure!

REPLY
1 reply
con123 | @con123 | Jul 30 2:49pm
In reply to @gerrycf "I personally had all your symptoms with Lipitor, crestor, zocor, all of them and they barely..." + (show)
@gerrycf

I personally had all your symptoms with Lipitor, crestor, zocor, all of them and they barely reduced the level. I started repatha and then praluent injections ONLY (not combined with statin) and levels dropped from 302 to 155/165. Less muscle and joint achy for sure!

Jump to this post

Thank you - my PCP is finally suggesting a break from statins. I have to clear with my cardiologist, but I am currently - as of November 2023 - at 193 on 3x/week 20mg Lipitor. Need to get a recent lipid panel and move forward. So, Lipitor worked for me, but at what cost? I am so tired of hurting everyday, all over.

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cntrlcoastgirl | @cntrlcoastgirl | Aug 4 11:02am

I work at a pharmacy part time and needed a low dose statin this year. I asked my pharmacist about them as I heard some do have a lotion side effects. She said Crestor is the one that is tolerated the best and to make sure I take it before bed as your body uses it best when you are sleeping. I am in the habit to take it right before bed, I have had zero side effects, and my cholesterol is 100% normal now! Good luck!

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eclary84 | @eclary84 | Aug 5 1:08pm

I had the same level and started on the same dosage. I have been on the generic version of Lipitor, Atorvastatin 20mg. I am extremely sensitive to medication with my heart disease and haven't had issues. I have been on it for 6 years now and it has made a huge difference in my heart health.

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