Does anyone take Zetia only for cholesterol?

I have terrible side effects from statins, although my number went from 298 total to 196, then went to 3times a week atorvastatin and it went up slightly to 208. Due to all the pain I had, I asked for a statin break. It went back to 274 in 2 months, so now I'm looking at alternatives. Zetia was one the dr. suggested and it is covered by my insurance. All numbers are fine except for LDL. I'm hoping for the best and to be pain free as I am now without statins.

I got a bottle of Zetia Im supposed to take but haven't yet. I can't tolerate Statins at all they give me whole body tremors and muscles spasms head to foot. Ill update after I get the nerve to try them. New medicine are horrendous, or great for me. Meaning either Severe reactions or None at all.

Did you take CoQ10 with the statin? My doctor recommended 200mg of the supplement when I began rosouvastatin and I've never had muscle aches. My husband's doctor never mentioned it to him, but when he began to have muscle aches he tried it and they went away. I do take Zetia as well, with 40 mg rosouvastatin and my LDL is 50. This is the product I use, which I've bought from the manufacturer and Amazon, whichever has the best price.

I also cannot take statins. But I have been on Zetia for years and have nad no problem with it. It has helped my cholesterol problem, but not as much as my doc would like. He keeps trying to convince me to try another type of medication which is newer. I'm like you.....trying to work up the nerve. Good luck.

I did, and still do take COQ10. It did not help with all the pain. The only thing that helped was stopping the statin for a few months. I have a visit with my cardiologist in early December and we will discuss. I have more options in January due to a change in my Medicare drug plan. All of the cholesterol lowering drugs can have side effects. He is at least allowing me another month of reprieve - except for the LDL number, I am low risk for heart disease.

I have to agree if it is just a number they are trying to get down, that is not necessarily the best approach. I am maxed out on dietary changes, exercise, optimal weight - all those life style issues, yet my total, especially LDL are consistently high without meds. All during my 50's, it seemed ok to have total in the mid - 200's, but when I moved to Georgia and was in my early 60's, I had a spike and my primary care just called in a statin without discussion. I started a year long adventure with cardiologists and passed all tests with flying colors - stress test, ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, calcium score of 0. None of that seemed to matter - just take your statin, which I did with terrible side effects for 2 years until I said "no more, I need a break" - and the pain went away. They are assuming mine is genetic and an advanced lipid workup in 2012 indicated that was likely as the Lp(a) was a bit high at 13. My LDL density pattern was A, which is a large buoyant pattern that tend not to clot, and may even be beneficial, according to my naturopath. Cardiologists don't buy it - if the number is high, you treat it to get it lower. I'm going to push for more testing as I want to know how much of a risk I have and why it is so important to treat it.

Did your doctor tell you to take CoQ10 when you got on statins? He/she should have. It helps reduce the pain often experienced from statins because statins decrease CoQ10 levels in the body. That is why many red yeast rice products (a natural statin) contain CoQ10.

Yes, I did take COQ10 during statin therapy and still do.

I’ll take Repatha and it lowered my LDL down to 20 I believe it is. It is amazing, no side effects except I am a little tired the day after I use an EpiPen twice a month, and it is so easy I could not tolerate statins, and the Zetia could not lower it enough. It is covered by my Medicare and Teacher retirement services health insurance. I only pay $25 for two injections. I highly recommend it.

I was afraid to take Zetia also because my trial with three different statins was absolutely horrible, so much pain. I did not have any side effects from that. I am also on Repatha