It wasn’t sudden, but cumulative. I just felt bad and weak at first and then my back started hurting and I went to PT. Pain moved into my hips, elbows and hands. I couldn’t open water bottle tops. I went to OT and acupuncture. Did lots of exercises. It kept progressing. I had horrible pain rolling over in bed, getting out of bed. I couldn’t pick up my young grandchildren. I tried telling my doctors and they told him I would adjust in time. Cardiologist cut me back to 3times week on the statin. Switched to a different statin. This went on for two miserable years. The only good that came of it was getting my number down. I finally got the ok from primary to take a statin break and cardiologists agreed. The pain did not miraculously go away, but gradually over 3-4 weeks, I felt so much better. I’ve regained function and quality of life. It’s been 4 months and my numbers are high again so he wants me to try Zetia, and maybe Repatha. Not sure what the answer is but I won’t take statins again.
I am surprised that you lasted so long on the statins! I took three different kinds and lasted two days on each. I am now on Repatha and Zetia . The Zetia causes A one time Loose stool a little cramping once a month and I have very very few side effects from the rEpatha. A couple times a month I will take a Doan’s back ache pill because my back will hurt a little bit and it is gone! My LDL is down to 18!
Interested in what others have to share. Is there a natural alternative to statins? My doctor has been talking about them to me, but the side effect profile isn't great.
Interested in what others have to share. Is there a natural alternative to statins? My doctor has been talking about them to me, but the side effect profile isn't great.
I too was leery of statins, and resisted for years as my cholesterol climbed. I figured everyone in my family knew about it by the age of 60, and I was over 70 with "no problems" so I didn't need to worry.
Last year, at the urging of my PCP, and after talking to more people who had no problems than those who did, I agreed to try. Within 5 months I was on my third drug, with side effects, and my provider reluctantly agreed I should stop and see a cardiologist.
Well, he was a very good listener, and agreed statins weren't for me, so he got my insurance to cover Repatha.
Here's the scary part, before the med was even delivered, a sharp nurse Practitioner at urgent care refused to believe my chronic chest tightness and shortness of breath was from my asthma or Covid and did an ECG - wow, crazy heartbeat - off to the ER, then a new cardiologist. Less than a week later I was diagnosed with angina and some occluded arteries!
I am currently on Repatha, and two other meds to see if I can get by without angioplasty & stents.
ALL of this happened silently - what if I hadn't gone to Urgent Care for Paxlovid? What if the NP wasn't so proactive?
So what kind of profile has been done to assess your risk? You might do just fine with a statin, just like about 80% of people (remember, the only ones who write here are those who have problems.)
I too was leery of statins, and resisted for years as my cholesterol climbed. I figured everyone in my family knew about it by the age of 60, and I was over 70 with "no problems" so I didn't need to worry.
Last year, at the urging of my PCP, and after talking to more people who had no problems than those who did, I agreed to try. Within 5 months I was on my third drug, with side effects, and my provider reluctantly agreed I should stop and see a cardiologist.
Well, he was a very good listener, and agreed statins weren't for me, so he got my insurance to cover Repatha.
Here's the scary part, before the med was even delivered, a sharp nurse Practitioner at urgent care refused to believe my chronic chest tightness and shortness of breath was from my asthma or Covid and did an ECG - wow, crazy heartbeat - off to the ER, then a new cardiologist. Less than a week later I was diagnosed with angina and some occluded arteries!
I am currently on Repatha, and two other meds to see if I can get by without angioplasty & stents.
ALL of this happened silently - what if I hadn't gone to Urgent Care for Paxlovid? What if the NP wasn't so proactive?
So what kind of profile has been done to assess your risk? You might do just fine with a statin, just like about 80% of people (remember, the only ones who write here are those who have problems.)
I've read that red yeast rice is essentially a "natural" form of statin drugs. I'd prefer to use a supplement with a different mechanism of action. Looking into citrus bergamot and berberine.
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I am surprised that you lasted so long on the statins! I took three different kinds and lasted two days on each. I am now on Repatha and Zetia . The Zetia causes A one time Loose stool a little cramping once a month and I have very very few side effects from the rEpatha. A couple times a month I will take a Doan’s back ache pill because my back will hurt a little bit and it is gone! My LDL is down to 18!
there's a lot of talk about red yeast rice
I too was leery of statins, and resisted for years as my cholesterol climbed. I figured everyone in my family knew about it by the age of 60, and I was over 70 with "no problems" so I didn't need to worry.
Last year, at the urging of my PCP, and after talking to more people who had no problems than those who did, I agreed to try. Within 5 months I was on my third drug, with side effects, and my provider reluctantly agreed I should stop and see a cardiologist.
Well, he was a very good listener, and agreed statins weren't for me, so he got my insurance to cover Repatha.
Here's the scary part, before the med was even delivered, a sharp nurse Practitioner at urgent care refused to believe my chronic chest tightness and shortness of breath was from my asthma or Covid and did an ECG - wow, crazy heartbeat - off to the ER, then a new cardiologist. Less than a week later I was diagnosed with angina and some occluded arteries!
I am currently on Repatha, and two other meds to see if I can get by without angioplasty & stents.
ALL of this happened silently - what if I hadn't gone to Urgent Care for Paxlovid? What if the NP wasn't so proactive?
So what kind of profile has been done to assess your risk? You might do just fine with a statin, just like about 80% of people (remember, the only ones who write here are those who have problems.)
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1 ReactionWow a well written reminder. I am assuming they looked for blockages.
Yes, and found several partial blockages, which we are trying to reduce or at least stabilize with medication.
I've read that red yeast rice is essentially a "natural" form of statin drugs. I'd prefer to use a supplement with a different mechanism of action. Looking into citrus bergamot and berberine.