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Anyone else "mourn" their NO-MEDS SELF before a STATIN?
Hello all. I'm about to join the millions of people who are on a statin. This is something I've resisted for over a year after learning about my calcium score of 149, which put me at a "moderate" risk for an event in the next 10 years and in a high percentile. I looked into it deeply and looked at myself as a whole person, not someone who has a number and is part of a statistic. I have eaten a plant-based diet for over 30 years, but still, despite all my efforts at a healthy diet, plus losing 30 pounds and regular exercise, I cannot get my LDL lower than 108. And, a Cardiac CT Scan (with dye) in December showed I have a "moderate" plaque burden, though I had 0 "low attenuation" plaque, which is apparently, the most dangerous, ready to erupt kind. Still, I learned I had narrowing in a major artery - up to 40%, which isn't severe, but if I do nothing, it will just get worse. THAT is concerning! This finding has given me the impetus to go on the statin. It's genetics. I cannot control it. I've tried. I am throwing in the towel, so to speak, and allowing modern medicine to give me that "nudge" I need to lower the LDL. It feels too risky to go without doing so, at this point. Of course, I'll still eat healthy & exercise, as statins only lower the risk by 25%, anyhow. All my other LIPID numbers look good and my total cholesterol is at 189 or thereabouts. Still, the proof was in the images and the Cardiac CT Scan FFR readings of how much plaque is in each coronary artery. Without going into those details, I cannot fight the issue my liver is having with processing cholesterol. It isn't doing it well, despite how hard I've tried to "make things better" through weight loss, exercise & a whole-food plant-based diet. I've already gone through my "mourning" phase of the old, "natural" me who did everything she could to lower my cholesterol, from drinking chia/flax and soy milk before bed, to giving up all seed oils, you name it, I've tried it. I eat tons of vegetables (salads), fiber-filled meals (like lentils soups), oatmeal with fruit daily, etc. I just hope I will do okay without side effects on the 5 mg. of Rosuvastatin I'll be starting (either tonight or tomorrow). I've read one too many stories about muscle pains, brain fog, etc., but my cardiologist told me NOT to worry about side effects, so at this low dose, I will put that out of my mind and go for it. I want to live a long life and if this helps me do so, I will now embrace the science behind these statin medicines, which have been around for decades. I feel hopeful that without my LDL being sky high, this low dose will do the job. I need to get it to 70 or below. Is anyone else in my position? Is there anyone out there who has had to recently start a statin after trying everything they possibly could through diet & exercise to lower their LDL? Were you sad for awhile? I'm okay now, as I've had over a month to adjust to this. I started a BP medication in early January, and so far, I've adjusted well to that (Losartan, 25 mg). I didn't want to start two new medicines at once. FYI, I'm a 66 year old woman, weight about 147, and am 5'5", if that gives further perspective. Being post-menopausal is a large part of these changes, but that's for another discussion!
If you've had a bad experience while on Rosuvastatin, it would NOT be helpful to me to share that. I've already had to get over my fears about that and I have now. Rather, I need support right now. If you've had a POSITIVE EXPERIENCE, which has lowered your LDL while on Rosuvastatin, at any dose, without any side effects, I'd also love to hear your story about that!
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On the contrary, @lilac2025. I challenge you to turn your story upside down. Instead of throwing in the towel and succumbing to need to take a statin…..what if you see it for what you’ve actually accomplished? You have genetically high cholesterol and made it to age 66 and a moderate risk. How you have managed your lifestyle throughout your lifetime got you here with the quality of life you are experiencing every day. Kudos!
Now you are making a well-educated thoughtful decision to add rosuvastatin to get your LDL to a level that plaque does not accumulate from here. Maintaining your healthy lifestyle as you add medications ensures you do all you can to be healthy as long as you can. Double kudos!
Like you, I have genetically high cholesterol and I have successfully taken rosuvastatin. I recently learned one latest approach tends to accomplish better outcomes (as far as side effects are concerned) by lowering using multiple drugs each at a low dose instead of continuing to increase the dose and use just one drug.
You mention getting a Cardiac CT in December then starting a blood pressure medication last month. What prompted having the CT? Do you know what is affecting your blood pressure, and do you other recent health changes?
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9 ReactionsI started 5mg Rosouvastatin 3 years ago— no problems whatsoever!!
It took my LDL from 153 to 68 quickly! My calcium score had increased it why doc recommended it. I, too, hate to take extra meds—but this has really worked for me! Hope it does for you!
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3 ReactionsI resisted statins for years with borderline cholesterol and my very healthy lifestyle to bank on Now I know better. They don’t just work on cholesterol metabolism
there are other beneficial effects.
CoQ10 is another underrated supplement that does more than just counter side effects of statins.
A carotid ultrasound can be important in our risk evaluation for soft plaque.
Keep up your healthy discipline and your vitamin D levels.
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4 ReactionsI may be abot to join you on the statin train... Never had high cholesterol or any symptoms of heart issues normal weight, lots of exercise, good physical condition at 79 yo, But, have family history of cardiac disease. So, asked my PCP if there are any tests I should have done to assess any potential issues. She recommeded a CAC which I had done with a result of 491 which is 85th percentile. We were both shocked! She then ordered a stress echocardiogram which was totally perfect. Anyway, I will see a cardiologist for the first time soon and thinking he will prescribe a statin. Very concerned about side effects as I'm very physically active and, yes, having never been on any kind of drug, will miss my "no drug" status. But given all that, I'm willing to give it a go if that's what the recommendation turns out to be. Also going to ask to have a CCTA done to assess exactly what blockages I may have. Best of luck on your journey!
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3 Reactions@carlnh I am in the same boat! I have 'buckled' because last year in April I had a heart attack and had a stent inserted. I have always exercised, eaten our home grown veg and eat alot of fish, I am also gluten free. But it happened. Years ago when my cholesterol showed high LDL the drs tried many different statins and all gave me terrible side effects that I could not live with, so I just didn't take them and kept up my healthy lifestyle. 20 years later the cardiologist put me on them again at 40mg even though my notes said I was highly allergic to statins, I had problems within a week and was offered another one which also gave me problems with my muscles. Long story short, I was discharged to my own Doctor after only a few weeks after my Heart Attack and she uses microdosing for those who have problem side effects with statins. So I am now on 5mg of Rosuvastatin 3x per week and my cholesterol LDL has dropped - not quite 'normal' as the cardiac Drs would like but close enough to not be worried and I also get covered by Rosuvastatin's anti inflammatory effect on arteries. I have had no side effects at all, I am really happy with taking the small dose. Best of luck!
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3 Reactions@leoniesnorton Thank you, I appreciate your perspective! My LDL has never exceeded 85 but I suspect the cardiologist will want to see it lower. Will definitely keep your thoughts re. microdosing in mind.
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1 ReactionCertainly follow your physicians instructions. I brought my LDL from 100 to 87 in 90 days by eating t0 strawberries a day with a healthy serving of almonds, without medications. I came across an NIH article and research paper that mentioned that, so that's what I did! Has stayed down as I eat alot of almonds and continue with the strawberries. I know I sound like a lunatic but that's what I did and still no on statins.
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3 ReactionsHow many strawberries?
@jlharsh Hi Janell. I've been meaning to reply to your comment, which I appreciate beyond you can imagine! Thank you for pointing out that all my efforts weren't for naught and that it helped me get to this age. I like to think it did. Today marks Day 7 on Rosuvastatin, and so far, none of those muscle aches some people experience. It's also Week 6 on Losartan. Between the 5th and 6th week, on Feb. 9th, I did feel dizzy when I went to a laying down position for the first time. I was actually getting my Calcium Score checked again so I see what is BEFORE the statin does its job. (That's for another post!) It was in the morning before my coffee. I do NOT experience any dizziness getting up out of bed in the middle of the night, getting up from a chair, etc, so it's possible I was somewhat dehydrated.
It's very reassuring to me to hear your story that you've been successful on rosuvastatin. I'm really happy for you! I agree with your approach and am hoping that the 5 mg. of rosuvastatin will do the trick for me, but if it doesn't, I will ask for Ezetimibe rather than increasing the rosuvastatin. Of course, I'll continue with my plant-based diet and regular exercise, and try to reduce my stress!
You asked the reason for the Cardiac CT Scan. I feel rather fortunate that I was able to get such a detailed and thorough test. It was because before I knew 100% I had gastritis, I had some pain/tightness around the braline. My doctor was pretty sure it was gastritis and I did take medication for that. Howevver, to be 100% sure and put me at ease, she suggested I get a Nuclear Stress Test. (treadmill). Well, I had that done, no problem, no chest pain, EKG was A-OK, but the results showed an abnormal perfusion in an area. My cardiologist said there are sometimes FALSE POSITIVES, and suggested I get the more accurate, detailed Cardiac CT Scan. So, there you go! I'm glad I got it as that was the deciding factor for me. I am very well aware that high blood pressure damages the lining of your arteries and allows plaque to get inside. I've always been high normal or Hypertensive 1, so I'm not playing around anymore with that. I am hoping it will come down. It's usually in the 130's over 90's.
Thank you again for your response!! I very much appreciated it.
@niifty1 Hi! Thank you for giving me hope and replying. Sorry for the delay. That's an amazing drop! Did you do anything else to help, like modify your diet and/or lose weight? Or, do you attribute this to the rosuvastatin alone? That's terrific!