I am 71 and have been taking letrozole an AI since last April. I have been taking a good quality red rice yeast for many years with good success. I am primarily vegetarian but eat fish and lots of grains, vegetables, beans and nuts and fruit. I exercise and lift weights. I recently met with a cardiologist/oncologist who did more in depth blood work to look at the size of the LDL blood cells - so more details about them carrying plaque to my heart. My total cholesterol was 204, the LDL was 122 and the HDL 63 and the triglyceride was 90. I had a calcium score of 19. I have a family history of congestive heart failure and arrhythmia issues. I live in atrial tachycardia and sometimes afib - 4 ablations haven’t addressed the issues. So I am on a beta blocker metoprolol and eliquis. This new cardiologist put me on Lisinopril to ease any burden on my heart since my echo with strain showed a slightly low ejection fraction of 45-50 instead of 50-55. Now because of the bloodwork she wants me to take a statin. She said my my LDL should be under 70 and because I live such a healthy lifestyle already and am already taking 1800 IU of red rice yeast, this is important to take a statin. I am so fearful of side effects. But I know the AI can increase your cholesterol and I don’t want to have plumbing cardiac issues. I have another 4 years and three months on letrezole. I am torn about what to do and was leaning against taking them but my family and other medically knowledgeable people are urging me to try them to see what happens.

I am so relieved to hear that I am not the only person who doesn’t want to take them. It is bad enough that I had breast cancer. Now the treatment is creating other issues which require new treatments? I feel like it is all too much.

So my question is for those of you taking statins how long did it take to have issues? Do you know anyone who hasn’t had muscle aches? I already have joint pain from the AI. How can we distinguish which drug is causing what issue?

Has anyone seen a physician that looks at everything and helps you determined how to proceed?

My oncologist and rheumatologist also wanted me to take prolia and I said no to those drugs too. I am lifting weights and taking Algie cal plus and eating more bone healthy foods.