Hi, @ttheo. I am so glad to see you actively posting comments on Mayo Clinic Connect.

As @naiviv wrote when she started this discussion, “Statins causing bowel movement motility reduction”, it is important to keep in mind they are processed in the liver. A liver doctor told statins do not harm the liver. It does make sense that this process would affect our digestive system.

I am not a medical professional, just a patient who recognizes how medications affects my entire body. Something sticks in my mind that you may find helpful. I recently tried a drug I questioned may be causing side effects. He told me to draw a stick figure and indicate on it where my symptoms were. I dated it and put it away. Then, I drew another one 30 days later and pulled the initial one out to compare. He had me report the changes to him and I discontinued the drug.

So, my 2 cents are to have another discussion with your doctor recommending the drug. If you are comfortable, try it and pay close attention to side effects. Maybe try the stick figure drawing, it helped me not dwell or stress about “is it the drug, remember where this hurt”, etc. Report what you figure out to your doctor and make a decision at that point after knowing more.

You mention it seems like your 10-year risk is 5-15% regardless of taking statins. Are you going to ask your doctor what the benefit of taking them will be?