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Let’s Go Walking! Join me for a virtual walking support group
Just Want to Talk | Last Active: Dec 17, 2023 | Replies (4297)Comment receiving replies
@becsbuddy, Becky, Thanks for posting this site: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/statins-and-peripheral-neuropathy/?pg=1#comment-312571
I have taken Lipitor for years for high cholesterol and along with diet, I’m managing to stay within normal ranges. However, my stroke added Plavix and aspirin 81 to my daily med regimen. More recently, periphereal neuropathy, pre-diabetes and kidney damage diagnoses followed. Until the last three, I never researched prescribed meds nor searched for ways to better control my issues.
It seems only natural that approaching age 80 would lead to more health issues and for me it becomes a task of weighing risks with rewards. The medical cocktail I take includes meds for chronic bronchitis/COPD and osteoporisis which can interfere with other meds. Do I want to breathe? Risk another stroke or bone break? Suffer complications of diabetes and p.n. or take them all and “takes my chances” ? vbg
Scanning further down posts, I noted this one in particular regarding statin side effects on various conditions: : https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/statin-side-effects/art-20046013?_ga=2.32578617.685487692.1588807088-1229333082.1573340414
These stated risks apply to me: • Taking multiple medications to lower your cholesterol • Being female • Having a smaller body frame • Being (Nearly) age 80 or older • Having kidney or liver disease
Although I keep buying larger pill boxes for my daily meds, I am happy to report that I’m still movin’ and looking forward to more days of happy pleasures. I accept that each med. I take may have some negative effect on some function; however, I am thankful that they appear to be doing more good than ill. How do others here make decisions in weighing the pros and cons of new prescriptions or side effects from taking them?
Replies to "@becsbuddy, Becky, Thanks for posting this site: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/statins-and-peripheral-neuropathy/?pg=1#comment-312571 I have taken Lipitor for years for high..."
Have you ever heard the expression BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE with Rx, you weigh the good with the bad.
Personally The newerRx seem to have more side affects then older Rx does.
Can you get off statins, or lower dosage? Maybe watch diet more?
It was once said by a well known doctor, that doctors prescribe so much Rx is because patients want to walk out of office with a prescription in their hand.
There is a lot of truth to that.
Funcountess
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@fiesty76... My sentiments exactly. I have never taken any meds until I went back to work after a nasty divorce and I had to go back to work in my 40s. The job was a very stressful one and I was put on hypertension drugs. I managed my cholesterol with lifestyle changes. Fast forward to beginning of this year when I had TIA, and right away, my cardiologist put me on Xeralto, I had a loop recorder to check fir afib.. So far no indication that I have that. And in addition, I was put on statin even though my lipid level is not high. I read about all the bad side effects of statin. I'm 5'3" and weigh 104 lbs, so I fall in the small body frame category. My legs have been hurting very bad and I start to wonder if it's not the statin (I've try 3 so far) but that I may have PN or even PAD. It's very frustrating. I'm sure my cardiologist thinks I am a hypochondriac. My father and brother both died of strokes at an early age, so I am very aware of it. I eat very healthy, and I walk everyday. But my leg pain makes it harder and harder. Thinking back 10 years ago, I was hiking and feeling great. Now I'm getting depressed over my health. My cardiologist would not even entertain my suggestion of lowering my cholesterol with supplements. I've done it before. He doesn't think I should risk having a stroke, the same with the blood thinner. What should I do???