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@fiesty76 I went to a Walking Company store and looked at a number of different sneakers, and they had me walk over a mat that is supposed to tell them if I need an orthotic other than neutral. They found that I did, at two different stores. The sneakers that I liked were expensive (@$170) so I went home to think about it and looked at their online website. They had a style that was discontinued for significantly less money, I think it was around $105, so I ordered them with the recommended orthotic.

The orthotic really made my foot hurt, I thought I might have plantar fasciitis. By the time I called them about it, it was just beyond a month so they didn't want to replace the orthotic even though they were what had been recommended in two different of their stores and they were causing me significant foot pain. They then agreed to a discount on my purchasing them. I am not usually that "feisty" but I said I didn't want their 30% discount, I wanted a 100% discount since it was their sales associates who convinced me to purchase these. They finally agreed to that and sent out the neutral orthotics and I have been very happy with the shoes since then. If I recall, the orthotic insole is about $70, so it's not like a $15 insole.

So, get measured and walk over their sensitive pad, but if you do not feel you need an orthotic then go neutral.
JK

@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???

Hello Happy Memorial Day,
My mother was a healthy senior, then
her doctor put her on statins, after 5 days pain in the legs and hips. She stopped walking any distance.
Another doctor took her off the statin said after 80-83 I do not recommend them, as side affects are too great in the over 80 group.
She was 5’5” weight about 110 or so.
Statins can also cause foggy brain.
Mom lived to 92,was glad she was off the Rx as she was able to walk small distance again.meicine affects everybody differently, what is good for one is poison to another.
Do you still have a loop recorder?
The people I know with afib would only allow an event recorder, and said no to the loop recorder procedure.
I guess it depends on your doctor preference,and patient age.
My mother felt better just seeing a internal medicine doctor, and quit the cardiologist.
These are decisions we make for ourselves.
To good health
Funcountess

@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?

@contentandwell.. I have been having trouble finding shoes too. My daughter gave me a very generous gift certificate to Zappos, the online shoes store. The deliver free and return is free too. The have tons of shoes, but if you know what brand you like and the style, it's a good way to shop. On some models, not all, you can even use it for 30 days and if you are not happy, send them back (free shipping back) and you'll get a refund. I had a pair that I wore over 30 days and only just found out that my shoes fall into that category but they still take it back. Their customer service is wonderful. They sell also dress shoes, insoles etc. And they have wide and extra wide width, which are hard to find in stores.

@funcountess. I still have the loop recorder. I will discuss with my doctor about taking it out eventually, not now with what's going on. I've had it for 5 months now, no afib. After my TIA, he just wants to make sure I don't have afib. As for statin, I read about the brain fog side effect so I'm taking Coq10, it is supposed to help with muscle as well. My appointment with the cardiologist is in September and maybe I'll get a blood test before that so we can discuss more about this. My primary physician never pressed me on statin because my numbers are good.

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

@mayofeb2020 I wish I had a dollar for every person I have heard of with leg cramps from statins - going all the way back to my Dad over 20 years ago...
I have "borderline" cholesterol, but good HDL and low body weight, family history of heart disease, stroke... tried one statin over 10 years ago and got leg pain - ironically at the same time as my Mom and her sister - we all stopped them and I will never go back. By the way, both women died well into their 80's of causes completely unrelated to stroke, which was the reason for them starting. I keep listening and reading, and I'm still not convinced the side effects are worth it, so I eat healthy and exercise. (By the way, this refusal comes from someone who endured a year and a half of gruesome antibiotice regime for mycobacteria pneumonia, and has rehabbed from a dozen orthopedic surgeries for arthritis, so I don't think I'm a wimp...)

You were asking what to do - have you considered consulting another cardiologist? Maybe one who is open to alternative therapies?

Sue

@fiesty76 I went to a Walking Company store and looked at a number of different sneakers, and they had me walk over a mat that is supposed to tell them if I need an orthotic other than neutral. They found that I did, at two different stores. The sneakers that I liked were expensive (@$170) so I went home to think about it and looked at their online website. They had a style that was discontinued for significantly less money, I think it was around $105, so I ordered them with the recommended orthotic.

The orthotic really made my foot hurt, I thought I might have plantar fasciitis. By the time I called them about it, it was just beyond a month so they didn't want to replace the orthotic even though they were what had been recommended in two different of their stores and they were causing me significant foot pain. They then agreed to a discount on my purchasing them. I am not usually that "feisty" but I said I didn't want their 30% discount, I wanted a 100% discount since it was their sales associates who convinced me to purchase these. They finally agreed to that and sent out the neutral orthotics and I have been very happy with the shoes since then. If I recall, the orthotic insole is about $70, so it's not like a $15 insole.

So, get measured and walk over their sensitive pad, but if you do not feel you need an orthotic then go neutral.
JK

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