I'm worried about taking statins and side effects

I’ve been on statins for years. Using COQ10 (I get Kirkland brand at Costco) has solved all my issues associated with statins. No more muscle or joint aches - and I play 20 hours of Pickleball per week. I highly suggest it.

Hi @dstuemky, I see you are new to Connect so I would like to add my welcome along with the other members you have already met. I too was on lisinopril for years for high blood pressure when I was in my 40s but was switched to spironolactone after participating in a Mayo Clinic heart study. During the study it was determined I had hypertension which was causing the high BP and they switched the meds.

I also have been taking COQ10 for years but last year switched to Ubiquinol after reading some research info saying it was a more bioavailable form of COQ10. I also get it at Costco.
-- Ubiquinol is superior to ubiquinone to enhance Coenzyme Q10 status in older men: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30302465/

Unfortunately I still have some muscle and joint aches along with my degenerative arthritis. I do try to stay active but not as much as you are doing - kudos to you for working on staying fit! There is another discussion group you might be interested in with many different discussions - Aging Well: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/aging-well/
I thought this one in particular might be interesting since you mentioned you were a weightlifter in your first post.
-- Strength training: How-to video collection: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/strength-training-how-to-video-collection/

Do you still do weightlifting?

I’ve lifted for 30 years. Many years very heavy and very seriously but lowered body mass and weight intentionally after developing high BP in early 40s. Now do mostly body weight exercises to keep muscle but not bulky mass as in years past.
I walk 45 min per day, lift twice a week, play Pickleball 5 days a week usually, and mix in kickboxing, yoga, and the occasional unicycle ride along with a lot of yard work. I am “retired” but try to keep as active as possible but also enjoy “watching golf” (I turn it on to nap with) everyday. Better than any sleep meds!

This is what I’m taking

How much coq10 do you take? I am trying statins to reduce CAS and the muscle aches are getting me...

Pic below. 300 mg. Crestor (and generics) work differently than Lipitor (and generics). Years ago I was on Crestor and did fine for about a year before terrible body aches. I changed to Lipitor generic and was much better. After calcium score scare my cardiologist doubled my intake and I started to be bothered and then I started the COQ10 and have found relief and seem to have a bit more energy. I play 20 hours of court sports a week and walk 45 min each day plus weightlifting and yard work so I put a lot of stress on joints and muscles.

I have nerophathy, diabetes, and arthritis. Is ther something to help control high cholesterol I can take besides statin drugs?

Hello @dorothyp, Welcome to Connect, an online community where patients and caregivers share their experiences, find support and exchange information with others. I also have neuropathy and arthritis. A few years back my doctor wanted to put me on statins to help with the cholesterol numbers but I chose to work on eating healthier to raise my numbers. I didn't want to take statins because of the chance of it making my neuropathy worse. Here are a couple of articles that may help you lower your high cholesterol numbers naturally.

-- Top 5 lifestyle changes to improve your cholesterol: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/reduce-cholesterol/art-20045935
-- Cholesterol-lowering supplements may be helpful: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/cholesterol-lowering-supplements/art-20050980

Has your doctor offered any suggestions or have you discussed alternatives to taking statins with your doctor?

Thanks for your feedback!

My husband took statins for 2 years and we recently found out that proteins were spilling into his bloodstream. His leg muscle cells were dying He lost 25 lbs and became very weak. I thought it was age related..but soon found out it was a rate side effect of statins. His recovery is going to be a struggle as he could barely hold himself up. Im thankful for a great Dr who ran the right tests to discover this. He can never take that drug again. He barely gets through therapy now. But we are hoping over time he can regain his strength. His thinking was affected too. I thought he was getting dementia. But it was the drug