I'm worried about taking statins and side effects

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?

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

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.

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

This is what I’m taking

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!

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 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.

@tim1028 I'm glad to hear your trying all tools In 1996 I had a triple by pass but am healthy today using all the tools at hand Number 1 is My CEO is God or a higher power whatever you believe then heart healthy diet ,exercise some not strenuous at my age and living right you keep it up bravo for you

I am very lucky that a low dose rosuvastatin both solved my myalgia and lowered LDL below the recommended 70 mg/dL level. I am one of those people who do not believe in the One-Weird-Trick theory of preventing heart disease. I use lots of beneficial tools to help, including lifestyle modifications. From the FWIW Department, an 'optimistic' attitude has been shown to reduce the risk of heart attack. And as a postscript, I have been able to conquer sleep issues after working on these for a long time.