Important information about statins that I’m going to ask my doc about
Just a bit of information I discovered last week. One of the side effects of taking "simvistatin" is temporary memory loss. It is the only statin that has this effect. I am going to talk to my .doctor about stopping it, with his guidance of course. I have had some short lapses in memory .... forgetting part of my phone number, etc.
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aging Well Support Group.
I'm within normal range.
What does your most recent lipid panel show compared to before the Opti-lipid? All of the wholistic solutions I tried didn't stop my numbers from rising.
I do mostly holistic medicine and natural supplements. About 2 years ago I went to pick up a prescription and the pharmacist came over and said my insurance company felt I should be on a statin as a preventative at my age (I was 68). I told him absolutely not, and he agreed. My holistic doctor told me to get Opti-Lipid. Here's the link:
https://naturalheartdoctor.com/optilipid/ He takes it and it's been a great alternative. Hope this helps.
Welcome to Mayo Connect. Whether or not to take statins to lower cholesterol levels is a complex and highly personal question.
I resisted for years, arguing that I had reached age 65 without any evidence of the heart and artery diseases that plague my family. I reluctantly tried a couple of statins then on the advice of a cardiologist and found then intolerable so I turned to diet and exercise. Suddenly at age 70, my Cholesterol and LDL levels began an upward trend anyway, so again I agreed to try statins - 2 different ones caused severe symptoms, no matter how low the dose.
This September a sharp Nurse Practitioner spotted an irregularity in a routine ECG that led to the ER, testing, and diagnosis of a heart blockage. Shortness of breath, chest tightness and low energy I had been attributing to my lung diseases were diagnosed as angina! Now I am taking Repatha as well as two heart medications. My Lipid panel looks great, the pain is gone - we shall see if this is enough to avoid having stents placed.
My takeaway? If your numbers are high and your thyroid doesn't function perfectly (mine does not) consider having a cardiologist take a look at your total risk profile. I might have avoided the plaque that has buikt up in my arteries if I had only listened 12 -15 years ago.
I've always told my doctor No to Statins! I find if I stick to trying to get at least 5 servings of a combination of fruits and vegetables a day, that helps reduce my LDL level. To reduce Triglycerides I take salmon oil gel capsules because it's easiest for me. Fortunately my HDL levels always seem to be on the higher side of normal which I'm told can offset a slightly high LDL level. Now if that intake if fruits and veggies could result in a weight decrease I would be a happy camper. 😁 Alas, my constant battle is with hypothyroidism.
I too, could not tolerate any type of statin. Could not even lay down to go to sleep, because every bone in my body or not to mention muscle tendons even my hair! My doctor put me on Repatha It has very few side effects and no pain. Just a little fatigue and swollen sinuses at times. My number for LDL is way below normal which is fantastic. You might want to talk to your doctor about this medication EpiPen I am only paying $25 For my two doses. I inject every two weeks.
I pay $25 for two EpiPen’s of it which last me one month.
Repatha is usually a "prior approval" medication in most Medicare plans. My doctor had to show I failed with at least 2 different statins, had increasing LDL, and either had or was at elevated risk of a heart attack. Now I get it but must pay $135 copay every 12 weeks.
Since I've been on Medicare I have learned that it hardly covers any new drug at all. Or such a small part that it excludes me from getting any new drug.
I have Aetna Medicare advantage plan through a teacher retirement system and I only pay $25 per two injections. My numbers are so fantastic now and no side effects like the statins! My sinuses to get a little swollen and I have a runny nose at times but other than that it’s just great.