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.
A reply to all of you. Yes, if you can, avoid pill pushers! I have a motto: God's Pharmacy First. If you're an atheist, feel free to use the corollary: Mother Nature Provides.
Re: Statins
My husband has been on Atorvastatin for years and years! He does suffer aching muscles. He starts every day in pain. Would love to wean him off that Rx. I've cut one of his other meds by 33% and another by 75% with his doctor's knowledge. But that statin... I cook low cholesterol meals. Plenty of fiber, clean water, omega 3s, salmon twice a week. We take many supplements, some of which purportedly help with cholesterol. Planet Fitness three times a week without fail. Despite our efforts, he had a heart attack on November 8, 2019. Went Code Blue seven times that night. What I didn't know about was his pack-a-day habit, which he hid from me for years.
We continue to do everything right; but, it looks like he's facing another cardio procedure in a month or two. Ready to tear my hair out!
I apologize. I just needed to unburden myself, I guess.
Right ON! to you; I agree with you. We are generally overmedicated, over doctored, over informed about everything from athletes foot to brain fog. and there is a pill for everything, in fact limitless pills for everything. If the pills don't work and causes more problems, well, there is a lawsuit for that.
Of the friends that I have left, one my age, looking at 83, and the other 86. Those two are the ones that stayed away from doctors and pills. The lady at 86 won't even go in for cataract surgery, which is the one procedure I recommend. She takes no medication, never has and is doing fine. In fact, both are.
Yes, I have several different maladies, but they are manageable even though very serious, but I figure I will go when I go and worrying about it and popping pills for every little thing is not in my agenda.
Good luck and good health to you all no matter which path you choose.
Maybe try a different statin?
I’ve been taking Atorvastatin for twenty years, with Coq10 200mg to supposedly counter any muscle problems, which I never had, and that regimen seems to be working for this 82 year old. Wishing you well!
It is stories like these that prove to me that we know our own bodies and what works for us individually. We can make an informed choice for ourselves. Thank you for posting this. Very empowering!
Sounds like some great neighbors!
Thanks for the reply ... My neighbors told me about Mayo Connect at a gathering last evening. I was intrigued and joined!
Cheers.
Welcome @woondogger, Diet along with exercise can be a game changer for a lot of folks. Thanks for sharing. It's good to hear from another person whose learned to be an advocate for their own health. Since you mentioned you were diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes in 2016 and decided to manage with diet and exercise, I thought I would share this video I found helpful as a prediabetic myself by Dr Jay Wortman Diabetes Remission is Surprisingly Simple!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cx6xw3wOAMc.
Do you mind sharing what you were searching for when you found Connect?
Way back in 2014 when my PCP was concerned about an elevated Cholesterol he prescribed Lipitor which I took for a month or two until I realized the extreme pain in my left shoulder muscles was “new” and after a bit of research decided to stop the statin. Lo and behold within a month, the pain was gone! And never returned. I later discovered the importance of calculating my ratios as cholesterol did remain over 200. Dividing total cholesterol by my HDL resulted in a ratio of 2.6 ~ excellent. I also did a calcium heart imaging test resulting in a score of 1. I was diagnosed with Type 2 in 2016, could not tolerate Metformin and decided to manage with diet and exercise. Brought A1c from 6.4 to 5.6 in six months! Still doing well with an A1c under 6.
I see keto products/ cookies all over the place. I enjoy a piece of single source high quality dark chocolate.
Amen!