1. < Heart & Blood Health

Statin Intolerance: What did you do?

Posted by tim1028 @tim1028, Jun 4, 2019

I've developed statin intolerance over the 6 months I've been taking daily 40 mg atorvastatin. I'd like to hear from those of you who also have statin intolerance about what your next steps were. Did you lower the dose of the same statin? Switch to another statin? Stop statins altogether? Other approaches?

In my case, I developed muscle weakness, energy loss, shortness of breath and noticeable brain fog. I've stopped the statin until I am able to discuss the issue with my PCP. I started to feel better after the statin had washed out of my system. Risk factors that indicate that I should be on a statin are low HDL and a high coronary artery calcium score.

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hmccarth5 | @hmccarth5 | Feb 13, 2022
In reply to @gator123 "Cq10 really works" + (show)
@gator123

Cq10 really works

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Hummm, it didnt lower my reading?

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hmccarth5 | @hmccarth5 | Feb 13, 2022
In reply to @mariserodriguez "I have been in the natural combination of Red Yeast Rice+ Niacin Flush Free + GNC..." + (show)
@mariserodriguez

I have been in the natural combination of Red Yeast Rice+ Niacin Flush Free + GNC Omega 3-6-9. This has successfully controlled my Cholesterol level together with controlled diet. I heard several preconception about leg muscle pains & weakness.

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Is Omega 3..6..9 another fish gel capsule? I burp fish for hours later, terrible for me!

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1 reply
hmccarth5 | @hmccarth5 | Feb 13, 2022
In reply to @kam "Statins elevated my liver enzymes so a year ago I was taken off of them. I..." + (show)
@kam

Statins elevated my liver enzymes so a year ago I was taken off of them. I have tried to control my cholesterol with a low fat diet and take Gemfibrozil to lower triglycerides. A few weeks ago I noticed a white/yellow line on my eyelid and white patches in the corner of each eye, called Xanthelasma (lipid deposits that form around the eye due to elevated LDL). I had blood work completed and my Total Cholesterol was 274, HDL 48, Triglicerides 95 and LDL 207. My PCP tells me to just watch my diet. I have an appointment with a cardiologist who also manages cholesterol but not until the end of October. I've been monitoring my diet very closely, but know it takes time to lower LDL. More Xanthelasma seem to be appearing daily. Has anyone had this happen and how concerned should I be?

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I am intolerant to statins also, Gemfibrozil didnt work for me either, I have just started Zetia, which is expensive and my blood work is due in a few weeks to see if it is working. The doctor says it is much different than the statins, so far I am back to leg muscle weakness again, dont know what the doctor will do now?

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1 reply
jam5 | @jam5 | Feb 11, 2022

LDL is only one part of the equation
family history, lifestyle, diet, stress etc... also play a part along with triglyceride and HDL levels

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mariserodriguez | @mariserodriguez | Feb 10, 2022
In reply to @oldtex "Forget to mention that red yeast rice can also remove calcium from arteries and can add..." + (show)
@oldtex

Forget to mention that red yeast rice can also remove calcium from arteries and can add calcium to bones. At least, this is what I’ve picked up on the web.

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I have been in the natural combination of Red Yeast Rice+ Niacin Flush Free + GNC Omega 3-6-9. This has successfully controlled my Cholesterol level together with controlled diet. I heard several preconception about leg muscle pains & weakness.

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1 reply
gator123 | @gator123 | Feb 6, 2022
In reply to @lioness "@cindy63 Hi Cindy Ive been reading your post and glad you did you homework about statins...." + (show)
@lioness

@cindy63 Hi Cindy Ive been reading your post and glad you did you homework about statins. Id like to tell you my story . Back in 1996 I had a triple by pass my arteries where clogged by plaque 90,85,80% After the surgery the Dr. told my to get of off red meat I haven't had any but occasionally since then . One time I did eat some stroganoff and could smell the fat in it so my dog got the meat. I have been on statins since to reduce my cholesterol from high of 285 the only one that has brought it down is Crestor but you need to take CoQ10 with it . Our bodies make both but when the cholesterol is to high like that then you don't want to risk the chance of having a heart attack which might be final for you. Cindy talk to your Dr. more about this. I belive in holistic health but I will take Crestor. I'm 76 and only on 3 meds. Its imperative to get daily exercise which I do other then my back problems I'm in great shape.

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Cq10 really works

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1 reply
cindyt63 | @cindyt63 | Dec 17, 2021
In reply to @oldtex "Forget to mention that red yeast rice can also remove calcium from arteries and can add..." + (show)
@oldtex

Forget to mention that red yeast rice can also remove calcium from arteries and can add calcium to bones. At least, this is what I’ve picked up on the web.

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Red yeast rice has the same side effects as statins and quality can't be guaranteed. Be careful if you use it.

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lioness | @lioness | Aug 31, 2019
In reply to @damecarol "lioness, Thank you for the encouragement I am now taking 5mg of Crestor with CoQ10 200mg..." + (show)
@damecarol

lioness, Thank you for the encouragement I am now taking 5mg of Crestor with CoQ10 200mg each day. I have taken it before without too much pain at 5mg but a problem arises when they raise the dosage. I will not be taking over 5mg. I stressed that to my doctor!

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@damecarol I hope it helps you as it is me , ONe other one that helped but Dr said it worked more on the triglycerides is Triclor . And yes even though our bodies make CoQ 10 we need more as we age as with all vitamins and minerals. Good luck

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damecarol | @damecarol | Aug 31, 2019

lioness, Thank you for the encouragement I am now taking 5mg of Crestor with CoQ10 200mg each day. I have taken it before without too much pain at 5mg but a problem arises when they raise the dosage. I will not be taking over 5mg. I stressed that to my doctor!

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1 reply
lioness | @lioness | Aug 31, 2019
In reply to @damecarol "Answers to questions: Unfortunately I have an unknown family history of heart disease because I was..." + (show)
@damecarol

Answers to questions:
Unfortunately I have an unknown family history of heart disease because I was adopted.
My blood pressure is currently controlled with Lisinopril and Metoprolol ER 118/61 and I don't have Diabetes.
I haven't smoked in 36 years and I am not overweight.
I was prescribed a statin after my HA and as I said they did reduce the numbers but caused side effects.
I am very limited to food choices because of food allergies so I eat a pretty good diet.
I walk daily 5-7 thousand steps measured by my fitbit for the last three years.
As I said I have taken 4 of the 6 available statins with allergic results.
I do plan on speaking to my cardiologist my next appointment about alternatives but hoped someone on the board would have some useful experience with some of the alternatives.
Thank you for your input.
Carol

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@damecarol Hi I know how it is so frustrating about statins. My story In 1996 I had a by pass due to cholesterol or plaque . In the last 10 0r so years the Dr. tried me on all kinds of statins. I have a high count over 250 -300 at one time. Then finally a statin called Crestor was given to me it was a new drug at that time and is the only one that not only has brought my cholesterol down but I don't have any side effects from it ,no muscle pain either . So don't give up ask your Dr. about crestor or Rovostatin.

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