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Statin Intolerance: What did you do?
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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How much fruit were you eating? Do you eat refined carbs?
Yes, I understand. I’m not disputing the research. It’s the research that informs the “guidance” from the Preventative Services Task Force that’s mention in the link you provided.
“ The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends low- to moderate-dose statins in adults ages 40 to 75 who have one or more risk factors for heart and blood vessel disease and at least a 10% chance of having a cardiovascular disease event in the next 10 years.”
I meant that because of the guidance from the task force (prompted by the research) many physicians will recommend a statin for any patient who meets those criteria, without necessarily considering the totality of the patient (any other co-occurring conditions other than those listed, response to previous statins, religious beliefs, anything really).
My family has personally experienced this because time and time again, physicians, especially new providers and when my father was in the hospital would default recommend a statin, without considering why he isn’t taking a statin—because the first statin he took triggered an autoimmune response (a rare, but nonetheless real risk of statins) and the second causes acute liver damage within 2 weeks (which was confirmed during his hospital stay).
I am really glad statins exist because they help so many, but what frustrates me about the guidance from the Federal Services Task Force is when it’s used as a blanket instruction. My family has felt pressured, especially by those in the hospital, or even guilt-tripped about statins when while they’re the correct solution and lifesaving for many people, but they aren’t or weren’t for my father. Everyone’s different though; the recommendation to him from the specific specialists who know his history and case differ from the “guidance,” and could be for other people. I don’t want anyone to feel belittled the way we did, and I felt less so when I understood where the guidance they kept referring to, came from.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/statins/art-20045772#:~:text=The%20U.S.%20Preventive%20Services%20Task%20Force%20recommends%20low%2D%20to%20moderate,in%20the%20next%2010%20years.
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1 ReactionActually, emo, statins are prescribed because of a lot of research - nothing to do with Medicare or federal guidelines, but they are supported by hundreds of thousands of medical professionals.
Here's a quick Mayo summary. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/statins/art-20045772
Sounds like you’ve been doing great with your exercise and making adjustments to your diet.
My dad was in a similar situation—his cholesterol was normal but triglycerides were high. We learned that the “guidance” is if your numbers hit a certain amount, they’re medically supposed to recommend a statin to lower risk. He didn’t fare well on statins either, yet doctors keep saying, “statins, statins, statins,” just because of the formal “guidance.” I think it has to do with Medicare or federal guidelines.
He does a fiber supplement daily and we tried plant sterols (Cholesto-pure by Pure Encapsulations).
I certainly wasn’t challenging your diet regime. At the time my. Brother had that learning, it was also news to me that of all the lipids, triglycerides are the ones that will go haywire based on something you ate last night or this morning. That’s all.
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1 Reaction@pb50, I don't eat any sugary products like donuts so that wouldn't even tempt me! I agree, the lipid test should be done when fasting.
I cook with a little avocado oil from time to time and never eat fast food. Only cook from scratch. If I have any healthy grains like brown or wild rice, I may add a little homemade ghee or avocado oil, but mostly I'm eating an egg for breakfast, skinless chicken breast, skinless turkey, fish (salmon, cod, mahi mahi, shrimp), lots of greens, vegetables, berries, and green apples. I rarely eat beef or pork, except maybe once every 2 weeks. Periodically, I have a piece of homemade gluten-free toast. I have even stopped drinking alcohol except maybe a glass of bourbon once a week. No wine right now because of the carbs. So I'm at a loss as to why my cholesterol would be high, unless it's genetic. My dad had high cholesterolpb50 avocado oil from time to time and never eat fast food. Only cook from scratch. If I have any healthy grains like brown or wild rice, I may add a little homemade ghee or avocado oil, but mostly I'm eating an egg for breakfast, skinless chicken breast, skinless turkey, fish (salmon, cod, mahi mahi, shrimp), lots of greens, vegetables, berries, and green apples. I rarely eat beef or pork, except maybe once every 2 weeks. Periodically, I have a piece of homemade gluten-free toast. I have even stopped drinking alcohol except maybe a glass of bourbon once a week. No wine right now because of the carbs. So I'm at a loss as to why my cholesterol would be high, unless it's genetic. My dad had high cholesterol.
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1 Reaction@hopeful33250, Thank you for that suggestion and link. I will check it out and ask my cardiologist about it. He's more open to using supplements vs. my family doctor who does not like supplements and prefers to prescribe FDA-approved drugs. I understand. He's a medical doctor, as is my cardiologist. But I am very sensitive to side effects from all the statins he's prescribed and prefer natural, alternative solutions. I don't have any blockage in my carotids and my triglycerides are normal. It's just the LDL that is high (over 250). I learned that eating more fish and drinking green tea are both natural approaches to lowering cholesterol and I have been drinking matcha green tea for more than a month now. I still have coffee from time to time, but not every day. And I get an hour of aerobic exercise in daily between the stationary bike and walking. I've also dropped 60 pounds which has helped with other aspects of my health.
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1 ReactionIt is important to have lipid testing done when you are fasting. Too bad, about the donuts!
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1 ReactionTeresa, my brother tells a story of being in the waiting room waiting to have. Lipid profile drawn and someone has brought donuts into the waiting room (of a cardiologist office!). My brother loves them so had two. What he learned (and me!) is that Triglycerides are extremely reflective of what Fats you’ve eaten recently. And they were off the chart. He retested a week later and it was fine.
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1 ReactionHello @jeridenn and welcome to Connect. High cholesterol numbers are concerning because we know how they can affect our cardiovascular system. I had been taking a statin for over 20 years and all of a sudden, my triglycerides, (which had been maintained under 170) hit a high of 300. It was uncertain as to why there was this sudden increase. There had been no change in my weight, lifestyle or stress.
My cardiologist prescribed a prescription-strength Omega 3 medication called Lovaza and in just 30 days the triglycerides were reduced to 120 and the other cholesterol numbers were also reduced. I had no side effects from this medication, and I've continued using it along with a statin prescription. Here is some information about Lovaza from the drugs.com website.
https://www.drugs.com/mtm/lovaza.html
As you well know, everyone reacts to medications differently, I recognize that you might not have the same response as I have had, but if you have not tried this medication, you might consider asking your doctor about it.