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Statins & Praluent my experience and a NEW GENERIC STATIN
I tried generic Lipitor and it gave me terrible leg cramps. They went away within just a few days after I discontinued them. Then I tried 10 mg generic Crestor and body aches crept up on me. I was sore to the touch. I thought I needed to go to PT. Then, I tried stopping them and the body aches went away within a week.
Onto Praluent. I have high LP (a) and my Dr said it was well tolerated, unfortunately, not by me. I had symptoms I described in an earlier post. After my second injection, I had an allergic reaction. I have Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and often have allergic (anaphylaxis) reactions to fragrances. This was the first time I had an actual allergic reaction to a medication. I described details in a former post.
I contacted my Dr, allergist, and pharmacist. I believe pharmacists know more about drugs than Dr's and so does ChatGPT in many instances. No one knows what it could have been...active ingredient or inactive that gave me the allergic reaction.
What I want to tell you is that I am going to try Crestor once a week. If that doesn't work out ....my pharmacist said there is a statin that just became generic that doesn't have all the side effects of the others! He said it is very powerful and so it has low mg. It is called PITAVASTIN.
Has anyone tried it?
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Pitavastatin is maybe middle of the pack in terms of lowering LDL, but also may have fewer side effects. Crestor is the strongest.
Something that is becoming more common is to add 10mg ezetimibe to whatever statin you are taking (vs. increasing the dosage.) Ezetimibe is a non-statin that lowers LDL in a different way.
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1 ReactionOh, that is interesting. Thanks. I wonder which is more effective, one Crestor a week, or Pitavastatin every day? I suppose whatever I don’t have bad side effects on, is my choice and would be better than nothing. I went on the Dr Esselstyn diet with no fat at all and my LDL didn't go down. That LP (a) medicine can't come out fast enough for me. I imagine I won't be able to take the injection, hopefully the pill will work for me!
@kallettla
When you were first prescribed a statin did they advise you that a common side affect was muscle pain? It does not sound like it but they should have as it is a very common side affect.
After a ICD/Pacemaker shock I underwent a heart catherization and they found plaque in my heart arterius but not enough to do a stent. My cardiologist then put me on statin. He told me a common side affect was muscle pain and to take Co-Q-10 to lesson it. My LDL went down drastically to something like 60-70 level where had been double that before.
My wife was put on statin also. She did develop muscle soreness. I advise her about the Co-Q-10 and said check with her doctor to see if okay to take it. He doctor said yes okay to take and added for some it really really helps with muscle soreness.
She started taking the Co-Q-10 and her muscle aches went away. It would not hurt to talk to your doctors about Co-Q10.
I also take Fish Oil per my heart failure doctor. It lowered my tryglicerides dramatically.
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3 ReactionsMy Dr did warn me about the muscle pain, but since it was reversible, I figure I would try it. COQ10 didn't help me, or maybe it did and it would have been worse;)
I also take fish oil, but my triglycerides have never been high, just my LDL.
Thank you for the suggestion and for telling me your experience. I appreciate it.
I fully agree with you about pharmacist No more about medications and drugs than the doctors do… I know that from experience.
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2 ReactionsEven at 5mg generic Crestor, I was done. Emotional meltdowns (for no good reasons), increased tendon pain, dizziness. Given lack of family history of heart disease, low LPa and b, I was refusing any other statins. At 68, I'm much more likely to die of cancer than heart disease and I refuse to take meds that make me feel like crap.
I don't blame you. I would watch my diet and exercise, and be done with it.
I am so glad @kallettla that you are looping in your care team.
Crestor (rosuvastatin) and the new pitavastin sound like great options for you. Do come back and let us know how they work. I have taken rosuvastatin twice a week. My doctor told me the frequency was because it stays in your body 3-4 days, and this way I always had some in my body but a minimum amount to avoid side effects.
How long before you check how Crestor is working? Has your doctor talked to you about half-lives of the various statins?