Posted on 10/09/2019 5:54:59 PM PDT by DallasBiff
I am not asking for professional medical advice, but personal opinions about the benefits or obstacles about statins.
I’m no doctor, but I’ve stayed at the Holiday Inn before.
I have a doctor friend I respect who thinks statins are generally good for people who need them, but not always.
My personal experience is that I’ve had high LDL, but also high HDL—a decent ratio. One of my doctors started me on a low dose statin. It dropped my LDL with no noticeable side effects. One day, I got a routine blood test and the doctor freaked out because my creatinine level has gotten much higher than normal. Creatinine is a muscle breakdown product. Now, I wasn’t too worried, because one of my kids had visited me, we went to the gym, and I kind of overdid it on the weights, which explained the creatinine. But I stopped the statin.
Then several years later, another doctor suggested I go back on the statins, but recommended a different one—and a minimal dose produced a fairly dramatic drop in LDL, with no noticeable side effects.
That seems like a good thing.
On the other hand, I had a friend who had statin-induced rhabdomylosis, which is why they test your creatinine. He was having statin-induced muscle breakdown.
Without knowing anything about your numbers (and I did stay at the Holiday Inn) I’d suggest that you consider the statins if your doctor recommends it, but only if he watches your blood tests for a few months to see that your tolerating it well, and how effective it is.
Watch this for starters:
David Diamond- Demonization and Deception in Cholesterol Research
The lipid theory of high cholesterol causing heart disease is false. Your physician may not be keeping up with the latest information. I recommend you visit YouTube Channel “Low Carb Down Under” as a start. Statins are very dangerous and there’s been suggestions that statin use may contribute to dementia.
I take Crestor. Have some leg pain. If you have a family history and think it is necessary, ask the Dr to let you try the lowest dose and recheck in a few months. Possible your attention to diet and very low dose will work out. Sometimes the doctors start you out with a bigger dose than you may need.
Ditto, keto diet. Also avoid liquid vegetable oils. Your brain needs bacon and butter.
Took Simvastatin for about 15 years when diet and exercise would not do enough to lower it enough. I was actually on 80MG dose which they quit prescribing to new patients, but I tolerated it fine.
Last 2 years I’m on Atorvastatin only 40MG. Again, not having any issues.
My father had his first heart attack at a younger age than I am now. Same with his father. I’m attributing the fact that I’m asymptomatic for heart issue to the statins. That’s just me, of course.
I do not take statins, and I keep my cholesterol levels low through taking natural products. My doc did say, once, that most of his patients would “kill” for my good and bad blood levels of cholesterol. Fish oil capsules are a main part of my dietary regimen.
I don’t give med or dietary advice online (and you should not believe those unknown to you about anything, including me.) Please do some online searching, assemble the data and form your own opinion; and then check w your doc, even if it’s a second opinion.
Good luck in your info search and decision.
Many, many online sources on the topic, here is just one.
https://www.verywellhealth.com/can-fish-oil-omega-3-fatty-acids-lower-cholesterol-698137
My bud dropped the statins because of the leg and feet problems....forgot what he said....numbness?? pain??
I have read that a RED apple a day will lower cholesterol by up to 40%.
Statins do reduce cholesterol, but will do nothing to increase your lifespan.
Read "The Great Cholesterol Myth"
While CoQ10 (OTC) is good, Ubiquinol (OTC) is better.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubiquinol
Plus, before you begin taking statin drugs, you should check your blood sugar for a week, then for two or more weeks after you start taking statin drugs. This is because in some people, statin drugs can trigger Type 2 diabetes.
Walmart probably has the best prices for both readers and test strips, Prime brand.
There are several drugs in development that do not have the same side effects as statins, i.e. muscle weakness. The current PK-SD inhibitors on the market are effective but require infusions. There is a pill in development (FDA approval is imminent) from another company that is a once daily, cheaper and may be worth the wait. It also avoids the side effects of statins.
Listen to your doctor, or get a second opinion from another doctor and not random folks on the internet.
Now, if you needed a bypass operation, would you ask somebody on the internet to conduct the surgery?
Change your diet. Get a copy of the food pyramid and flip it upside down. High on fats and protein, low on carbs. Drink water and stay away from the booze for awhile. Most of all, start walking. Get some excersize. Turn off the tv. It’s all crap anyways.
Does it have to be all red, or half-red ripe, or just not a non-red type like a Granny Smith or a Golden Delicious?
Honey Crisps are a current favorite.
And how am I doing with my red wine?
If your hormones are off you can have a great many things go out of whack.
If there is something wrong get that fixed first.
If this is not a possibility for you, keep an eye out for side effects.
Dang. Tough call.
But if someone tells you to take them anally...I’d not do that if I were you.
From what the article stated, it needed to be red. The good stuff was in the peels.
There is no substantive proof that cholesterol levels have any connection whatsoever to heart disease. None. Zero. Zilch. Nada.
There have been numerous medical/scientific papers published concerning this subject. Several are recent studies debunking the “common knowledge” that it does.
Do your own research on this subject. GP’s are the medical equivalent of a handyman. They are generalists. And, generally most have little in-depth knowledge on such subjects.
A lot boils down to genetics. If your family has a strong history, the drugs can be good for you.
OTOH - what is your weight? Are you overweight? What do you eat? More than you need? How many miles do you walk a day?
Some people want to use a drug but don’t want to change their food intake or exercise. It really depends on your choice.
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