Niaspan worked for me. HDL's up, LDLs down, TG down, all in current "Optimum" ranges now. Cannot/Will no longer take Statins.
It's a Rx timed-release Niacin. The downside is the usual flushing one gets from niacin, but moderated. Taking it with beer and curry is a BAD idea...impressive flushing for twenty minutes.
That said, it's the only thing that has worked for me. High cholesterol is genetic in my case..I have a sister with high cholesterol who is a gym rat/health nut who eats lettuce, and that's about it. But no adverse CV history in the family.
I remain unconvinced about the new "Optimium" numbers, such as 100mg/dL, because people who do studies get no followon funding if they say the wrong thing. Studies funded by Merck, Pfizer, etc., I strongly dispute. Of Course. For hundreds of millenia we were cholesterol-gobbling hunters, but now, for the duration of the statin patents, suddenly the maximum total cholesterol has been halved, as though by a magic wand.
Sure.
I’m happy for the people who haven’t had these side effects from the statins. But they seem to be poison for others. I’ve seen enough to know I will NEVER take them. I intend to do everything I can to find an alternative for my husband.