Is there and alternative than to taking statins?

Question

Thank you so much for your expert advice. I find that when I am on statins I do get muscle aches but it is the feeling of nausea
that causes me the most problems. I am on other medication for another medical condition and it may the combination of both that is bringing about the feeling of sickness.

Answer 1

Some people do have intolerable muscle aches with the use of some statins - some people with ALL statins. If you have trialled small does of Crestor (2.5 mg) or of Pravachol (10mg) and have not tolerated them, then you are probably someone who can not tolerate any statin. Both of these statins are processed by different enzymes in the liver, have fewer drug-drug interactions and are water soluable...all things that help reduce their side-effect profile.

Actual SERIOUS side effects from statins are very rare...indeed if you put it in context of the number of people who died from stroke and heart attack verses the number of people who were ever injured - even slightly- over the number of people taking a statin, the whole discussion becomes silly.

If you are objecting about statins on principle (no intolerable side effects, personal preference alone) then please re-read the sentence above. You are going to die a lot more assuredly from the complications of arterial plaquing than you are from any possible side effect from statins - even in the worst possible case.

If you are unable to take statins in any respect, the next medication I might consider would be Niaspan (extended release niacin at 1.5 to 2 grams - unfortunately often not covered by insurance companies) and/or Zetia. I have seen the combination of these two agents achieve results comparable to a statin. I hope this helps.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Ive been on statins for 18 months,after a heart attack and having a quadrupole bye pass.My cholesterol was 7.5 its now 3.5.I was not told about any alternate statin,but it shows they do work.Keep taking the medicine.

Answer 3

cholestyramine was what was used a lot before the statins came out, its a drink that is kinda sludgey and doesnt work quite as well to lower cholesterol. talk with your doc about alternatives

Answer 4

If your cholesterol is very high specially LDL, u need some medication to lower the levels, in addition to life style modification, diet and exercise. But you also have alternative medications like Zetia, fibrates and trial of different statin at a very small dose. You need to check drug interactions with other drugs. Your doctor should have counseled about side effects and alternatives.

Answer 5

Easy. Red rice yeast. It actually works like a statin drug but is an ancient chinese food.

Answer 6

Yes in a way, if you are at the point where you can lower your cholesterol without medication, you could try and eat a diet which is low in cholesterol, stop smoking if applicable and try and exercise a few times a week.

However, if you have tried all of this without success then taking Statins is probably necessary in order to increase your risk of a cardiac event or stroke.

You may find the following sites helpful if you require further information:

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=1516

http://www.aboutcholesterol.org/

http://www.medicinenet.com/statins/article.htm

Answer 7

Statins are usually given to people who have not been able to control high cholesterol levels through dietary changes alone, so it seems a bit pointless to tell you to watch your diet!!

If you just haven't bothered too much with the diet side of things, you might want to have another go at it.

Plant esters and pinhead oatmeal are supposed to help.

Sometimes it's more a matter of genetics, some people will have higher cholesterol no matter what.

I think the most sensible thing is to try alternatives WITH the statins - if your levels lower to within safe limits, no doubt your doctors will discuss you coming off them then.

Answer 8

Try fish oil capsules along with your diet and exercise. It will not lower it as much as the statins will however it does work. Another hint keep them in the freezer This way you don't have the smell or taste to content with.

Answer 9

There are plant derived statins which are a lot more better for you than the prescription types,consult a herbalist shop or refer to the holistic herbal for alternatives.

Answer 10

you sure it is the statins that make you sick ,I have taken them for 6 years and have had aching muscles but not sickness,
Can the doctor reduce your dosage as he did mine ,does make you feel a lot better

Answer 11

really reduce the amount of dairy products and saturated fats and you should reduce cholesterol and therefore reduce the need for statins