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<p>No, but was told while taking statins to make sure to continue taking CoQ10 as statins deplete it. </p>
<p>Interesting to read everyone’s opinions. I’ve been on Lipitor for a long time - maybe 8 years. I’ve never tried any of the other statins. A low dose 10 mg. but I have fairly severe hypothyroid and have been taking Synthroid for almost 30 years and my doctor recommended Lipitor prophylactic as my blood glucose was slowly climbing into the 90s and my triglycerides were slowly inching up. I have had zero problems with that low dose and I have not read anything negative that makes me think it’s harmful in anyway. Before the Lipitor my cholesteral numbers were normal to high normal and now they are low normal (e.g. before Lipitor total cholesteral was 180, now it’s typically 155. Triglycerides were around 150, now generally around 120 and I don’t remember my HDL and LDL from 8 years ago. I think my HDL and LDL have stayed about the same. )</p>
<p>I’m more comfortable taking a pill than I am experimenting with homeopathic solutions, but that’s just me. </p>
<p>I think there’s been some recent research that says Lipitor may keep arteries more pliable. My family history has strokes consistantly in the seniors after age 80 even in the seniors that are drug fee in their 80s - they have a stroke suddenly and without warning so if Lipitor keeps my chances of throwing a clot down, I’m happy. </p>
<p>I have been told that about 7% of the population has a body chemistry making them intolerant/super sensitive to statins. What % is on statins, I do not know. My cardiologist (Mayo) said that most of the problems come with the higher doses. One thing to really watch for is muscle pain that is not alleviated by regular dose Advil/Tylenol.</p>
<p>DH just had a cardiac calcium screening (sounds like what conmama had). His score was zero, which is excellent. Shocked the heck out of his doctor. How this happened, I have no idea, as DH has a horrendous BMI, is diabetic and has extremely severe sleep apnea. He’s a ticking timebomb in my book.</p>
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<p>Red yeast rice is not homeopathic. I was actually encouraged to try it by my doctor and her supervisor. We’ll see if it makes any difference. My LDL has suddenly started to creep up.</p>
<p>This may also help you in your decision, the official FDA summary of risks and likelihoods: </p>
<p><a href=“Controlling Cholesterol with Statins | FDA”>http://www.fda.gov/forconsumers/consumerupdates/ucm293330.htm</a></p>
<p>We bought a bag of flax seeds and some trail mixes with lots of unsalted nuts at Costco and sprinkled the flax seeds on our oatmeal this morning. It was mildly sweet but otherwise unremarkable. Pew are going to start having a daily walk before dinner. We have held off on starting a statin so far and may ask about a lower dose IF he uses any. He was prescribed a medium dose and it seems side effects are likely dose dependent, as they are with most meds and other things. </p>
<p>I’ve been on 10mg atorvastatin (Lipitor) for years. My family history for cardiovascular disease (arteriosclerosis and stroke) is horrible. Before I started my total cholesterol was around 220-230. My doctor first tried Zetia which works by stopping absorption of cholesterol, so it doesn’t affect the liver. I was skeptical since I didn’t have a high fat diet and figured my cholesterol issues were hereditary, not dietary. I was right, so I was switched to Lipitor. I have been well-controlled on that low dosage and have had no issues with muscle pain.</p>
<p>What are the side effects, drug interactions, and necessary follow up laboratories of red yeast? If it has a positive effects there has to be a negative side effect.</p>
<p>Found some info on this right after I posted:</p>
<p><a href=“Red yeast rice - Mayo Clinic”>Red yeast rice - Mayo Clinic;
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<p>The active ingredient (for blood cholesterol purposes) in red yeast rice is lovastatin (which is a statin drug), so wouldn’t the side effects, drug interactions, and such be the same as for lovastatin (if one takes enough red yeast rice to matter)?</p>
<p>Definitely should be the same now that I’ve read more. Furthermore, there is no quality control in the red yeast rice to make certain that the dosages are known or consistent. Just give me the lovastatin!</p>
<p>Well, it looks like the generic for Lipitor can be cut, so H could start on a lower dose instead of the mid range dose the doc wanted to start him with. H tends to be quite sensitive to meds. The brand name one can’t be cut. This may be a way to adjust the dose, starting small and see how H does. </p>
<p>My DH has been on Lipitor for 10 years. I see no improvement in overall health. His blood sugar went high enough that he went on meds for that, Suffered side effects. Lost 50 lbs, still has high blood sugar. I’m sure the statin has some effect
My total cholesterol was 222last check. HDL 159. She tried to talk me into statins. LDL under 100…no way. </p>
<p>I agree with the concern about supplement purity and concentration. I am comfortable with the red rice yeast from Costco, husband switched to it from a statin with previous and present physicians. It worked, he did not experience the muscle cramp side effects of the statin. He has since rid himself of work stress and has great cholesterol levels without meds. . My moms cholesterol has always been high- she heard avocados decrease cholesterol–it did she also gained several pounds–she ate way too much. </p>
<p>@Dragonmom, you might want your DH to look into the drug Invokana. I have a coworker on this drug for her diabetes. She lost 16 pounds in 8 weeks and her fasting blood glucose dropped to goal and that is with stopping one of her diabetes medications. She didn’t make any other changes except getting on that drug. I bet her lipid profile improved too.</p>
<p>Before it slips my mind…for those who are going to stop taking statin drugs, make sure you wean yourself off slowly. </p>
<p>Dragonmom -Like many, my glucose levels also significantly rose while I was taking statins. I worry about how this affects those with diabetes.</p>
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<p>Red yeast rice contains lovastatin, so your husband is still taking a statin, although perhaps a different one at a different dose from before.</p>