Question About Being Put On A Statin

October 08, 2024, 04:03 PM

mrvmax

I’m realizing that doctors do not have the patients best interest in mind. I went to. keto diet a few months ago and have dropped 40 pounds with not even exercising.

I am off all meds (including blood pressure) and feel better. My cholesterol was about were yours is and that’s was before I started keto so they should be lower.

I decided to do my own research and act accordingly. I am not worried about cholesterol (all the meds have not helped reduce heart disease) and my BP is 125/85 (which my dr says is high and wants me to be on meds).

Doctors push meds, they are the solution to everything in their mind but rarely do they solve the problem, they just mask it.

I say practice a good diet (removing as many processed foods as possible), exercise and stay away from meds as much as possible. Some things are hereditary, but medicine is not changing that.

Also, look back 30-40 years and see what were good numbers (BP, cholesterol etc) and you will be fine by those. I know they say that there is more research, but check out some pics from the 50 and 60’s prior to all meds being pushed. Obesity was rare, people were lean and relatively healthy compared to today.

October 08, 2024, 04:30 PM

Shaql

Get a nuclear stress test. That will help determine the health of your heart and arteries.

If they're going to put you on statins for the rest of your life, then this is also a good precaution.

October 08, 2024, 04:50 PM

92fstech

When I got diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 3 years ago, the Endo tried to start me on statins, even though my cholesterol was fine, as a "precautionary measure", because supposedly a lot of diabetics have high cholesterol.

I told her no way...let's watch it and see what happens. 3 years later, my cholesterol is still fine. Glad I didn't let her talk me into that.

October 08, 2024, 04:53 PM

12131

quote:
Originally posted by mrvmax:
...BP is 125/85 (which my dr says is high and wants me to be on meds)...

Any doc that advises meds based on such BP should be fired immediately. I'm glad you didn't follow "doctor's order".

October 08, 2024, 05:04 PM

Warhorse

I started with 10mg of Atorvastatin about ten years ago. Probably about five years ago my doctor bumped it up to 20mg, I have never noticed any adverse effects, and I have arthritis. I believe 20mg's is still considered "low dose".

October 08, 2024, 05:11 PM

4MUL8R

Tried atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, and pitavastatin. All caused muscle weakness and pain.

I hope to move to an injectable next.

October 08, 2024, 07:17 PM

captain127

quote:
Originally posted by mrvmax:
I’m realizing that doctors do not have the patients best interest in mind. I went to. keto diet a few months ago and have dropped 40 pounds with not even exercising.

I am off all meds (including blood pressure) and feel better. My cholesterol was about were yours is and that’s was before I started keto so they should be lower.

I decided to do my own research and act accordingly. I am not worried about cholesterol (all the meds have not helped reduce heart disease) and my BP is 125/85 (which my dr says is high and wants me to be on meds).

Doctors push meds, they are the solution to everything in their mind but rarely do they solve the problem, they just mask it.

I say practice a good diet (removing as many processed foods as possible), exercise and stay away from meds as much as possible. Some things are hereditary, but medicine is not changing that.

Also, look back 30-40 years and see what were good numbers (BP, cholesterol etc) and you will be fine by those. I know they say that there is more research, but check out some pics from the 50 and 60’s prior to all meds being pushed. Obesity was rare, people were lean and relatively healthy compared to today.

I disagree. As a medical practitioner I DO want my patients to both be healthy and feel better. SOME people can improve certain parameters with diet and exercise others can not.

I do think statins are pushed way too hard though

At one point someone suggest I get on one. I said look at my LDL ( which is high- a good thing) no thanks.

They DO have side effects for sure, and are not right for everyone.

But what I tell patients is you can’t outrun ( meaning diet and exercise) family history and bad habits like smoking.

Most agree it is our liver producing cholesterol that is most of the issue not diet

October 08, 2024, 07:52 PM

mrvmax

quote:
Originally posted by Shaql:
Get a nuclear stress test. That will help determine the health of your heart and arteries.

If they're going to put you on statins for the rest of your life, then this is also a good precaution.

Thats only a small picture. Had a coworker that passed a stress test and had a heart attack a couple of weeks later. Get the arterial ultrasound too.

October 09, 2024, 01:24 AM

Nuclear

Everyone is different. I have a family history of significant cardiac problems on both sides of the family. Both of my parents had high blood pressure & high cholesterol. So I’ve been very conscious of my blood pressure and cholesterol levels. When my cholesterol first went over 200, I tried to control it by eating like a rabbit. It dropped by 5-10 points, still over 200. Next came a non statin drug, which did nothing. Finally after changing doctors, I was put on a statin and ALL my cholesterol related numbers went to normal. That lasted for years, then the first statin stopped working or my liver started producing more cholesterol, so I was switched to a different statin. That one caused stomach upset, so now on atorvastatin with no problems. I’ve had all the imaging tests with no blockages at all. I do take CoQ-10. I do know statins causes me some memory issues, but not awful, an acceptable amount. My BP is good and my resting heart rate is below 60 bpm, probably because I’ve been a runner, martial artist, hiker and gym rat since high school.

That YT video looks interesting, but the jihad against carbs reminds me of the previous “bad” foods.

October 09, 2024, 02:11 AM

KMitch200

quote:
Is this worth doing? I have never taken one before and the wife is not thrilled because "she heard" there are side effects? If it will help my numbers improve and potentially save me from heart disease, I am all for it.

Raw cholesterol numbers without a differential between large and small particle sizes are IMO useless. I’ve known people that could hardly get out of bed after taking stains. The one my friend was taking was banned in Europe. Of course the FDA approved it here.

“The determination of particle size may impact treatment plans, as recent dataTrusted Source shows statins and other therapies may not be effective in the management of elevated lipoprotein a (Lp(a)) levels and some can even increase the levels.”

Link

It has been known for a while now that the small LDL particles are a greater risk.
Statins may make this worse. Making a problem possibly worse should not be part of a treatment strategy.
The OP’s numbers aren’t that bad. Medication should be a LAST resort after diet, exercise, etc. have been tried and proven to have failed.

October 09, 2024, 05:05 AM

SIGfourme

Not enough information to determine if statin is indicated. Need an ASCVD risk score--search for ASCVD risk .
1) Employer ordered labs--you need a Primary Care in charge, NOT your employer.
2) VA cardiologist vs private. Why go VA??

October 09, 2024, 10:13 AM

smschulz

quote:
Originally posted by KMitch200:
quote:
Is this worth doing? I have never taken one before and the wife is not thrilled because "she heard" there are side effects? If it will help my numbers improve and potentially save me from heart disease, I am all for it.

Raw cholesterol numbers without a differential between large and small particle sizes are IMO useless.

^^^ 100% correct.

Without a deep dive into the Lipid Panel along with considerations of Glucose, Metabolic Factors (BMI,age,activity,diet) and yes family history to a degree is useless.

But just know it all revolves around Carb consumption as both the cause and solution.

October 09, 2024, 10:43 AM

sig sailor

I've been on Atorvastatin 40mg daily for a number of years. I'm 76 years old, so yes I have pains, but likely related to age.
Rod

October 09, 2024, 11:12 AM

SigSentry

I recall a video/article discussing the benefits of statins on longevity. I believe it concluded there was an increase in lifespan of 1-3 days.

Trigs/HDL ratio <2 is ideal (fasting of course) and an excellent marker for metabolic health.

October 09, 2024, 11:35 AM

PASig

quote:
Originally posted by SIGfourme:

1) Employer ordered labs--you need a Primary Care in charge, NOT your employer.

It's part of our health plan that we can opt into getting this screening done, it's done at a Quest and only I and my PCP see the results. I kind of like having a baseline to see if anything changes year to year, it's glucose/BP/cholesterol/ etc

quote:

2) VA cardiologist vs private. Why go VA??

Because frankly this HDHP we are forced to use ("take it or leave it", no other choices offered) from my employer STINKS and I get bills in the hundreds or even thousands of dollars from specialists like a cardiologist each time I go and I find myself rationing care. I found out this year I could take advantage of VA healthcare, so I'm trying it. Both the clinic near where I live and the VA Medical center about an hour away appear to have top of the line modern facilities with people that so far seem as competent and top-notch as any private doctor.

October 09, 2024, 11:42 AM

Jeepster09

It seems BIG PHARMA owns the medical industry now a days. They all push pills for everything. I heard a Dr on the radio the other day saying that all new Doctors are indoctrinated at med school to use pills for everything. Watch the documentary the MAGIC PILL. https://youtu.be/61GitUC_678?si=uKMsvQHgx2v1nlGD

October 09, 2024, 11:48 AM

TMats

My total cholesterol is considerably higher than yours, but my HDL is also considerably higher, such that my cholesterol/HDL ratio is a favorable 3.30. As is often said, “talk it over with your doctor,” but I think I would try to go without the Rx for another year. Ask for advice on raising HDL and have another look next annual.

October 09, 2024, 02:03 PM

TomV

Currently 64.
In October 2022, my Total number was 219.
In November 2023, it jumped to 231, though I thought I was eating better and exercising more.
Doctor put me on 10mg Rosuvastation Calcium. He and another friend recommended taking it at night along with a 300mg CoQ10 pill.
I was worried about side effects also, but have had none at all.
Last month I was at 147 total. But I had lost about 35 pounds and was exercising even more.
He lowered the dose to 5mg and will recheck the numbers in 6 months.