Non-Statin Solutions For Cholesterol

As I was getting a Rx refilled for a statin I commented to the pharmacist I didn't like the drug because I thought it made my shoulders ache. She said I probably shouldn't continue taking it. Suggested I think about Red Yeast Rice. I talked to my MD who said it was worth a try and after taking the capsules 3 months, 2 caps twice a day, my cholesterol was down amazingly! MD very pleased and so am I. I've taken it for 2 years and have continued improving and now only take 2 caps a day. Nell

I have trouble with statin drugs, as well as zetia, and I have had success with policosanol and phyto-sterols to help lower my cholesterol. My doctor is even pleased with the results, as well as my pharmacist sister, who can't take statins either.

I'm taking Zetia and have had leg cramps at night prior to taking this drug and continue getting leg cramps. My cholesterol has been lowered. I've tried soap under the sheets to no avail. Any other natural vitamin or pills to lower cholesterol without the leg cramps?

You may not need any drugs to lower your cholesterol if your willpower is strong.

A study at Washington University in St. Louis reports amazing results from people following a calorie-restricted diet.

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=404101

Tables 2 and 3 really tell the whole story. Study participants' LDL dropped from 122 to 86 after following a diet of roughly 1,200 calories/day.

Other studies find restricting calories only every other day can have excellent results controlling type 2 diabetes in obese people who otherwise can't be helped by drugs.

If you can't lower calories (I certainly wouldn't blame you for not), my statin-sensitive neighbor had very good results with red yeast rice and CoQ10.

Best of luck.

After being on Crestor for 3 yrs, I had a terrible reaction with muscles weakness/pains over much of body. Was sent to a cardiologist who suggested an OTC medication called CholestOff. He said one gets all of the benefits of a statin without side effects!

I have slightly elevated cholesterol 200-220 average for many years with no history of heart disease and have an objection to statins. I began 10mg daily of policosanol 3 mos. ago and have lowered total chol.to 180,raised good and lowered bad with no side effects. Has policosonal gained much acceptance in the medical community?

PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: NO. A PLACEBO-CONTROLLED DOUBLE-BLIND STUDY A FEW YEARS AGO DID NOT SHOW POLICOSANOL TO BE BETTER THAN PLACEBO, SO MOST DOCTORS DON'T WANT PATIENTS TO USE SOMETHING THAT MIGHT NOT WORK.

I have taken Lipitor, Crestor, Vytorin, Zocor, Zetia and Pravastatin (or Pravachol). I am very concerned since I have suffered serious side effects from all of these medications, mostly muscle pain and weakness. I am experiencing a cough and cold right now that has endured for days since taking Pravachol in the past 5 days. I have read some of the comments here, and will try some statin-free options mentioned here. Thanks everyone for your comments and suggestions.
Vickie

I recently was prescribed Crestor and had a reaction of where my throat was constricting (difficult to swallow) and shortness of breath along with a high fever. I have taken Zetia and that caused body swelling. Along with the Crestor I was on Augmentin. My doctor thinks that it was the Augmentin (though I have taken it before and have never had that kind of reaction). I am trying to find alternatives to statins for lowering my cholestrol. Any suggestions? I think the statins are causing my allergic reactions I have been having.

After taking Zocor for several months, I developed severe muscle pain and starting losing eyebrow and body hair. Although I have been off statins now for 6 months, my hair continues to fall out. Could this be due to having taken Zocor? If so, is this condition reversible? Has anyone else experienced this?

I have been on statin medication for 9 years-It immediately lowered my cholesterol. My father and 3 siblings all had by-passes. I an seeing an orthopedic dr soon for what I believe is chronic tendonitis-(Shoulders diagnosed 2 years ago), knees,and hips. The pain is worst at night and interrupts my sleep. Should I ask the ortho dr to consult with my GP to get a non statin? I am a 57 yr old female.

I've had bad results after taking every kind of statin. This last time I was on simvastatin for about 3 months then woke up one morning with terrible shoulder and hip pain. I chased that pain for 7 months and finally after massage therapy, an mri, physical therapy, and various pain meds I came upon poly myalgia rheumatica. I suggested this possibility to my doc and even though blood tests showed no indicator, i.e. high sed rate, he prescribed low dose prednisone - I got immediate relief at 10 mg. Now I take 3.75 mg/day and get substantial relief. I believe the statin caused the pmr.

For the last 8 months I am experiencing leg cramps and leg muscle weakness. I have seen ortho doctor who did not help me much. I had therapy which did not bring any change.
Could this happened due to the vytorin 10/20mg I take to lower my cholesterol?

I took simvastin for 6 weeks in 2008. Doc doubled the dosage to get better results. Before the dosage increase, I developed a stiff neck, then shoulders. After doubling the dose, I got a high fever - very sick- then my hips became stiff and achy. I could barely walk for weeks. Doc diagnosed me with PMR. I took myself off the statin when I got the fever. I have been on approx 10 mg prednisone for 9 mos. Still trying to lower the prednisone in hopes the muscle aching is gone. My cholesterol is still bad - but I am not confident that the statin is for me. Exploring the cholest-off, fish oils, etc. Any advise? Doc denies that the statin caused any of this.

I have tried the statin drugs too and experienced immediate leg cramps. I am trying to watch what I eat and am exercising but my cholesterol is still high and my triglycerides are off the chart. Any ideas? I use Co-Q 10 and take fish oil. I have not tried the Red Yeast Rice but will get some tonight on my way home. Any other ideas? I'm 52.

Hello to everyone,

Seems many patients are lowering their cholesterol, but at a high price.
I too have been taking "statins' name the company , and I took their's for awhile, "Lipitor" being the last kind.
I do have heart problems, I now sport 4 "stents", and still suffer from angina.
I'm 73 this coming March, and would like to live well into my 80s, so I take all the meds my doctors prescribe....however in December, 2008 when I had two new "stents" implanted my Lipitor dose was upped to 40mg, from the 10mg dose, and Zetiea was added.

Well I had suffered from foot, and legs cramps for ages, but now I began to suffer an intense amount of leg pain, not just "charley horse" type pain, more like my muscles were being wrung out. No amount of standing, rubbing etc. etc. that I did would help, I would at times HOWL with pain, not my usual behavior, but this was agony. To make things worse my "wrung out muscles" now ached for days on end. Finally in desperation I came to my computer and "Goggled" Leg pain-Statins, and finally found answers to my questions.

Of course I have stopped taking Lipitor and Zetia!
I informed my family doctor who is certain that everything I have read is WRONG, CoQ10 which I now take is useless... what am I doing going to web, its all lies on the web.

Perhaps, but we the people can not all be wrong and liars!

I've only been off the statins for less than a month, and I still have leg cramps, and muscle pain, and weakness.

Also a few years ago I thought I was beginning the symptoms of some sort of dementia, was tested, and found to be okay, and because of my age felt that this was the reason, but know I would swear that my first start of taking statin drugs are the answer.
My forgetfulness came on like a bang, I began the new drug Lipitor, and then bingo I had memory troubles.

I am wishing everyone better health, and a good quality of life.
Sincerely,
Maddie

PS
I was put on Quinine 400mg for leg cramps but this did nothing for me, then I read that in the USA Quinine was no longer being prescribed? Well I stopped taking that too.
I had always thought my leg cramps were caused because I perspire profusely from pain meds I have to take, so I'd drink a bottle of Gatorade, to redress my electrolyte, an sometimes the cramping would ease. When I was put on 40mg of Lipitor that Gatorade was of no help.