Should I take statins

Dad stopped taking statins because of side-effects, and started taking Niacin (vitamin B3) instead, and it worked for him.

My husband also has had a problem with statins and started taking niacin. His GP was skeptical but after monitoring him for a couple of months, he's changed his mind after seeing my husband's cholesterol levels nicely under control.

There is the non-flushing version for those who prefer not to have the sunburnt feel when it kicks in.

It is funny to see my husband start to flush/go bright red and then it disappears after an hour or so. He doesn't mind it at all. I've found it has improved circulation in my hands and feet - opening up the blood vessels!

Thank you TwinLolly. You answered the question I wanted to ask. I haven’t been on GN for a few years and am out of practice.

My sister in law had terrible cramps and aches when taking Statins so her Dr prescribed something else. It wasn’t a statin but her cholesterol came right down. Unfortunately she died earlier this year so air can’t ask her.

NotSpaghetti

Luckygirl3

I eat no red meat, no cheese (migraine trigger), no milk or eggs (don't like them). I am normal weight .... and mine is 6.6. What else can I do? .... my mobility is poor so exercise is a problem.
I am about to go on cholestyramine and add a statin soon.

Exercises in water is easier.
I swim. I put more effort in some days than others but do make myself go 3 times a week.

Luckygirl3, if you are like me, your results are skewed by your triglycerides rather than your LDL. Triglycerides are elevated by carbs which turn to sugars rather than fat. You should be able to see whether this is the case by asking your Dr specifically about them.

Cathy, my husband takes 10mg of atorvastatin which are tiny compared to my 20mg. Perhaps you could be prescribed these.

Anyone tried plant sterols as an alternative to statins? That's what I'm doing but I won't know if its worked until I have another blood test.

NotTooOld

Anyone tried plant sterols as an alternative to statins? That's what I'm doing but I won't know if its worked until I have another blood test.

Yes I started using them after I was told I needed statins. My level wasn't very high and no one seemed bothered that I had no family history of strokes or heart problems. Mum lived to 95, gran to 90, great gran to 90. I'm 78. Had my over 75 healthcheck in October (just over a year after I'd been advised to take them) and my cholesterol level was OK. I had a drink everyday (Asdas own are cheaper than Benecol) and used the margarine. I use a lot of olive oil and eat mostly fish and veggie, with meat occasionally.

NotTooOld

Anyone tried plant sterols as an alternative to statins? That's what I'm doing but I won't know if its worked until I have another blood test.

It won’t help if it’s familial, I tried and my cholesterol stayed the same.

nadateturbe, I was taking 10mg Atorvastatin , then 5mg of Rostuvastatin. Same problems with both. I felt as though there was a ball in my throat covered in spines. Swallowing was agony. But thank you.

After posting on here I decided to give my surgery a ring. Told my story to the receptionist and said I wasn’t happy speaking to the pharmacist. To my surprise she agreed. So the result is that I have an appointment to see a Dr on the 2nd January. I am not against taking Statins, both my Mum and Nanna died after a stroke.

It's not funny having swallowing problems. How do people take big pills? I too have difficulty swallowing. But obviously not as bad as yours. There are times I've choked on them, and the omeprazole. I hope the doctor has an alternative that suits you.

Jaxjacky

NotTooOld

Anyone tried plant sterols as an alternative to statins? That's what I'm doing but I won't know if its worked until I have another blood test.

It won’t help if it’s familial, I tried and my cholesterol stayed the same.

There has been some research to show children with familial High cholesterol benefitted from plant sterols. Don't know if your family would be interested. Children under 18 can't be given statins so this is important www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002916523058896#:~:text=Naturally%20occurring%20plant%20sterol%20esters,with%20familial%20hypercholesterolemia%20(FH).

Thank you Glorianny

The doctor I saw earlier in the week said he had never heard of the symptoms I experienced. Feeling as though something was blocking my throat with difficulty swallowing anything. However my daughter in law googled and she said from what she had read it can be a side effect of taking Statins, although fairly rare.

However, he has prescribed me Simvastain. I have started taking them, keeping my fingers crossed.

I was prescribed Atorvastatin 20mg. Had been given them 2 years ago, gave me leg pains. So this time I have been cutting them in half (we have a tablet cutter) so taking 10mg. Taken them for a week. Will see how it goes