I would like to know if anyone is having a good result with Zetia. My doctor has given me Zetia samples and a prescription to take in addition to Lopid. I have been taking Lopid which has reduced my triglycerides but my cholesterol is still high. I tried niacin but had some reaction. I know Zetia is new and would just like to know if anyone is taking it without problems before I start the samples.

Hi Yes I am starting zetia. I took my first one last night and unfortunately had terrible stomach distress with it. I will try it again tonight and see. I cannot take any of the statins due to leg pains. The do work great for me too. I was going to try non flush niacin- how much did you take and what happen to you I am hesitent about the zetia due to the "newness" of rhe drug, but at this point I really don't have too many options, although, if I do have stomach problems from it then I will have to discontinue it as well Let me know what you decide.

With the niacin I started on regular type about 500mg per day. Got very severe flushing. Switched to the no-flush type and flushing diminshed. Worked up to 1000 mg per day. I started to get a lot of joint pain. Just about anywhere I had some existing joint stiffness I got a lot of pain and swelling. So I stopped the niacin and was prescribed Lopid (gemfibrozil). I understand most people tolerate the niacin well but I guess not me. The Lopid has been very effective on lowering triglycerides, raising HDL and lowering LDL but my total cholesterol has stayed high. I tolerated the Lopid pretty well.

Gee every time I think that maybe I have another option, I hear bad reports and I get so very disgusted. Well, I have tried zetia for two days now, and I have to report that each time that I took it I developed terrible stomach pains and gas. This is very very very discouraging being that I went off the zocor and was hoping to replace it with this pill. I finally got up the courage to take it, and now I don't know what to do since I am sitting here with a bad stomachache. I don't know what I would rather have- leg pains from zocor, or a stomachache from zetia. What a choice?? The lopid also gave me stomach pains. I have IBS and I have to be so careful as to what I take internally. I did not try the niacin yet, but you said that you developed joint pains? I have never heard of this. NO one else on this board has reported this.

I had been taking Zetia for about 3 weeks but I was experiencing extreme nausea so I stopped taking it. I also experienced a fullness in my throat that felt as if something was pressing on my trachea and had a runny nose the entire time. I found out that some of the adverse reactions to this drug included all I was experiencing. Not good news. I am still taking Niacin and I tolerate that very well. For those who cannot tolerate the flushing I suggest taking it at night before going to bed.

Well, I have been on Zetia for 5 weeks now. I switched from Lipitor which I started in January but had severe leg muscle pains. I have my first blood test next Wednesday to see if it has helped me with my cholesterol level. I can tell you that I have had absolutely no side effects at all. I did not have the gas or stomach pains like some are reporting. So far it has been excellent. I will share my results when I get them if anyone is interested, but I just wanted to leave some positive feedback as far as no side effects. I am not sure if it helps you lose weight, I suspect not, however I did start a mild diet at the same time, and I have lost 14 lbs. now. I was not overweight, just wanted to lose a little, so that has been successful too. Hope this info helps someone.

Ken

Mandie, one question. You said you went off Zocor, and you had leg pains from it. How long were you on Zocor, and how long before you started feeling side effects? So far, I have been on it, 6 days and no side effects to speak off. Just wondering if I am lucky, or haven't been on it long enough.

------------------
JeanneMarie

Jean Marie, I can tell you that I was taking zocor for about 6 weeks and then started to have calf pains in both legs. It really crippled me and it was not worth it. Of course, the zocor was great for my numbers, and now I hae terrible numbers and I am searching for a solution, as many of us are. I am taking high flush free niacin and hope that this helps.

TO EVERYONE
I WAS GLAD TO SEE THAT SOMEONE ELSE WAS TAKING ZETIA ,I AM SUPPOSED TO START TAKING MINE TODAY
AND I AM A LITTLE CONCERENED ,BECAUSE OTHER MEDS HAS CAUSED ALOT OF PROBLEMS .SO WISH ME LUCK ,I WILL LET YOU KNOW


LOVECHILD

I've been on Zetia for 7 weeks. No side effects at all. I had problems with Zocor, Lipitor, Niacin and Welchol.

Started Zetia with excellent results. Now taking: Tricor 160, Niaspan 2000, Zetia 10. Lost 40lbs. No side effects.

My current numbers: Total C 162, HDL 43, LDL 99, Trigs 98. (This was a standard test)

My previous numbers: Total C 224, HDL 35, LDL 158, Trigs 216 (This was from a VAP test)

I "suggested" this med to my cardiologist because I DID NOT want to go straight to a statin. I asked to "try" it on the chance that it might be enough if not I would go to a statin/niacin combo pill.

There are three variables that resulted in a drastic change in my lipid profile. 1.)My BMI became very close to the recommended number 2.)I started Zetia and 3.)I changed from a low fat high carb diet to a high protien low carb diet.

This makes it hard to say what percentage of effect each variable had on the results. I still need to loose 10 to 15lbs but my lipid profile is well within the "good" range for someone with CAD. The only thing better would be an HDL of 60 http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif.

[This message has been edited by FranksHeart (edited 04-16-2003).]

Congratulations FranksHeart!!!!

Thanks Arizona. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Hoping to establish this as the norm for the future.

I exercise 3 to 5 times a week at a MET level of about 7.5 for 25 to 30 min. using a treadmill at 10% incline at 3.0 to 3.5mph.

I'm seeking to establish a regimine that I can realistically maintain for the rest of my life.

I'm 46.

[This message has been edited by FranksHeart (edited 04-17-2003).]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by maryrnbsn:
[B]I had been taking Zetia for about 3 weeks but I was experiencing extreme nausea so I stopped taking it. I also experienced a fullness in my throat that felt as if something was pressing on my trachea [QUOTE]

I started taking Zetia about a week and a half ago and have been having the same problem with a pressure on my trachea. Also terrible heartburn. I finally realized yesterday that it could be because of the Zetia and did not take one tonight. I'm feeling much better ( still having some heartburn, but no pressure on my trachea)and you have confirmed what I thought. I've tried statins and can't take them either due to muscle pain. I'd rather take my chances than suffer on pills. I personally am fed up with everything the medical profession has been telling us, or is it the drug
companies!
Rita
Rita

Franksheart - your numbers were not that bad to begin with, low HDL and high trigs. IMHO, you should have tried the diet change before starting the drug. Your previous numbers were indicative of a low fat high carb diet. Your change in diet to low carb would do the turnaround in itself. After six months of the low carb woe you may want to think about eliminating the drugs, sure makes life easier.

Hi hunter44:

So you think the diet change (increasing fat and lowering carbs) would have LOWERED my Total C and my LDL?

Did this happen for you?