Sara70
09-13-2003, 03:49 AM
Hello everyone. I have a high CPK reading and have been advised to stop Lipitor. My doctor wants me to follow a low fat diet, however this has not worked in the past. I would be very interested in what other people out there who cannot take statins are doing, if there are other medications that work for them. Apparently all statins have the same side effects, so am unable to take any of them.
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zip2play
09-13-2003, 11:11 AM
Sara,
I'm sorry about that high CPK. It's likely a sign of muscle damage from the Lipitor but it COULD be something else. But it's too risky to chance.
Some people get modest reductions with Niacin (I can't bear the stuff and do Lipitor.) Modest reductions are also gotten by the several fat and bile sequestering agents which carry away part of the problem via solid waste excretion.
Nearly everyone is convinced of the efficacy of Omega-3 oils from fish oil.
I think lecithin (1 Tbsp. per day) is a sensible addition.
Common wisdom says that reducing saturated fats and ELIMINATING trans-fats (margerines, Crisco, KoolWhip among zillions of offenders) in favor of olive oil, canola oil and oils high in monosaturates helps a lot.
Universally agreed is the replacement of cattle and pork with fowl and fish helps by all the aforementioned mechanisms.
EXERCISE seems always recommended though proof of efficacy is hard to come by....It can't hurt!
Unfortunately, NOTHING will give you the 100 point kind of drops in TC with modest increase in HDL that some "Lipitorians" get (and that I got in a month) but all of the above should get you better numbers.
[This message has been edited by zip2play (edited 09-13-2003).]
I'm sorry about that high CPK. It's likely a sign of muscle damage from the Lipitor but it COULD be something else. But it's too risky to chance.
Some people get modest reductions with Niacin (I can't bear the stuff and do Lipitor.) Modest reductions are also gotten by the several fat and bile sequestering agents which carry away part of the problem via solid waste excretion.
Nearly everyone is convinced of the efficacy of Omega-3 oils from fish oil.
I think lecithin (1 Tbsp. per day) is a sensible addition.
Common wisdom says that reducing saturated fats and ELIMINATING trans-fats (margerines, Crisco, KoolWhip among zillions of offenders) in favor of olive oil, canola oil and oils high in monosaturates helps a lot.
Universally agreed is the replacement of cattle and pork with fowl and fish helps by all the aforementioned mechanisms.
EXERCISE seems always recommended though proof of efficacy is hard to come by....It can't hurt!
Unfortunately, NOTHING will give you the 100 point kind of drops in TC with modest increase in HDL that some "Lipitorians" get (and that I got in a month) but all of the above should get you better numbers.
[This message has been edited by zip2play (edited 09-13-2003).]
gorgon
09-14-2003, 01:24 PM
SARA, you might give Zetia a try. It works by reducing the absorbtion of cholesterol in the intestines. It gave me a 15-20% reduction in cholesterol level. It's still a fairly expensive drug (~$1.50-$2.00/pill)and it does have some side-effects (milder than statins). Check with your doctor.
JeanneMarie
09-14-2003, 03:26 PM
Hi.
Not all statins have side effects for all people. I have no side effects whatsoever with Zocor. I read where so many had trouble with Lipitor, so when my doctor suggested Lipitor at the beginning, I said I wanted Zocor. Glad I did. Been on them for 5 1/2 months now, so far, so good. Hope it keeps up.
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JeanneMarie
Not all statins have side effects for all people. I have no side effects whatsoever with Zocor. I read where so many had trouble with Lipitor, so when my doctor suggested Lipitor at the beginning, I said I wanted Zocor. Glad I did. Been on them for 5 1/2 months now, so far, so good. Hope it keeps up.
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JeanneMarie
Sara70
09-16-2003, 01:39 AM
Thanks for your answers, really appreciated. I will suggest Zetia when I go back to see the doctor.
Yuhas620
09-19-2003, 08:46 AM
I didn't have side effects with Lipitor until almost a year and then profound pain and weakness.
My husband did well on zetia three months and then brain fog set in. He just stopped taking it so hopefully he will be able to think normally. I know there are many lucky people that can take statin drugs without problems. My husband and I can not.
My husband did well on zetia three months and then brain fog set in. He just stopped taking it so hopefully he will be able to think normally. I know there are many lucky people that can take statin drugs without problems. My husband and I can not.
gamalin
09-25-2003, 12:20 PM
Would like to know if one is unable to take Lipitor because of side effects, mainly muscle pain, does changing to another brand help. Or does all statin type drugs produce muscle pain.
JeanneMarie
09-26-2003, 10:49 PM
Hi.
I am on Zocor, and I do not have muscle pains. I have aching knees due to Chrondomalcia but nothing anywhere else. So far so good. Have been on it since Apr 4th, holding my breath.
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JeanneMarie
I am on Zocor, and I do not have muscle pains. I have aching knees due to Chrondomalcia but nothing anywhere else. So far so good. Have been on it since Apr 4th, holding my breath.
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JeanneMarie
sixers
09-27-2003, 10:58 AM
Zip2Play,
I have been taking Niacin since 1997. The Immediate Release form has many disadvantages including flushing and possible liver damage. There is a prescription form called Niaspan which greatly reduces these side effects. It not only reduces LDL but also reduces Triglycerides and Lp{a} [very important for some]. It raised the good cholesterol HDL. Immediate Release niacin must be taken 3 times a day where Niaspan is only taken once at bedtime. The majority of patients who experience flushing find it goes away as your body adjusts to the medication. That was my case several years ago. I like the fact
that I am improving my entire lipid profile with a common vitamin. My latest numbers are listed under the Niaspan board.
bob
I have been taking Niacin since 1997. The Immediate Release form has many disadvantages including flushing and possible liver damage. There is a prescription form called Niaspan which greatly reduces these side effects. It not only reduces LDL but also reduces Triglycerides and Lp{a} [very important for some]. It raised the good cholesterol HDL. Immediate Release niacin must be taken 3 times a day where Niaspan is only taken once at bedtime. The majority of patients who experience flushing find it goes away as your body adjusts to the medication. That was my case several years ago. I like the fact
that I am improving my entire lipid profile with a common vitamin. My latest numbers are listed under the Niaspan board.
bob
gorgon
09-27-2003, 02:50 PM
JeanneMarie, I hope that your aching knees are indeed not from any cholesterol medication. I have been greatly bothered with knee arthritis(?) every time I've been on the statins and even now I've just given up on Zetia for this reason. I usually am OK for a few months, then -- WHAM!-- there go my knees.
Good Luck.
[This message has been edited by gorgon (edited 09-27-2003).]
Good Luck.
[This message has been edited by gorgon (edited 09-27-2003).]
JeanneMarie
09-28-2003, 03:10 PM
Originally posted by gorgon:
JeanneMarie, I hope that your aching knees are indeed not from any cholesterol medication. I have been greatly bothered with knee arthritis(?) every time I've been on the statins and even now I've just given up on Zetia for this reason. I usually am OK for a few months, then -- WHAM!-- there go my knees.
Good Luck.
Hi Gorgon.
I had the knee achiness business for 2 yrs before I even started on Zocor. So that's why I have ruled that out. Being on statins makes me wonder if I am damaging my liver to bring down my Cholestrol etc. I have had the blood test, 3 months after I started and it was fine. I'm wondering if one is supposed to go every 3 months and retest or what? Medicare only pays once a year and the rest of the times are on me, the way I hear it.
Are the rest of you people on statins getting a blood test every 3 months????
[This message has been edited by gorgon (edited 09-27-2003).]
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JeanneMarie
JeanneMarie, I hope that your aching knees are indeed not from any cholesterol medication. I have been greatly bothered with knee arthritis(?) every time I've been on the statins and even now I've just given up on Zetia for this reason. I usually am OK for a few months, then -- WHAM!-- there go my knees.
Good Luck.
Hi Gorgon.
I had the knee achiness business for 2 yrs before I even started on Zocor. So that's why I have ruled that out. Being on statins makes me wonder if I am damaging my liver to bring down my Cholestrol etc. I have had the blood test, 3 months after I started and it was fine. I'm wondering if one is supposed to go every 3 months and retest or what? Medicare only pays once a year and the rest of the times are on me, the way I hear it.
Are the rest of you people on statins getting a blood test every 3 months????
[This message has been edited by gorgon (edited 09-27-2003).]
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JeanneMarie