525 down to 218 on 80mg lipitor, is it worth the risk? - High Cholesterol Message Board

happybunny · 01-14-2005, 09:05 AM

80 mg lipitor has brought my total down to 218.
Trigs still high at 453 - originally 715.
HDL unfortunately dropped to 70 - originally 104.
But Total /HDL ratio good at 3.1

Am now being sent to Lipid Clinic so they may help with the trigs, and maybe sort out reducing the nausea and tiredness I get on Lipitor. Don't fancy taking it for life especially at that dose but suppose I don't have a lot of choice. I hate taking loads of meds but if they keep me alive and kicking

then I'll swallow them, but it's difficult to weigh up the risks versus the gains.

Still carrying on with the healthy-eating /exercise lifestyle that I already had anyway, but will I need to give up my glass or two of red wine to get those trigs down I wonder?

rahod · 01-14-2005, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by happybunny

80 mg lipitor has brought my total down to 218.
Trigs still high at 453 - originally 715.
HDL unfortunately dropped to 70 - originally 104.
But Total /HDL ratio good at 3.1

Am now being sent to Lipid Clinic so they may help with the trigs, and maybe sort out reducing the nausea and tiredness I get on Lipitor. Don't fancy taking it for life especially at that dose but suppose I don't have a lot of choice. I hate taking loads of meds but if they keep me alive and kicking

then I'll swallow them, but it's difficult to weigh up the risks versus the gains.

Still carrying on with the healthy-eating /exercise lifestyle that I already had anyway, but will I need to give up my glass or two of red wine to get those trigs down I wonder?

You do have a choice if you want to take LESS Lipitor! 20 mg Lipitor with ZETIA (not a statin) will give you the same result. Talk to your dr.

Lenin · 01-15-2005, 07:15 AM

bunny,

Though I'm not telling you to try it, if it were I, I'd try a few months at 40 mg. Lipitor and see if the results are the same as with 80, it IS possible.
By all means, keep up the glass or two of wine; it keeps the HDL up.

Congrats on the nice TC/HDL ratio of 3...Now if you can JUST get those triglycerides down some more...maybe no sugar?

JacquelineL · 01-15-2005, 11:54 AM

I would also try 40mg. You might get nearly the same result as with 80mg. At the same time go on a low carb diet to lower your trigs, which would result in a lower total cholesterol.

It is strange that your HDL dropped.

heart44 · 01-16-2005, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JacquelineL

It is strange that your HDL dropped.

Problem with cholesterol lowering medications is that is does not correct the problem, just masks the symptoms. I'm surprised you can still walk, taking the highest dosage of Lipitor. My husband could hardly tolerate 20mg.

Has your doctor checked your CRP and homocysteine levels?
These 2 factors have resently been identified as higher risk factors than LDL cholesterol.

Statins not only cause muscle/joint aches and pains, but can cause muscle degeneration and cognitive problems. If you experience any of these side effects, you should inform your doctor immediately.