Question about Vytorin - High Cholesterol Message Board

Cin4676 · 03-10-2006, 08:44 PM

My lab results just came back today and was told that my TC is 334. I was also told that everything else was in normal range except my good cholesteral which is a little elevated, I understand that is a good thing but I don't know enough about this condition to give any more details than this. I've tried to read all of the input on this board regarding Vytorin but find it overwhelming. I have my medication here and am supposed to start it tonite but after reading another website, I am very much afraid to take it. The dosage is 10/20 and it will be the first medication I have ever taken for high cholesterol. At this other website, it advised that this medication has had more complaints than any other of it's kind. The biggest problem seemed to be the muscle pains that got so severe to some people that they were unable to get rid of the pain even after quitting these meds. This is a very big decision for me, I am not even sure that I believe high cholesterol is actually dangerous and the real cause of atherosclerosis. If you guys wouldn't mind repeating some of your previous posts, could you give me some pro's and con's in regards to this drug?

Thanks for your help........

HubbleRules · 03-10-2006, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cindy in Fla

My lab results just came back today and was told that my TC is 334. I was also told that everything else was in normal range except my good cholesteral which is a little elevated, I understand that is a good thing but I don't know enough about this condition to give any more details than this. I've tried to read all of the input on this board regarding Vytorin but find it overwhelming. I have my medication here and am supposed to start it tonite but after reading another website, I am very much afraid to take it. The dosage is 10/20 and it will be the first medication I have ever taken for high cholesterol. At this other website, it advised that this medication has had more complaints than any other of it's kind. The biggest problem seemed to be the muscle pains that got so severe to some people that they were unable to get rid of the pain even after quitting these meds. This is a very big decision for me, I am not even sure that I believe high cholesterol is actually dangerous and the real cause of atherosclerosis. If you guys wouldn't mind repeating some of your previous posts, could you give me some pro's and con's in regards to this drug?

Thanks for your help........

Cindy,

A cholesterol leve of 334 is way too high to ignore - you have to do something to get it down.

I do not take Vytorin personally, but some on this forum have had very good results with. I believe the main side effects are constipation and muscle pain.

Keep in mind that the muscle pain affects only a small percent of users (I believe the percent is larger than reported, but still small nonetheless).

Assuming you have already tried diet and lifestyle changes to lower your cholesterol, and it has not been sufficient (and given your level, it is not realistic to expect to lower it enough with these changes), I think you have no choice but to try a medication.

I would suggest you start with the Vytorin, and just be aware of any sudden, unexplained muscle pains. If you experience them, I'd stop the Vytorin for a few days to see if it goes away... I don't know if you can split the Vytorin pills, but you might also start on half a pill a day, and see how it works for you.

It's usually when people start having chronic pain, yet continue taking the medication for weeks and months, that the situation becomes serious and long-lasting... If you stop it as soon as you notice something clearly unusual is going on, you should be fine.

HubbleRules

HubbleRules · 03-10-2006, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HubbleRules

Cindy,

A cholesterol leve of 334 is way too high to ignore - you have to do something to get it down.

I do not take Vytorin personally, but some on this forum have had very good results with. I believe the main side effects are constipation and muscle pain.

Keep in mind that the muscle pain affects only a small percent of users (I believe the percent is larger than reported, but still small nonetheless).

Assuming you have already tried diet and lifestyle changes to lower your cholesterol, and it has not been sufficient (and given your level, it is not realistic to expect to lower it enough with these changes), I think you have no choice but to try a medication.

I would suggest you start with the Vytorin, and just be aware of any sudden, unexplained muscle pains. If you experience them, I'd stop the Vytorin for a few days to see if it goes away... I don't know if you can split the Vytorin pills, but you might also start on half a pill a day, and see how it works for you.

It's usually when people start having chronic pain, yet continue taking the medication for weeks and months, that the situation becomes serious and long-lasting... If you stop it as soon as you notice something clearly unusual is going on, you should be fine.

I don't make this recommendation lightly. I personally had a bad experience with Lipitor and muscle pain, and it took a long time to recover from it. My doctor never forwarned me of the muscle pain side-effect, so I continued on the medication for about a month after the pain started. I think if people were warned more about the side-effects, they would recognize them and discontinue the meds before any real damage were done.

HubbleRules

Cin4676 · 03-10-2006, 11:15 PM

Thank you Hubble, for answering my post. That same thought had crossed my mind and I did mention it to my husband tonite. I'm sure some people that experienced these side effects did not make the connection to this drug and continued to take it. My pharmacist had mentioned that if I have any muscle pain, to stop taking it immediately. That is why I decided to do research on it when I got home. I guess he scared me a little bit but I'm glad he did. Your input has helped a great deal....thanks again!

Lenin · 03-11-2006, 07:58 AM

Cindy,
Vytorin combines two cholesterol medication to get very good results with a low dose of the statin (simvastatin.)
I think it's an excellent first choice but like Hubble says, your husband should be vigilant. After a month have a liver function test and a creatine phosphokinase to show any muscle damage. BUt do NOT go overboard and assume that every stubbed toe is caused by the drug.
The PRO is effectiveness with small dosing.
The CON is that two drugs are always dicier than one.

I'm sure STUMPER will weigh in...he does very well wiith Vytorin. (I've never taken it but have some samples stashed away.)

I think most people would agree that the drug most likely to cause untoward side effects is the strongest statin, CRESTOR, rather than VYTORIN.