Unable to take Lipitor - High Cholesterol Message Board

Sara70 · 09-13-2003, 12:49 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.

zip2play · 09-13-2003, 08:11 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).]

gorgon · 09-14-2003, 10:24 AM

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, 12:26 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

Sara70 · 09-15-2003, 10:39 PM

Thanks for your answers, really appreciated. I will suggest Zetia when I go back to see the doctor.