Just diagnosed hi/chol

[NHone]

Originally Posted by Stumper

Jane,


That will be decision you will have to make. Personally I would take the Statin but only take 1/2 of what they tell you, and adjust the rest through diet.

I have a book here that states that nearly ALL cardiologists past the age of 40 are now ELECTIVELY taking statins due to all the plugged arteries they see in their profession. They see statins as a true deterrent.

Oh great,,, Not only do we have to deal with arrogant doctors, who are also uninformed, and overpaid...but odds are some of those are going to be suffering from dementia (or cognitive problems).... Also with you posted ratio...(i still don[t believe in cholesterol numbers) I would just keep doing what i was doing. Remember , i don't know your age...but for 20 years you have been doing the same thing, and your arteries are clean??? what's wrong with that. You might keep in mind too, that people could be completely wrong about statins, and they could cause the arteries to clog. (infact their is evidence that statins can cause an increase in calciuim buildup in the arteries)

[NHone]

[QUOTE=Melvi]Statins also have potent effects on inflammation, both locally within the plaque and systemically. Statins reduce the macrophage content of atherosclerotic plaques and the activity of the residual macrophage populations, and some statins also reduce serum C reactive protein and interleukin-6 in patients, independent of lipid lowering.59-61 In addition, statins reduce activity of natural killer cells62 and inhibit antibody production.63 Statins also inhibit MMP-9 expression of both mouse and human macrophages,64 and have variable effects on matrix proteins and collagen.65 Oxidised LDL induced growth of macrophages and foam cell formation is also inhibited by statins.66 67[/Q

Where did you get that information?

[JJ]

Originally Posted by Melvi

Thanks JJ for your kind words. Should I ever get side effects or sick from the statins I will definately stop taking them regardless of my TC numbers. In the meantime I will definately stay on the lowest dosage (lower than what the doc prescribes). Docs don't always have to know everything we do, after all they are not always honest with us.

Barb

That is all U can do, wait and see how it goes. Many folks do just fine on statins, others like myself don't, just like anything, no one thing fits everyone.

I'm not against statins, especially for folks who really need them, but I do think many drs. prescribe them too willy nilly, when most times diet, exercise and suppliments may do the trick. It just frustrates me when a person complains about having side effects and the drs. blow it off as something else. I had no computer when hubby was on them, or when I was, and had no idea what was happening to both of us, so noone can say I heard about the side effects and imagined them, as I didn't even know anyone on them at the time.

Thankfully my GI guy listened to me and got to the root of my problem, which was statins. When I went off, even though it took almost 6 months to get me well, as soon as I went back on them, BOOM, it started again. Now anyone with 1/2 a brain can figure out if your on them and sick, but well when your off, it is the meds. End of arguements!! Hopefully U do well, get those numbers down and everyone will be happy. Just do what U feel is right, and if taking a lesser dose is good and helps with the numbers, go for it. My girlfriends dr. has her take her Lipitor every other day, and so far, so good.

Take care, and good luck..... Bed time for Bonzo.....

[JJ]

I have no idea, guess they feel they have done more good then harm??? God only knows how the system works for getting things pulled, and maybe U have to have solid proof a statin caused your illness. Even if a dr., like my GI guy says U can't take them due to side effects, but the majority of drs. claim they are working, they out number the other drs. Like anything, it will go on and on.

When they had me on Baycol I really felt horrid, and told the dr. I tossed them in the pail and refused to take them. Even though I said .."These fool things will be off the market if they cause this kind of reaction", all I got was OH NO, they are the best thing since sliced bread. Hmmm, 7 or 8 months after I tossed em they were off the market. As far as sueing, I don't even know if anyone has ever gotten a settlement from Baycol, and I know there were suites filed, but who knows if anyone ever got anything. Like I said, I just go by how I feel on any med and if it isn't agreeing with me, I don't take it, and hopefully my health will stay in tact.

Hope ya have a good one, and TTYL....

[JJ]

Originally Posted by Melvi

JJ,

Baycol was also pulled in Europe I read. When I said "suing" I was not after the money (even though it would come in handy ) I was more thinking like "helping with the lawsuits to get that stuff off the market/shelves". As long as the lawsuits will get that stuff off the market, but people who got seriously ill from the statins should get some kind of settlement as in money. Not that the money will reverse their condition.

I forgot to mention when I was still refusing statins, and told my doctor about this woman who had the kidney failure, he right away shot back with "well, how long did she wait before she told her doctor that she felt sick, if patients don't tell us that they feel sick how are we suppose to know". And I thought to myself and "how about you doctors ignoring when people tell you that they feel sick from the statins or any drugs for that matter".

I guess it has been pulled everywhere. I hear ya about the suing thing, it isn't the money, just do something to get nasty things off the market.

Oh I hear ya about the complaining, it is the drs. who wait too long, as they tell U it is NOT statins. Most of the time it is arthritis, yet if a person gets off the stuff, the "arthritis" goes away. Yes, as we get older we are going to get aches and pains, anyone in their right mind knows that, but if U experience sudden pains and aches, the meds., whether statins or whatever should be looked into as a possible cause. Ever get the feeling it is a losing battle???

Look at hubby, he keeps getting upped on his Atenolol, and last bloodwork showed his sugar up and Trigs. have always been borderline high, but since taking Atenolol, have gotten higher. The dr. in the hospital told him for now to just keep with the same things till he gets squared away, but to definitely have a long talk with his dr. after things are settled. Like he said, your wife brought up a good point, and prehaps it is time for a change in some of your meds. Sheesh I feel like I could hang a shingle out my front door.

Have a good one, and TTYL...