PLEASE Please HELP me!! I beg of you!!

[jane87]

My Mom has high cholesterol. Last year she took meds each day for a whole year (10mg) and this year they increased it to (20mg)

My Mom has "TERRIBLE HEART PROBLEMS" that are known right now (She's waiting to go to the cardiologist for some testing)

The cholesterol med she is taking right now is.. "lipitor 20mg atorvastatin calcium"

I am sooooooooooooooo worried for her, she seems to be getting weaker.

I need to ask you.. should she really take this med? Or should she find natural ways to decrease her high cholesterol? (Eating healthier etc..)

The med says that it has (heart palpitations) and that's terrible, my mom has enough heart problems.

Can you please tell me what are the downfalls of this med?

I am so worried! I've posted here before and I really appreciate you all for replying to me, it means so so much!

Thank you from the heart.

Jane

[Uff-Da!]

Originally Posted by jane87

My Mom has "TERRIBLE HEART PROBLEMS" that are known right now (She's waiting to go to the cardiologist for some testing)

Just what are the "terrible heart problems" that are known right now? Since you say she is waiting to go to the cardiologist, I would think that they really don't know exactly what the problems are.

The cholesterol med she is taking right now is.. "lipitor 20mg atorvastatin calcium"

I am sooooooooooooooo worried for her, she seems to be getting weaker.

I need to ask you.. should she really take this med? Or should she find natural ways to decrease her high cholesterol? (Eating healthier etc..)

I am personally very conservative when it comes to taking medications, especially cholesterol meds. For most people who have high numbers but do not have heart disease, my opinion is that they would be better off to try lifestyle changes first, and only if that is unsuccessful, to consider cholesterol meds. It is a different story with someone with heart disease. Since the risk of doing nothing is greater, action needs to be taken sooner. There are many more questions about how much good the meds do for women than for middle-aged men, but I'd still recommend that she follow the doctor's orders, at least until the further tests are done and she knows exactly what she is dealing with regarding heart problems.

Read through the list of side effects which comes with the medicine. If there are any terms she or you are unfamiliar with, look them up, so you know what to look for. There are online medical dictionaries you can use. Notify the doctor immediately if you think she is having any serious side-effects. Please be aware that most of the side effects happen only rarely. So there is no need to get upset about the possibility, just plan to discontinue the med (if it is something serious like muscle pain) and notify the doctor if it happens.

[arlmon18]

When I was first diagnosed with high cholesterol, I tried to do it the conservative way. I probably could have watched my diet more carefully, but I didn't. Unfortunately, I had to start taking 20 mg. of Lipitor, and have been on it for a few years. I get my blood tested (liver tests included) every 6 months. I really don't have any side effects. I wish I didn't have to take any miedication (take BP meds also), but I don't think I have too much choice now. You and your mom can speak to the doctor about your concerns. How high is her cholesterol? Does she have more good cholesterol (HDL) and not too high of a reading for the "bad" cholesterol (LDL). Also what is her trigylceride number?

[gardeninggal]

Jane, I see you are so concerned about your mother, when it is a loved one we feel so helpless and that is where you are right now. I agree with Uff-da when there is time and health is reasonably stable try other methods before going on statins but when I read the fear in your post I have to believe that your mother must first find out from the specialists just how bad is her health and then go from there. Should it be good news then read some of the posts and set up a program of diet, exercise and suppliments but don't do that until you get good news and God forbid if it is not good then listen to the doctors and help her follow their best advice. Sometimes we must bow to their better judgement. God bless you both.

[NHone]

Jane, if she has heart problems, and you decide she has to be on a cholesterol lowering medication, she MUST take Coq10. Her doctor is doing her a great dis-favor if he does not also require her to take Coq10. Also be aware that you do NOT have to have elevated liver enzymes or muscle pain to cause muscle problems due to statins. As the heart is a muscle, I would be especially concerned of this. No test has ever show that women, including those with heart disease have increased their longevity with the use of statins.