Quit Lipitor - Cholesterol sky high

[homeboymi]

I stopped Lipitor (10mg) after taking it for 8 months on Dec. 1, 2006. I stopped because I had muscle weakness among other symptoms. It has been 4 months now and I had lipid test.

Jan 04 Feb 05 (diet) Mar 06 (Lipitor) Apr 07

TTL 282 241 209 315

HDL 54 48 48 58
LDL 166 150 139 203
Trig 192 160 122 128

Does anyone know why my cholesterol shot up so much? I asked my Doctor today and he just said my LDLs were high before taking Lipitor and it looked like I would have high cholesterol even if I only ate lettuce. He recommended I take Red Yeast Rice and if that doesn't work he recommends Zetia.

I would think my cholesterol would return to normal after being off Lipitor for 4 months. I am really worried now. I wish I would have never put a statin in my mouth. I certainly felt better before I started.

[NHone]

What was your cholesterol before you started anything, I think by your chart it was the 209? It can take some time for you body to get back to its "normal" self. If thats the case looks like you're on of the "lucky" ones that statins have messed up your body chemistry. (by the way, there was nothing wrong with your 209. By the way, did your doctor not test your during your cholesterol medication treatment?

[homeboymi]

Thank you for your reply. I have been watching this board for the last 4 months and really admire your frankness.
My total cholesterol has always been 230-260. When I was on Lipitor 10mg it was 209 but I felt terrible. I was weak and feeling 20 years older than my 63 years. So now my system is all screwed up and my LDLs are over 200 and my total cholesterol is 315. Are these drug companies and doctors trying to kill us?

[Isis498]

Originally Posted by homeboymi

Thank you for your reply. I have been watching this board for the last 4 months and really admire your frankness.
My total cholesterol has always been 230-260. When I was on Lipitor 10mg it was 209 but I felt terrible. I was weak and feeling 20 years older than my 63 years. So now my system is all screwed up and my LDLs are over 200 and my total cholesterol is 315. Are these drug companies and doctors trying to kill us?

Probably Drs. tend to throw those things at you way too quickly.

You might give either Fish Oil or Flax Seed Oil capsules a try, many Drs. are even recommending them now. They are good at lowering cholesterol. The Flax Seed oil lowered mine 24 points.

Personally I wouldn't touch a statin either.

[flowergirl2day]

I went off Lipitor for 1 week, due to muscle weakness (both calves) and neurological pain in my leg. I was convinced at the time that the drug was responsible for it. However, my specialist did not seem to think so and pointed out that:

- I was on other medications that list muscle weakness as a possible side effect

- My cholesterol levels were great after being on the statin for not even two months. The improvement was huge! He strongly recommended I keep taking the drug to reduce the chances of another cardio event.

- the dose I was on was quite small and would not do much harm (10mg)

However, I don't think that the statin deserves all the credit. What about all the oatmeal, flax seed, Omega 3's, apple cider vinegar, garlic etc. I have included in my diet? I am sure that they have all played a role in getting the numbers down.

I went back on it, by the way.