A Quick Review

If you read my blog from the onset, you know I refused to take statin drugs to reduce my high cholesterol without at least attempting to lower it myself with supplements and some lifestyle changes. So many people I meet who complain of a variety of aches and pains, memory loss, and nausea and are taking statin drugs but have no idea what the side effects of those drugs are. Do you know? I didn’t so ... before I started swallowing the little pill, I did some research.The side effects were beyond daunting. Being one who does not really handle medication well and who refuses to take one pill to offset the effects of another - one doctor rationalized that a little memory loss was better than a stroke! - I opted to take the natural route with great success.

I should note here that if you are one of those who ... have a family history of high cholesterol or cardiovascular disease, live an inactive (sedentary) lifestyle, have high blood pressure, are older than 55 if you're a man, or older than 65 if you're a woman, are in poor general health or have diabetes, are overweight, smoke, or have narrowing of the arteries in your neck, arms or legs (peripheral artery disease) you MAY need statin drugs. However, if you are a victim of your lifestyle and can make some changes you can avoid statin drugs.

What are the side effects? Let’s start with what doctors consider common and less serious side effects muscle and joint aches (most common) ...

• Muscle aches and pain
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Memory loss

On the other side, doctors consider liver damage a potentially serious side effect. Statin drugs can cause an increase in liver enzymes which, left unchecked, can lead to permanent liver damage. Certain other cholesterol-lowering drugs, such as gemfibrozil (Lopid) and niacin, increase the risk of liver problems even more in people who take statins. Because liver problems can develop without symptoms, people who take statins have a blood test six weeks after starting a statin medication to check their liver function. After that, your doctor may recommend yearly blood tests.

The medical profession also consider some muscle problems to be a potentially serious effect. In severe cases, muscle cells can break down and release a protein called myoglobin into the bloodstream, which can damage your kidneys. Certain drugs when taken with statins can increase the risk of rhabdomyolysis - like gemfibrozil, erythromycin, antifungal medications, nefazodone, cyclosporine and niacin. If you take statins and have new muscle aching or tenderness I would encourage you to look at other options.

If you’re in a position to make a decision about how to lower your cholesterol, ask yourself some very important questions ...

• Do I have a family history of high cholesterol or cardiovascular disease?
• Am I willing to make some lifestyle changes, like getting more exercise, changing my diet, and taking supplements?
• Am I concerned about taking a pill every day, perhaps for the rest of my life?
• Am I concerned about the side effects of statin drugs or interactions with other drugs?
• Am I the type of person who can "own it" or do I prefer to blame others for my condition?
  

Once you’ve answered those questions for yourself you will be able to made a decision. If you doctor insists on putting you on statin drugs after reviewing your blood tests, family history, your lifestyle and LISTENS to what you want to do the final decision is yours. From the time my blood was taken to my doctor’s appointment - 5 days - I had done enough research to make my doctor ‘give me a chance’ to correct my numbers myself. If your numbers are dangerously high, you may have to start on statins while you change your diet, activity level, and taking supplements. But work with your doctor to remove statin drugs, especially if you have any side effects. Go in to the appointment prepared, understand what is happening to your body, and share YOUR concerns with your physician. If he does not embrace your thoughts or ideas ... well ... remember, he works for YOU!

My early blogs can be found here: ...

• Eating to Live ... Getting High Cholesterol Under Control
  
• Putting My Plan into Action
• Off to the Doctors
• Let's Simplify It