Very nervous about taking a statin, please educate me

Anonymous
Even though my cholesterol is normal in every way, except mildly elevated LDL (100), my doctor wants me on a statin because of family history. My overall number is 178. I’m afraid to take one. I’ve read that cholesterol is being wrongly vilified. I’ve also read that statins are a big pharma scam. Please share your knowledge. Would you take them?
Anonymous
I was nervous but started them two years ago. I was concerned about joint pain, muscle wasting. Didn't get any side effects except vivid dreams the first month ir so and reduced alcohol tolerance. Lipitor 10 mg.
DH started 20 mg Lipitor 3 months ago no side effects he says.
They say if one isn't tolerated well try another.
Anonymous
I wouldn't take them. Statins definitely have their place, but they can have side effects, and I don't think your case passes a cost-benefit test.

My cholesterol came in at over 400, so I didn't have the luxury of refusing statins. But you do. 100 on LDL is at the outer limit of normal and 178 total is comfortably below 200, the high end of normal. I would say I prefer to see if a few dietary changes will help and give that a few months before re-testing.

By the way, one of the best things you can do is substitute foods with soluble fiber for other foods you are eating. It is kind of a pain as grams of soluble fiber in foods are not readily available and you have to google them. I aim for at least 10 grams daily. There is truth to the old saying "An apple a day keeps the doctor away."

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/cholesterol/art-20045192#:~:text=Oatmeal%2C%20oat%20bran%20and%20high,Brussels%20sprouts%2C%20apples%20and%20pears.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Even though my cholesterol is normal in every way, except mildly elevated LDL (100), my doctor wants me on a statin because of family history. My overall number is 178. I’m afraid to take one. I’ve read that cholesterol is being wrongly vilified. I’ve also read that statins are a big pharma scam. Please share your knowledge. Would you take them?


Statins are all generic now. No companies are getting rich from statins but they do save a lot of lives!!!!
Anonymous
follow doctor's direction. i've been taking it 20+ years w/ no side effects
Anonymous
I sounded like you once too. I had a heart attack and now I fume at the anti-statin rhetoric. If your doctor wants you in a stain, take it.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I sounded like you once too. I had a heart attack and now I fume at the anti-statin rhetoric. If your doctor wants you in a stain, take it.

Agree. If more people at risk were placed on statins, we’d see many fewer hear attacks. So many studies have shown that they save lives.
Anonymous
You really don’t need a statin. My cholesterol and triglycerides were high and Dr prescribed Wegovy because of fear of statin side effects. It’s worked very well in just 3 months!
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:You really don’t need a statin. My cholesterol and triglycerides were high and Dr prescribed Wegovy because of fear of statin side effects. It’s worked very well in just 3 months!


That sounds like the nuttiest thing I’ve ever heard.
Anonymous
I really don’t understand the fear of them. They are extremely effective with very few side effects.
Anonymous
I went on low dose of statin at 46. I tried all the things to lower it. (LDL about 140). Didn’t work. I am not overweight and am female. I have no side effects at all in 5 years. My cholesterol is great now. I do have family history of heart disease so I didn’t want to fool around.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:follow doctor's direction. i've been taking it 20+ years w/ no side effects


This and heart tests that I have taken for other reasons have shown the statins are effective at preventing clogged arteries in my body.
Anonymous
NP. Just got my cholesterol results - LDL and triglycerides skyrocketed since my last doctor's visit 2 years ago. And I haven't changed my diet or my exercise routine. Going back to the doctor next week, so we'll see what she says. Total cholesterol is 278 - and I fasted for 12 hours before my appointment.

I don't have anything to add, just good luck to you, OP, and I'll check back in with this thread once I've seen my doctor for the follow-up.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I really don’t understand the fear of them. They are extremely effective with very few side effects.


Person with cholesterol of 400. I don't see why OP would start taking a daily medication, probably for life, as an initial step before seeing if a few dietary changes address her relatively minor issue, which is she just on the boundary of normal for LDL.
Anonymous
I was you but started taking them 3-4 months ago with no side effects and regret that I didn’t start sooner. If you have family history, why not do what you can to lower your risk further?

You could also check your Lp(a), which is genetic but if elevated you definitely want to lower your cholesterol as much as possible.
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