Anybody here w/ hi cholestrol and taking Niacin?

[JoeM]

Bill, my advice after being on statins for around 20 yrs and what most docs say to do is to try diet and exercise first before meds, say for 3 months with another test following. That being said, a lot has to do with age, weight, lifestyle and family history.

Your number can vary by 20% +/- from one test to the next, even if you had 2 tests in the same day that's possible. That's why you need to be monitored over time and a history needs to be developed.

Supposedly, the kind of muscle pain you'll feel, if it comes from the drug is VERY pronounced but again, everyone is different. I have had a lot of pain over the years but considering I fought and trained for 10 years, had a pretty nasty car accident and quite a few dings I couldn't say pain is due to the drug. You don't say your number but if you are 230+ you need to really do something. Also you need to check the HDL and LDL levels.

I would speak more with your doc. Lipitor has been pretty ssafe for most.