Statin Meds: anything I should know?

[DP]

>1. If you're taking statins, taking supplemental CoQ10.

Why? Never have heard that.

[NewtonMP2100]

.....fair to say that you need this info STAT.....????

[Jimmypoo]

mjgkramer wrote:

FIRST OF ALL — STOP INJECTING PORK RINDS! Chew them if you must have the disgusting things around!

Second - always remember that if satins and you don’t mix well, your wife could probably sew themselves
something nice with them. If you have a 90 day supply, perhaps some nice satin pillow cases.

[GGD]

Jimmypoo wrote:
[quote=mjgkramer]

FIRST OF ALL — STOP INJECTING PORK RINDS! Chew them if you must have the disgusting things around!

Second - always remember that if satins and you don’t mix well, your wife could probably sew themselves
something nice with them. If you have a 90 day supply, perhaps some nice satin pillow cases.
Looked a bit like Lobster to me.

[mrbigstuff]

recent test was this week and it was *higher* than 3 months ago, despite changing my diet (already was pretty good) and getting more exercise (although not nearly what I used to get). looking historically at my numbers, even when I was 25lbs lighter and at my fighting weight and in great physical shape, I still had a rather high overall number, however I believe my LDL/HDL numbers were better. so, that is what I will be aiming for: improving my physical regimen to get the LDL/HDL numbers back and let the overall number just be. and, at that point, I'll reevaluate with my doc. I don't really want to go on statins at all.

[guitarist]

I KNEW there was a reason I don't drink grapefruit juice! I avoid it, but forgot why. I'm glad to be reminded. Statins!

2. Doctors way overprescribe statins, IMHO. And the relationship between cholesterol and cardiac disease is problematic, at best.

You personally feel that Doctors overprescribe statins? I'd be curious how you came to this conclusion.

Re: the cardiologist that "wants to put it in the drinking water", I'd be curious to know about that comment, too! That was funny. I sort of understand. I suspect he's reading the ongoing studies coming out, statins have a good profile. They offer virtually no risks (compared to a lot of medications routinely prescribed) and no side effects, for the majority of users, while being both good treatment and good preventative care. It's not a wonder drug, but it's surprisingly benign stuff. And beneficial, even for those who aren't cardiovascular patients. Statins' reputation is already good, but improving from good reports and studies, revealing more benefits than previously known.

I've been on them for several years. Though, a fairly small dose. (I have slightly elevated cholesterol, and have had vascular surgery, on my leg, in 2007, I'm in a category where being proactive about vascular fitness and health is a priority) and I have not personally experienced any side effects.

I also take CoQ10. Though, no doctor has recommended it, in my experience. I mentioned it to my doc and he's not familiar with it. So, not unlike vitamins, it's not necessarily something physicians are a convinced about as consumers and vitamin sellers. I'd heard from other people who take statins (though, larger doses) that it's a good thing to take in association with statins, as a supplement. I take other vitamins anyway, so I added CoQ10, as well.

In other words, when I get my annual blood tests, my lab results never came back with a marker indicating CoQ10 levels are an issue. Imagine a Dr. saying "looks like your body's natural CoQ10 levels are low, we recommend supplements". (Who exactly is telling us we need CoQ10? I'm just curious) Are other people that take statins getting actual evidence from lab tests that they're low? And need oral doses? Maybe patients who take high doses of statins?

Even if it is just a product satisfying a fabricated need, it's not harmful, so why not. The kind of CoQ10 I take also have a B complex in them, so it's an easy way to get some steady B vitamins as well.

[GeneL]

Can't take statins, so I was given a medication called Zetia.

I've been taking it for a long time with no noticeable side effects and it seems to be doing a good job, so far.

[GGD]

GeneL wrote:
Can't take statins, so I was given a medication called Zetia.

I've been taking it for a long time with no noticeable side effects and it seems to be doing a good job, so far.

I'm surprised that Zetia is still on the market, I was on it just briefly until the results of the studies were released. It seems that it's very good at improving the test scores, but not good at improving ones health.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ezetimibe

Even though ezetimibe decreases cholesterol levels, the results of two major, high-quality clinical trials (in 2008 and 2009) showed that it did not improve clinically significant outcomes, such as major coronary events, and actually made some outcomes, such as artery wall thickness, worse.

[GeneL]

I'll have to check that out with my doctor and my pharmacist, GGD.

Thanks for the mention.

[AllGold]

I'm not sure what's going on with my cholesterol levels. My most recent test I had really good (low) levels of LDL but not high enough HDL. But in the previous test it was just the opposite.

I should probably be more concerned about this stuff since my dad died of a heart attack at age 49 and I am currently 49. On the other hand, while I have his genes, I have always taken better care of myself than he did. The biggest difference is I have never smoked and other than a couple brief attempts to quit, he was a smoker his entire adult life, including when he died.