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Last post 5 years ago by SmokeMonkey. 16 replies replies.
Statins
Mrs. dpnewell Offline
#1 Posted:
Joined: 08-23-2014
Posts: 1,373
So I'm at my Doc's for a checkup. Everything is good. Doc says that since I'm a 61 year old white male who smokes cigars, I should be on statins. I ask him about my cholesterol. He says my numbers are good. So I ask him, if my cholesterol is good, why the statins? He says to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. Again I ask him, I do not have heart disease, my cholesterol is good and my blood pressure is low, so do I really need statins? He says that as long as I'm smoking cigars, he wants me on the statins. He prescribes me a low dose (20 mg) of Atorvastatin (generic of Lipitor).

I check the interwebs for side effects and they look nasty. I also read that statins destroy the body's supply of CoQ10, and you should be supplementing it when taking statins. Supposedly CoQ10 supplements prevent or lessen many of the side effects.

So, are there any old timers on here who are taking statins even though they don't have heart disease or high cholesterol? Have you experienced side effects? Are you supplementing with CoQ10? Thanks.

David
Burner02 Offline
#2 Posted:
Joined: 12-21-2010
Posts: 12,861
For what it is worth, I have been on Atorvastatin since 07/08 time frame with no side effects. Was taking CoQ10 along with fish oil and asked the cardiologist about the benefits of both and he told me I was wasting money if I was taking them for a cardiology upside. I stopped taking both a couple of years ago and there have been no apparent side effects from stopping both. Just my two cents worth.

And please let me know if you find any drugs with pleasant side effects. I have yet to find any.
Whistlebritches Offline
#3 Posted:
Joined: 04-23-2006
Posts: 22,127
Mrs. dpnewell wrote:
So I'm at my Doc's for a checkup. Everything is good. Doc says that since I'm a 61 year old white male who smokes cigars, I should be on statins. I ask him about my cholesterol. He says my numbers are good. So I ask him, if my cholesterol is good, why the statins? He says to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. Again I ask him, I do not have heart disease, my cholesterol is good and my blood pressure is low, so do I really need statins? He says that as long as I'm smoking cigars, he wants me on the statins. He prescribes me a low dose (20 mg) of Atorvastatin (generic of Lipitor).

I check the interwebs for side effects and they look nasty. I also read that statins destroy the body's supply of CoQ10, and you should be supplementing it when taking statins. Supposedly CoQ10 supplements prevent or lessen many of the side effects.

So, are there any old timers on here who are taking statins even though they don't have heart disease or high cholesterol? Have you experienced side effects? Are you supplementing with CoQ10? Thanks.

David


I find a new doctor.........**** that quack
Mr. Jones Offline
#4 Posted:
Joined: 06-12-2005
Posts: 19,359
One BAD side effect is muscle weakness...
You can get so tired and sore after 2-3 months on statins that you just collapse-faint- fall to the floor....you can die from a bad reaction of the type I just explained..

I've heard several doctors say they personally would never take brand or form statins ....never...
And they are PHD, MD, PHYSICIANS...

IT was big business in the 90's and 00's because of cash kickbacks, free dinners and free vacation junkets from drug salesmen...I think that stuff has been absent in the last 8 or so years....in its heyday the doctors perceived them like PEZ , then collected their CASH & FREE DINNERS & VACATIONS.

I'D TELL YOUR DOCTOR TO "POUND SAND" OR stick dem' statins up his starfish...

Don't buy into that total bull**** he's spoutin'....
Speyside Offline
#5 Posted:
Joined: 03-16-2015
Posts: 13,106
Dave, I took Atorvastatin for 3 years. I developed muscle weakness and joint pain from it. I switched to Pravastatin and have been on it 2 years and have had no problems. My doctor is adamant that I remain on a station due to my heart history.
KingoftheCove Offline
#6 Posted:
Joined: 10-08-2011
Posts: 7,600
So about 10 years ago my dad, then 78, goes in for his annual check up.
Doctor says your cholesterol is way too high, you need to go on ??.....some statin I can't remember.
Dad goes on statin.
Within a few months, he feels like chit......figures it's all part of getting old.
He keeps taking them for 2 years......never really felt all that good.

Then, he forgets to refill, and doesn't take any for 3 days. On the third day, he's feeling pretty good...........so he figures.....I'm gonna wait a few more days.
A week later he's feeling dang good.
He quit taking them.......he's now 88, and feels great
Ymmv

He (my dad) did some some research which apparently is showing that statins aren't that great for older folks.
He dropped that Doctor as well.
KingoftheCove Offline
#7 Posted:
Joined: 10-08-2011
Posts: 7,600
Oh, and yes DP, both my dad and I take CQ10.
danmdevries Offline
#8 Posted:
Joined: 02-11-2014
Posts: 17,124
I'm not sold on them.

However in the current state of medicine, certain things are mandated. Including a prescription for statins if patients meet certain criteria/risk factors.
rfenst Offline
#9 Posted:
Joined: 06-23-2007
Posts: 39,100
danmdevries wrote:
I'm not sold on them.

However in the current state of medicine, certain things are mandated. Including a prescription for statins if patients meet certain criteria/risk factors.


I have "pre-diabetes" and a family history of heart blockage. Both my endocrinologist and internist want me on a statin.
Burner02 Offline
#10 Posted:
Joined: 12-21-2010
Posts: 12,861
Speyside wrote:
I developed muscle weakness and joint pain from it.


To the best of my knowledge I never had increased joint pain or muscle weakness due to taking Atorvastatin. Or maybe I did/have and did not know it. Always thought my pain was related to bad knees and degenerative C-spine.

Well sh*t! Something else to worry about.
MACS Offline
#11 Posted:
Joined: 02-26-2004
Posts: 79,593
If you have no other indicators for taking the drug except for smoking cigars and your age... I would not take it. Continue your annual physicals, and if a need develops, then take it.

I'll be 49 pretty soon, and I refuse to take any medications until my body shows a need for them. My cholesterol at last check was overall 223, but fluctuates from 170 or so to 220 or so. My BP is normal, and my heart rate is, too.

That's my $.02
Mrs. dpnewell Offline
#12 Posted:
Joined: 08-23-2014
Posts: 1,373
I want to thank everyone for taking the time to reply. You've all given me much to think about. Even though my cholesterol and BP are good, and tests show that my heart is currently healthy, both of my parents died from heart disease. Neither had ever been prescribed statins, which makes me wonder if they may have lived longer if they had.

My one BIL (62) has been taking them for years with no problems. My other BIL (68) was having severe muscle pain and weakness. He went off the statins and the pain and weakness went away in a matter of days.

I've been double dosing the Ubiquinol form of CoQ10 in anticipation of starting them. If I do decide to try them, I'm stopping them at the first sign of any of the side effects.

David
SmokeMonkey Offline
#13 Posted:
Joined: 04-05-2015
Posts: 5,688
So, I’m particularly appreciative of this thread. Although I’m younger than some on the board, I’m on BP meds and a statin. Statin dose was upped in January to 20mg. About a month later I started having muscle pain in my left leg, was fatigued and suddenly needed a lot more sleep - like 2-3 hours per night more. Around the same time, work stress amped up and as I had never experienced drug side effects before, I assumed it was stress. After reading this thread, a lightbulb went off and I did some research online. Been off Lipitor for 48 hours, awoke early and more energized his morning and leg/hip pain almost gone. Time to talk to the doc....
Krazeehorse Offline
#14 Posted:
Joined: 04-09-2010
Posts: 1,958
I take 40 mg. of atorvastatin daily. I don't have side affects that I can attribute to that. I have CHF so I'm on some other stuff that makes me a little light headed sometimes.
Mr. Jones Offline
#15 Posted:
Joined: 06-12-2005
Posts: 19,359
#13 smokemonkey

Your welcome & You are very smart.

That's all I have to say.
SmokeMonkey Offline
#16 Posted:
Joined: 04-05-2015
Posts: 5,688
Mr. Jones wrote:
#13 smokemonkey

Your welcome & You are very smart.

That's all I have to say.


Hmm. If I were smart, I’d have put the pieces together 6 months ago. But I appreciate being well thought of 😀
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