[Kitty]

My doctor's office called today with the results of my blood work from last week.

Everything seems within normal range except cholesterol. Apparently the bad cholesterol is higher than what is considered normal.

The nurse said the doctor wants to discuss "treatment options" with me so I need to make another appt. I know he's going to want to put me on a statin medication.

I've been doing a little Internet research on these meds since I have heard some pretty scary stories about them.

Their side effects seem horrendous. Why can't I take something like Red Yeast Rice supplement? At least to see if it helps.

I just don't want to get talked into something I really don't want to do. I know nobody can make me take it. I just don't need another set of issues to go along with the MS issues I already have. I know his argument will be "well, a stroke or heart attack is a pretty big issue" and my Dad had heart problems.

Has anyone had a positive experience with statin drugs?

What to do....what to do......

[SallyC]

Kelly, my cholesterol was high one year at my physical checkin and I started using Benechol margarine and never had another high reading. That was 4 years ago.

There are natural products that can keep your bad cholesterol in check. I'd stay away from statins unless necessary.

[Jules A]

Everyone is difference of course but like with any medication there isn't a guarantee you will suffer horrible negative issues. Many, many people take statins. If I understand it correctly there are suspected neuroprotective elements to the statins which might actually make them a good choice for someone with MS. They were doing studies on statins with MS, PD, AD and stroke. I'd ask your physician if any of those panned out.

You made a pretty compelling argument when you wrote what your physician might say: heart attack and stroke are pretty good reasons to try something. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[Blessings2You]

My cholesterol was high a year or so ago, and my PCP agreed with me when I said I'd like to TRY to lower it with diet/exercise before getting on more meds. Six months later is was down some, and now it is within normal range. I still have to work on it, but he doesn't think I need to start meds for it.

Everybody's different--I have a friend that eats right, exercises, etc., but can't keep her bp down without meds.

[mrsD]

Basically statins are problematic. Especially for MSers, because recently a study revealed that they prevent remyelination in the CNS. You cannot afford that. There are other reasons to not use statins, but for MSers the neuro damage is paramount to losing your memory and/or developing blood sugar increases, having peripheral neuropathy, and/or muscle damage.

I just found this collection of negative statin papers for another poster:

http://www.greenmedinfo.com/toxic-in...drugs?ed=35335

And this is the MS info:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...ghlight=statin

And here is my thread..it is only one of many:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/post665830-5.html

I predict statins will fall into disuse soon, as the last two patents are expiring. No new ones coming along either...as Big Pharma has burned out on them.
These drugs have not proven useful for women, or the elderly. (the major studies only included men)
Dr. Beatrice Golomb MD has studied the toxicity on elderly patients quite a bit. If you Google her name you will find alot.

This short video rather succinctly states the "truth" about cholesterol and cardiovascular issues: It is a good place to start looking for answers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8SSCNaaDcE
Read some of the comments...to this video...they expand on the
topic.

The "normal" for cholesterol treatment was determined by the drug companies who push statins. Need I say more?

[barb02]

I have been taking simvastatin (zocor) for years without any side effects. My mother, on the ther hand, has never been able to tolerate any of the statins (muscle aches and pain). As Jules stated, there are studies that suggest potential benefits for those with MS. I have also read the study that mrs D referred to. I guess you have to weigh the pros v. the cons. My doctor did cut my dosage from 20 mg last spring to 10 mg because she said my cholesterol did not need to be as low as it was (145). I just has blood work last Friday so it will be interesting to see how I am doing on the lower dosage. I remember when we had a discussion about statins on here a few years ago. After discussing the research with both my neuro and pcp, I decided to keep taking them since there is a history of heart disease on both sides of my family.

[Jules A]

Originally Posted by Blessings2You

Everybody's different--I have a friend that eats right, exercises, etc., but can't keep her bp down without meds.

It has been my experience in cases like this there is likely a familial or possibly racial component. I also have a friend who has always been slender, works out at the gym, eats healthy and she has always had high cholesterol and now that we are older also has HTN.

[mrsD]

as per our email, Kitty, here is the Canadian Women's study links.

I have the PDF here first:

http://www.whp-apsf.ca/pdf/statinsEvidenceCaution.pdf

and a separate abbreviated press release that is a bit easier
to read:

http://www.cwhn.ca/en/node/39417

For what it is worth, the FDA here in US has been petitioned more than once to put statins OTC... and it has denied it every time. However in UK, there is an OTC statin available without RX.

Red Yeast Rice is also a statin... lovastatin
more here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_yeast_rice

[Kitty]

Thank you, mrsD, for all the literature. It's very eye-opening. I appreciate you taking the time to post it again.

My numbers aren't anywhere near high enough for me to consider taking anything. Diet will have to do for now.

I find it difficult to fully trust what my doctors tell me anymore. Since my dx with MS I've learned the hard way that we have got to be our own advocate when it comes to our health.

[mrsD]

If you go the diet route... sugar and fructose are the big players.

Not eggs, or other cholesterol containing foods. Keeping saturated fats in a mild to moderate amount is also recommended.

But it is sugar and the metabolism of fructose (sugar is 1/2 fructose), that raises LDLs.

You can raise your HDLs with salmon, fish oil, or krill oil.
A little bit of wine here and there will also raise HDLs. But be advised that the HDL business is now in question with new research. It may all be for nothing!

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_1...tudy-suggests/

The blockbuster drug from Pfizer that raised HDLs caused death in trials, and was dropped.