Dropping the statins
08-09-17, 07:09 PM
#26
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As I mentioned earlier. When I had muscle pain, I stopped and eventually was talked into trying a different statin and eventually found one that didn't cause side effects. My doctor was smart in that he started with 5mg. Such a small dose was a good way to test out the statin and see how I tolerated it. For him it was more about a start and then gradually go from there.
John
John
08-10-17, 06:05 AM
#27
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Mostly, Yes.
I am mainly a weekend warrior for cycling, but I was getting the leg cramps all throughout the week. I just thought it was part of the Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness, that I also get.
But my doctor said no. He told me he is also on Simvastatin and was getting the cramps also, but he does not ride. He said after starting the every other day routine, his cramps ceased. Mine have too during the later part of the week. I still get some rarely on like Sunday evenings or Mondays. By the way the good doctor and I are on the 20mg version of Simvastatin. Also, my cholesterol has been under control for a couple years now.
I am mainly a weekend warrior for cycling, but I was getting the leg cramps all throughout the week. I just thought it was part of the Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness, that I also get.
But my doctor said no. He told me he is also on Simvastatin and was getting the cramps also, but he does not ride. He said after starting the every other day routine, his cramps ceased. Mine have too during the later part of the week. I still get some rarely on like Sunday evenings or Mondays. By the way the good doctor and I are on the 20mg version of Simvastatin. Also, my cholesterol has been under control for a couple years now.
08-10-17, 06:15 AM
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I've been taking Red Yeast Rice supplements and my numbers have come down with no perceived side effects. I've always had muscle cramps, but they haven't increased.
08-10-17, 09:58 AM
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Even if you don't have noticeable side effects, yous should still consider taking a CoQ10 supplements with your statins to replenish low levels. Red yeast rice acts on the same pathway as statins and can also lower CoQ10 levels.
08-10-17, 12:44 PM
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I dunno. You could look at those figures differently too. From one of the quoted articles:
https://Statin Continuation After Adv... of Physicians
In other words, you've increased your chance of having another heart attack in the next 4 years by about 1.7% by not taking stains. While the study touts that as a 12% increase in risk, there are other ways to die too.
Like from diabetic complications for example. And statins can increase your chances of developing diabetes:
So it's hard to know what to do.
After a CT angiogram, my doc told me statins were "optional" but a good idea if I wanted to keep riding into my 80s. I decided to try them. I got weird muscle aches I've never had before, and joint pain went from minor occasional pain to frequent moderate pain. To the extent that would stop me from getting exercise and enjoying life, I jettisoned the statins.
The symptoms disappeared.
Lifestlyle changes aren't going to make any difference. I'm already 3 sigma with exercise, and my diet is very low in bad fats. I've taken to drinking more wine (twist my arm) and nuts like cashews and almonds (supposedly higher in natural statins). I already eat 1/2 cup of oatmeal a day.
I'll go back to the doc and see what he says about taking different statins or CoQ10, do my research and decide what is next.
https://Statin Continuation After Adv... of Physicians
In other words, you've increased your chance of having another heart attack in the next 4 years by about 1.7% by not taking stains. While the study touts that as a 12% increase in risk, there are other ways to die too.
Like from diabetic complications for example. And statins can increase your chances of developing diabetes:
So it's hard to know what to do.
After a CT angiogram, my doc told me statins were "optional" but a good idea if I wanted to keep riding into my 80s. I decided to try them. I got weird muscle aches I've never had before, and joint pain went from minor occasional pain to frequent moderate pain. To the extent that would stop me from getting exercise and enjoying life, I jettisoned the statins.
The symptoms disappeared.
Lifestlyle changes aren't going to make any difference. I'm already 3 sigma with exercise, and my diet is very low in bad fats. I've taken to drinking more wine (twist my arm) and nuts like cashews and almonds (supposedly higher in natural statins). I already eat 1/2 cup of oatmeal a day.
I'll go back to the doc and see what he says about taking different statins or CoQ10, do my research and decide what is next.
08-12-17, 06:18 AM
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I have been on Lipitor for 18 years with no side effects at all. Since I have type II diabetes my doctor want my C number below 150. My blood tests come back with a number around 125.
08-14-17, 11:31 AM
#33
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I saw my primary physician today - although encouraged by the recent drop in cholesterol numbers, he believes the drug works in symbiosis with exercise and diet, and advised not going off statins completely. The recommended minimum dose of Pravastatin is 20 mg/day and there aren't any scientific studies to support lower dosages.
So I'll continue taking them, working out, and endeavor to eat more thoughtfully.
So I'll continue taking them, working out, and endeavor to eat more thoughtfully.
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08-14-17, 04:01 PM
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I saw my primary physician today - although encouraged by the recent drop in cholesterol numbers, he believes the drug works in symbiosis with exercise and diet, and advised not going off statins completely. The recommended minimum dose of Pravastatin is 20 mg/day and there aren't any scientific studies to support lower dosages.
So I'll continue taking them, working out, and endeavor to eat more thoughtfully.
So I'll continue taking them, working out, and endeavor to eat more thoughtfully.
You can always cut them in half and see how it goes. When my doctor wanted me to go from 10mg to 20mg I just cut the 20mg in half until I was ready to make the jump. My monthly perscription lasted 2 months, so now I have over a half a dozen bottles stored up. I eventually made the jump to 20mg.
As I said, it is not sound advice, but it is what I did.
John
09-06-17, 01:28 PM
#35
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Stop eating sugars and grains. Stop eating fat free, Increase fats, eat reasonable amount of protein and vegetables. Stop eating estrogen containing soy products. Ride your bike and enjoy life. Things should fall back into alignment.
09-07-17, 08:46 AM
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Excellent and informative discussion. Recently went on 10mg Pravastatin after recording 238 on my cholesterol reading. Went for a 40 miler a couple of days ago and cramped up big time at the end. Chalked it up to usual hot and humid Florida weather, but maybe the station was a factor. Time to add some CoQ10.
09-07-17, 02:32 PM
#37
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There is only anecdotal evidence that it works. Still, I'd give it a try. However, if you've gotten serious cramps in the same weather before, prepare to be disappointed.
I seem to have banished cramps with more hydration during and after rides, and with a higher salt intake (mmmm.....dill pickles!).
I seem to have banished cramps with more hydration during and after rides, and with a higher salt intake (mmmm.....dill pickles!).
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This post is a natural product. Slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and are in no way to be considered flaws or defects.
This post is a natural product. Slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and are in no way to be considered flaws or defects.
09-08-17, 10:42 AM
#38
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My immediate cure for cramps is ionic magnesium 3ml in a glass of milk. Will knock out extreme groin cramps or hamstring cramps within a minute of taking it. It is a liquid form, not a magnesium capsule. you will need the ionic form of Magnesium. I get it on Amazon and it has solved alll my cramping issues. After riding for extended periods 40 to 50 miles I would get excrusiatingcramps in my groins at night. It was truly debilitating.
https://www.amazon.com/Good-State-Ma.../dp/B005PFK3YS
https://www.amazon.com/Good-State-Ma.../dp/B005PFK3YS
09-08-17, 11:24 AM
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As I mentioned before I have been on Lipitor 18 years with no side effects at all. How ever my wife cannot take statins, because it screws up her liver panel. Everyone seems to have different effect to different meds.
09-11-17, 06:19 PM
#40
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After going through a half-dozen brands of statin and not finding one I could tolerate, I dug my heels in and told my doc "No Mas!" He referred me to a cardiologist, who, although he could find nothing wrong with me other than my blood numbers, convinced me to try ONE MORE. I think it was Crestor. A few days after starting, I developed open blisters on the bottoms of my feet. So I immediately quit. After allowing several weeks for the blisters to heal, I tried again. The next morning, I had large open blisters on both feet. The cardio wanted me to come in for another try, but I told him he obviously didn't understand what ONE MORE meant.
I have since fired both docs.
I have since fired both docs.
09-11-17, 07:57 PM
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My cholesterol has always been high, like 240 to 260 but with high good cholesterol. A few years ago, I started simvistatin. Got my total cholesterol down to 180. However, gradually I noticed a decline is my cycling endurance. To the point where I couldn't ride 2.6 miles around the local pond, from 50 milers on the road and 3000 foot MTB climbs. Went back to doc, had some labs and my ck levels were a thousand times higher than normal. I was in full rhabto. Took a few months but got back to normal without statins. Fast forward to a year ago, found out I was sensitive to milk protein. So off all dairy, and only have one serving of red meat a month. Cholesterol is still over 200, but way better than it was.
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