Statin Risk

[Warph]

[Warph]

Statins: Summary of Recommendations

http://www.consumerreports.org/health/best-buy-drugs/statins.htm

The cholesterol-lowering medicines known as statins lower the chances of a heart attack and death in people who have an elevated risk of developing heart disease or who already have heart disease.

There are seven statins, but they're not all the same. Some deliver a greater reduction in cholesterol than others. In addition, some statins are backed by stronger evidence that they reduce the risk of a heart attack or death from heart disease or a stroke.
http://www.consumerreports.org/health/resources/pdf/best-buy-drugs/ChoosingStatin.pdf

[larryJ]

Over the years I have been prescribed several different statin drugs for cholesterol.  At first, the doctor tried one and it didn't seem to help and tried another with the same results and then a third which had no effect.  His conclusion was that I couldn't benefit from statins and that it was a "heredity" thing.  Then my insurance changed and so did my doctor.  The new one tried other statins and none of those were effective.  The last one caused severe cramping in my legs and he and I decided just to stop with the statins.  Then my insurance changed again when I retired and my next (and current) doctor decided that I could do just as well with a daily dose of non-flush Niacin and Zetia which is a non-statin drug used to treat cholesterol.  My cholesterol is actually better with this combination.  So statins are not for everyone.  Increased exercise is the most helpful along with a good diet.  Actually, I believe that since I found out I had celiac disease and had to change to a gluten free diet, that has had a bigger effect on my cholesterol. 

Larryj

[Patriot]

... non-flush Niacin and Zetia which is a non-statin drug used to treat cholesterol.  My cholesterol is actually better with this combination.  So statins are not for everyone...

I was given the same advice by a former PA at the clinic in Howard.  Having been married to someone who worked for Galichia in Wichita many years ago, and seeing the 'machine' that is Big Pharma' first hand (expensive catered lunches for the entire staff, ski trips & vacation getaways for the docs, kickbacks, etc.) I'm beginning to think high health insurance rates are the least of our problems.  More than once I've received better advice from a 'lowly' Physician's Assistant than from the Doc.  One even recommended a couple of beers to flush a stubborn kidnew stone.  Sound silly?  It worked... in less than 8 hours.

Caveat Emptor - Let the buyer beware.

[srkruzich]

I take crestor being that it has been teh only thing to control my triglycerides that went askew.  try having 3000 on the trig level and start having pancreatic attacks.  Makes the pain caused by crestor tolerable.

[Warph]

Larry... you might be on to something with your Niacin flush thing-a-ma-jiggy:

"Cholesterol Management 101" with Michael Richman, MD, FACS

http://blogs.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/2008/10/niacin.html

[srkruzich]

niacin does work, but even the non flush causes the burning sensation in me.  I take it and i'll sweat like i'm running a marathon in 65 deg weather

[larryJ]

niacin does work, but even the non flush causes the burning sensation in me.  I take it and i'll sweat like i'm running a marathon in 65 deg weather

Steve, that's interesting.  I didn't like the flushing and itching with the regular niacin and then discovered non-flush and I have no problems with that.  Same old story, everyone reacts to pills differently.

Larryj

[srkruzich]

Steve, that's interesting.  I didn't like the flushing and itching with the regular niacin and then discovered non-flush and I have no problems with that.  Same old story, everyone reacts to pills differently.

Larryj

thats one fact that a lot of folks don't realize.  Dexidrine is one med i am supposed to take but it doesn't stimulate me it tranquilizes me or settles me.  It allows me to focus. 
Niacin in any form flush's me. The anti flush formula is mixed with asperine to supposedly stop the flushing. doesn't work on me.
I can take loritab like candy but it doesn't put me to sleep. It somewhat controls pain.  oxycontin or percocets don't knock me out either, they just kill pain and if i take 2 or 3 7.5's or 2 10's they will knock me down.
Quite frankly i get more pain relief from a tincture made out of cannabis.  IT has far more pain relieving effect than the oxy's.