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February 10, 2012

Viewer Comments: Cholesterol Lower Medications - Your Experience

Viewer Comments & Reviews

Cholesterol Lower Medications - Your Experience

The eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:

Please describe your experience with cholesterol lowering medications.

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Comment from: Woollywonder, 65-74 Female (Patient) Published: May 10

I started taking Simvastatin with Ezetrol a few months ago, having previously been on Lipitor. I am not sure whether my symptoms are due to side effects but I do recognize some similarities with other comments. For instance, whilst out walking my legs suddenly felt as though they didn't belong to me, and I feel as though I am made of cotton wool. I cannot concentrate and feel very apprehensive. My visit to the local walk-in centre suggested that I should visit my GP to have my back assessed. The GP was bewildered and I am waiting for him to determine what needs to be done. In the meanwhile I have made an appointment with a chiropractor to see if this could be the problem. I suffered the 'inner trembling' sensation some years ago when on another cholesterol lowering drug, the name of which I cannot remember. I have yet to ask the doctor if my symptoms could be drug related, but after reading some of these reviews, I think that I ought to.

Related Reading: Simvastatin

Comment from: Dayna, 35-44 Female (Patient) Published: March 24

I took Lipitor and had weakness and muscle cramping and then tried Niaspan and had terrible hot flashes and burning that I could not tolerate at all and had to stop. Presently looking for another solution.

Related Reading: hot flashes

Comment from: lorraine, 75 or over Female (Patient) Published: March 15

As a result of my cholesterol medications, I have muscle pain in my shoulders. I have read that some statins can cause muscle pain.

Related Reading: statins

Comment from: sheila, 65-74 Female (Patient) Published: January 25

I recently came off statins after years of use. I'm 69 years old, slim, and 5' 2” tall. I drink skim milk, and I've given up smoking. I eat very little cheese; I don't eat meat, and I eat oats and bran every day, winter or summer. My cholesterol count went up from 4.7 to 6+. The reason for my asking to come off was the fact I have osteoarthritis and have read that statins do not help if you have this. My late husband had a very low count and ate chips meat steak every day.

Related Reading: smoking | osteoarthritis

Published: September 10

I have tried all the medications with statins to lower my cholesterol....I absolutely cannot tolerate the statins in the medications...My cholesterol is 301 and I have had carotid artery surgery and a pace maker...needless to say I need to lower my cholesterol and when I take Welchol or Niaspan it doesn't help at all. I am thinking about homeopathic medicines to turn to, but I do not know what to do and my doctors just say I have to go on low doses of statin meds, but even at 10 mgs. Every other day makes me lethargic and achy...even to a point of affecting my thinking. I feel 200% better when I am not on any of the meds...but...I need to do something.

Comment from: texasagape, 75 or over Female (Patient) Published: January 26

I have taken several different medications and only the pravastin was tolerated. Other statins caused aches and fatigue, muscle weakness and anxiety. My memory was also affected. I now take niacin and omega-3 and also working to get more fruit and vegetables along with more exercise. If I had to live with all the side effects of the medication to lower my cholesterol and feel like hell I think it is safe to say I prefer a quality of life or a longer life.

Related Reading: fatigue | anxiety | niacin

Comment from: shari, 55-64 Female (Patient) Published: January 19

I tried pravastatin 10mg for 4 days and felt so bad that I thought I was going to have to go to the ER. I had shakes and trembling, light headedness, headache, fumble fingers, and constipation. I felt like a limp dishrag. The shaking and trembling were horrible. It was as if your body was reacting to "cold" and your insides were shaking to warm up....even though you were not cold. I stopped after 4 days and it is 2 1/2 days post medication and the effects are finally starting to wear off. I am still a little shaky and weak, but getting better. I NEVER want to take anything like this again. I was fine the day before this medication...and now am getting back to before. The effects started the very first day of the medication. I kept thinking it would pass. It only got worse with each day. Be very careful trying these statins and be aware of anything unusual, especially if you were fine right before starting it.

Related Reading: pravastatin | headache | constipation

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