Cholesterol Drugs

**Louie and me** · 03-13-2011, 08:00 AM

Has anyone ever taken Crestor or know anyone who has?
My doctor wants me to take it as a precautionary measure. I have slightly elevated cholesterol, slightly elevated blood pressure and (don't shoot me) I'm a smoker. He believes that with those risk factors including my age it would be wise to lower my cholesterol even though my "good" cholesterol is very high. I hate taking drugs of any sort so would appreciate any feedback from other takers of Crestor.

**mrspunkysmom** · 03-13-2011, 08:06 AM

I refuse to take any more meds. So I'm on an exercise regimen, building into it. however, I've noticed that walking is an excellent way to reduce bad cholesterol, raise good cholesterol, and lower blood pressure.

Eat a few more raw or fresh cooked veggies, not canned or frozen.

Drink plenty of water. This is from experience, too.

**Marigold2** · 03-13-2011, 08:12 AM

Personally you can take or leave the drugs. The smoking will kill you. Does that sound harsh, I don't mean it too? I just want to be honest with you and maybe make you realize that the smoking will take 20 years off of your life. It you have 20 years to give that is ok. Personally I would much prefer die at 90 then 70.

**pomtzu** · 03-13-2011, 08:21 AM

If it ain't broke - don't fix it. I'm a firm believer of this.

I won't lecture on the smoking issue.

But if the cholesterol is only slightly elevated, I'd stay away from the cholesterol meds. Make changes in your diet, and take Omega 3 fish oil capsules. This is what my doctor advised me to do, and it brought my slightly elevated levels down.

**moosmom** · 03-13-2011, 08:43 AM

I've tried a number of cholesterol drugs. After the 4th try with a different med, every one of them caused the same side effects. So, I stopped them.

I cannot take any statins whatsoever.

**Freedom** · 03-13-2011, 08:47 AM

I tried for a year to lower my cholesterol with diet and exercise. I was at the Y at last 4 days per week, eating oatmeal, fruits and vegs. The numbers didn't budge.

I've been on Lipitor for over 10 years now, and my numbers are great!

I have a family history of high cholesterol and heart disease, so it was clear my issues are genetic and not to do w/ diet or lifestyle.

My doc will only order Lipitor. All the studies have been done w/ Lipitor. The other cholesterol lowering drugs don't have the same level of testing and studies behind them, nor the years of use. PLUS the company now has special cards, I only have a $12 copay for it! Crestor and the rest don't offer this either.

**Louie and me** · 03-13-2011, 09:08 AM

Thanks for all your imput (including the smoking lectures - I know, I know). Here's what caused me to think. My doctor is probably in his late 40s or early 50s. I noticed that he had trouble remembering words and then after he left to check for some samples for me came back into the room and had forgotten why he went out! He had told me earlier he was taking Crestor. When I was reading up on the drug after I got home I read feedback chat lines that mentioned memory loss as being a side effect! My husband has serious heart disease and is taking Lipitor. He doesn't seem to have a problem with side effects.
I walk a couple of miles every day, eat a balanced diet, take only Vitamin A and D and the odd Advil for arthritic pain, aced my bone density test and mammogram. I'm really reluctant to take Crestor.

**pomtzu** · 03-13-2011, 09:58 AM

Originally Posted by Louie and me

Thanks for all your imput (including the smoking lectures - I know, I know). Here's what caused me to think. My doctor is probably in his late 40s or early 50s. I noticed that he had trouble remembering words and then after he left to check for some samples for me came back into the room and had forgotten why he went out! He had told me earlier he was taking Crestor. When I was reading up on the drug after I got home I read feedback chat lines that mentioned memory loss as being a side effect!

Yikes - I certainly wouldn't have a warm and fuzzy feeling about going to your doctor!!! What you said is actually kind of scary.

Seriously - try the Omega 3 fish oil capsules for a month or so - one after each meal. They have "burpless" ones if the regular ones make you burp a fishy taste. Then have your cholesterol checked again. If you aren't that high to start with, then I'll bet it brings it down.

Good luck!

**Freedom** · 03-13-2011, 10:00 AM

Do him a favor and tell him this.

Do yourself a favor and get a new doctor.

**Randi** · 03-13-2011, 10:32 AM

Years ago, my Cholesterol level were slightly to high, but I know why. I was working for a company who had a mile long lunch buffet and a really good chef. On top of that, customers sent us one box of chocolade after the other (Christmas was coming up).

Well, I didn't have to take any medicine, but I did start to walk more and eat more healthy. Now I take Omega-3 capsules or bottled fish-oil every day.

My doctor told me this: Avocados are good for you, but stay away from shrimps!

**momoffuzzyfaces** · 03-13-2011, 01:19 PM

Yea, my doctor has been trying to shove cholesterol drugs at me for a couple of years now. My cholesterol is only right at the concern mark. I keep telling him forget it.

Olive oil is good to help reduce cholesterol. I like veggies stir fried in a bit of olive oil. And the Omega 3 is great too. I use Smart Balance instead of oleo and they also have a peanut butter that I use too. Both have Omega 3 added. And don't forget good old oatmeal!!!

**lizbud** · 03-13-2011, 05:40 PM

I never took Crestor, buy my DR prescribed Simvastatin for me to take
for high LDL numbers. I hate taking any pills and once you start taking
something, it seems you are never taken off it. No side effects that I can
tell so far.

**jennielynn1970** · 03-13-2011, 06:02 PM

I take Caduet, which is for blood pressure and high cholesterol. I've had some varying success with it. My blood pressure is great, although my doctor still wants my cholesterol to come down more. Hope that this happens without needing a higher dosage.

Wishing you luck.

PS>.. I take fish oil too, so that might help you as well.

**Grace** · 03-13-2011, 06:22 PM

I'm a Type 2 Diabetic so I need all the help I can get to keep my cholesterol numbers in the correct range. Like Sandie I tried to do without, but it just didn't work enough to make my Endocrinologist happy. I'm on Lipitor. Come November the patent runs out for Pfizer, and generic Lipitor will become available - so the cost will decrease.

I also take Lisinopril for hypertension - although I have been able to lower the dose of that this past year.

**K9karen** · 03-13-2011, 10:57 PM

I take the lowest possible dose of Zocor and have not had any side effects. My cholesterol was 210 and the doc decided that was too high. After 6 months on Zorcor, it's 170. It's odd because I'm slim, short, watch what I eat, due to stomach ulcers. My parents were fine, but I think it ran in my mom's side of the family. My brother, who eats everything and anything has low cholesterol. Go figuer.