BaadDawg

My family doctor says he has seen far more frequent side effects from niacin than with statins. The current thinking is that if you tolerate statins well (i.e. no muscle pain and normal liver function blood tests) that statins are the gold standard as far as drug therapy for lowering cholesterol goes. As far I as I know niacin is used to boost HDL, I do not know if it lowers LDL.

ravnhaus

When I first start using it the effects were more intense. My skin felt like sunburn feels on the third day, sort of tight and tingly. They lasted about 20 min at first and then less as time went on. After a couple of weeks I hardly noticed them at all. I still get a little flush every now and then, but I am used to it and it is really no bother. I think a lot of people get put off by that and they don't stay with it long enough.
I take one dose right before bed, so I never notice that one. The other I take right after lunch on a full stomach.
It may not be for everyone but it sure is working for me. Flushing is the only side effect I have ever had. After reading all the dangers and side effects of statins and comparing them with niacin it was an easy decision for me.
We are the test generation for the statins. Who knows what the future will show about these drugs. I hope to avoid them if possible, however I definitely do not want a stroke. If I feel I need them I will use them.
So far good eating, exercise, and niacin seem to be doing the job. I do also take Omega 3 fish oil pills, which may also contribute.

ravnhaus

I ask my doc that question and he assured me it did. He told me that he is getting away from statins if at all possible and trying niacin as an alternative due to the possible side effects of statins.
But on a side note he does sells niacin and vitamin packs from his office... hmmm...
I do purchase mine from other sources (cheaper!)

denisegoldberg

I'm 52, and I've been on Lipitor for quite a few years - at least 5, probably more. I put a lot of miles on my bicycles, and I've had no muscle weakness at all. If you're on a statin drug and experiencing problems like this, I'd recommend that you ask your doctor to switch you to a different drug.

Wheel Doctor

After I turned fifty I started getting a physical once a year and checkup 6mos later. My Interist was suprised to see that my cholesterol was at unacceptable levels considering that he knows what my riding routine is. So on lipitor I went and I paid more attention to my diet. In 6mos. I was at the desired levels. I then went off Lipitor 6 mos. later, as I hate to take any medication and even with diet and exercise it went to **** again...so back on it I went. I have not had any muscle or liver issues. I get it checked every 6 mos. I seem to be one of the types that has a genetic pre-disposition to high bad/low good.

As was stated before...If you have abnormal muscle pain or weakness while on any statin, discontinue and see your MD ASAP.

Jude

geebee

"We (or at least I) need to ask why so many doctors and pharma companies are pushing statins, etc. so hard. Many members of the past few generations lived well into their 90s without these medications."

A lot more died from heart attacks, strokes and cancer. The most common cause of death currently in America is heart failure thus the pushing of these drugs, the average life expectancy continues to climb not decline.
Some people myself included generate more cholesterol than the body needs even with zero dietary cholesterol (you should try eating without any cholesterol at all).
Yes some people abuse the drugs by not changing life style etc.
But to many this is the only hope of extending their lives.
A slightly touchy subject for me as I had a heart attack and Quad bypass before I reached 40 despite a good diet, active lifestyle (I was kayak surfing just before the heart attack) and I pumped iron for years before this happened.
Lipitor might help buy me a decade which in view of the damage to my arteries is probaly close to miraculous.

jppe

I've been on statins for probably 10 years. My total cholestrol has always been borderline high-240 with an all time high of 280. 20 years ago I dieted hard and exercised regularly and dropped all the way from 240 to 228, whooped de doo.....Genetics, Genetics, Genetics.......3 years ago I started cycling and lost 50 pounds-heart rate dropped-blood pressure droped. My cholestrol dropped a little but still hovered around 240. Genetics, Genetics, Genetics. We doubled the dosage of lovastatin a couple years ago and now my cholestrol is 150-170. I had it checked last week and it was 162. I don't like taking the statins but have not had any side effects at this point except for lower cholestrol levels.

acemtbiker

Excersise, diet, 1000mg ANTI-FLUSH NIACIN, 1 tablespoon meta-mucil has lower my hereditary cholesterol from 280 to 230, LDL from 173 to 140 and LIPOPROTEIN from 45.3 to 35.6 in 2 yrs...

STATINS? WE DON'T NEED NO STINKIN' STATINS!!!

fordsd

An article in a Doctor's office magazine (perhaps Prevention) stated that taking the supplement 7Keto ( a derivative of DHEA) has been shown to raise HDL's. I am on my first bottle and cannot confirm this but will let you know my results.

pedalpast60

I've read a lot on Policosanol, a supplement. In tests it lowers cholesterol as much as statins with no side effects. I haven't started it yet as I'm still studying it. One-a=Day vitamins recently added it to their vitamins.

ohiorider

C'mon Guys! There seems to be WAY too many of you worrying about your "high" cholesterol. Cholesterol is NOT the villain it is portrayed by the "experts". Sorry but I've become a skeptic and am continuing my "education" in the "rest of the story" (as Paul Harvey would say).

Here's an excellent article about beef but it transforms quickly into the topic of cholesterol. Enjoy!

https://www.westonaprice.org/mythstruths/mtbeef.html

michaelwlf3

Yeah, I spent the afternoon in the emergency room one Sunday getting IV Benadryl. Isn't that special?

Geo_NJ

I just started on 500 mg niaspan at night and no real problems at all. Take a small childrens aspirin about an hour before sleep. If I am getting any flushes its not really significant so far.

Geo

smoore

After having substantial muscle pains with Lipitor and Zocor I took a two month break. I've just finished two weeks of Crestor with the same results. The dosage was only 5mg compared with 20mg for the first two drugs. I was OK for the first few days but then the pain started to build slowly. It never got quite as bad as the Lipitor and Zocor but it was like having the flu most of the time and also included headaches...which I didn't have with the first two drugs.

My overall is 264, HDL is 36 and LDL is 185. Overall those ratios are BAD and it's genetic. I'm 56, 5'5", 130 lbs and workout regularly.

I'm bummed. I'm looking at Oat Bran and Niacin but that's a difficult lifestlyle to live, I think.

I don't think there are too many more drug options left...guess I need to start looking at alternative options. But with that it seems most of what you get a lot of anectodotal stuff with some
well meaning loonies throw in.

Guess I'll go ride. If I'm going to die of a heart attack out on the road is as good a place as any.

pedalpast60

Have you tried a supplement called Policosanol? From what I've read, it lowers your cholesterol as much as a statin with no side effects. I've not started it yet because I'm trying to learn more. It also has a blood thinning effect, similar to 100 mg of asprin. You might look into it. BTW, if you get it, get the kind made of sugar cane and not bees wax. I understand the former works and the latter does not.

If anyone uses this, I'd like to hear from them.

ohiorider

Man I really feel your pain here! If you have the time or inclination to read this article, it will shed some light on what the REAL culpritS are for causing heart disease. See, I just do not buy into all the hubbub about cholesterol being the cause of HD. Take a look, I think you'll feel a bit better...

https://www.westonaprice.org/moderndiseases/hd.html

BTW, I'm NOT a "loonie" either!

smoore

How do I know? What color is the sky where you're from and when was the last time you were abducted?

Thanks, I'll check out the article.

Steve

Lion Steve

I couldn't tolerate the statins because of muscle weakness and fatigue. I tried several. I'm now on 2000 mg. Niaspan (niacin). It has done the job with the cholesterol, but there's is still the threat of liver damage, much like the statins.

smoore

Thanks. Yea, the niacin is the next try along with another non-statin drug.

I do not like this approach at all. A pre-emptive strike for somthing I don't yet have that "may" cause damage to another part of my body. OH....and it'll cost you money as well. Aaarrgh.

Steve

Roody

There are 2 sides to the niacin story. Serious, even fatal side effects have been reported. I would check with a physician before trying nacin or any other drug. Some people are "anti-medicine." I wish them luck. They will probably need it!

Joe Taylor

High cholesterol is about the only problem I don't have. I've been fighting High Blood pressure for over 10 years and found out in April I am diabetic. Getting older sucks. Since I got back on my bike and started eating only about 1500 calories a day I have lost about 25 lbs and got my blood sugar to where it supposed to be and the bood pressure in back to normal.

You ask what this got to do with the thread going here. All the drugs I take all make me feel like I have on energy or I get pooped out after just a short ride. I got to force myself to keep going. It takes a longer time to get warmed up and going good. The point being no matter what drugs you take it does have side effects and you need to read up on what they are and ask your Doc what to expect and thel him/her what you are experiencing. Example one of my BP drugs keeps my heart from beating fast so it takes a lot of work to get it going.

Lion Steve

I agree. I don't either. I'm 55years old, 6'0 150 lbs, never had any weight issues, and have eaten a VERY low fat diet for years. Family history dictates problems looming in the future. My mother died of heart disease at age 43, so I'm looking at the cholesterol issue with open eyes.

lookinUp

I took Lipitor for about a year and a half. Very slowly, I began loosing strength in my legs and having pain. I kept attributing the problem(s) to getting older. As time went on, I quit exercising because it was too painful - could hardly walk after sitting for 15 minutes or so. I was even looking around the house to see what would need to be done to make it wheelchair accessible.

Finally, went to the Dr. and said I wanted off of Lipitor and described what had been happening. She agreed and told me to see how I felt in a couple of months.

The difference was amazing - within a couple of weeks, I felt good enough to do some walking. Within a month, bought a new bike and started riding again. Was proud of being able to do a mile or two.

Now, it's 4 months later, I'm biking about 65 miles a week - one longer ride on Sundays and 10 miles Monday - Friday. Feel like a new person! I will NEVER take a statin drug again. If I have to die of high cholestorol, so be it.

Most people can take these drugs with no problem, but... if you have any problems with pain or weakness, don't let it continue on without talking to your doctor!

BaadDawg

Just curious about 1 thing Lookingup. You state that over a 2 year period you graadually lost muscle and energy, that you have now recovered from since off statins.

While you were on them were you getting liver function tests every 6 months and were they abnormal?

lookinUp

Had blood tests periodically and nothing abnormal (other than high cholesterol) showed up. I should have gone to the Doc much earlier... but, like I said, thought it was just age finally catching up.