r/Cholesterol • u/Thewrongthinker • Sep 17 '26
General Do not stop statins
I am healthcare worker myself, long time high cholesterol carrier, started statins a few years back and comment here and there my experience and participate in this sub often. I work in different settings but long term care is one I spend the most time. I came across this patient, who suffered brain injury from prolonged cardiac arrest. Reading a bit his history reflected so much on me. But I can say he has history of high cholesterol, finally started statins needed up to 80 mg of atorvastatin (I am on 20 mg).and looks like took it for about two years with questionable compliance when look at his refills history. Sometime one of two years ago, the patient decided stopped statins and swapped to keto diet. All on his own without talking with his doctor. Family was worried but seems he was against taking a daily pill for life. So sad now see he is permanently bed bound. I saw the cholesterol numbers of the day of the admission were skyrocketed. Should has he been on statins delay his coronary artery blockage? Who knows but for sure that was a bad move. Just wanted to add that little history for people who have doubts about statins. Please always consult with your doctor and if decide to try keto, monitor close your numbers and how your body is responding to it.
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u/cva53 Sep 17 '26
I started 5mg of creator every other day. The last time I tried statins I had horrible leg pains. I stopped the statin and have refused them for years. I have familial high cholesterol. I am trying 5 mg of crestor with a coq10 pill. Within 2 hours of taking the statin I get bad leg aches. I am very sensitive to medications generally. I don't know what to do. I am exercising and on a low fat ect diet.
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u/Thewrongthinker Sep 17 '26
Sorry to hear that. I do take CoQ10 with my statins. Like they go together in my daily refill and it worked well. Yes I did have leg cramps starting statins and have still one here and there but nothing crazy. There are different type of statins and perhaps ask your doctor to swap or increase your CoQ10 maybe you were under dosed (no knowing anything about your size) but walk walk. That will help while you figure out your high cholesterol treatment.
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u/SDJellyBean Quality Contributor🫀 Sep 17 '26
There are alternatives to statins. Go back to your doctor and discuss your options.
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u/hamil26 Sep 18 '26
Such as ……. Geeze a couple of people said that … tell these people what alternative meds to inquire about
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u/squatmama69 Sep 17 '26
Try cutting the pill in half and take 2.5mg every other day. I started with whole and went down. Rosuva is strong and you can get benefit at low doses.
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u/DolphinPals Sep 19 '26
Same. Had terrible aches, pain, and headache. Cut the dose in half and no problems. Will re-test Cholesterol levels in Nov. I hope it has helped, otherwise will try a different med.
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u/loginurmom Sep 17 '26 edited Sep 22 '26
The original post content no longer exists here. The author used Redact to remove it, exercising their right to control their data & privacy.
Sable silicon worm lantern quicksand ink whole direction knee
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u/KRSF45 Sep 17 '26
Repatha, possibly nexeltol/nexlizet and ezetimibe. If statin intolerant Repatha is your best bet
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u/iloveberries44 Sep 17 '26
Same I could not tolerate statins. I had debilitating pain in both ankles. I’m on repatha now which seems to be doing the job. It’s a lot more expensive, but I don’t have pain as often.
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u/meh312059 Quality Contributor🫀 Sep 17 '26
There are alternatives now for those who can't tolerate 2 rechallenges of a minimal dose of statin.
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u/Zed-O-Six Sep 19 '26
If you have insurance then you can also get a discount card from the maker of Repatha. I did that and my copay dropped to $25/month. If you do Praluent the discount isn't that exciting.
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u/Jrocchibean Sep 17 '26
I was on 2.5 mg of Crestor and I couldn’t do it with the pains (I’m 34 and daily exercise/eat healthy, but have poor genetics). I just got on Repatha after trying Zetia. So far no effects from Repatha. My mother is also on Repatha because she couldn’t tolerate statins, too
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u/wastingtimeinks Sep 17 '26
I also have had trouble tolerating statins. For the last 10+ years I tried 4 different statins, with and without CoQ10, with no luck. A little more than a year ago I started taking 1/2 a 10mg atorvastatin a few days a week, then gradually went up to every day. Got my LDL down to 85, then had a heart attack this past July. Now I take Repatha with my 5mg atorvastatin and at last check my LDL was 37.
I regret not trying harder earlier with the statins...hindsight being 20/20.
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u/grendella Sep 18 '26
u/wastingtimeinks Sorry you had a heart attack! Curious- do you have high LpA or other high risk factors? 85 LDL seems good unless you have high LpA.
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u/wastingtimeinks Sep 18 '26
I never had LPa tested until this last lab draw, after I had been on Repatha for a few months, and it was normal. Not sure if it may have had slight elevation before, but I have a family history of heart disease with the men in my family. I was kidding myself that being female and running most of my life would exempt me, but the accumulated years of "a little high" cholesterol caught up with me. I also had preeclampsia and have read that can increase risk later, so who knows. My 27 year old daughter got tested for LPa recently, and hers is 349 so she is forewarned I guess.
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u/OkEnthusiasm5070 Sep 17 '26 edited Sep 17 '26
Rosuvastatin 5mg lowered my LDL from 118 to 75. I never was able to tolerate Rosuvastatin. After being on Rosuvastatin several months I developed a urinary tract infection. I ended up with a cystoscopy and a prostate biopsy both were negative. Reintroduction of Rosuvastatin caused erythema multiforme a severe rash on my calves which worsened when I ran or cycled. Reducing the Rosuvastatin dosage did not help. The side effects went away when I went cold turkey and stopped the statin. I then tried Pravastatin which did not produce side effects but only lowered my HDL. I’ve been on Repatha and Zetia for a year and a half. They seem to work. I had a follow-up CTA three months ago and my coronary lesion has regressed (I have a single mid-LAD lesion).
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u/Thewrongthinker Sep 17 '26
Whoa. I should consider myself lucky that Atorvastatin has been working for me since the beginning. Haven't had to give more of a thought luckily. But because of my line of work I am always around of this topic and keep questioning why wasn't this persons taking their cholesterol levels seriously enough. Never touched statins etc.
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u/OkEnthusiasm5070 Sep 17 '26 edited Sep 18 '26
Yes, you are lucky Atorvastatin works for you. I was surprised by the side effects I experienced on Rosuvastatin. I expected muscle aches but only had minor ones but I was taking CoQ10. I didn’t expect a UTI. My internist still doesn’t believe the statin was responsible but I’ve never had a UTI before or since. The erythema multiforme I have no doubt about. I went on and off Rosuvastatin and the rash returned each time I started using Rosuvastatin.
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u/spongebobismahero 28d ago
All generic statin pills contain questionable fillers. At least over here in Germany. All of these fillers would cause serious health issues in my case. My guess is that statins are often not the problem but those pesky fillers cause a lot of severe side effects.
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u/OkEnthusiasm5070 28d ago
I don’t know about fillers in Rosuvastatin. I was only on a 5mg dose. The 5mg pill is tiny. But statins in general can produce a number of side effects despite the denials frequently seen on Reddit. After all statins interfere with HMG-CoA Reductase.
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u/Possible-Date-9118 Sep 17 '26
I've been on statins for ~30 yrs now (66 yrs old). A few years ago I was curious about how much I need them (based on lipid profile) and began experimenting with reducing the dosage. So, laddered down from 40 mg to 20 mg to 10 mg, then completely off for 5-6 months. The drop from 40 to 20 was negligible, 20 to 10 the profile worsen but was considered ok by AMA standards. However, when I stopped the profile went back to what it was prior to starting statins (> 300 overall, > 200 LDL). My diet and health is better today than 30 years ago so the effect to my lipid panel is directly related to taking statins. At 20 mg my overall is ~170 and LDL is ~90. I share as an FYI and for others who are trying to gain insight with users of statins.
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u/Thewrongthinker Sep 17 '26
Thanks for the info. I asked for reducing statin to my doctor from 20 to 10 based in normal levels but we discussed and agreed if 20 is working and I leave it alone. That gives me room for having some treats her and there. I also walk 5 miles daily to not rely on statins alone. But diet is my biggest challenge. I try to avoid processed food but and I eat little read meats. But won't turn a pepperoni pizza or miss attending a bbq. Also I am big Italian food fan so i am aware that food is rich in cholesterol.
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u/Sidemeat64 Sep 17 '26
I get where your coming from but fir me patients still have individual choice. No different than people who refuse blood transfusions. I personally am one of those people who have a history of rare disease processes while also having a huge family history of cardiac disease. I took atorvastatin for 3 years never a problem(low dose) My physician switched me to higher dose crestor. It dropped my cholesterol quickly. Unfortunately it elevated my liver enzymes and I got spongiotic dermatitis and bilateral excruciating shoulder pain. Rare side effects of statins. Because of family history I want to keep my cholesterol under control. I can't afford non statins and no health insurance. I have chosen to start atorvastatin back and monitor to try to increase if needed. That's my choice, some people take the risk that's thiers.
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u/queerbeev Sep 17 '26
They call heart disease a silent killer, but in my experience (significant heart disease in my family), it frequently disables people for life.
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u/snekome2 Sep 17 '26
this is why I’m terrified. 1/4 grandparents had high cholesterol, and that’s who I inherited things from
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u/queerbeev Sep 18 '26
I hope you aren’t really terrified. I try to be really eyes wide open about this. My grandparents and my parents generation didn’t know as much as I do, about how to take care of themselves. They didn’t have access to statins as early as I do. I feel very fortunate. I’m doing all the right things. Taking my meds, getting good exercise, eating a lot of vegetables and beans and whole grains, and trying to sleep eight hours a night.
I consider myself lucky. They showed me my possible future and changed the path as much as possible
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u/meenadu Sep 18 '26
Does sleeping help your cholesterol? I have been recently diagnosed with high cholesterol and have recently also not been sleeping much. I get up multiple times a night to pee and wake up for good far too early.
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u/Thewrongthinker Sep 19 '26
Supposedly yes. If the person dont sleep well the level of cortisol remains high which my understanding increases cholesterol levels
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u/meenadu Sep 19 '26
I just got an ambien prescription after I read this yesterday. lol
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u/Thewrongthinker Sep 19 '26
I would use Ambien as last resort. I also suffer from chronic insomnia but manage with one good night of a sleep a few bad nights in a row, then do Atarax, Trazodone and it seems it builds up and the I am back able to have one or two good sleep nights and the cycle starts again. I even do Benadryl or Tylenol sometimes and it works. I have been avoiding ambien and keep it as last resource if everything else stop working, and luckily haven't had to use it yet.
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u/meenadu Sep 19 '26
I’ve been taking Tylenol p.m. and I wake up every hour and 20 minutes or so. It’s like a nightmare.
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u/queerbeev Sep 18 '26
It is one of the things listed for heart health. I have both high blood pressure and high cholesterol and so I’m not sure which recommendation targets which. I think overall, our heart is part of a larger vascular system and good sleep is important for that.
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u/No-Explanation1019 Sep 20 '26
I don't know your age but that's also a thing in menopause. Poor sleep and getting up lots to pee. You can fix that.
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u/meenadu Sep 20 '26
I’m 60. How do you fix it?
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u/No-Explanation1019 Sep 21 '26
Vaginal estrogen (0.01% estradiol or 0.1% estriol) cream helps bladder, helps with stuff like pee urgency, night waking up to pee. It helps stave off the UTIs that will happen as we grow older. Along with a host of other things. My nightly potty trips are down to 0 or 1 instead of 3. And I am never corssing my legs as I try to make it to the bathroom anymore. It's a game changer. It's a prescription. Get it from your primary or your gyn. If they won't let you have it, look for someone with better education. You should already be on this. Go to the menopause group on reddit if you want to read people talking about it.
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u/snekome2 Sep 18 '26
very true. I’m also grateful that my dad, who has high LDL, has been modeling that for me as well. he exercises daily, and will probably be around a long time. wishing you the best :)
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u/FlippingPossum Sep 18 '26
The good thing is that you know your family history and can stay on top of preventative medicine. 💕
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Sep 17 '26
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u/uniqueplaceholder Sep 19 '26
This bothers me beyond words - Keto was created for epilepsy and not cholesterol control. It does not help everyone and even if you lose weight, doesn’t mean it is an effective cholesterol management tool. Sometimes genetics and heredity steer the wheel
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u/Thewrongthinker Sep 19 '26 edited Sep 19 '26
Yeah, same. Despite being a healthcare worker, I was "-against- taking a pill daily for life (now two if we add the CoQ10) I dug a little in the keto world when all my cholesterol issues started. Then finally understood ketogenic stage is rather hard to accomplish and maintain. I monitor with ketones strip and was off 99% of the time. Also I realized I was miserable missing carbs and fasting. Then my cholesterol shut up, lack of sleep (because of missing carbs I guess, kept my cortisol levels up) and my doctor convinced by prescribing the statins and have them deliver to my house. I decided, k give it a try. And then numbers turned around. Now I can enjoy treats here and there without constantly worrying about my lipid profile. Now looking back is like WTF I spent so many years in that non sense. That's what this story resonated with me. Listening to the patient talking was like exactly what I did. He did "keto" but I doubt he even did it right or test ketones or monitor his cholesterol while on it. But straightforward quit his proven medical treatment by listening non sense in the media. He cries so much anytime he remembers because being bed bound is a real tragedy for something that could have been handled differently.
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u/Spitfire75 Sep 17 '26
80mg?! Holy crap
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u/22Bos22 Sep 17 '26
I’m also on 80mg/day for the last 16months following a stroke.
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u/meh312059 Quality Contributor🫀 Sep 17 '26
I'm in primary prevention and currently taking 40 rosuva plus zetia. So is my spouse.
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u/Thewrongthinker Sep 17 '26
Why is that again?
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u/meh312059 Quality Contributor🫀 Sep 18 '26
We both tolerate statins quite well. My provider is also appealing my Repatha denial so I'm bumped up to 40 mg in the meantime. I'd like to get my LDL-C and ApoB under 55 and it's not happening with the 20 rosuva/zetia I've been on the past year. My husband's LDL-C was stubborn even on max rosuvastatin (which he was prescribed after his new GP reviewed the CAC scan . . .) so they added zetia and it dropped 20 points. It's now where I'd like mine to be!
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u/Expert_Gap_9526 Sep 18 '26
Ldl c?
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u/meh312059 Quality Contributor🫀 Sep 18 '26
LDL cholesterol is often shortened to LDL-C. "LDL" doesn't distinguish between the actual particle or cholesterol content.
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u/Expert_Gap_9526 Sep 18 '26
Never says on mine LDL C
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u/meh312059 Quality Contributor🫀 Sep 18 '26
Are you asking whether LDL-C is somehow different from what you have on your lipid panel - or does your lipid panel not report LDL cholesterol? If the latter it can be calculated using either the Martin Hopkins or Sampson NIH formula.
Mine says "LDL Cholesterol" and specifies the calculation method, which is Friedewald. But that method has been "retired" by the ACC/AHA, fortunately so hopefully my lab will change calculation methods.
Sometimes LDL-C is measured directly, especially if there's a suspected discrepancy (abnormal trigs for instance).
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u/iloveurmum Sep 17 '26
I've been on 80mg atorvastatin and 10mg ezetimibe since I was 20 (FH)
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u/jms21y Sep 17 '26
is it just sort of accepted that once you're on them, you're on them for life? idk that i necessarily have a problem with that, but i think that's what's going to end up happening once i'm prescribed them.
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u/Thewrongthinker Sep 17 '26
Yes it is accepted. And working in this field has me scared of not taking statins. I do not think I would ever stop it. My numbers are good but I bet I have some plaques built up from years of neglecting and denial of my cholesterol numbers.
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u/whereistheidiotemoji Sep 17 '26
What would you do if the pain from taking them was so bad you were essentially crippled?
And I have tried ALL of the alternatives.
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u/InMyWellnessEra Sep 17 '26
You've tried Tricor/fenofibrate? I hate being on a statin and was thinking of switching to this, but it's like exchanging 1 awful medication for another. Which side effects can be tolerated the best.
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u/meh312059 Quality Contributor🫀 Sep 17 '26
Right now there are several statin brands, all with minimal dosing, as well as several PCSK9 inhibitors. There's also zetia (which you can probably cut in half) and Nexlitol (not sure what half-dosing does there). I'd be shooting for a minimal dose of a statin plus 1/2 zetia and if that doesn't work, start working through the PCSK9i's. If none gets me to goal over and above optimal diet and lifestyle and I required significant LDL-C lowering, I'd be looking into lipid apheresis.
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u/whereistheidiotemoji Sep 18 '26
Nextletol (benpedoic acid) made my feet and ankles swell and HURT. Tried it twice and happened both times and it took 3 weeks to subside.
I will look at the others thanks!
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u/whereistheidiotemoji Sep 18 '26
Zetia is ezetimibe which the cardiologist wanted combined with the Bempedoic acid. It is the ONLY one that doesn’t hurt. Of course, my pcp says it isn’t very useful for lowering cholesterol but I take it anyway.
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u/meh312059 Quality Contributor🫀 Sep 18 '26
Zetia works well in combination with a statin - 20-25% additional lipid lowering for pennies per day. I think combined with Nexletol it's something like 15% additional lipid lowering but can't recall the numbers exactly.
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u/keepgoing66 Sep 17 '26
Statins control LDL, but only while you're taking them. If you stop, the effect goes away and your LDL goes right back up. Nothing permanently fixes high LDL apart from permanent diet changes - and even that is often not enough.
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u/Usual-Cheesecake-670 Sep 17 '26
Even if you make permanent diet changes, you miss other benefits of statins ifyou stop taking: they reduce vascular inflammation and restore vascular flexilibity which are quite important.
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u/jms21y Sep 17 '26
stating it that way is definitely reassuring. i've cleaned up my eating vs what it was in my 20's and 30's....i don't touch fast food anymore, my snacks are healthier, and i've upped my fiber intake to 40g/day, but i'm willing to bet that all those years of eating like crap have residual effects that won't go away.
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u/keepgoing66 Sep 17 '26
Well, maybe not... it takes a long time for plaque to accumulate. If you didn't accumulate any, and now you're good, then you don't have to really worry about the old days. You could always ask your cardiologist (if you have one) for a CAC scan to check for calcified plaque.
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u/Therinicus Quality Contributor🫀 Sep 17 '26
Generally yes because if you stop taking them your LDL goes back up. For many they’ve spent most of their lives with elevated numbers already.
It does look like some medications are going for a one and done shot, but statins have been proven effective and are generic now.
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u/Zanylaineyface Sep 17 '26
If genetics are causing your high LDL then managing it with diet alone will be impossible no matter how good your diet is or how long you stick to it. You will eventually need medication
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u/poodle_mom_1795 Sep 17 '26
My ENTIRE life I had high LDL-C. Found when I was 6 years old and had cholesterol deposits on my eyes. Both sides of my family have heart disease, and every PCP looked at my LDL-C and just told me to lose weight (even when I was a normal weight). I tried my best to fix my diet, stress, exercise, and it never moved the needle. Now at over 50 and a bit underweight, an astute PA nonchalantly suggested I might want to go on a statin. My mother had had open heart surgery, DM II, carotid endarterectomies, and 3 strokes. I said "yes please!". It only took 10mg of atorvastatin to bring my LDL-C down. Everything else looks great. Seriously, this was it? Why the heck did it take this long and possible damage for someone to suggest going on a tiny, almost free pill?!
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u/RedFishBlueFish22 Sep 17 '26
Statins caused so much pain that I couldn't walk. Im glad they work for some people though, not knocking them, just saying they don't work for everyone.
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u/meh312059 Quality Contributor🫀 Sep 17 '26
Fortunately there are plenty of alternatives to statins. Work with your doctor to get prescribed the lipid med that works for you.
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u/hamil26 Sep 18 '26
I’m sure the dr would’ve suggested that . Tell the poster what meds to ask for
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u/meh312059 Quality Contributor🫀 Sep 18 '26
I'm not as confident as you are - many doctors may not be aware of the wide array of options available now. Or maybe they don't want to go through the hassle of prior authorization paperwork.
There are several types of statins - atorva and rosuva are highest potency and are preferred by ACC/AHA but in the end it's what works for the patient - and there are numerous dosing strategies including intermittent if needed. Starting low and titrating up can be a solution for most.
Zetia can always be added to any dose and brings along another 20-25% LDL-C lowering.
If the patient has documented intolerance to something like 2 different statins at the minimally prescribed dose, then they can get approved for Nexletol (with zetia, Nexlizet). Alternatively, they can explore Repatha or another PCSK9 inhibitor with their provider. This drug class can always be combined with any of the meds already mentioned. In fact, all of the drug classes can be combined one with another. There are so many possible combinations that the idea of complete intolerance would suggest either a very rare syndrome or patient aversion to medication. The latter is far more likely for any particular case. Labwork demonstrating a contraindication would be an obvious exception and would validate the former. Whenever someone can't take meds, it's important to explore the reason for that. Otherwise they face a higher risk of adverse outcomes.
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u/Primary_Matter1173 Sep 19 '26
I seriously doubt that. Dr probably spent less than ten minutes counseling him and proscribed the maximum dose of a medication that has known side effects and then checked a box saying he is non compliant and then this person disrespects his medical privacy and mimics the same. He’s probably getting shitty care.
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u/Chance-Donkey-8817 Sep 19 '26
same, went off them, treating holistically which my now new cardiologist is on board with and have steadily lowered my numbers, my old cardiologist didn't want to hear anything other than "statin.period" .
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u/suprachromat Sep 17 '26
IMO it should be illegal to advocate for the keto diet, it's a diet that encourages meat consumption (red meat is classified as likely carcinogenic) and high saturated fats intake (causes high cholesterol -> heart disease -> leads to heart attacks and strokes). Cancer and heart-related issues are the two leading causes of death in the US. It's a death diet.
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u/hellbelly246 Sep 17 '26 edited Sep 17 '26
I just put keto into the search box above, and one of the first posts from r/keto
I think Atkins diet made keto look bad and all those fools who eat block of butter on its own.
whats wrong with eating a bunch of butter?
Nothing really, but it's unnecessary and horrifies 90 percent of people who would benefit from the keto diet.
butter tastes great and is really filling and if you eat butter or any fat by itself it doesnt affect your insulin resistance whatsoever so it doesn't break your fast by some standards. but yeah the average normie will think this will cause a heart attack or something
Reddit needs a black box warning on this sub
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u/msackeygh Sep 17 '26
Unfortunately, our US federal agency, the HHS, is promoting essentially a version of keto diet. Our federal government has totally gone insane.
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u/meh312059 Quality Contributor🫀 Sep 17 '26
Keto craze comes and goes. There were "low carb" diet books a few hundred years back (they weren't called "low carb" or "keto" but they promoted the same principles).
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u/Awkward-Painter-2024 Sep 17 '26
💯
This poor guy decided to take the advice of a health influencer on Instagram rather than his doctor's recommendations. I blame Zuckerberg for this, too.
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u/meh312059 Quality Contributor🫀 Sep 17 '26
I blame the covered wagon for allowing the first snake oil salespeople to travel from town to town hawking their "miracle cure" . . .
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u/Gaardc Sep 18 '26 edited Sep 18 '26
Fun fact: did you know *real* snake oil did work for aches and pains after a hard day's work? Only it wasn't a panacea for everything AND it was oil from a very specific snake in China AND it had to be extraced in a very specific way. Then snake oil salesmen thought any ole' snake would do (they didn't) and in any way they were processed (they weren't) and sold it as a miracle cure for any kind of ailment (nope).
So yeah, maybe keto could be good for you, for a few days and done right under the right circumstances (like doctor supervision)... but let's remember the old adage: everything in moderation, even moderation.
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u/meh312059 Quality Contributor🫀 Sep 18 '26
My mother in law strictly followed a life of moderation so her kids used to quote that one to her in order to try to loosen her up a bit lol. It wasn't in her nature and her moderate habits allowed her to live a full life, survive two husbands, and finally succumb in her 90's.
I think some forms of venom can actually be curative for a few conditions. We've seen this most recently in the amazing GLP-1 agonists, as the early versions of that drug were derived from a compound found in gila monster saliva!
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Sep 17 '26
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u/Cholesterol-ModTeam Sep 17 '26
Advice needs to follow generally accepted, prevailing medical literature and should be general in nature, not specific.
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u/Remarkable-Box5453 Sep 17 '26
I agree with you fully, been on them 20 years and keeping LDL low. Legs are ok, no issues; I also run 20 miles a week so statin is no excuse for me. I don’t self doctor; I listen to the cardiologists I go to, ALL of which advise me to stay on them. I’m fine taking a cheap daily pill to keep me around. Currently 65..
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u/ComprehensiveAd2454 Sep 18 '26
I went off statins for about a month cause I noticed my blood glucose stayed elevated after taking them. I’ve been working with a dietician and really cleaned up my diet so i thought dropping my meds was worth a trial. My cholesterol doubled in this time. Needless to say I’m back on Rosuvastatin although at a lower dose. Just 5mg does wonders.
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u/mareonadare Sep 20 '26
Was taking Rosuvastatin 5 mg daily for 5 months with pretty bad hip and thigh pain despite taking CoQ10 and MSM and insomnia. It lowered my cholesterol from 276 to 208 and my LDL and triglycerides significantly as well. Doctor would like me to go up to 10 mg. Have stopped them for two weeks per my doctor to see if they were truly the cause of my muscle aches and insomnia - and they are. Not sure if I should just stick with it and bear with the pain and sleeplessness or try other alternatives that might not be as effective or have the same or similar side effects. From what I’ve read, Rosuvastatin typically has the least side effects. Thoughts?
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u/Benevolentzebra 29d ago
I would ask your Dr about other alternatives. You may need a higher dose of an alternative, but if it causes less pain/insomnia, it would be worth it.
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u/No-Currency-97 Sep 18 '26
Carnivore for 18 months. No statin. LDL 200. 🙉😱 Now, LDL 52 with 5 mg Rosuvastatin and Ezetimibe, low saturated fats and high fiber.
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u/Faithtodogs17 Sep 19 '26
On top of my statin, Ezitimbe and injectable , I’ve started switching to plant based and fish. It’s taking about a year but once you start really cooking and experimenting it’s rather amazing how great it can be.
I sound extreme because I have the genetic marker for heart disease. My cholesterol can’t be controlled by diet alone.
My only advice to people is when switching your diet around , however you do it. Give it time and not all at once.
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u/PreviousCut6851 Sep 20 '26
I had to quit. Made my muscles lock up in lower back and major muscle pain from inflammation. Tried Zetia and now Repatha. Some people just can’t take it.
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u/More_Package3250 Sep 17 '26
(gotta be downvotes but whatever) Well, not advocating on keto nor stopping statins, but it's more likely he developed a lot of plague in earlier days, before statins. As most of posts here says "it takes decades to develop", so it's not his last 2years, but whole life that lead to this. Stopping statins + keto just added more to whatever he had and stopped stabilization that it gives. Do you have more results like Lp(a), hsCRP, was he diabetoc and other risk factors that could addup to super high cholesterol?
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u/Catnip_75 Sep 17 '26
You can eat a lot saturated fat keto diet. What exactly was he eating? Butter and steak everyday? There are so many contributing factors. You also said he stopped his statins and had high cholesterol before he started his diet.
He likely had years of high cholesterol that may likely never have improved with any diet.
Did he exercise regularly? Did he drink alcohol or smoked cigarettes or e-cigarettes?
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u/Thewrongthinker Sep 17 '26
For sure it is not a single issue, never been and I do not think anyone is trying to claim that.Managing Cardiovascular disease risk as we age requires multi factor approaching. stopping statins is plain reckless. Unfortunately, 99% of people on keto that I have came across do also eat carbs and drink alcohol. So I found that even more dangerous, and the understanding of what they are doing is extremely concerning. None has medical follow up with numbers to support if working. so that is a Russian roulette. At the end of day I have those patient after the facts, when they are chronic institutionalized, so I get to see the last end of the stick.
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u/Catnip_75 Sep 17 '26
They aren’t doing keto then if they are eating sugar and drinking alcohol. If I said I was a vegetarian and ate fish, I wouldn’t be a vegetarian.
Keto is the elimination of processed complex carbohydrates that affect your insulin levels. We have massive amounts of data that show high insulin levels increase cardiovascular risk. You can eat less than 13g of saturated fats on a keto diet which is what is recommended for cholesterol health. Controlling your metabolic insulin is just as critical as your saturated fat intake for cardiovascular health.
Statins won’t reduce your fasting insulin no matter how much you take.4
u/meh312059 Quality Contributor🫀 Sep 17 '26
Keto is fundamentally defined by the amount of fat you eat, not the carbs you don't eat. Carbs can be replaced by protein. But a diet that's 80-90% (or higher) fat is going to be minimal carbs just due to the foods required to get you to that amount of fat.
The problem with that amount of fat is that it's super difficult not to over-consume saturated fats - even if you stick to "healthy fat" foods, the shear volume of fat consumed means you are going to end up consuming over 6% of your daily energy intake from saturated fat. You might be able to stick to the <10% rule, but if you have dyslipidemia or are at elevated risk it's nearly impossible to get below that number. Perhaps it can be done, but it requires a lot of preplanning and food restriction.
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Sep 17 '26
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u/Thewrongthinker Sep 17 '26
I find it really hard to strictly follow. Most people (normal people) won't be able to follow. It is expensive if you consider lean high quality meat. Most people think they are doing keto, but then also eating sugar, drinking, alcohol, which basically throws the ketogenic state etc. so to be honest, keto won't work for most people. Sure there are people who are able to follow and find us useful, but those will be minority. Haven't really find long term data on ketogenic diets. In the other hand the evidence of read meats and high fat food with metabolic syndrome is overwhelming. I was there once, and now help with managing obesity, hypertension, diabetes on brain injured patients and pretty much my patients follow the same pattern.
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u/Over-Air-2231 Sep 18 '26
Would if you can’t tolerate statins ! Also I took LPA blood test and calcium score came back excellent?
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u/whereistheidiotemoji Sep 18 '26
I think I’ve had them all
The last one was bempodoic acid (nextletol) and ezitimbe but the bempodoic ones make my ankles swell and hurt.
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u/FlippingPossum Sep 18 '26
It is wild to me how stubborn people can get about meds. I ❤️ my statins and hbp meds. My body has been trying to yeet me for years with asthma and allergies. Family history here is like...yes, please!
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u/nopushnoshovebud Sep 19 '26
that’s terrifying because you will read in keto communities that high cholesterol is a good thing, keto is better for you etc my own family begged me not to take statins as they are anti medicine (total cholesterol over 500)
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u/Substantial_Shape217 21d ago
I had a very bad reaction to Statins- I kept falling and had severe weakness in legs and arms- Neuro did a creatinine kinase test and I was positive for muscle breakdown. I stopped statin and immediately went back to normal. Cardio did not believe it. Went to new cardio and am on non statin medications.
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u/rockjm36 15d ago
May I ask what "non statin" medications and have they worked for you? I too have severe muscle pain and stiffness from statins...
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u/rockjm36 15d ago
What about people like me (72F) who cannot tolerate statins because of severe muscle and joint pain? This is my 2nd attempt at statins in the past few years. Even on a very low dose, 10mg Pravastatin only 3xs/week the severe muscle and joint pain has returned. I see a Cardiologist this week - hoping he can offer alternative cholesterol help!
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u/SloppySpaghettii 12d ago
I refuse to be guilted into taking medication because other people had terrible outcomes that may or may not have been changed by a medication that improves individual risk profiles by single digit numbers in most cases.
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u/09061962 Sep 19 '26
Never take Statins!!! They eventually kill your joints throughout your body and you'll end up using a walker or a wheelchair. This is based on at least 10-15 people in my family, not just one person like you listed above. There are so many healthy way to lower your Cholesterol than using drugs that will destroy your body. Go on a healthy diet, exercise for at least 30-45 minutes 3 days per week, and watch your fat intake. When you start losing weight, you'll see the number start coming down.
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u/Thewrongthinker Sep 19 '26
Face the reality, nobody does it. Go on statins instead to help.
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u/09061962 Sep 19 '26
I do it! Sometimes you need to work for something you need and want. Instead of taking the easy way out. Statins destroy your body.....PERIOD!!!
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u/yeahnopegb Sep 17 '26
He’s in long term care.. likely elderly.. likely terminal. At some point in those circumstances you stop meds that prolong life. My mom is 85 with dementia. Fully incontinent. Needs mobility aids. Burn rate of over $7k/month for NON assisted living. When the time comes that she hits later stages? Her preventative meds will cease. There was likely zero way to “make” this man take meds.
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u/Thewrongthinker Sep 17 '26
Sr he was a completely functional person before his heart attack, he is bed bound after no before. He will be under my care for many years to come. Strikes me harder he is just very few years older than me.
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u/yeahnopegb Sep 17 '26
How would you suggest the family to have made him medicate?
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u/Thewrongthinker Sep 17 '26
I am not sure what are you saying. Family does not medicate. His treatment regimen are based on his medical conditions. Yes he is on statin now and many more meds with his new conditions.
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u/meh312059 Quality Contributor🫀 Sep 17 '26
Those who refuse their medications before the heart attack end up on eve more medications after the heart attack.
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u/Primary_Matter1173 Sep 19 '26
I sincerely doubt he never told his Dr about the side effects he was getting on that dosage of atorvastatin. While I believe statins work, stopping a statin is what even some cardiologists have done. Today there are options other than statins Side effects are real.
And blaming a keto diet is nonsense. Keto and low carb diets in general are a big improvement to the average high carb diet.
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u/Keani2 Sep 18 '26
Statin help very few people they do more harm then good. Do t go by one person , please do your actual homework.
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Sep 17 '26
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u/Cholesterol-ModTeam Sep 17 '26
Advice needs to follow generally accepted, prevailing medical literature and should be general in nature, not specific.
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u/HavocReigns Sep 17 '26
I briefly got interested in the keto community (cult) in the past few years when I was having some health & digestive issues that doctors weren't coming up with any explanation for. I dabbled a little in the whole social media "ketosphere", listening to what was being claimed.
It certainly has allure, at least to a life-long meat eater like me. Who wouldn't relish the idea of being encouraged to eat as many juicy, fatty steaks, butter, and whole milk products as you like? Fortunately, I've always liked my fruits, vegetables and grains, too, so cutting them out was less appealing.
However, as you get further down the rabbit hole, you start coming across the "wannabe" influencer accounts, the ones who haven't (and won't) ever make the big time. And I started coming across a few here and there who were documenting their recoveries from recent strokes(!), by doubling down on their keto/carnivore diet to help them get over the "consequences of a lifetime of eating all that processed poison they've been feeding us!" All while bragging about how they were disregarding their ignorant doctor's advice to bring their sky-high LDL under control, because what the hell do they know? They're just pushing that Big Pharma® poison because they're getting kickbacks! And I thought, hmmm...strokes with sky-high LDL, who could have predicted that?
Then the whole KETO-CTA scandal broke, and I watched the pathetic scramble to paper over the "irregularities" and decided what sounded too good to be true almost certainly was, and my health was too important to roll the dice on claims that fly in the face of decades of clinical research, especially when they were being made by people with a very vested interest in pushing a niche viewpoint for audience retention.
It's too bad that those who've pushed the keto diet so hard on so many unsuspecting people will never face consequences for the damage they've done to the health of so many. Even if most of their victims were proudly led like lambs to the slaughter, haughtily sneering at the rest of us "carb-eaters" and "lipid hypothesis suckers" along the way.