R
RandyL
I don't hear anything about Zocor. Is that drug old news now and there are better ones on the market or is there something wrong with Zocor that I don.t know about?
Cholesterol Drugs
- Thread starter Creed3
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hensylee
Well-known member
csutherland said:
I think he should probably ask his dr about a lipids check (blood work). I have to have a fasting one every six months.
Christina L
Well-known member
Gail -
Gail -
So now are you even more confused?
A lot to think about here. Again, my grandmother took cholesterol lowerings meds for years and lived until 95 - high cholesterol ran in her family.
Someone here said something about sugar and such - I think that is a bigger culprit in high cholesterol than red meat and dairy. I think Dr. Atkin's had SOME of it right! Processed breads and sugar - BAD!! Anyway....good luck to you in your decisions. The main thing - eat healthy and try not to worry about the high cholesterol. I think a lot of this cholesterol stuff as of late has to do with pharmaceutical companies pushing pills, i.e. BIG MONEY! Stress is the worst - so don't worry and do what you can to change things!!
Christina L
Gail -
So now are you even more confused?
A lot to think about here. Again, my grandmother took cholesterol lowerings meds for years and lived until 95 - high cholesterol ran in her family. Someone here said something about sugar and such - I think that is a bigger culprit in high cholesterol than red meat and dairy. I think Dr. Atkin's had SOME of it right! Processed breads and sugar - BAD!! Anyway....good luck to you in your decisions. The main thing - eat healthy and try not to worry about the high cholesterol. I think a lot of this cholesterol stuff as of late has to do with pharmaceutical companies pushing pills, i.e. BIG MONEY! Stress is the worst - so don't worry and do what you can to change things!!
Christina L
I have to agree with Christina to some extent.
The acceptable ranges for cholesterol, diabetes, etc. have all been lowered dramatically in recent years.
Now you have to take a pill for this, that and everything.
It does make one wonder.
Rich
The acceptable ranges for cholesterol, diabetes, etc. have all been lowered dramatically in recent years.
Now you have to take a pill for this, that and everything.
It does make one wonder.
Rich
J
JohnnyV_46
Lipitor gave me Really bad muscle aches, Advicor made the food I ate, go right thru me...I'm on Crestor now and seem to be tolerating it just fine. I really don't know what my level is. Its time for some labs. Our Insurance company will pay 100% with Lipitor but we have to pay 45.00 co-pay with Crestor....ain't that a crock.
hensylee
Well-known member
Bet your ins co has a reason. Now I wonder what it could be????
Christina L
Well-known member
Just happened to run
Just happened to run
across this article on the Mercola web site - think this guy is a doctor but he is into natural health. It is about Jane Pauley and how a drug company duped her, but read Dr. Mercola's comments at the end regarding pharmaceutical companies.
-------------------------------
Former Today Host Sues Over Deceptive Appearance in Drug Ads
Former Today Show host Jane Pauley has sued The New York Times, alleging that she was told she was being interviewed for a mental health news article, when in actuality she was being featured in an advertisement.
The New York Times published a full-page photograph of her on the cover of an advertising supplement in October 2005.
Pauley claims that she was deceived into thinking she was being interviewed by a Times reporter when she was actually speaking to an employee of DeWitt publishing for a supplement advertising psychotherapeutic drugs.
Times spokeswoman Catherine Mathis said that she did not believe the case had merit.
Pauley has long struggled with bipolar disorder. The lawsuit says that Pauley has been careful to avoid self-promotion by refusing to endorse commercial products.
Houston Chronicle October 25, 2006
New York Times October 26, 2006
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. Mercola's Comment:
This interesting story underscores, without question, why I'm not beholden to any advertisers or outside interests for anything regarding this Web site or my career as a whole health physician.
Pauley, like me, has refused to work as a paid spokesperson for any company, instead lending her good name and influence to charitable organizations.
Nevertheless, many New York Times readers were probably surprised and definitely deceived by her appearance in an advertising section.
It also illustrates the lengths that drug companies are willing to go to to sell their products. Drug companies spend $4 billion every year to market their drugs to you, and they spend $16 billion to influence physicians.
And that's not all; to ensure laws beneficial to the sale of their products, drug companies and their officials contributed at least $17 million to federal candidates in the 2004 elections, including:
Nearly $1 million to President Bush.
More than $500,000 to his opponent, John Kerry.
At least 18 members of Congress received more than $100,000 apiece.
Drug companies employ almost 1,300 lobbyists, including 40 former members of Congress. They have spent more than $750 million over the past seven years on lobbying alone. According to government records analyzed by the Center for Public Integrity, that's more than any other industry!
With all that money being spent to ensure they have influence on the government, doctors, and patients, it is no wonder why two-thirds of doctor visits result in a drug being prescribed, and spending for prescription drugs is the fastest-growing category of health care expenditures.
This is also one of the major factors contributing to the reason physicians are the third leading cause of death in the United States, as they now have an over-reliance on using drugs as Band-Aids, rather than seeking the cause of the problem.
All of this is why I urge you to take better responsibility for your own health decisions and not rely on a face or a name, no matter how familiar, to tell you what to do.
Christina L
Just happened to run
across this article on the Mercola web site - think this guy is a doctor but he is into natural health. It is about Jane Pauley and how a drug company duped her, but read Dr. Mercola's comments at the end regarding pharmaceutical companies.
-------------------------------
Former Today Host Sues Over Deceptive Appearance in Drug Ads
Former Today Show host Jane Pauley has sued The New York Times, alleging that she was told she was being interviewed for a mental health news article, when in actuality she was being featured in an advertisement.
The New York Times published a full-page photograph of her on the cover of an advertising supplement in October 2005.
Pauley claims that she was deceived into thinking she was being interviewed by a Times reporter when she was actually speaking to an employee of DeWitt publishing for a supplement advertising psychotherapeutic drugs.
Times spokeswoman Catherine Mathis said that she did not believe the case had merit.
Pauley has long struggled with bipolar disorder. The lawsuit says that Pauley has been careful to avoid self-promotion by refusing to endorse commercial products.
Houston Chronicle October 25, 2006
New York Times October 26, 2006
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. Mercola's Comment:
This interesting story underscores, without question, why I'm not beholden to any advertisers or outside interests for anything regarding this Web site or my career as a whole health physician.
Pauley, like me, has refused to work as a paid spokesperson for any company, instead lending her good name and influence to charitable organizations.
Nevertheless, many New York Times readers were probably surprised and definitely deceived by her appearance in an advertising section.
It also illustrates the lengths that drug companies are willing to go to to sell their products. Drug companies spend $4 billion every year to market their drugs to you, and they spend $16 billion to influence physicians.
And that's not all; to ensure laws beneficial to the sale of their products, drug companies and their officials contributed at least $17 million to federal candidates in the 2004 elections, including:
Nearly $1 million to President Bush.
More than $500,000 to his opponent, John Kerry.
At least 18 members of Congress received more than $100,000 apiece.
Drug companies employ almost 1,300 lobbyists, including 40 former members of Congress. They have spent more than $750 million over the past seven years on lobbying alone. According to government records analyzed by the Center for Public Integrity, that's more than any other industry!
With all that money being spent to ensure they have influence on the government, doctors, and patients, it is no wonder why two-thirds of doctor visits result in a drug being prescribed, and spending for prescription drugs is the fastest-growing category of health care expenditures.
This is also one of the major factors contributing to the reason physicians are the third leading cause of death in the United States, as they now have an over-reliance on using drugs as Band-Aids, rather than seeking the cause of the problem.
All of this is why I urge you to take better responsibility for your own health decisions and not rely on a face or a name, no matter how familiar, to tell you what to do.
Christina L
Thanks
Thanks
to everyone for all of the comments. I'm just really confused right now as to what to do. I have an appointment with my pcp on Thursday to discuss my options. He has been testing my triglicerides and cholesterol for a year and a half and it hasn't come down with a change of diet and exercise. I never had any issues with my cholesterol until after my ohs. Quite a few months ago my pcp tried putting me on niacin but that didn't work at all. I became very hot but the worst part was I started itching terribly from head to toe. I itched so hard I had welts all over. He seemed to want me to stay on the niacin but there was no way I would be able to function. Now he wants to put me on something else but he wants to discuss what that something else is. My hubby works at Merck so if I go with Zocor I would be able to get the meds for free but I don't know if that would be the best drug for me or not. I'm just confused on what will work best. If I go with a statin I worry so about the side effects. Not just the muscle pains but also the cancer possibilities that have been discussed here. Maybe I will print out this thread for my pcp so he understands what my concerns are. I appreciate all of your comments and know that so many of us have to deal with this issue. I'll let you all know what happens on Thursday.
Thanks & Take Care!
Gail
Thanks
to everyone for all of the comments. I'm just really confused right now as to what to do. I have an appointment with my pcp on Thursday to discuss my options. He has been testing my triglicerides and cholesterol for a year and a half and it hasn't come down with a change of diet and exercise. I never had any issues with my cholesterol until after my ohs. Quite a few months ago my pcp tried putting me on niacin but that didn't work at all. I became very hot but the worst part was I started itching terribly from head to toe. I itched so hard I had welts all over. He seemed to want me to stay on the niacin but there was no way I would be able to function. Now he wants to put me on something else but he wants to discuss what that something else is. My hubby works at Merck so if I go with Zocor I would be able to get the meds for free but I don't know if that would be the best drug for me or not. I'm just confused on what will work best. If I go with a statin I worry so about the side effects. Not just the muscle pains but also the cancer possibilities that have been discussed here. Maybe I will print out this thread for my pcp so he understands what my concerns are. I appreciate all of your comments and know that so many of us have to deal with this issue. I'll let you all know what happens on Thursday.
Thanks & Take Care!
Gail
Christina L
Well-known member
Your husband works at Merck?
Your husband works at Merck?
Uh-oh!! Open mouth and insert foot - that's me!!
Hope I didn't offend you with the article on drug companies. I am not totally against medications at all - I am taking a thyroid supplement. I just think pills are pushed by our western medicine doctors a bit too much sometimes.
However, one of the reasons we are living longer and longer is BECAUSE of cholesterol meds and heart medicines and cancer medicines that keep these diseases at bay.
Anyway....good luck, Gail, with your decision. It sounds here like Zetia may be the way to go, per the other posts on this thread.
Christina L
Your husband works at Merck?
Uh-oh!! Open mouth and insert foot - that's me!!
Hope I didn't offend you with the article on drug companies. I am not totally against medications at all - I am taking a thyroid supplement. I just think pills are pushed by our western medicine doctors a bit too much sometimes.
However, one of the reasons we are living longer and longer is BECAUSE of cholesterol meds and heart medicines and cancer medicines that keep these diseases at bay.
Anyway....good luck, Gail, with your decision. It sounds here like Zetia may be the way to go, per the other posts on this thread.
Christina L
Wise
Well-known member
Gail, may I ask what you decided to do after your doctor visit? I have until June 13 to get my LDL under 100. I really don't want to be put on vytorin. Currently I'm taking CholestOff (when I remember to), fish oil capsules, and some flaxseed. I'm also eating oatmeal and cheerios. So, I was just curious about how things went with you. Thanks!
Cindy (wife of Wise)
Cindy (wife of Wise)
hensylee
Well-known member
Cindy, I am on Zetia. My triglycerides were up so I am trying the Cholestoff and fish oil caps, too. Plus I am using another supplement that I got through one of our members. It's a food supplement capsule - fruits and vegs - I just don't get enough of them in my diet so am giving it a try. I don't know if it has changed the triglycerides yet because I managed to slip by the lab test the dr ordered for me - but I feel much better.
Wise
Well-known member
hensylee said:
Thanks Ann. Let me know how you test comes out the next time you have one.
S
Susan BAV
I'm puzzled again...
I'm puzzled again...
I've been researching cholesterol this past week (because my family doctor even more adamantly wants me on Lipitor because of my latest test failure and I'm even more adamantly not wanting to be on it or any more chemicals); so I'm glad to see this thread pulled back up currently. Tobagotwo posted an interesting study (that included info about women and older people and cholesterol meds) some little time ago, if you would like to search for it in the archives.
Anyway, it sure is a real hot topic with an extremely wide variety of opinions and studies all over the web. The current trends seem to change very quickly but I have personally seen [other] occurrences of pharmaceutical companies inflaming doctors to tout their new favorite "golden pill," and in the most flagrant ways, so I am very skeptical that the statins are the biggest newest greatest thing since sliced bread.
I have a friend whose favorite thing to eat is fish heads, and he consumes vast quantities of naturally occurring fish oils (in many types of fish), and his cholesterol is in the 1200 range. So I think it's likely that various dietary consumptions might work for some and might not work for others.
My dad had high cholesterol most of his adult life and his last angiogram, a year before his death from cancer, showed arteries as clean as a whistle, although he also had serious heart problems, including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. So I think high cholesterol does not always equate with clogged arteries. The tendencies of persons with BAV having clean arteries also comes to mind.
Anyway, to appease my well-meaning doctor, I'm going to try to reduce mine by my six week recheck, but by eating raw almonds and flax meal and garlic and more whole grains and more raw vegetables and more beans and more low fat milk products and by cutting back on all that fried stuff that I like to eat. (edit - I'm also going to drink some green tea every day.) If my test comes out dramatically better, I'll post the results.
When you eat a diet with all of that fiber, however, you must drink lots and lots of water. I'm wondering too if drinking lots of water, or not, to flush out the bad stuff while taking those cholesterol medications, or not, contributes to whether a person develops those statin-related muscle issues, or not.
(Edit - That Tobagotwo thread is http://valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19572&highlight=cholesterol )
I'm puzzled again...
I've been researching cholesterol this past week (because my family doctor even more adamantly wants me on Lipitor because of my latest test failure and I'm even more adamantly not wanting to be on it or any more chemicals); so I'm glad to see this thread pulled back up currently. Tobagotwo posted an interesting study (that included info about women and older people and cholesterol meds) some little time ago, if you would like to search for it in the archives.
Anyway, it sure is a real hot topic with an extremely wide variety of opinions and studies all over the web. The current trends seem to change very quickly but I have personally seen [other] occurrences of pharmaceutical companies inflaming doctors to tout their new favorite "golden pill," and in the most flagrant ways, so I am very skeptical that the statins are the biggest newest greatest thing since sliced bread.
I have a friend whose favorite thing to eat is fish heads, and he consumes vast quantities of naturally occurring fish oils (in many types of fish), and his cholesterol is in the 1200 range. So I think it's likely that various dietary consumptions might work for some and might not work for others.
My dad had high cholesterol most of his adult life and his last angiogram, a year before his death from cancer, showed arteries as clean as a whistle, although he also had serious heart problems, including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. So I think high cholesterol does not always equate with clogged arteries. The tendencies of persons with BAV having clean arteries also comes to mind.
Anyway, to appease my well-meaning doctor, I'm going to try to reduce mine by my six week recheck, but by eating raw almonds and flax meal and garlic and more whole grains and more raw vegetables and more beans and more low fat milk products and by cutting back on all that fried stuff that I like to eat. (edit - I'm also going to drink some green tea every day.) If my test comes out dramatically better, I'll post the results.
When you eat a diet with all of that fiber, however, you must drink lots and lots of water. I'm wondering too if drinking lots of water, or not, to flush out the bad stuff while taking those cholesterol medications, or not, contributes to whether a person develops those statin-related muscle issues, or not.
(Edit - That Tobagotwo thread is http://valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19572&highlight=cholesterol )
Bradley White
Well-known member
Statins are the most successful cholesterol drug ever developed. They have added millions of years onto the lives of people all over the globe. Perhaps they are currently over-prescribed, but that is only because of their overall very high efficacy and low rate of side-effects. I cannot understand the rebellion against pharmaceuticals on this board. I find it both bizarre and, for the most part, uninformed.
Brad
Brad
Bradley White
Well-known member
There is a very clear trend between high cholesterol and plaque formation in one's arteries. It is one of the most well documented correlations in modern medical science. Of course there will be exceptions to the rule, but to use those rare exceptions to try to give evidence against the correlation is irresponsible and anti-scientific. Heart attacks remain the #1 killer in the United States and many other developed countries. Minimizing the importance of one keeping their cholesterol in normal range is not doing anyone any good.
I don't mean to pick on you in particular Susan, but I am just getting really sick and tired of seeing all the anti-statin posts on this board. Yes, sometimes lipitor causes muscle aches. There will always be a trade-off between the positive benefits and negative reactions to a drug. When one has a side-effect to a particular statin a lot of other statins can be tried until one is found that will cause the person few if any side effects. If a statin cannot be found that the patient doesn't have an adverse reaction to then the doctor and patient must seriously considered the costs and benefits of being on a statin. That is how all drugs work. And yes, they do work. They save millions of lives. No one should blindly follow the orders of a doctor. Taking an active role in one's healthcare is a good thing. On the other hand, ignoring a doctor's suggestions because of a bias against statins is just as harmful as blindly following.
Brad
I don't mean to pick on you in particular Susan, but I am just getting really sick and tired of seeing all the anti-statin posts on this board. Yes, sometimes lipitor causes muscle aches. There will always be a trade-off between the positive benefits and negative reactions to a drug. When one has a side-effect to a particular statin a lot of other statins can be tried until one is found that will cause the person few if any side effects. If a statin cannot be found that the patient doesn't have an adverse reaction to then the doctor and patient must seriously considered the costs and benefits of being on a statin. That is how all drugs work. And yes, they do work. They save millions of lives. No one should blindly follow the orders of a doctor. Taking an active role in one's healthcare is a good thing. On the other hand, ignoring a doctor's suggestions because of a bias against statins is just as harmful as blindly following.
Brad
S
Susan BAV
Bradley White said:
"Bizarre and...uninformed" and a "rebellion against pharmaceuticals?" and "irresponsible and anti-scientific?"
Oh well; no offense taken I guess
. I always appreciate your informed opinions, Brad . But maybe I should repeat what I wrote that might be described as an "anti-statin post":
"...I am very skeptical that the statins are the biggest newest greatest thing since sliced bread."
I should add that I clearly don't know everything... I'm just trying to make the best personal decision based on what I've read and seen and heard and have also learned from previous experience... Obviously, perhaps, what works for one very well may, or may not, work for another.
Anyway, as I mentioned before, if my six-week followup test comes out dramatically better I'll post the results. Maybe I'll post the followup results either way?
Bradley White
Well-known member
Susan,
Sorry, I should not have used such harsh language. I let my frustration on this subject get the better of me. Please do post the results of your follow-up regardless of the outcome.
Brad
Sorry, I should not have used such harsh language. I let my frustration on this subject get the better of me. Please do post the results of your follow-up regardless of the outcome.
Brad
DeWayne
Well-known member
The whole cholesterol thing confuses me I have to admit.
This good and bad cholestaral and what numbers are bad thing.....
First let me say my "good" cholesterol is low, 36. Doc say there are no drugs really designed to change those. My total cholesterol is 191. I thought under 200 was a good thing, but no, they want mine LOWER. My bad cholesterol is 130, which seems just borderline, seems hardly something I should be horrified at. But they want it lowered, they want me down to 100. So they prescribed pravastin today.
I am not overweight, I weight 168# with clothes on and I am 6-1. Seems ok to me. I just don't get it, my wife has the same 191 only her good cholesterol is quite a bit higher, but they don't even mention to her about reducing her numbers.
This good and bad cholestaral and what numbers are bad thing.....
First let me say my "good" cholesterol is low, 36. Doc say there are no drugs really designed to change those. My total cholesterol is 191. I thought under 200 was a good thing, but no, they want mine LOWER. My bad cholesterol is 130, which seems just borderline, seems hardly something I should be horrified at. But they want it lowered, they want me down to 100. So they prescribed pravastin today.
I am not overweight, I weight 168# with clothes on and I am 6-1. Seems ok to me. I just don't get it, my wife has the same 191 only her good cholesterol is quite a bit higher, but they don't even mention to her about reducing her numbers.
Hi Cindy!
Hi Cindy!
I was put on Zetia about four months ago. My doc just drew blood about a month ago. I was so afraid my levels would still be up but they weren't. The Zetia seems to be working for me. I'll let you know how things continue. I can't remember all of my results but the one I do remember is the bad cholesterol. Mine was usually over 200 and since being on Zetia it was down to about 190. I think my triglicerides improved as well. I also take fish oil everyday.
Take Care!
Gail
Hi Cindy!
I was put on Zetia about four months ago. My doc just drew blood about a month ago. I was so afraid my levels would still be up but they weren't. The Zetia seems to be working for me. I'll let you know how things continue. I can't remember all of my results but the one I do remember is the bad cholesterol. Mine was usually over 200 and since being on Zetia it was down to about 190. I think my triglicerides improved as well. I also take fish oil everyday.
Take Care!
Gail
Wise
Well-known member
Creed3 said:
Thank you Gail very much for your response. I'm very glad your results were good. That was encouraging to me because if I can't lower my LDL by diet and exercise I'd feel more comfortable trying Zetia than a statin. My mother hasn't done well with statins (didn't lower her levels enough, muscle pain) but she's done well with Zetia. Thanks again.
Cindy
