DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am 80 years old and a few years ago, I was diagnosed as having congestive heart failure. My primary care doctor referred me to a cardiologist (a college friend of his) who put me through every kind of test known to man. He then prescribed three medicines for me, including Lipitor because my cholesterol was 275.
Shortly after starting them I began having muscle pain in my legs and had heard warnings about statins, including those from your column. I was already taking co-enzyme Q10 so knew it wasn’t due to a depletion. I asked my cardiologist about a cholesterol lowering medication without statins but he said they weren’t any good and switched me to Crestor instead. It was still a statin and despite my concerns, I took it like a good patient. The pain returned so I stopped it and started watching my diet more closely. My cholesterol dropped to 217. During my next doctor visit, I again complained about the statins, hoping this time the doctor would listen. Instead he told me to find another cardiologist and left the room.
I left his office feeling pretty devastated. Was I wrong to refuse to take statins again or should I have just let him think I was still taking one even though I wasn’t? Should I really find another cardiologist?
DEAR READER:
You should absolutely find another cardiologist. Yours was rude and out of line. Having tried two separate brands and experiencing side effects from both, it is clear to me you cannot tolerate statins. While it is true that non-statin cholesterol lowering medications aren’t as effective as their statin counterparts, they are a a viable alternative given the situation. .
Find a new cardiologist, explain your situation and if he or she isn’t willing to work a little harder to help, then move on to another. Once you find someone willing to listen to and work with you, you should find your condition and outlook improving.
To give you related information, I am sending you copies of my Health Reports “Coronary Artery Disease” and “Understanding Cholesterol”. Other readers who would like copies should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 per report to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.
About Dr. Gott