Daily Column

July 30, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am a 62-year-old male, weigh 225 pounds and my cholesterol is about 180. I lead a semi-active lifestyle, exercising 30 minutes daily, five times a week.

I was on Zocor for high cholesterol and constantly complained to my doctor of sore muscles. He switched me from Zocor to Crestor a year and a half ago. After a year on Crestor I was really miserable with sore muscles and fatigue. For the prior six months, I had not been able to raise my right arm due to a sore shoulder that still keeps me awake at night. I stopped taking the Crestor for 30 days at the end of 2007 and felt much better, except for my sore shoulder. When I notified my doctor, he then put me back on the Zocor.

From what I have read previously in your column that if a person is over 60 and has a cholesterol level under 200, he or she shouldn’t need drugs. Do I have to take medication that makes me miserable? [Read more...]

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Daily Column

June 22, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
What are statins and how do I know if the pills I take are statins? What are they for and what are the side effects?

DEAR READER:
Statin drugs are effective in lowering cholesterol levels and reducing the risk of heart attack and death in patients with known coronary artery disease. Lipitor (atorvastatin), Lescol (fluvastatin), Mevacor (lovastatin), Pravachol (pravastatin), Zocor (simvastatin), and Crestor (rosuvastatin) fall into the statin category. If you are on any of these medications, you are taking a statin.

The most common side effects are elevated liver enzymes and leg cramping. If you are on a statin, your doctor should schedule periodic laboratory testing to determine if your levels are within normal limits. If the cholesterol level remains high despite the medication or the liver enzymes start to rise to dangerous levels, he or she will likely make a determination [Read more...]

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