Not all cholesterol lowering drugs are statins

June 24, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I read your column every day and thank you for your advice.

I would like to know if Welchol is a statin drug. Some doctors say yes, some say no. I would also like to know the warnings and more about this product.

DEAR READER: Welchol is not a statin drug. It was approved by the Food and Drug Administration several years ago as a new drug for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes and it was found to lower LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol as an adjunct to diet and exercise. It is not appropriate for Type 1 diabetics.

Side effects can include weakness, constipation, dyspepsia, muscle aches and pains, nausea, stomach pain, headache and indigestion.
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Cinnamon bark may lower cholesterol

June 9, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: Back in 2006, you ran a column in which a gentleman said he had good results taking two 1,200-milligram capsules of cinnamon bark every morning. You said you were going to experiment on yourself and report back to your readers. Well, I never saw the follow-up article and was wondering how your experiment went. Can you share your results with me? I’m currently on 80 milligrams of Lipitor every day and would like to try to eliminate that, if possible. Thanks.

DEAR READER: I’m sorry to say it didn’t work for me, but I must commend you on remembering a column from five years ago.
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Cholesterol lowering medications may be excessive

June 5, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: What results can I expect when taking 80 milligrams of Crestor and 1,200 milligrams of gemfibrozil on a daily basis?

DEAR READER: Crestor is a cholesterol-lowering statin drug that reduces low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and triglycerides, the “bad” cholesterol, while increasing high-density lipoproteins (HDL), the “good” cholesterol. The drug is used to lower the risk of stroke, heart attack and to slow the process of atherosclerosis, which is narrowing of the arteries in patients with elevated cholesterol levels.

Side effects can include headache, nausea, constipation, abdominal and joint pain, yellowing of the skin and eyes, hives and more.
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Is hypothyroidism linked to high cholesterol?

March 26, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: My cholesterol is very high. I cannot tolerate any of the statins. I’ve been on many and have problems with pain and weakness in my legs.

I also have an underactive thyroid, for which I take Synthroid. I have read in different medical books that hypothyroid disease is a cause of high cholesterol. I am trying to eat right (fruits and vegetables, no red meat, low salt and no cheese). I exercise. Is there anything else I can do to help this serious problem? Please help me!

DEAR READER: Hypothroidism causes decreased metabolic activity and has been linked with elevated blood levels of cholesterol, and particularly in those people [Read more...]

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Statin side effects cause reader unrest

February 5, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I have been taking statins to control my cholesterol. I’ve taken Crestor, Lipitor and simvastatin. Unfortunately, they all seem to cause excessive urinating through the night. I’m tired all the time, and I have muscle cramps.

Is there something else apart from a statin that I could take or suggest to my doctor? When I do complain, he just goes to another statin, and none have helped so far. I’m 75 and male.

DEAR READER: Statin drugs have been a subject of controversy of late. Depending on a patient’s medical condition, physicians prefer total cholesterol levels to be 200 or lower. Unfortunately, using a statin or any other drug to accomplish this could lead to unpleasant consequences, as you have experienced. [Read more...]

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Get answers about statins

December 24, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a 71-year-old female in good health. I take 40 milligrams of diltiazem, and my blood pressure is under good control. A recent blood test revealed my cholesterol to be 286, my HDL 82, LDL 188 and triglycerides 81. My doctor prescribed 40 milligrams lovastatin, but I would prefer not to take this medication. My total cholesterol has been 200 or higher since I was 40, and my HDL has been over 80. May I have your opinion?

DEAR READER: High-cholesterol levels in the blood are considered to be a major risk factor in the development of coronary-artery disease, heart attack and stroke. When cholesterol accumulates in the walls of the arteries and combines with cellular debris, plaque forms, impairing the flow of blood. Eventually, clots may form, the arteries become blocked, and problems occur.
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Losing weight in an obese society

October 22, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a 50-ish African-American woman with a problem most think I am lucky to have. I can’t stop losing weight. My cholesterol is on the high side, so I can’t eat most high-calorie foods because they also contain a lot of fat. I am also a vegetarian, don’t like sweets very much, and work out at a gym daily. I don’t want to put on much weight. My normal weight is around 100 pounds, and I’m mentally comfortable with that.

My doctors have looked at the obvious: They have checked my thyroid and for any digestive disorders. I love food and eat a lot of pasta with veggies sauteed in olive oil. I also love cheese but don’t want to raise my cholesterol levels higher. Other than the weight loss, I’m in excellent shape.
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Finding alternatives to statins

August 10, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I would appreciate your advice. I am a 72-year-old Caucasian female with treated high blood pressure and high cholesterol (362)/triglycerides (403). Using a statin drug, I am able to get them down to 231 and 288, respectively. My problem is that I react poorly to statins. My legs have become weak, I have a nightmare of leg cramps, my muscles hurt, and I cope with nausea and gas. The cramps have spread to my hands and chest muscles.

I formerly was walking two miles a day; now I can barely walk a half-mile, and that is with stops. I have tried niacin and red yeast rice. I am currently taking omega-3 and flaxseed-oil capsules.
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Niacin handles cholesterol numbers

July 8, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a 75-year-old male who has struggled for years getting my HDL cholesterol up above the minimum desired, even though I was taking over-the-counter nonflushing niacin. My doctor then convinced me to take prescription niacin, even though it was the same strength. It is quite expensive, but my HDL jumped from the mid-20s to the mid-40s. The only difference seems to be an ingredient to prevent flushing in the OTC variety.

This seems to nullify any value the niacin has, so why does the Food and Drug Administration allow OTC niacin with the antiflushing additive to be sold when it obviously does no good?
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A patient’s need to know

July 3, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I have been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy. I am a 73-year-old female in generally good health. I’ve had gall-bladder surgery, a hysterectomy, cataract repair, and knee and shoulder replacements.

I noticed a tingling feeling in my left middle finger, left foot and then my right foot. I went to a podiatrist, who prescribed gabapentin. I am now taking 300 milligrams three times a day, but it doesn’t seem to be helping. It is a disturbing feeling that keeps me awake at night until I finally fall asleep from exhaustion. During the night, the tingling seems to go away, but as soon as I start walking, it starts up again.
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