Is a statin really necessary?

August 3, 2012 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a 73-year-old white male, non-smoker, in what I think is good health. Shortly after my birthday a few months ago I decided to find a cardiologist so when/if I had a heart attack, he would have my information.

My overall cholesterol was 152 with my HDL being low at 33. Triglycerides 155. All other blood work was normal. After the initial interview, I had a stress test which I failed because I only lasted a bit over four minutes. No shortness of breath, no chest pain, no discomfort other than my legs got tired. Also, an EKG was done which showed something abnormal, but he said “no event”. He then scheduled me for a heart cath which I had done. The results showed a 10% blockage throughout my system. He said because I had three risk factors – mother died of a heart attack at 85 after a lifetime of smoking, my BMI is 26 and my HDL was low, he prescribed Zocor 2 mg. I am reluctant to start a cholesterol lowering drug unless it is necessary. I would like your thoughts on this.
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Co-enzyme Q10 and statins

March 6, 2012 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: In August 2011,you answered a letter from a reader who was suffering from muscle cramps and numbness in his or her fingers from taking statin drugs. I just wanted to share my personal experience on this topic.

I was taking Lipitor but am now on simvastatin and have had the same experience with muscle cramps (though not finger numbness). The cramps were so bad that they woke me up during the night. My doctor recommended that I take CoQ10 and it worked! I no longer experience those awful cramps. Apparently these pills help replenish something in the muscles that statin drugs strip out. I don’t know what it is but I assure you that the CoQ10 has worked well for me.

Most of my friends are in their 70s and 80s and we are your regular readers. We do so appreciate you.

DEAR READER: Statins may deplete levels of co-enzyme Q10, which is a lipid soluble antioxidant. This depleting effect is typically associated with higher doses. Decreasing CoQ10 levels are also associated with aging.

This essential antioxidant is vital in the production of mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate (ATP). It is carried in the blood by LDL (bad) cholesterol. In deficient individuals, supplementation can easily correct this and hasn’t been associated with any side effects.

Because of the possibility of deficiency, supplementation should be considered in some patients. Physicians should inform patients of this potential side effect and determine if CoQ10 should be added to the regimen. Perhaps supplementation should be considered for anyone on statins, regardless of whether they experience muscle and/or joint pain.

Those who would like to know more about co-enzyme Q10 can read more from the Mayo Clinic’s website at http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/coenzyme-q10/NS_patient-coenzymeq10.

Readers who are interested in learning more can order my Health Report “Understanding Cholesterol” by sending a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and a $2 US check or money order to Dr. Peter Gott, PO Box 433, Lakeville, CT 06039. Be sure to mention the title when writing or print an order form from my website, www.AskDrGottMD.com.

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Is red rice yeast good for lowering cholesterol?

November 18, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: Does red yeast rice actually help to lower cholesterol and what can the adverse side effects be?

DEAR READER: Let me take a moment to explain to readers just what the product is before I attempt to answer your question. Red yeast rice is actually rice fermented with Monascus purpureus. It contains several compounds that together are known as monacolins, known to inhibit the formation of cholesterol and which may lower cholesterol levels. Red yeast has a similar chemical make-up to that of lovastatin (Mevacor) and certain other statin drugs and therefore may carry similar side effects.
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Side effects linked with cholesterol medications

August 7, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I read your article about statin drugs and their side effects. I have been on cholesterol medication for the last couple of years. The side effects are killing me — pain in both of my forearm muscles, calf muscles, and numbness in my fingers. The medicines I was on causing the same side effects were pravastatin 20 mg and simvastatin 20 mg.

My doctor suggested I reduce the dosage to 10 mg and then to 5, which hasn’t stopped my pain. He currently has me on Lipitor/atorvastatin 5 mg, but the problem persists. My recent lipid panel showed the following: cholesterol 172 HDL 33; LDL 105, triglycerides 177 and A1C 6.7.

These drugs are not cheap. I can’t keep trying this and trying that, so what should I do?
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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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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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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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Leg pain is troublesome

February 26, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I’ve been experiencing unusual discomfort in my legs. It began when I started to exercise in the summer of 2009. I attributed it to the exercise on the glute machine, so I stopped. The pain went away, but I then began to experience leg pain/discomfort that can be described as similar to shin splints. It’s not a sharp pain, just a throbbing discomfort. I feel it especially at night, and it wakes me up. This usually happens when I lie on my side. Sometimes I put a pillow between my legs, hoping to avoid it, but it doesn’t always help. When I wake up, I turn on my back and the discomfort dissipates, allowing me to go back to sleep. There are nights when the pain doesn’t awaken me, and I’m not sure what that is attributed to.

During the day, I occasionally feel the same discomfort but not to the same degree, and it’s not as bothersome. Do you have any ideas on what it could be or how I can work toward making it go away?
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Did Statin Cause Liver Disease?

March 10, 2009 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am a 71-year-old female and have had coronary artery disease for 20 years. Over the years I have had numerous angioplasties, had stent placement and have been taking cholesterol-lowering statin drugs since being diagnosed.

Now I have been told I have biliary cirrhosis. My doctor told me it was likely due to the statins.

DEAR READER:
Statins are well known for the side effect of liver damage. That is why doctors should check cholesterol and liver enzyme levels at least once a year on individuals taking these powerful medications. However, I can find nothing indicating that statins lead to biliary cirrhosis. This is not to say it is not caused by the medication, but there is a chance your biliary cirrhosis is completely unrelated. [Read more...]

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Patient Needs Statin Alternative

February 16, 2009 By

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. [Read more...]

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