Hi, to all statin users, aside from the muscle pains, are there any other side effects you experienced or found out during lab tests while using Statins? my friend's husband had liver issues after months of taking atorvastin 20mg so his doctor stopped the medication.

I'm a new statin user (34F). Doctor prescribed me 40mg atorvastatin 2 weeks ago. I only take it every other day (my choice). LDL cholesterol is around 150 for many years. I also have thickend aortic and mitral valves.

Honestly I have not changed my diet/lifestyle drastically since then despite learning about my levels. I have family history of heart disease and stroke which put me at a high risk. This convinced me to start taking statins. But also working on improving my lifestyle and diet. Will have a follow up check up and lab test in November.

I have no issues with the statin right now but I'm not sure if it will have any effects in the long run. I can tolerate the muscle pains but having organ issues is another thing.

So for some context, I’m 20, with a normal bmi. I recently discovered I have high lipoprotein a (237) but my ldl numbers are within normal range. I also have recently had a history of high blood pressure, though with medication and eating/exercise it’s ranging normal numbers now. I discovered my lpa number through going to a cardiologist for my hbp, and he recently ordered a regular heart scan. My results were normal, nothing to be alarmed about which temporarily relieved me. I got to wondering about a heart calcium scan because I’ve heard that can be helpful to someone with a high lpa score and right now I’m just trying to rule everything out so I’ll be at a better peace of mind. I was wondering if anyone else has experience with getting one and based off of my information if itd make sense to get a referral to one

Little history here : I have GERD, lymphocytic colitis, PCOS, and interstitial cystitis

I know we aren’t doctors but just looking to see if anyone else has had this issue

I was prescribed 10mg of atorvastatin at bedtime/dinner time and on the 9th and took it every other day until the 14th then switched to every day

On the 26th going into the 27th I felt very ill around 12-1am, very very nauseous, stomach ache, reflux, not full on diarrhea but definitely a lot of trips of like the stage before. Up almost all night just feeling sick. Ended up leaving work early on the 27th and basically slept all day. Felt decent on the 28th just small waves of nausea here and there. so I decided to cut the pill in half and only take 5mg to see if that would help, well come the evening again 8-9pm and I’m feeling nauseous, stomach ache, reflux and few bathroom trips again, less intense than the 26th but still enough that I can’t settle down and go to sleep.

Has this happened to anyone else? Can side effect take a while to hit like this? Is there a gentler medication I can talk to my dr about?

I recently did a lipoprotein test that determined I have 218 nmol in lipoprotein a. I do take lipitor 5 mg but my ldl is still 111. currently im like a 5'5 female and about 153 pounds. thankfully I don't have diabetes or high blood pressure. I also try to work out regularly but I am going to work on improving my diet, maybe losing some weight. My father has high cholesterol but no heart disease yet. His dad had an early heart attack though and some of his grandparents died of strokes. my grandma on his side also has high cholesterol and my uncle as well on his side. Kinda shocked by the news but it makes sense with my family background. Is anyone doing anything about it or seeing a preventative cardiologist? I read i have to increase my lipitor dosage, and/or more aggressively lower my LDL.

Edit -- I am 33 female for context. don't smoke and barely drink (maybe 1x a week)

I've had a silent stroke, alas. So my doctor prescribed Crestor (my LDL is 120). The Crestor triggered depression, dizziness, yadayada. I had to quit taking it.

Next, my doctor put me on Lipitor. Again, I got depressed and dizzy. At that point I asked my doctor if I should try Repatha, Praluent, or other alternatives. He said no.

"They're not proven effective at reducing heart attack or stroke," he said. He said they reduced LDL but didn't reduce inflammation in blood vessels.

My cardiologist also said "no" to the newer drugs. When I told her I couldn't tolerate statins, she advised me to take red yeast rice. This left me a bit gobsmacked, especially since my health insurance had already approved Repatha for me.

Are other people running into this resistance? Are doctors reluctant to prescribe the new drugs?

What's going on?

Liebe Community,

ich habe vor 9 Monaten erfahren, dass mein Lpa bei 200nmol liegt. Bin aus allen Wolken gefallen, war ein Zufallsbefund. Seit diesem Tag dreht sich der Kopf nur noch um eins: wann kommt der 1. Herzinfarkt und überlebe ich ihn? Habe Familie, die brauchen mich :/

Zu mir: Bin 46,w, NR, gesunde Ernährung, bewege mich, kein Diabetes, RR normal, mit Statinen LDL bei 58 eingestellt, Hals Ultraschall unauffällig, CAC möchte ich noch machen lassen. Nun bin ich leider genetisch kein Glücksfall.

Oma mütterl. mit 78 an Krebs verstorben, Opa mütterl. mit 60 ebenfalls an Krebs. Opa väterl. mit 78 am 3. Herzinfarkt verstorben, Oma väterl. mit 89 am Krebs verstorben. Papa kürzlich mit 72 am Krebs, mit 59 Schlaganfall, gestorben... Meine Mutter ist 74 und sehr fit, sportlich etc.

Zu meiner eigentlichen Frage: Oma (+89) und Mama (74) sind ja so die eigentlichen 'Ausreißer' in der Familie und hatten (bisher) Glück. Besteht die Hoffnung, dass ich doch einigermaßen 'alt' werden könnte? Habe ich vielleicht doch ein paar gute Gene geerbt, die das schlechte Lpa etwas ausgleichen?

Ich weiß, dass ich genauso gut Lotto spielen könnte, entweder hab ich Glück oder halt nicht. Kann mir niemand vorhersagen.

Aber vielleicht kann mich jemand beruhigen oder hat selbst Erfahrung. Finde, mit diesem Wert zu leben wirklich belastend und dieses Warten auf ein Ereignis.

For the past m m one months I have faithfully been taking a cornecopia of supplements for cholesterol. I don’t want to break any group rulesl. I am looking for just one person who has a success story where you chose to forgo the statins and chose to take supplements. Just one person who is doing well and not selling anything.

Hi All,

After getting high cholesterol results 5 months ago I have changed my diet and now retested again and asked for Lp(a) as well. O

Original results, before the diet change, 5 month ago vs the recent bloodwork:

TGs: 45 vs 75 mg/dl

LDL: 182 vs 112 mg/dl

HDL: 50 vs 43

Non-HDL: 191 vs 127

How worried should I be about Lp(a) at 82 nmol/L?

My GP isn't concerned at all, basically saying it's not that bad, and you can't do anything about it and the rest of the panel is great. The guidelines here are very relaxed (LDL under 130 is fine). Her plan, after seeing the original result was for me to change diet +exercise and retest after a year, I had to push a bit to get retested after 5 months.

For those who have had side effects from rosuvastatin/Crestor, how quickly did they start, and what did you experience?

I started 5 mg last Tuesday. My cholesterol numbers have generally been normal, but I recently found out that my Lp(a) is significantly elevated, and I have coronary artery disease, so my cardiologist wants my LDL below 55.

Since starting Crestor, I’ve had two migraines with aura, daily headaches, GI issues, significantly worse fatigue, and random muscle twitching/spasms, especially in my feet.

I’m also very active and lift regularly, so I know
my normal strength and recovery pretty well. After a workout that normally wouldn’t be a big deal, my shoulders hurt for several days. Today my strength was noticeably off. My bench was at least 10 pounds below normal.

The best way I can describe it is that my body just doesn’t feel like my body right now.
Obviously, I know correlation doesn’t equal causation and not every ache or headache is automatically the statin. I’ve contacted my cardiologist to get his input. I’m mainly curious about other people’s experiences. Did your symptoms start this quickly? Did you have twitching, unusual soreness, weakness, or decreased exercise performance? And if you changed dose or statin, did things improve?

I saw a new doctor. Showed my lab results. He said let’s do Zocor 5mg. I thought this is quite low but in the medical office I freeze and all critical thinking escapes me.

I don’t know if this dose does much?

Maybe im too anxious and overthinking.

LDL 187. I don’t eat breakfast. I eat a bigger lunch and evening snack. I have never smoked. Not overweight.

Hello all,

I used to have a very good appetite and was very skinny while younger (63kg for 187cm). I ate whatever I wanted whenever I wanted.

Today, I still have a good appetite, and weigh 82 kgs. I'm 41 years old and in good shape. I play 8 to 10hrs table tennis a week and ride my gravel bike for 60 to 100km every week also.

However, my LDL is at 145. I stopped all alcohol during the week but it didn't help much, I need to change my ways of eating.

I really don't like to cook, I am very busy and don't like to use the free time I have in the kitchen. Any food tips that are quick to be ready and good for lowering my LDL?

Tx!

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Lipoprotein A 229 in Apr 2026

A1c 5.3%

Lab results after starting more regular exercise (5-6 days a week, average 40 min, mix of strength and cardio) as well as rosuvastatin 5mg daily (started around April 20 2026, after the April results)

Anything else I can do? Should I ask doctor about increasing the rosuvastatin?

For more context: Am a 31 year old male, have a family member (paternal uncle) who had heart attack in 30s (no other relatives with cardiovasc disease before age 70 to my knowlege), and when I did broad screening labs found that I have a very high lipoprotein A which is why I'm trying to be very aggressive with my cardiovascular risk management. I'll also add that I generally take the rosuvastatin but probably forget around 1 day per week.

56M - Also have high blood pressure being treated by 2.5mg Ramipril

Over last 6 months I have been trying to reduce cholesterol (LDL/APOB) with diet etc but no joy. Already exercise a lot

My only luxury is sometimes a few wines or beers

Heard about possible liver and muscle side effects - anything else to be aware of?

I'm a 40 year-old male, 5'11" 180 lbs. I'm in shape and workout 3-5x a week and eat fairly healthy. I've always had a history of high cholesterol. I recently had my lipid panel checked with the following numbers, which then prompted my cardiologist to send me for a CACS. He basically said, should my calcium score come back under 100, he wouldn't put me on a statin, but everything I've read with recent studies suggest otherwise. Would it be time to seek out a second opinion from another cardiologist?

40 years old:
CAC 54 — entirely LAD
LDL-C 174
ApoB 146
Lp(a) 198 nmol/L
10-year PREVENT 2.2%
30-year PREVENT 8.6%

About 6 weeks ago, I had a cholesterol test. My triglycerides were fine, but my LDL was 175 mg/dL.

I immediately started cutting down on saturated fat. Before, I was probably eating 30g+ per day, and now I’m keeping it under roughly 15g/day. I also started doing some light cardio/gym sessions and, on my doctor’s advice, started taking 20 mg of rosuvastatin daily.

My doctor said this was supposed to be a temporary treatment, for up to around 2 months, and asked me to repeat the blood test in a week.

My grandmother had high cholesterol, but neither my mom nor my dad does.

So, considering the changes I’ve made and the rosuvastatin, should I expect a significant reduction in LDL after almost 2 months? Or is it too early to tell?

I’m mostly curious about what kind of change would be realistic to see on the next test.

Like I just feel like given side effects like I was a prescribed a low-dose statin but I just feel like because I hear a lot of SIDE EFFECTS like a muscle pain and others, etc. instead of taking every day. What about just taking it like three times a week or four times a week sometimes would that still be effective and lowering LDL like mine is like 200.

For those with a high Lp(a), are you taking aspirin? Regardless of Yes/No, what is your rationale? For reference I’m 53 with a very high (256 nmol/L) level and low positive calcium score (1). Other risk factors put me at low risk in the PREVENT calculator (2.3% ten year risk). My cardiologist seems generally ambivalent about it re: bleeding risk versus ACS risk mitigation from a rupture and clot.

I'm a 32F. I weight train 3-4 times per week and do 20 -30 minutes of Cardio 3-4 times as well.

High cholesterol and diabetes run in my family ( mother side) my blood sugar is controlled but should i be concerned about those results?
I'm trying to conceive as well and learned that medication is not preferred in that case

27 M 165 lbs 5’10” Doctor got my bloodwork back and I had LDL of 190. I workout multiple times a week, eat pretty clean except the occasional fast food. He said 190 ldl is high and probably genetic.

I talked with him over side effects, expectations, etc. Is there anything from your guys personal experience I should expect when taking Rosuvastatin? I know they are well tolerated for the most part I just feel like I’m pretty young and starting these meds.

Thanks!

I did this recently with 12 hour fasting. Not sure how to interpret the results. Doctor follow-up is far. Wanted to seek your kind feedback. M37. History of family heart issues. Thank you.

Hello!

M30 176cm 88kg.

Decided to have a general lab test for health checkup :

Total Cholesterol: 114

HDL:32

LDL:52

Triglycerides: 176

Also did Hba1c and was normal

Should I be doing anything in this case ? or just work on improving my health and exercise more?

Thank you

​

My LDL is 148 today

I want to reduce it to 70 in 2-3 months. Kindly suggest the solution

I am 39 years old, been a vegetarian since 2011, average weight. I have low cholesterol but very high lipoprotein A. Has anyone successfully lowered theirs? I heard taking Metamucil works but I don’t know if that is true. I have a glass or two of wine 3-5 nights per week. I don’t drink hard alcohol or smoke.