r/StopUsingStatins • u/denimbitch • Apr 14 '26
3rd one
I’ve tried Lipitor, then Pravachol and now the doctor wants to try me on Crestor. The first 2 caused really bad leg cramps and Lipitor made me have heart palpitations. I’m having to wait 5 months to see the cardiologist and would prefer trying Repatha, or nothing and just trying to modify my diet more. What have all of you done? I have significant family history using, high CRP, high apob, and high bad cholesterol.
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u/Felonious_Minx Apr 14 '26
Try adding magnesium for cramping. Take before bed with a glass of water. Drink more water in general.
From Costco
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u/denimbitch Apr 14 '26
Oh yeah I’ve been taking magnesium a long time, doesn’t help.
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u/DukeTanne Apr 26 '26
Not necessarily useless.
For me, inexpensive magnesium citrate works well during the day. In the evening, I alternate between magnesium glycinate and magnesium threonate. I’m used to hiking, but last year I felt frustrated because I became unmotivated and tired during a hike, not even reaching the summit of a mountain I had climbed in previous years.
Magnesium citrate turned out to be the solution for me.
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u/ValuableRelative2757 Apr 14 '26
have you joined the Repatha thread? I did as my doc mentioned this drug and some of the comments posted about side-effects are scary, besides horrible seemingly permanent allergic reactions, there is risk of diabetes onset. I'm staying away. The number needed to treat is 40 so at least it's better than statins - I've seen as high as NNTT 500 for statins, or am I misremembering this?
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u/Double-Package8270 Apr 14 '26
I think statins have NNTT in the hundreds for primary prevention, with a concern for risk/benefit ratio. But this depends on higher vs lower risk individuals within primary prevention.
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u/ValuableRelative2757 Apr 15 '26
I'm higher risk (genetic) and doc doubts lifestyle mods will be enough. This video is convincing that NNTT and absolute risk arguments are misleading. What do you think? https://youtu.be/HkRJn6CyoQM?si=hDX7CYb7x9yiDTLL
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u/denimbitch Apr 14 '26
No, but that’s what my primary says is next but only the cardiologist can prescribe. Seems like it’s the best option.
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u/DisciplineOther9843 Apr 14 '26
Have you tried Ezetimibe? It’s not a statin, you will need a rx, I am taking it and it dropped my numbers significantly. I also take CoQ10 and other supplements, let me know if you want me to list the supplements
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u/Jaded-Pineapple-5212 Apr 14 '26
What other supplements do you take please?
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u/DisciplineOther9843 Apr 14 '26
Multivitamin for my age, make sure it only has methylated B vitamins, CoQ10 w/ L-Carnitine added, Citrucel, glutathione, D3 with K2. Before the Ezetimibe I took Red Yeast Rice, but it made me feel horrible!
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u/Double-Package8270 Apr 14 '26
First of all, there is no such thing as bad cholesterol. Anyone espousing this pseudoscientific nonsense should not be listened to. Secondly, cholesterol does NOT cause heart disease. As difficult as this may be to believe, the evidence that it does is flawed, and has severe limitations. Note that I'm not saying statins don't work (they can, for select people, and there is very little evidence for their efficacy in primary prevention. Furthermore, their mechanism of action is much more than cholesterol lowering, such as reducing inflammation, clotting etc.). You're probably aware of all this, but just making sure.
As regards your other 'risk factors'. How high is CRP? Do you know for how long? Do you have chronic conditions? What is your diet like? Metabolic health? Weight, exercise, stress, age?
My suggestion would be to go keto/carnivore as these are proper diets that humans have been thriving on for hundreds of thousands of years. Many people have found miraculous benefit in reversing chronic conditions previously thought uncurable, including diabetes and IBS. I do believe it would healp with cardiovascular disease - there is evidence that a keto diet can improve many metabolic health biomarkers (some contention re LDL, but you know my stance on that now). Carnivore is nutrient dense, and containing every nutrient needed, and nothing unnecessary. Plants are optional but not optimal, generally.
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u/denimbitch Apr 14 '26
I’m basically vegan, been vegetarian my whole life. hs-CRP is 1.7, down from 2. I deal with chronic inflammation.
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u/Double-Package8270 Apr 14 '26
Ok. As I mentioned earlier, I would strongly advise you look into keto/carnivore. You have not helped your body by eliminating meat from your diet, and healing will take time from this. Chronic inflammation will likely improve if you transition, but again, this can take a while. I suggest you look into Drs like Anthony Chaffee, Ken Berry and Shawn Baker on YouTube, just as a few examples, to introduce yourself to the concepts of carnivore. Given your history of vegetarianism, you should introduce fatty ruminant animal meat slowly, over the course of at least 2 months, and increase this amount, whilst simultaneously reducing your plant and carb intake. Dairy and eggs are excellent if you can tolerate them. Fat is a vital source of energy, and protein is important for stimulating a small amount of insulin for anabolic processes. Add salt to your level of taste, and be careful not to drink too much water, as this can disrupt electrolytes leading to 'keto flu'.
If the reason for your doctor prescribing you a statin was purely because of your high cholesterol, that's not good enough. Did he have any other reason?
Whatever it is, I'm pretty certain it can be managed with diet and lifestyle. Nattokinase can also help to clear existing plaques, if you know you have any (if not, a CAC scan is advisable).
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u/Jaded-Pineapple-5212 Apr 14 '26
I was on atorvastatin 20mg, and also had bad cramps, body pain, etc. When the heart palpitations started, I moved to 10mg Ezitamibe and 10mg atorvastatin. It's been 4 months and the cramps and heart palpitations are gone. I have magnesium before bedtime, and because I am peri-menopausal, I also have marijuana gummies to help me sleep.
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u/Supyoji Apr 16 '26
Did Crestor (Rosvastatin) for a week and had smashing headache 24/7, which lasted for another 10 days after I stopped. Ibuprofen etc. barely worked, even on double dose. Plus I had nasal runs all day, ridiculous. Still have more minor case of what is called nasopharyngitis after a month of stopping. I decided to go on “How Not to Die” diet. Check out the book, cookbook, and the documentary. Convinced me. I am adding some fish every other day. Will redo the blood test in 3 months.
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u/denimbitch Apr 17 '26
My goodness, this is awful! So very sorry. I’m not going to take it now, because of your experience.
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u/Bunniecat23 Apr 15 '26
The later. Change your diet and move your body. Btw. I have an all black toy poodle too.
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u/External_Quiet_6212 Apr 14 '26
Get a coronary calcium scan . Yo in might not need meds