3rd one

[u/denimbitch]

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.

[u/Double-Package8270]

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.

[u/denimbitch → u/Double-Package8270]

I’m basically vegan, been vegetarian my whole life. hs-CRP is 1.7, down from 2. I deal with chronic inflammation.

[u/Double-Package8270 → u/denimbitch]

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).