Atherosclerosis diagnosis but do not want to take the Statins...please advise

J

JeanneT

Jedi Council Member
FOTCM Member
Last summer, I was brought to a cardiologist as a result of an event where I wondered if I was having a heart attack. That was ruled out but I was sent for a stress test which showed a potential blockage. The next step was a procedure with a catheter that exposed a 40-50% blockage in the circumflex artery. I was given a script for a atorvastatin 80 mg. Having researched quite a bit on the statin situation I was really reluctant to jump in right away and now, I find a year has passed and I still have not taken them. Now I must face my cardiologist because I need a clearance for a hip replacement in a few weeks. His belief in meds is so strong that he is intimidating. To refuse does not bother me but I find myself unsure of my decision as even with research, I am not schooled in science or medicine. I am hesitant to take the statins mainly because I am almost pre-diabetic and have also had kidney stones in the past. With these weaknesses I am concerned that messing around with a cholesterol blocking med without knowing how my system will tolerate it could cause harm down the road. The cardiologist seems to pinpoint the artieries without regard to the whole body. I am forced to use mainstream doctors because of my insurance plan, but I find I think so differently about health and diet, etc. This is causing me stress as I need the doctor to clear me for surgery right now.
I would appreciate any thoughts or advise on this situation.
 
Gaby said:
How much is your cholesterol?
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I just had a new blood draw this morning so the results will take a couple of days..I will post then. However, I was told last year when hospitalized overnight after the non heart attack scare that my cholesterol was okay but was not told the numbers. I do have numbers from May of last year to give you an idea of what it has been. total was 229 mg,dl Triglycerides 108, HDL 71 and LDL 146. Thanks Gaby
 
Let's wait for the results of next week.

One option would be to take the statin until you get clearance for the hip replacement. Depending on cholesterol values, that could be 40mg instead of 80mg. After the clearance, you can change to berberine and red yeast rice.

Keep in mind that the heart suffers under stress and became prediabetic all before and without the statin drug. In perspective, if you are in too much pain, the hip replacement is more important.
 
Gaby said:
Let's wait for the results of next week.

One option would be to take the statin until you get clearance for the hip replacement. Depending on cholesterol values, that could be 40mg instead of 80mg. After the clearance, you can change to berberine and red yeast rice.

Keep in mind that the heart suffers under stress and became prediabetic all before and without the statin drug. In perspective, if you are in too much pain, the hip replacement is more important.
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thank you again for your reply, Gaby. Yes, I have avoided dealing with the hip but it has now progressed in pain level and holds me back from a healthy and normal existence. I have not been able to get proper exercise as the pain is so limiting. I also am trying to get it done soon in case there is another lock down this winter or a mandate for a vaccine before admitting one to a hospital setting. New York State seems to be a leader in authoritarian rules and vaccine mandates.
I actually would feel comfortable taking the statin for a short period as you suggested as to not have to argue with the cardiologist at this time....I need to get the surgery. And I also will do what seems best for my situation...I do favor the idea of the Berberine and red yeast rice over the statin if that is possible.
 
JeanneT said:
I actually would feel comfortable taking the statin for a short period as you suggested as to not have to argue with the cardiologist at this time....I need to get the surgery. And I also will do what seems best for my situation...I do favor the idea of the Berberine and red yeast rice over the statin if that is possible.
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There's a good French product that is called Limicol. It's very effective and not as harmful as statins, I think.
 
FWIW I agree with Gaby and you could take CoQ10 to mitigate some of the side effects of the statin while you're taking it (if you choose to).

If you don't like your cardiologist could you find a different one? Personally I think its good to try to find doctors you can trust. I know that can be tricky sometimes but usually if you call your insurance company they will give you a few options to choose from, or if you trust your PCP you can explain the situation and ask him/her to recommend someone else. A different doctor might have a different opinion.
 
Séamas said:
FWIW I agree with Gaby and you could take CoQ10 to mitigate some of the side effects of the statin while you're taking it (if you choose to).

If you don't like your cardiologist could you find a different one? Personally I think its good to try to find doctors you can trust. I know that can be tricky sometimes but usually if you call your insurance company they will give you a few options to choose from, or if you trust your PCP you can explain the situation and ask him/her to recommend someone else. A different doctor might have a different opinion.
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thanks so much for the reminder of COQ-10, Seamas, I had forgotten about that part which I remember reading from a Dr. Mercola article. I do like my primary physician who is a DO, but when I said I did not want to take the statin her reply was..." with your diagnoses, I advise you to take it" she followed with, "but it is your body". I wondered after that exchange if I am with the right doctors, all who are very dedicated, but follow a criteria designed by the group. I wonder if they allow themselves to challenge a specialist or can separate from the group model of care without repercussion? I chose her because she is a DO, hoping she would be the best match for me within this system. Once I got tied with the cardiology group I felt like I was being swept away in a direction that was beyond my control....much like this covid farce, where fear and intimidation is used when one is not armed with facts and confidence. Atherosclerosis is a scary word to hear as they point out that the statins are my only chance to stop the plaque from potentially breaking free and causing a stroke.
There are no functional or alternative doctors listed in my supplemental insurance plan which is tied to medicare. If I were more financially secure I would have just paid out of pocket to find a doctor who is on my wavelength. Now, I have decided to work towards this after surgery and try to set money aside for it and just start over with aim of getting my body into the best balance possible.
 
The lab results came quickly. I can't get away with anything it seems...my LDL is high, so there is a note..."Your LDL is high, are you taking your Atorvastatin"? :-D
total cholesterol is 238, LDL is 138, Tri. is 66 and HDL is 84. Glucose is 109, Chloride in blood is 97 and anion gap is 18. ( I have been in ketosis, though). All other markers were in normal range.
I started taking 40mg of the statin yesterday and had some ubiquinol on hand, so I took that as well.
 
Gaby said:
Sounds like a good plan. Once you're cleared out, you can switch to supplements - berberine and red yeast rice or equivalent.
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thanks so much, Gaby...I feel so relieved as this was weighing heavy on me. One more question, if you don't mind...will the Berberine affect the other B/P meds I am taking? I think I read that it can accelerate the effect or lesson..can't remember. I have some in the cupboard but have not taken it until I could ask someone.
 
JeanneT said:
thanks so much, Gaby...I feel so relieved as this was weighing heavy on me. One more question, if you don't mind...will the Berberine affect the other B/P meds I am taking? I think I read that it can accelerate the effect or lesson..can't remember. I have some in the cupboard but have not taken it until I could ask someone.
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You can take berberine with those medications. Just make sure to monitor, if there's less insulin resistance, blood pressure tends to normalize.
 
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