annndddd so much for the Lipitor

[binny]

Wow that stuff threw me for a loop!!!

Has anyone else ever been on this? It made me so sick to my stomach and made my heart race. I had a TERRIBLE panic attack last night and I havent had one of those in a very long time.


So now I'm off the Lipitor and they are going to put me on something else in a few days when this is out of my system. Im really hoping I can get some sleep tonight, the last two night have been so hard.

They also ran some more tests and called today, they said I was at a high risk for heart disease.
So this is no longer an OPTION for me. This is a MUST DO.
I am going to get healthy and I am going to stick with it. I had one wake up call in August this is the last one i needed.

Any help and/or support would be very appreciated. I know it wont be easy but I have no choice.
Thanks for listening.

 

[02bBarbie]

Best of luck to you....weight loss is hard, but dealing with wake up calls is even harder. You can do it!

 

[AKASnowWhite]

You can do it....and you know we're all rooting for you

 

[LAinSEA]

My DH is also on liptor. At first any fat - even "good" fat - in his stomach would make him feel awful after taking the Lipitor. Lipitor is supposed to be taken at night before bedtime. He found that it makes a big difference how soon he eats before taking the medication. The major stomach pain and upset subsided somewhat over the first month.

We are both on Atkins (DH can consume about 3 times the carbs I can and still keep losing). Atkins and lipitor don't seem to mix very well. DH tends to eat his higher carb meal for dinner and eat his protein and fat early in the day. We also tend to eat leaner beef, lots of fish and chicken for our protein avoiding a lot of saturated fat.

I believe all cholesterol lowering meds work similarly to Lipitor. You may need to adjust your diet and meal times in order to avoid feeling terrible after taking it. Best of luck to you and much better health.

-Laurie

 

[mowsie dreamer]

Hope they find the right med for you soon, binny. And I hope you're feeling better soon. It can be tough dealing with side effects.

I like the determination I hear in your post. Knowing you need to do this and have the determination to do it is half the battle! You absolutely can do this. And we're all here for help and support any time you need it!!

 

[nancyj_pa]

I hope you feel better soon, Binny. I've been taking Pravachol for a few years now with no side effects. I take it first thing in the morning so I won't forget.

NancyJ

 

[wilderness01]

I have been lucky because I feel fine on it. I take it right as I am going to bed though so maybe that makes a difference. What kind of tests did they run on you? They haven't run anything on me that wasn't routine. Just curious if my doctor isn't doing something he should. My cholesterol is over 300 as well and has been high for years so I am not a new case.

 

[binny]

see? this is what I dont understand... my Doctor has made a HUGE deal out of this.. I know my Cholesterol is high its 257. Then I hear of lots of people who are well into the 300's. I know that I also have other risk factors, but I cant help but wonder if she isnt jumping the gun a bit? I mean she didnt even SUGGEST diet and exercise.

Anyway, I didnt take any last night ( I was taking it before bed too and it made me so sick I was up all night with it) and I took some Benadryl and I slept so soundly and I only woke up once. Oh it was heavenly!

So today is a good day!



Thanks everyone for the advice and the hugs... were all going to get through this!

 

[AKASnowWhite]

Originally posted by binny
I mean she didnt even SUGGEST diet and exercise.

I'm not a huge fan of taking medicines if there is any other possible way to avoid it......To me, diet and exercise should be the FIRST things for the doctor to address.....then, only if necessary add in a med......Honestly, I'd probably talk to another doctor and get a second opinion....but that's just me.....

I hope you feel better soon, and find the answer that's right for YOU!

 

[nativetxn]

I didn't know Lipitor caused panic attacks. I'm glad that you found out what was causing your discomfort and stopped taking it.

 

[wilderness01]

I agree with the getting a second opinion. My cholesterol was over 300 and the Dr. gave me 2 months to drop it on my own. I dropped it 60 points and then he gave me another 2 months to drop it again. That is when I went on the medicine. Anyhow, I decided to "experiment" and stopped taking the medicine. I had been on the medicine for over a year. I am now at 326 and faithfully on the medicine every day. 326 is my highest Cholesterol count ever! My counts/ratios were bad as well. Go for the second opinion, even if just for piece of mind. That is very important the whole trust issue. Have them try a different medication and see how you feel. Hope all goes well. Keep your chin up.

 

[newholiday]

My brothers triple heart bypass was a wake up call for me last May! Now I know it's hereditary cos our died died from heart failure almost 10yrs ago. I decided it was time to take care of myself. Cut down the fat, still trying to cut out the sodium.

Good luck Binny - sometimes a wake up call is a great motivator

 

[*Flower*]

My DH is doing our plan with me, and he's on Zocor. He takes it at about 9 at night (within a few hours of bedtime for him) and it doesn't cause him any problems.

I hope that your doctor prescribes something that works for you without making you sick........