High Cholesterol, anyone on meds?

[Minnie824]

So, I had my cholesterol checked and its high...no surprise. But my dr. wants to put me on meds, and I don't think its needed yet. If you are taking meds, can you tell me what age you started at? My parents have high cholesterol, so I know it runs in the family, but I'm only 30, don't smoke, have normal blood pressure, exercise, am not overweight. It just runs in the family, and I eat some bad food. I know this. AND, my good cholesterol is 76, which is really good. I'm not asking for medical advise, just wondering others experience and when you started taking meds.

 

[barkley]

dh started about 5 years ago (age then-34) taking lipitor. we have found recently some great success in using the cooking habits of the south beach diet.

it does run in families-and it can run the other way too. my dad ate everything you should'nt, including no less than 5 eggs every day (3 fried for breakfast, 2 hardboiled with lunch) and had the most amazingly low cholesterol level-he doctor commended him for having such healthy eating habits

 

[goldcupmom]

I'm almost 46 and have been on Lipitor 10 mg(lowest dose) 1x day since I was 35+. I've never had high Cholesterol, but this is a preventative due to the outrageous cholesterol in my family. My mother was on meds since they were experimental and they kept her levels in the mid - 400's! My oldest sister had no pulse below the waist at age 40 and again at 56. Her cholesterol on meds runs between 600 and 850. Yep you read those numbers correct! No one knows why.

My DD at age 6 had cholesterol of 256. Both DS ran in the 230's until puberty hit and then dropped to the 150s.

I've never had a problem with the meds. My numbers are always on the low end and my good cholesterol is usually mid -upper 60s.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Just started taking them around my recent 48th birthday, but honestly, I could have been taking them sooner. I'm taking a low dose of Crestor. I was really worried about the side effects of muscle pain, but so far, nothing.

My 83 year old mom lowered her cholesterol from about 230 to 170, with diet. (Altho, I wonder if all the other meds she takes for other reasons may have a cholesterol lowering effect. Who knows.)

Good luck. It's a drag to have to go on meds, but better that you are if you need them.

 

[sammi]

I too am taking Lipitor and have been for 11 years.

 

[MBeds]

I'm glad the OP asked this question - I just found out that i have high cholesterol - Doc suggested i try lowering it thru diet first - I have til Sept to bring it down, otherwise meds for me too...
I'll be following this thread for everyones replies...

 

[Virgo10]

At my last Dr's appointment, he wanted to start me on medication. My total level was 247 and the bad cholesterol was 177. I asked him to wait and to let me try diet and exercise.

Sooo... since April 1st I have lost 17 pounds, I exercise on the treadmill about 5 times a week and have tried to eliminate as much fat and cholesterol in my diet as is humanly possible. Oh, and I gave up my main downfall, Ice Cream! That was tough... I'm addicted to the stuff but have found that good frozen yogurt is pretty much OK too.

I'm hoping for some good news at the next appointment which is in 10 days. I'll have blood work down some time next week.

I don't expect the levels to be perfect but if they have started falling, then I know they will continue with more weight loss, etc. I still have another 15 pounds I'd like to get rid of. Anyone want it?

 

[The Mayor]

I'm 51 and I take Lipitor, 20mg a 1X a day...been on it for 3 years...my cholesterol was 285 when I had it checked and I got it donw to 200 w/o medication ny changing my diet and more exercise...doctor then put me on Liptor to get it down lower...last check up I was at 154.

 

[luvwinnie]

Not yet, but I am heading there. It runs in my family too.

SOme good news about statins...they might help you survive a bird flu pandemic:

So what to do about the cytokine storm threat come a pandemic? Statin drugs such as Lipitor and Crestor (widely used to lower cholesterol) probably will lower the risk of death of those infected by an influenza strain that causes a cytokine storm. If you have high cholesterol and haven't done anything about it go get a statin drug prescription and it might just save your life two different ways: Avoid a heart attack and avoid death in an influenza pandemic.