I’m starting a statin
I had my doctor’s appointment yesterday (I didn’t get to see my new doctor the day before because she was ill and I had to come all the way back the next day to see someone else who was available).
So I agreed to begin taking a statin.
We discussed that while my triglycerides have been sort of stable on the Vascepa the numbers aren’t going down like they should, and that maybe it was time to think of taking one of the statins to lower my LDLs, increase my HDLs, and reduce my risk of becoming diabetic.
I carry a lot of my weight in my abdomen so I already have a higher chance of it happening. I don’t need both diabetes and MS.
The appointment was okay, but I guess I didn’t make it clear to him that I needed a refill of my Trazodone sleeping pill.
When I finally got back to my neck of the woods and hit the pharmacy before it closed, the only medication that had been ordered was the Rosuvastatin.
I spoke to the pharmacist and it turns out that I could go without it since the dose was very low and I was already on an antidepressant. That the fact I’d been on the Trazodone for so long had likely made it less effective without having the dosage increased. I was only taking 50 mg a night anyway.
I’m just continuing to practice good sleep hygiene and remaining aware of my emotional stare and quality of sleep.
My mom is worried about me having to start a statin, but I’ve tried to reassure her that I’m going to take all the steps and try harder to make the lifestyle changes so I won’t have to stay on the statin forever. I’m only turning 35 this October!
@integrityblues
Did you research any alternatives to statins ?
Statins are the biggest $$ producer for drug companies and once on they always think you can never go off...i was on other items and my doctor suggested an alternative that worked wonder far faster and safer the side effects with statins.
Well, I’m taking what my doctor suggests.
It’s going to be up to me and my doctor when I go off of them because I’ll need to move to a reduced dosage before finally quitting. I’m also not on this medication because of previous heart attacks and strokes. My mother currently is and she’ll be stuck on it for the rest of her life because she isn’t willing to make the small changes needed to eventually reduce her dosage.
I’m comfortable with my choice and just have to stick it out! After a month of using the meds I could see positive changes on my next blood test. Even better if I try harder to fix my crummy diet. I sort of still eat like a teenager, especially when I’m sad.
For now my depression is more focused on another change in my life, not just that I’m taking another medicine.
I’m not sure how much I care about the money aspect because it stands to reason that plenty of people have cardiac conditions that go uncared for or have diets that only make it worse and that’s why it’s prescribed so much.
Either way, have a nice day!
@integrityblues. I’m a cardiac patient and have been on a statin for many years without any problems from it. I also follow a low fat especially low saturated fat diet. I’ll have to stay on the statin for life but hopefully I won’t need a higher dose following the diet. I was able to get my triglycerides down with a lower carb diet. It was hard giving up all the goodies like desserts , candies and potato chips. But now that I have gotten used to it I don’t miss those things as much. Best of luck to you.
Thank you for sharing.
I’ve been struggling, but I’m confident that if I make the efforts to change my behavior around food and specifically force myself to make sure that I’ve, for example, done my dishes so I can actually cook my healthy food, that I’ll stick with what are going to have to be forever lifestyle changes if I want to stay off the statin in the future. Maybe have a once in awhile cheat meal after a blood draw, of course, but I’m not thinking of that just yet!
Good luck with the new medications. Anything new (or dropping anything old) does take some adapting to, but I know that you have the willpower to figure it out. And you can always make the necessary adjustments as you move forward.
Worry less about what age you are starting something and more that you are at peace with it, It sounds like you are. @integrityblues
Thanks bestVase.
I had to reassure my mother and now my aunt that I’m followed through with my plans and have started taking the meds as instructed. Now I’ve got to start paying more attention to my diet and exercise.
You have had some really good periods where you exercise and diet well. What kinds of things are you trying now? @integrityblues
I’m trying to pay more attention to what I’m eating- I’ve been using My Fitness Pal to track my food and nutrients for awhile.
I’ve been told that taking care of these numbers is 90% about my diet, so I’m going to have to focus on it even more and actually get serious about my intake of carbs, fats, proteins, and sugars. I’m trying to do a low carb diet (around 100 grams a day) with more lean proteins than fats because I’m not interested in keto. So I have to get plenty of lower carb vegetables and fruits, whole grains, lean proteins like eggs, meats, and seafood, plus nuts and beans.
In addition to the diet I have to get back to work on my exercise. The heatwave has smacked me down and cut my energy in half, but if the rain from the storm passes overnight I’ll be able to start getting more walking in as soon as tomorrow. I can also fit in my physical therapy exercises, pedaling on my exercise pedaler, and maybe playing Dance Dance Revolution if I tape my cheap dance mat to the floor.
I have a future appointment with my local DOR as I’ve been trying to reopen my case for months but there has been a long wait due to increased demand.
I guess I’m struggling to find a balance between all sorts of things that will benefit me but also require time and thought to be successful.
That diet and exercise plan sounds pretty awesome. Let me know anything that I can do to encourage you. I made a great wasabi vegan brown rice dish the other night that was pretty tasty if you want the recipe. @integrityblues
Here it is: https://www.theroastedroot.net/wasabi-vegetable-bowls/ @integrityblues
Liquid aminos are basically the same as soy sauce (vegans don't do soy sauce). I also didn't use the nutritional yeast. Otherwise it was good and pretty simple. It smells like it is going to be spicy but then it isn't. The sauce sort of resembles a honey mustard.
Please please be very careful with taking a statin. The doctor’s dish them out like candy too much to patients but there are some big risks that come with taking them and with you being on only 35 I would absolutely suggest you look in to some other alternatives to bring your LDL’s down safely. Going on statins is a big decision to make but please do all the research you can and weigh up all the pros and cons before deciding to start on it. 🙏
Hi!
I tried non medical alternatives and lifestyle changes to lower my LDLs along with twice daily pills to lower my triglycerides for over a year, nearly two years to be honest.
It just wasn’t working out for me.
I feel that this is my best choice for now. It doesn’t have to be a forever thing, and if I’m compliant with the necessary diet changes it’s possible the lowest dose of 10 mg is going to be enough.
Fingers crossed!
