Control cholesterol symptoms and conditions

Problem with seeing the doctor is that they have to see some Xray or do a blood test before they believe anything. My shoulder pains are almost completely gone and flexible again. I too had so much pain that when I slept on my side, it hurt alot..and I mean alot. Now I can sleep on the shoulders and I don't wake up in pain. My leg rash is still gone and healing up nicely and believe me when I say that I had it for years and it never went away like this. It is too coincidental for me to ignore that the Lipitor was the culprit. Just get off the Lipitor for a week and see if the symptons subside, that is the only proof you need. I am not a doctor nor do I suggest that you don't need some form of statin to control cholesterol but the side efforts from it was not worth it for me. Better and easier to watch the intake of fatty foods and excerise. Good luck.

I had a light heart attack in February 2005, then had two bypasses. Upon release from hospital I was prescribed Zocor to control cholesterol (previous cholesterol levels were between 200-220). My family doctor had not prescribed medications previously but cardiologist said I should have been on this medication "long ago." When I had my heart attack I did not have chest pain (which I understand is fairly common in women); rather I had intense pain in my arms, shoulders, and back. Since the surgery and being placed on Toprol and Zocor, I have had continuous nagging pain in my arms and back. Of course this makes me think I am going to have another heart attack. I have been told by medical personnel that this "probably could not be a side effect of the Zocor, might be "in my head," etc. My family has a history of heart attacks, high cholesterol, etc., so would be very hesitant to stop the Zocor (or some other statin drug) unless I could be very sure this is causing the pain. The pain is not high level (possibly 2-3 level; occasionally higher), but is always there! I am now going to chiropractor but he has been very straight-forward about his ability to help me.

Hi I have read the posts here with interest. I have been trying to get family and friends off of all meds! I firmly feel that doctors push pills too quickly when there are other methods to control cholesterol etc. My cholesterol was rather high a couple of years ago, and my doctor wanted to put me on lipitor. I asked for 6 months of dieting first and he agreed. When I ate less meat and more soy protein, no trans fat and less than 10 grams of saturated fat per day, my cholesterol lowered. My ldl was still high at 160 but my hdl was high at 60 and my tryglicerides lowered to 89, my doctor was so pleased that he said keep on doing what ever it is your doing! The real measurement is the ratio. My ratio is 4 (trying to get that lower now) a 4 is good and lower is much better. It's the hdl that makes the difference. I hope everyone can make the switch to a healhier approach to managing your cholesterol and bp. I am 53 by the way, and have never taken a bp or cholesterol med. Increase your soy intake and the #s will drop.
peace and love to all
christine