Lower your cholesterol symptoms and conditions

I am 59 and switched to Simvastatin from Lipitor. Much lower in price. My cholesterol is 200 and the doctor was very pleased with the number. So far no side effects but it has been only 5 days. The dose is 20mgs. Now after reading all the BAD side effects I am very scared!
Is there any positive statements about Simvastatin?
S.

I must let you know from experience with both drugs scientifically, Lipitor does lower your cholesterol levels, and when u want to talk cholesterol, talk, LDL's or HDL's donttalk general. Lipitor has been proven to reduce your LDL levels yes, but the standard dose regimen for Lipitor is 40 mg, NOT 10mg, further more once Lipitor does that at 40 mg, it ALSO STARTS LOWERING YOUR HDL's which are your good cholesterol. So dont be fooled that your cholesterol levels have dropped. Consider the patients out there who suffer from GENETIC/ FAMILIAL DYSLIPIDEMIA's . The game is totally different for GENETICALLY OBESE PAX as well.

I think all of you folks with side affects are are blaming your ills on Lipitor rather than putting the blame where it belongs: on your own mental health. I am a 65 YO male and I have been on Lipitor for more than six years now. I have no side affects, I work out four days per week with cardio and weights and feel that Lipitor should be added to the public water supply. My total cholesterol has gone from the high two hundreds to under one-forty on a single daily dose of 10mg. All of you hypochondriacs get a grip.

I have been taking 1g Niaspan for about 2 years for cholesterol. Here are the things that I have found that increase or decrease side effects:
1. Taking an 81mg asprin 30 min before reduces flush. 350mg doesn't do any better than 81mg.
2. Energetic excercise (30 min on stationary bike or treadmill, cardio, weight training) especially after taking niaspan, reduces side effects.
3. Drinking alcohol as much as 12 hours before taking niaspan greatly increases side effects.
4. Eating fatty foods before taking niaspan increases side effects.
5. Drink a large amount of water (16 - 32 ounces) with niaspan dose.

The alcohol and fatty food items may be realated to and affect liver function, which can be affected by niaspan. Alcohol is also a major contributor to triglycerides. If you are trying to lower your cholesterol, leave the beer and booze alone.

T.R.

To guest 9280 below. Sounds like classic Lipitoritis. People don't inherit high cholesterol. However people can inherit metobolic problems that lead to elevated cholesterol levels. Since you state you have dry cracking skin and elevated cholesterol, sounds like you could have low thyroid function, which is almost always "inherited." Also, females are 9 times more likely to have thyroid problems than males. Have your doctor do a thyroid test. And remember, TSH over 3.04 indicateds hypothyroidism. Also check FT4 index and FT3.

Elevated cholesterol in a person who is strict with diet and exercise, is merely a symptom of an underlying metabolic problem. Taking Lipitor won't correct that problem. It may lower your cholesterol, but it will also induce the horrible side effects you experienced.

Bobby