I posted several months ago on this string and wanted to update. ...

When I stopped taking this dangerous drug, my dr. wanted to me to take another statin, in spite I still have side effects. Unfortunately, drs. all they know is push drugs, instead of alternatives. Yes, my cholesterol increased after I stopped taking the poison, but, I control it with natural products. Drs./drug co's are a HUGE racket.

Rick, I also stopped taking statins, and the next time I had blood work done, my total cholesterol had skyrocketed to 325. My dr. had me try Crestor 5 mg. She said some people react to one and not another, and that I would know within a few days if I could tolerate it. Because she was sympathetic to my symptoms and didn't discount them, I gave it a try. Within 1 1/2 weeks, although the muscle pain did not reappear, my leg muscle weakness, which had not totally gotten better, was getting worse again. And I was now feeling an overwhelming fatigue, barely able to keep my eyes open all day. So I stopped the Crestor, and am trying to lower my cholesterol natually. I am trying to eat better, eat more cholesterol lowering foods, like oats and nuts, and cut down on fats. I am also overweight, so am trying to lose weight and exercise. Let's hope!!
Good luck to you, too!!

Rick, you are 100% correct. You do not need to be under 200 on cholesterol. Those guidlines were made by physicians with ties to the statin drug industry. I call it the "adjusted for profit" lab values. There was no science behind that decision. Just corporate greed, and in my opinion its a white collar crime. My studies have found that there is no relationship between total cholesterol and heart disease. 50% of all heart attacks occur in people with low to normal cholesterol. So where is the benefit if a guy with high cholesterol shifts from one 50% group to the other 50% group that has just as many heart attacks? The only beneficial shift is the $1,000 per month on behalf of the patient to the drug companies pockets.

hi,there are many natral product that lower cholestrol like turmeric,ginger,garlic .and also fenugreek tea are very effective to drop cholestrol .

Rick, found your comments very interesting especially about rupturing your tendon. I too am on Lipitor and a couple of months ago I torn my posterior Tibial Tendon plus 3 ligaments in my foot. Cannot remember how but woke up one morning and could not put weight on my foot. I am being operated on in 8 weeks time.

I checked with a pharmacist (who does not supply my medication) and they said that if someone was having the muscle pains associated with statins then a good alternate was to drink a glass of red wine instead.

Rick, blocking the production of cholesterol can deplete cholesterol from tendon cell membranes.

I had the same thing happen to me ( severe burning and tingling in feet and hands as well as ruptured achilles tendon with SIMVASTATIN ( ZOCOR ) ! I am also quitting statins FOREVER!!