w/o taking Statins by total C level is 300-320 I first tried Nia...

w/o taking Statins by total C level is 300-320 I first tried Niacin, but the side effect had me with "burning" for many hours and I look like a cooked Lobster, so this was dropped. I first tried Zocor several years ago in several doses, but total C did not fall below 240. I then moved to Lipitor 10mg than 20mg and then 40mg . My total C dropped to 250 then 200 then 195. My doctor a couple of months ago advised a move to 80mg. I protested because was concerned that over the last couple of years I had developed Arthritis in my hands and major muscle pain in both my upper arms. he was skeptical of the linkage so we devised the following empirical experiment. 4 weeks off Lipitor and the Arthritis and Muscle pains had subsided 75/90+% rerspectively. 4 weeks back on 40mg I was back to the previous high levels of Arthritis and upper arm pains. 5 days off Lipitor again and both side effects have been reduced by 50%. The good news is that I have seemingly found the cause of my Arthritis and Muscle pains. The very bad news is, to what medicine do I turn next. I am NOT over weight. I exercise 6 days a week min averaging 5-6,000 Calories a week. B4 I turned to Statins I was on an almost Vegetarian diet + fish, no fried foods, no butter, margarine, cake, biscuits little meat, no potato chips. In fact my diet was excellent so it seems the Cholestrol is a natural state for my body. Well natural in its production, but I need to keep it at 200 or lower to be happy. My HDL is aroung 66-70 of that 200 while taking 40mg of Lipitor. But Lipitor seems bad for my body. I hear Crestor is coming under scrutiny as well. No idea which direction to take next.