I have been having a battle with high cholesterol for a number of years. I was on statin drugs, but I have had nerve problems, muscle weakness, pain, and tiredness due to other diagnoses, and I don't want meds that can possibly increase these symptoms. Plus I've read that statin drugs don't necessarily actually decrease heart attacks, etc., since high cholesterol is only one potential cause of them. And they can actually weaken the heart muscle! So, I went off of them and have been taking fish oil. However, when I went to the doc recently for yearly testing, my overall cholesterol level was over 300.

I am going to keep taking fish oil. I am adding red yeast rice to my diet as of tonight, too. (I tried it once before and just stopped it for worry of its possible side effects.) Of all things, I just read that the U.S. has banned red yeast rice that contains much of the ingredient that actually helps with cholesterol, though. (Big Pharma at work?!) Two pharmacists told me it wouldn't have as strong side effects as statins, however.

I know I need to lose at least 30 pounds and exercise more, too.

How do you folks with this problem treat it? I really still don't want to take Statin drugs. Help and thanks!