[Maven]

My doctor wants me to take Lipitor for high cholesterol; Medicare only lets me get the generic, Atorvastatin. I'm nervous about side effects. I always am when it comes to new meds. If anyone here is or was on this drug, I'd really appreciate it if you could tell me of any side effects or experiences you've had. Thank you.

[optimize990h]

My mother believe in proper diet reduces fried food and add alternatives to her diet. She also 3-4 pieces cloves of raw garlic that reduced her cholstrerol. But many can tolerate. Garlic breath.
All I know is if one name brand med like Lipitor is substituted for Atorvastin, she people get bad side effects like chest pain, back pain, and Difficulty breathing, you might want pick up a weeks supply of Atorvastin to see the side effect will happen.

[Perna]

I like the Mayo Clinic site for information: Atorvastatin (Oral Route) - MayoClinic.com

[Permanent Pajamas]

I take it. It works great. The only side effect is that it makes you a little "loose".

I went from the 300's down to the 180's.

[-jimi-]

Did you have a proper analysis of your lipids, or did they do it old school?

Do you eat sugar? Drink soda or fruit juices? They raise the bad cholesterol.

[Maven]

optimize990h, I might call the doctor today and see if I could try a healthy diet first, without the meds. I love garlic, so I wouldn't mind eating it every day. I have something I want to do first--get Godiva chocolates and have "one last hurrah" before cutting out the bad stuff and limiting my sugar intake greatly. I hope that's ok, and that I'll be okay.

Permanent Pajamas, what do you mean by "loose"? Diarrhea? I know everyone is different and experience different things, but I'm just scared I'll take it and end up with one or more of the dangerous things the info says can happen, and it might permanently damage me or kill me. I know, I seem paranoid...I guess I am. But once I've taken the pill, there's no turning back.

Jimi, I had blood tests done back in December-January. I am still nervous about starting the Lipitor. I might call my doctor today and annoy him with my silly scaredy-cat questions. I will ask him if I may attempt to lower my cholesterol without the drug first, and then see where we go from there. I don't want to have a heart attack, but I'm just nervous before taking a new drug.

Yes, I eat sugar like it's my life's blood. Lots of soda, usually diet. Fruit juices raise bad cholesterol? I don't drink those much, but that's a bit confusing to me.

[Permanent Pajamas]

Maven, yes, that's what I mean.

I don't think you should be afraid of it. Thousands of people are on it and have been for years. No class action lawsuits yet.

[ECHOES]

I tolerated Lipitor very well. I don't think there was a generic yet.

I have been on other statins that I did not tolerate well, but Lipitor was great.

[-jimi-]

Maven, it is OK to ask the doc. If he is a good doc he could explain what cholesterol really is about, not the myth that most docs use to sell statins.

And yea, sugar is really bad for blood pressure and fruit juice is full of it.

[Maven]

Thanks, all! One question, jimi... ... I understand sugar's bad for blood pressure, but I was referring to cholesterol. Is fruit juice bad for cholesterol? I have heard blueberries are good for memory, but I'm having trouble eating them everyday, because they leave seeds or something between my gums and cheeks and it is really unpleasant. I've never been crazy about the taste of blueberries, but I seem to like them now, but for the seeds/whatever.

[-jimi-]

Fructose (one part of ordinary sugar, and lot of it in fruit juice) increases uric acid which cause some type of muscle to contract, of some affects blood pressure. Berries are good, blueberries are very good. Fruit is good. But fruit juice is not the same as eating a fruit. Ordinary sugar is not the same as eating a beet or whatever the sugar comes from.

Also: High HDL+High LDL = bad bad must be treated according to old school cholesterol theory.

New school; HDL if high, recycles LDL meaning plaques not forming.

New school; Only high LDL without high HDL needs treating.

[Maven]

Oh, so eating fruit won't raise your cholesterol; it's just the drinking of the juice that will do it? Thanks for that.

I still haven't been able to make myself take the Lipitor. I'm just so scared if I have a serious side effect and die or have a horrible thing happen to me. I know high cholesterol poses its own risks, and I really should take the drug, but I'm trying to work up the courage.

[BonnieJean]

I've take Atorvastatin over a year with no side effects. Lipitor before that.

I think eating sugars and excess carbs that convert quickly to sugar in your system drive up your triglycerides which is cholesterol.

How's it going with you?

[bebop]

I took lovastatin and it worked great! I am on gemfibrozil now for the triglycerides still.
I also watch all labels when I shop. really watch those if possible.