Alternative to statins

ah thank you, I had missed the all soluble fibre can reduce cholesterol memo. It's always good to learn something new 🙂
Fibre is great but it's worth noting that the LDL-C reduction is much greater & more reliable with statins. It's certainly not the case that everybody will be able to get LDL-C / non-HDL-C to their target levels using only fibre and other lifestyle measures.
 
Fibre is great but it's worth noting that the LDL-C reduction is much greater & more reliable with statins. It's certainly not the case that everybody will be able to get LDL-C / non-HDL-C to their target levels using only fibre and other lifestyle measures.
I realise that, but for those who really can't tolerate statins, and are not taking them consistently, hopefully diet changes, cholesterol lowering drinks and soluble fibre can help
 
My other half who is not diabetic has tried both atorvastatin and simvastatin but suffered muscle weakness and leg pains so stopped taking them and the problem improved pretty quickly. His cholesterol has never been particularly high but apparently the LDL is higher than desirable according to the clinical pharmacist he had a review with a few days ago.
They have prescribed bempedoic acid (Nilemdo) but reading the info sheet is says common side effects are pains and anaemia and increased uric acid.
Does anyone have experience of this medication.
 
Maybe try a proactive spread. My husband takes it just in the mornings with his toast ( he’s not diabetic) and it seems to work for him.
Good luck.
I won’t take it, from what I gather the body makes it and food has some part to play but not much. As we age we need it, our brain needs it and women tend to need more. There is a lot of information to be had.
But it will be your personal decision.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
It's early days on ezetimibe but so far no sign of the nausea and runs that are a known side effect. However, tiredness is another known side effect, and I have been feeling the need for a nap most afternoons. Or it could just be my age!!!!! :rofl:
 
I'm unable to take statins or ezetimibe. I could barely get up and down my stairs or off my chair. So I'm just living on hope.
That's one of the side effects I got with statins - from fit and active to housebound wreck. But after years of GP nagging I have agreed to try ezitimibe. We'll see.
 
Glad to hear you’ve had a promising start @Felinia

Hope the tiredness is just a temporary blip!
 
Two weeks on ezitimibe now and the side effects I had dreaded - cramps, joint pain, the runs, nausea - have not appeared. The other two common side effects - flatulence and lethargy - are very minor and don't really trouble me. If I feel like a nap, particularly after exercise, then I have it. So I am happy and I think my GP will be as well, as long as the cholesterol improves.
 
Good to hear that you are tolerating the new medication with few side effects. Long may it continue.
 
Interesting discussion. I have just been prescribed stations (atorvastatin) even though my cholesterol is ok. I haven't decided whether to take them or not yet as 1) do I need them if my cholesterol is ok and 2) there is a 10% chance that it increases blood sugar level which seems counterintuitive, though an increae in insulin dosage can probably manage this. Obviously my course of action depends on the biggest risk factor.......high cholesterol or possibly higher glucose readings. At the moment I don't think I will be taking until someone tells me I have an issue with cholesterol.
 
Interesting discussion. I have just been prescribed stations (atorvastatin) even though my cholesterol is ok. I haven't decided whether to take them or not yet as 1) do I need them if my cholesterol is ok and 2) there is a 10% chance that it increases blood sugar level which seems counterintuitive, though an increae in insulin dosage can probably manage this. Obviously my course of action depends on the biggest risk factor.......high cholesterol or possibly higher glucose readings. At the moment I don't think I will be taking until someone tells me I have an issue with cholesterol.

I think the logic goes that anyone with T1, but especially anyone who has had it for a few years will inevitably have had glucose readings outside the ideal range - however well managed they attempt to be. And those ‘excursions’ put stress on the heart and circulation system that raises our chances of heart attack and stroke, and creates the inflammatory environment where cholesterol can attach to blood vessels and form plaques.

So even with good T1 management, and an on-target HbA1c there’s still a balance of risk reduction benefit in taking a statin, especially as they are now so cheap, and are generally well tolerated (with multiple options to try).

I get the feeling that most T1s die as a result of heart stuff in the end?
 
Two weeks on ezitimibe now and the side effects I had dreaded - cramps, joint pain, the runs, nausea - have not appeared. The other two common side effects - flatulence and lethargy - are very minor and don't really trouble me. If I feel like a nap, particularly after exercise, then I have it. So I am happy and I think my GP will be as well, as long as the cholesterol improves.
My blood test is coming up in December and then no doubt I will have the statins 'discussion', but if necessary I will give
Ezetimibe a try
 
My blood test is coming up in December and then no doubt I will have the statins 'discussion', but if necessary I will give
Ezetimibe a try
My other half has been prescribed a non statin alternative bempedoic acid, as he was getting muscle aches and weakness with the two different statins. He hasn't started taking yet as he has to have blood tests first. But the possible side effects don't sound any better, muscle aches, gout and anaemia.
 
Back
Top