Welcome to 60

[Grandmaof3]

So here I am, freshly turned 60 and I get a message from my doctor that my recent blood work was all normal except my cholesterol. She says it’s bad and wants to change my med. NOT helping my anxiety level this morning. Anyone take Crestor?

[SurvivingEveryday]

Happy (recent?) birthday, Grandmaof3! Last year I took crestor (I am a male, mid-30's) for cholesterol, and it gave me some strange side effects: dizziness, fatigue (which was the worst!) and memory problems. I remember giving a presentation to some co-workers, and I could NOT remember the name of some things, and I would forget words. It would eventually come to me (minutes later) but it was too much. It just aggravated my anxiety more.

I am not sure if it is an option for you, but I lowered my cholesterol by walking each day and losing weight (I was 30lbs overweight) and it lowered my numbers. I do not take medication now with dietary changes.

[Grandmaof3]

Thanks for your comments! I also had grandparents that had high cholesterol and lived into their 90s. I also asked my mom as she has high cholesterol too and also takes Crestor. She has had no issues. It’s just hard enough living with anxiety to not freak out about health problems too. I have 3 young grandchildren I want to be around to watch grow up.

[Hominid711 in reply to Grandmaof3]

Then you should take it

[Jeff1943]

There was a trial some years ago in which 50-million people parcipitated: for 5 years they ate a diet that was low saturated fat, low in dairy (just 2 ounces of cheese and butter a month), very little red meat, lots of fish, lots of vegetables and only wholewheat bread.It was the perfect low cholestoral diet.

During the 5 years the death rate from heart disease and stroke went sky high.

The trial I refer to was rationing in the U.K. during World War Two.

We need to look again at the 'benefits' of low cholestoral. So don't worry too much about cholestoral.

[Hominid711 in reply to Jeff1943]

Plenty of evidence out there of the benefit of statins including Crestor.

[Jeff1943 in reply to Hominid711]

Yes but who funded most of the plentiful evidence. In France they consume high levels of saturated fat in cheeses, smoked hams, pate and red meats. Yet they have the lowest incidence of heart disease in Europe. Who says so? Doctor Malcolm Kendrick in 'The great cholesterol con.' Very convincing, it stopped me taking a statin for ten years. Now my cholesterol count is 3.3, far too low for good health as cholesterol is needed as one of the building blocks of life.

[SayNOtoPanic]

Happy birthday Grandma and many more. Well cholesterol is a pain in the ass. I think sometimes too it shifts with stress levels and age and not necessarily anything you’re doing wrong. Crestor my grandparents used for years and did well with. Maybe also try to increase foods that produce good cholesterol that can help with the balance. Like add more fish if you can have fish, or legumes, nuts or avocado if you like. Prayers up. 🙏🏻don’t let the anxiety overwhelm you. Hugs.

[Stippler]

Happy birthday! My aunt had terribly high cholesterol in her bloodwork. The doctor screamed at her every visit. It finally got her when she was 95. Not to make light of your situation, but I just wanted to offer hope, because doctors don't know everything.

[Hominid711 in reply to Stippler]

More than you, Stippler!

[Stippler in reply to Hominid711]

I was not intending to offend anybody. I merely wanted to share what I did regarding my aunt, in order to offer hope. If how I said it was offensive or disrespectful to anyone, I am sorry.

[Hominid711 in reply to Stippler]

I'm not offended and no need to apologise. I'm just always astonished how quickly some people judge without knowing the specifics of scientifically gained results and wanted to point that out on this occasion.It's ok to have your opinion and everyone can decide for themselves ideally based on reliable information - in this case that statins benefit STATISTICALLY way more than doing harm - but doctors on the whole do know more than non-doctors and good doctors more than not so good ones and good scientists in the field more than good doctors. The results of well-designed trials and metaanalysis are out there for all of us to read and they are not pharmaceutically funded.

There are numerous areas in which I know nothing or next to nothing so I recognise that and read up or ask questions.

[Stippler in reply to Hominid711]

Thank you Hominid711 - I totally agree. I also feel that, if our doctor suggests a course of treatment, we should heed their advice and follow doctor's orders. Not enough people do that, for whatever reasons, and their health can suffer.

[Hominid711 in reply to Stippler]

Now that's a little outdated, Stippler but maybe that's what you've been told - to follow doctors' orders - and if it works better for you than, say, recommendations or suggestions, then stick with it.

[Hominid711]

Happy Birthday and congratulations that you can go on Crestor! There is ZERO evidence for statins causing cognitive decline - some good quality studies actually suggesting the opposite but more evidence is needed to prove that particular outcome - and MASSIVE AMOUNTS of evidence suggesting their benefit. Side effects are minor and few and they are outweighed by the benefit.

I am on the maximum dose of Atorvastatin and glad I am.

Rejoice, Grandma!!

[CLB1125]

I also have high cholesterol hereditary mostly. My brother was on crestor and he had terrible leg pain. I take simvastatin. Do your homework before taking it and watch for side effects. If you don’t care for it you can always try another. Good luck

[punkster]

I just wanted to reassure you that it is not abnormal to have high cholesterol as you age. Often, high cholesterol is due to genetics. Have you asked your doctor about dietary changes you can make to help lower your cholesterol? It was unclear to me if you are already on cholesterol medication, but dietary changes can help in addition to medication. Of course, regular exercise also helps.

[catsrock]

Happy Birthday! I just turned 60 also. I'm sorry about the news about your cholesterol. Mine has gone up also. I'm not familiar with cholesterol so no help there, but I hope you find the best solution for you.

[Agora1]

Hi Grandmaof3, Maybe you could start with a dietary change.

One day I stopped in a center taking Cholesterol readings. The nurse

was taken back by how high my reading was that she wanted me to come

back the next month for a retest.

When I came back the following month, it read 100 points lower.

The nurse was taken back as to how I was able to make that drastic change.

I looked at her and smiled "I cut out eating Blue Cheese. I no longer over indulge

in foods I so like. As my doctor once told me "Everything in Moderation" xx

[Trainchaser]

Welcome to you 7th decade of life. Have not been Cestor but other medicine for cholesterol. Take it one day at a time. Am a type 2 diabetic plus I am dealing with anxiety and depression. Thankfully both ate not as bad as they once were. Rick