low LDL without statins - is it possible?

[Winimops]

Has anyone got their LDL less than 2 without the use of statins? Without statins my LDL is 3.8 and with the lowest dose statin it is 1.9. The cardiac rehab team said that my LDL should be less than 1.8.

I think that I would be able to get my LDL under 3 without statins but under 2 - well I think that it would be a challenge.

I have tried Rosuvastatin, simvastatin and now on atrovastatin 10 but have started to get stiff & painful joints. I was thinking if I could do it with diet only?

Any thoughts please?

[Lowerfield_no_more]

If you are getting unpleasant side effects from taking statins that affect your quality of life as you describe, having trialled several, then you are likely 'statin intolerant'. If that is the case there are several other forms of medication available for your GP to trial, especially since your LDL is high. If you live in England the NHS has a Statin Intolerance Pathway which your GP should be following as linked below (links to a pdf). I suggest you go back to the GP to discuss this, armed with this information if it applies, although other home countries may have different protocols.

england.nhs.uk/aac/wp-conte...

Finally the main problem with using diet alone in managing cholesterol is that it is for life, and as soon as you relax as life gets in the way, or you take your eye off the ball your cholesterol returns to where it sits naturally.

[Winimops in reply to Lowerfield_no_more]

Thank you. I am also worried about the side effects of the other meds - health anxiety coming in here! I am seeing my GP mid Feb so I will discuss with him.

[Hrty]

I've also found chatting with the clinical pharmacist at my local practice very useful when I've had concerns about the side effects of medication. In my case he swapped me from lansoprazole to famotidine and reduced my Atorvastin dose after unsuccessfully switching to Rosuvastatin. My cardiologist was happy with what he suggested.

[Winimops in reply to Hrty]

Thank you, I will do that. I am lucky that I have a good pharmacist who is quite easy to see.

[Hullensian]

You have got me "thinking" because over the past few months I have started to get pains in the fingers of both hands and when I wake up during the night I, sometimes, have difficulty moving them, plus I sometimes cannot "feel" my feet from my ankles down and just thought it was a form of neuropathy. I have been taking rosuvastatin for years. Next time I have a review I will ask the nurse about this.

[Winimops in reply to Hullensian]

Well yes! You never know. I had pain in the soles of my feet before I stopped the Simvastatin. Good luck.