Statins

[Keith1231]

Hello again, I have just been told my cholesterol has increased since stopping Atorvastatin and went onto Ezetimibe. The want me to start on 5mg of Rosuvastatin will this affect my RLS?

[ChrisColumbus]

Not everyone has terrible RLS and other symptoms of aches and fatigue on atorvastatin, although I did. I didn't find rosuvastatin *as* bad, but it still exacerbated my RLS. But we're all different.

Ezetimibe, which works differently from statins in that it inhibits the intestinal absorption of cholesterol, is recommended in the UK if a statin is “inappropriate or not tolerated”. It generally works more slowly than a statin, so may not be suitable for those with very high LDL. It worked for me.

Other alternatives to statins include: bempedoic acid which works by reducing the production of cholesterol in the liver; Nustendi (Nexlizet in the US) which combines ezetimibe with bempedoic acid; fenofibrate (Lipantil, Supralip; Triglide in the US).

The best way to reduce cholesterol (if this is really necessary) may just be to change to a vegan diet. I didn't have the fortitude to try this!

[SueJohnson]

Unfortunately all statins make RLS worse. I gave this to you before but will give it to you again.

Nexlizet (Nustendi (UK) is a cholesterol lowering drug that is not a statin, but I don’t know if it exacerbates RLS symptoms. Ezetimibe (Zetia) - reduces cholesterol although It doesn't reduce cholesterol as fast as the statins, but according to Chris Columbus it didn't trigger his RLS. And then there are Triglide (Fenofibrate, Fibricor, Lipantil, Lipofen, Supralip) and Bezafibrate (Bezalip) which are not statins which seem safe. You might want to discuss these with your doctor. A more difficult way to reduce cholesterol is to go vegan. My husband lowered his cholesterol from 221 to 131 this way.

It doesn't make sense that Ezetimibe raised your cholesterol - ??

If you still take gabapentin or pregabalin you should be closely monitored as it can raise the bad LDL and lower the good HDL.

[Keith1231 in reply to SueJohnson]

I raised that I started taking Pregabalin at the same time as stopping the statin and went onto Ezetimibe, he said that Pregabalin (I stopped taking a week ago) wouldn't affect my cholesterol, Prior to stopping Statin my Cholesterol was 3.3 now it's 4.5??

[DicCarlson]

Some natural fixes - eat more vegan. You can still eat some meat, but ditch beef in favor of lean chicken and fish. Supplements can include Alma, Pantethine, Cirtus Bergamot, Artichoke Extract. Add a fiber supplement.

[violetta254]

Statins are terrible for my RLS and may be for yours. Get a carotid artery and heart screen for plaque and you may find out you don’t have any and statins are useless and unnecessary. Cholesterol is not the whole story and an actually be heart protective.

[Bernaldi]

I can't answer your question but would strongly suggest you research the difference between relative and absolute risk reduction. Drugs are commonly advertised wrt to the relative risk reduction instead of the absolute risk reduction and many who are both prescribing them and taking them simply would not if they understood what is going on. The information is out there but your physician likely doesn't understand the impact of this concept.