Simvastatin for bad Cholesteral

[VENEER]

Having been on these for just a few weeks my RLS seems to be worse.

My question is should it effect my Condition as I'm unable to get through a nights sleep without taking an opioid(Tramadol) where as without the simvastatin it seems to be okay?

Any feedback is appreciated.

[SueJohnson]

All statins make RLS worse. Nexlizet (Nustendi) 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.

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

[VENEER in reply to SueJohnson]

That’s good to know and thank you for taking the time to respond.

[Eryl in reply to SueJohnson]

There is no 'bad cholesterol' just undamaged and damaged good LDL cholesterol and the thing doing the damage is mostly oxidative agents in the blood caused by ingesting things like refined sugar, starches and seed oils.

[Joolsg]

I agree with SueJohnson.If there's any way you can treat high blood pressure or high cholesterol without taking a statin, then try it.

[707twitcher]

PCSK-9 inhibitors are a very effective alternative to statins. Unfortunately they are expensive. I don’t know how willing your NHS is to prescribe them? In US, I had to cycle through three different statins to prove to health insurance providers that I had tried the lower cost statins first, but couldn’t tolerate their side effects.

I use Repatha, a self injection, every other week. Lowers LDL dramatically.

[VENEER in reply to 707twitcher]

Thank you for the reply and interesting information which I will bring up with my local Pharmacy.

[userotc]

Many have treated cholesterol issues using Nutritional Therapy, with good results. For example, many years ago my dad was concerned about his ratios so took statins. Once he became enlightened to NT, he came off statins after 1y.

His ratios nowadays are at least as good as when on statins, without their many drug risks.

Btw how "bad" is your cholesterol? Note that cholesterol is useful (particularly as we age) with 25% in the brain. It's often the good guy by protecting against underlying issues eg thyroid.

[Eryl]

Cholesterol is mostly made and recycled in your liver to carry trigycerides (fat partices) in the aqueous bloodstream. Cholesterol is what your cells and hormones are made of, it's essential for the workings of the body so why on earth would the liver make anything that is bad? The truth is that the so called 'bad cholesterol' is just damaged good cholesterol and it is damaged mostly by high levels of blood sugar and oxidative agents. The tests can not distinguish between good LDL and damaged LDL and historicaly LDL has all been regarded as 'bad cholesterol' which is incorrect.

Statistically statins only extend life by on average four and a bit days but often have huge side effects like muscle damage and an increased risk of diabetes so some doctors question their use except in certain specific cases. In fact high cholesterol is correlated to longer life.

This is long but comprehensive. youtu.be/fuj6nxCDBZ0?si=SNA...(Not working as expected?)

[Doped in reply to Eryl]

I look forward to watching this, I agree that we need cholesterol and it's big business treating people for high levels, it's just a theory. If you want to lower cholesterol for whatever reason try red rice yeast. I can't say for sure if it will exacerbate rls but it's worth a try.

[trentshs]

I can't speak to slimvastin but when I quit lipitor my RLS immediately went away.