Cholesterol pills

[Mikki01]

What can I take I steps of statins I came off them while doing my weaning off ropinirole but my doctor isn't happy but reading on here they cam affect us rls suffers. But I have high cholesterol so need to take something. Thanks

[ChrisColumbus]

I had terrible RLS when on statins, as well as other debilitating side effects. I believe this is a common but not a universal experience. It was only when I threatened to take myself off the statin that my consultant (at the UK's leading research centre into strokes and dementia) eventually agreed to put me on ezetimibe (brand names Ezetrol, Zetia) instead. I later found that 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.

Other alternatives to statins include bempedoic acid which works by reducing the production of cholesterol in the liver.

And Nustendi (Nexlizet in the US) which combines ezetimibe with bempedoic acid. This may be a good alternative for people who cannot tolerate statins.

Another possibility with no adverse RLS reports that I've seen is fenofibrate (Lipantil,Supralip; Triglide in the US).

All these alternatives, like statins and in fact all medications, have long lists of *possible* side effects. I've in fact had to come off ezetimibe because it gives me bowel problems (I have post-radiotherapy proctitis of the bowel). I have been waiting for several months for a lipid clinic appointment to discuss possibilities, and at last have a date - 30th June.

Cholesterol may in some circumstances be better reduced by modifying diet: some have had success by moving to a vegan diet. I still don't currently have the willpower for this!

[SueJohnson]

This repeats much of what Chris has said:

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, however don't take it if you have diabetes and then there is Bezafibrate (Bezalip) if you are not is the US and Triglide which seems safe. Berberine may help if it is mildly elevated. 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.

[Simkin in reply to SueJohnson]

Sue, I had a cholesterol test before I left for the USA & my GP says he wants me to go on statins on my return to the UK.I am now on low dose buprenorphine which is working brilliantly.

Reading the above correspondence has got me worried.

Should I not be going on statins?

Is there a member on our forum who is on buprenorphine & statins????

Simkins

[Johan10 in reply to Simkin]

I take a low dose Buprenorphine and statins. The latter do not appear to affect restless leg in my case.

[Simkin in reply to Johan10]

Thanks. That is very helpful to know.

[SueJohnson in reply to Simkin]

Almost everyone on statins has increased RLS symptoms. Johan10 is obviously an exception or possibly the buprenorphine takes care of his increased symptoms. I would check with your doctor about the ones I mentioned above.

see rls-uk.org/medications-avoid

[Simkin in reply to SueJohnson]

Thanks Sue. That is all jolly useful. I will speak to doctor on return to UK.

[intermk in reply to Simkin]

I have severe RLS and have been on Atorvastatin for two decades. I have also been on Buprenorphine (Bupr) for about 7 yrs now and I currently take 7 mg's per day. I don't think this particular statin has any effect on my RLS which I contracted long before going on statins. But it could be as Sue said, that the Bupr might be handling the original RLS level and that which may have been increased by long term statin use. I don't think any studies have been done to determine this.

[GrandmaKarey in reply to Simkin]

I currently take Lovastatin, and I don’t *think* it affects my RLS. But when I’m completely off Ropinirole (currently weaning off) I plan on talking to my GP about alternatives.

[Simkin in reply to GrandmaKarey]

Thank you for replying.

[Eryl]

Don't worry about your cholesterol. Cholesterol has wrongly been blamed for doing harm when it it actually there to repair damage done by sugar, stress and smoking. Most of our hormones are made of cholesterol so by lowering cholesterol you are harming your health. Statins are known to increase the likelyhood of developing diabetes. youtu.be/Tub5Qh-YsgE?si=Baq...(Not working as expected?)

[SleeplessInVirginia in reply to Eryl]

So happy to see someone here address this. I will add that healthy nerve sheaths require cholesterol. Doctors are very slow to come around to changes in medical knowledge because the institutions that govern them are all corrupted by big ag (grains, seed oils, ect) and pharma. Go to Pub Med and look at the studies, and it is clear that cholesterol is not the bad guy when it comes to chronic disease and heart health. It is an important, necessary nutrient.

[Eryl in reply to SleeplessInVirginia]

The brain is made from cholesterol. Cholesterol is so important to the brain that it has the capability of maling it itself. Statins increase risk of cognative decline.

[HawkintheHills]

Read one of the MANY books on the myth that high LDL actually impacts heart outcomes. Statins made my RLS worse, so I refused to take them. Now I eat keto, which has resolved my RLS by increasing my iron. Most doctors are WAY behind the science about cholesterol.