statin rx after pacemaker implant

Illogical !

by IAN MC - 2020-11-28 12:47:23

Having a pacemaker does not, in any way, affect the need to take statins.  I would refuse to take them until you know exactly why they have been prescribed.

Best of luck

Ian

PS   After writing the above ,I've just looked at your bio and see that you are in your eighties . Here in the UK it is difficult to get that old without being force-fed statins . I'm sure that your doctor will use your age as a major reason for prescribing them. 

Getting old  seems to be a risk-factor for most aspects of being alive.

Cholesterol

by AgentX86 - 2020-11-28 12:51:28

You give no information.  What are your numbers?  What other issues to you have?  Has your cardiologist detected ischemia? What does your family histroy have to say?

With any heart issue, the "allowable" levels of cholesterol are generally lowered from the populatoin as a whole.  This isn't that surprising since something is different in our hearts than most. What was once a tollerable risk is no longer.

No/Yes/Maybe.  Lowering cholestrol by diet alone is a fools errand.  It's a genetic thing that nibbling around the edges isn't going to fix.  BTW, the danger of cholesterol is allso genetic but numbers are all that we really know.  I've been on a statinsfor six years and have had no long-term, anyway, problems with it.  My numbers weren't ridiculous until I had heart problems and my crdiologist wanted that down quickly.  Statins did it.  Exercise has helped but converting LDL to HDL.  My cardiologist doesn't lecture me on cholesterol any more (thinks I'm a nut for exercing so much).

Statins can be very bad for a few people but most have no problems with them.  They really got a bad rap over the years but really are lifesavers. It's virually impossible to lower cholesterol levels with diet alone.   Given that your doctor has prescribed them (for a reason) you'd be a fool not to take them, unless you're one of those who can't take the side effects.  ...but that goes for any drug.  (I love the commercials that say "Don't take XYZ if you're allergic to XYZ.")

STATINS

by Gemita - 2020-11-28 12:51:32

Hello EDH.  I do understand your dilemma I certainly don’t like taking meds unless they are absolutely essential.  

Reading your post I am unclear why they have been prescribed.  However Statins are often used not only to reduce cholesterol and high triglycerides, but also to protect against coronary/ischaemic heart disease and strokes in those most at risk.  There are many risks for heart disease including high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity.

May I suggest that you go back to your doctors and ask specifically why you have been given a Statin?  In the very least you need to know why so that you can weigh up the risks and benefits of being on long term treatment.

Pacemaker drugs

by EdH - 2020-11-28 13:07:38

Boy, I can see that I openened a can of worms with my post. I hav  coments to make but will have to make them as short as posible I may not hav enough time becausr im84 years old already......said with tounge in cheek.. Damn this spell check.

same subject

by EdH - 2020-11-28 13:12:20

My goal is to be drug (rx) free.

Well

by Gemita - 2020-11-28 13:19:01

at 84 I salute you EDH

more goodies

by EdH - 2020-11-28 13:22:20

Just for the record, 2 spontaneous lung collapses, 2 strokes. Pneuropathey, Dry eye, one pace maker, recurring wax in my ear.  4 hand surgeriies for Dupuytrens  

I could go on all day.

Strokes

by Gemita - 2020-11-28 13:28:39

Sounds as though it might be the two strokes that has tipped the scales in favour of Statins.  My husband was offered Statins following his strokes, but he declined.

I shouldn't think it was due to ear wax, but I might be wrong !!

The plot thickens Ed !

by IAN MC - 2020-11-28 13:29:44

If I was 84 and had two strokes , I would be happy to take statins !

Ian

same subject

by EdH - 2020-11-28 14:07:44

Gemita, Good for your Husband im starting to think like him. Since my strokes the last 4 years, I was a food addict (in self recovery now).

and vow to turn a new leaf Thus my original post about rx.

 Isee some comments going my way now and will more research on utube on eating for health. without drugs.

I read this web site every day and know how helpful you are

pharnowa

by EdH - 2020-11-28 14:37:14

Youv'e told me a little about yourself which led me think about a couple of comments you made.

I have never heard of inherited collesterol.

 in many cases many generations hav followed the typical American diet. maybe thats the original cause of the heredity .  sine the day you w ere born maybe you also were fed the "American"diet. How long were youon the fish diet?

same subject

by EdH - 2020-11-28 14:39:06

by the way the American diet is loaded with sugar My favorite POISIN.

IAN MC

by EdH - 2020-11-28 14:45:10

Statins don't fix the cause of the stroke. I think what you eat does.

Thanks for all the fish

by Persephone - 2020-11-28 14:46:14

Hats off to you, EdH!  Keep on keeping on. Thanks everybody for sharing the info on statins.  There is a lot of negative info about statins out there, but I respect all of your opinions and will try to learn more.

agent x86

by EdH - 2020-11-28 14:58:40

ican see that you and i don't see eye to eye. 

I think that most MD's don't treat the cause of ailments, and instead  prescribe drugs to treat the results. So far in my long life that has been the case. I was hoping that I could be introduced to a doctor that could get me off rx. that's whe I posted this message here. Any way I do have a pacemaker. So far I resumed weight lifting wich my cardiologist disagrred with, because some exersises require over head lifting. Bad news if you hav a pacemaker. There must be doctor out there for me.

EdH

by IAN MC - 2020-11-28 15:05:36

Why not take statins AND watch what you eat ?   Anything to make that 3rd stroke less likely !

What exactly do you think is the downside to taking statins ?

Ian

Statins ...My 2 cents worth...

by Sisterwash65 - 2020-11-28 17:46:30

EDH... Someone referred to inherited statins. These are some individuals who manufacture more statins than are needed. A hereditary trait. With this kind of cholesterol it doesn't matter what you eat. Your body makes too much. I now take 2 kinds of statins - Crestor and Zetia. It's my understanding that Zetia is specifically for the " inherited" kind of cholesterol. Just had my lab work done a few weeks ago and my doctor was very pleased with all my numbers. Overall cholesterol was 126 and I am a " carnivore " and I like fish too ! 

I've been on statins for close to 20 years and I'm 73. As far as I know I've never had any negative effects from them. I do have some coronary heart disease but after 2 heart Caths, no stent was needed. I do have to watch my sugar intake and I try to get as much exercise as possible. Just trying to live " my best life" as the kids say !

Sisterwash

by IAN MC - 2020-11-28 18:06:31

Sorry to correct you but Zetia ( ezetimibe) is not a statin although it does reduce cholesterol.

Crestor ( rosuvastatin ) which you are also taking IS a statin.  The two types of drug have a different mode of action and slightly different side-effect profiles.

The Crestor which you swallow every day , like all  statins, reduces the production  of cholesterol by your liver whereas the other tablet, Zetia , reduces the absorption of cholesterol from your intestine.

Ian

IAN MC

by EdH - 2020-11-28 19:30:57

Ian, i want get off the last 5 rx i am taking.so far i've gotten rid of 2,5 to go.

then i'll be drug free, just think, no cost or dependancy all because i'm getting rid of sugar, so no enflamation. I already dropped 17 lbs since september. that should take care of getting off statins. next up is prostate medication.soon warfin or blood thinner.

sugar and enflamation is the culprit. don't tell that to the typical American.

spoken by true american here.