Statins not always necessarily the best first choice
Statins are one of the most prescribed types of prescription drugs as they're used to lower cholesterol. But a recent study shows that many patients – if given the choice – would have preferred to try lifestyle changes before going on the drugs.
"Clinicians don't trust patients to make, in general, effective lifestyle changes and as a result prescribe the tablets," said Dr. Victor Montori with the Mayo Clinic.
Montori was one of the study investigators and says it points to a communication breakdown between doctor and patient.
Here’s his advice to physicians: "Listen to your patients. Many of them are not interested in the tablets," he said. "If there's an opportunity for those who are highly motivated to implement changes as small as they appear, do not waste that opportunity."
Of course, communication is a two-way street. So it's important for you, the patient, to let your doctors know about your preferences.
It's OK to ask questions: Do I really need that drug or that test? Or is there something else we might try first? If the doctor doesn't like you taking part in your medical care – find another doctor.
"Clinicians don't trust patients to make, in general, effective lifestyle changes and as a result prescribe the tablets," said Dr. Victor Montori with the Mayo Clinic.
Montori was one of the study investigators and says it points to a communication breakdown between doctor and patient.
Here’s his advice to physicians: "Listen to your patients. Many of them are not interested in the tablets," he said. "If there's an opportunity for those who are highly motivated to implement changes as small as they appear, do not waste that opportunity."
Of course, communication is a two-way street. So it's important for you, the patient, to let your doctors know about your preferences.
It's OK to ask questions: Do I really need that drug or that test? Or is there something else we might try first? If the doctor doesn't like you taking part in your medical care – find another doctor.
although they have side effects statins are life savers for people whose family has a history of early attacks or strokes. It's not your cholesterol number that is the problem but more what type of cholesterol you body produces which is a function of genetics. The small, dense, sticky variety is the killer and you can die from it with very low numbers. The fluffy, light, non sticky variety does not clog.I understand they are developing a test to find out what kind you inherited. If it's the non stick variety they will take people off the drug or treatment them with diet only.  The sticky kind will be treated aggressively. They are working on a medication that will change the type your liver produces. faster pleaseÂ
Ask your doctor about using "flush free" Niacin. Works for me. I can't take any of the statin family of drugs.
SO very difficult to find a doctor these days that is not ego centric with a GOD persona tackked on as well. Patients these days do a lot of reading and research, and it would be so nice if doctors took that into account when dealing with those who want to try an alternative (to drugs) pathway.
I love my statin. I can enjoy a nice steak, pop a pill, and my cholestrol stays right at 165!! Better living through chemistry!
 @Hagar I hope it's not the LDL that's 165, that would be a bit high, actually hell of a high number
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I'm glad to read some of these posts about the negative effects. My doctor denied that the side effects I described were attributed to statins, but after I took myself
off those symptoms went away. The crazy part was if you read the information that comes with the prescription it tells you that these are possible side effects. I'm not sure what to believe anymore.
 @Hagar That's fine for you but I am allergic to statins. If I were to use them I would probably be crippled in six months.
My wife had a very bad heart attack and they had her on statins and she quit them because she was in such severe pain all the time. Now a year after she just ignored the doctor and stopped using them, she is pain free from statins. It took THAT long to totally flush all that out of the system.