Re: Taking Vytorin and Feeling Weird

[Guest guest]

If you havn't already, you might want to have thyroid function tests done. Low thyroid function would elevate cholesterol and triglycerides, as well as induce blood pressure problems. Thyroid problems are inherited. If you are found to be hypothyroid, Proper thyroid hormone replacement ( about 15 dollars per month) would improve lipid numbers, blood pressure, and you would feel a whole lot better. Its important to note that those who have an underlying metabolic problem are more likely to suffer myopathy/neuropathy from statins.nmb648 <broskett@...> wrote: I am a new member and after reading some of the posts, I realize nowthat all of my aches and pains are not all in my head. I have aninherited form of cholesterol according to my doctors. My problem isnot caused by diet. I have been on practically every medication theyuse for controlling cholesterol except for Crestor. That willprobably be the next one if Vytorin doesn't give them better results.I couldn't tolerate Lipitor at all. I was on it for just a littleunder a year and I had terrible muscle pain in my lower legs. Onemorning, I woke up and couldn't even walk. My legs felt so heavy andwhen I tried to walk, I felt so fatigued. I thought that I had somedisease. I told my doctor and since then, I have been on Pravachol,Niaspan, Zocor, Zetia and Baycol. None of them worked for me exceptfor the Baycol which was taken off the market because of people dyingfrom

it. The Vytorin seems to be working for me now. I went from 399to 299 in 3 months. Both my LDL and Triglyceride level went down. However, I have been having some aches and pains in my shoulder bladesand lower back. Sometimes, I wake up in the morning with a tinglingfeeling in my leg and I also experience some pain under my right ribafter eating dinner. I have mentioned these symptoms to my doctorsbut they are reluctant to change my medication because of its successin getting my numbers down. To be truthful, I am also happy thatthere is a medication that is finally working for me. I am notwithout other health problems. I am on 5 medications for high bloodpressure and I think that they have their gamut of side effects too. When you take so many medications, it is downright difficult toconvince your doctor that your not feeling up to snuff which isprobably being caused by one of the medications or the combination ofall

of them. They think nothing of it. Instead, they would rathersend you for tests or increase your dosage. I just wish they wouldread the drug pamphlet that patients get when they take home theirmedications. Maybe then, they would believe us. After my doctor read my blood test results, he said that I should takeCoEnzmye Q10 for my heart. I didn't understand why. The doctor toldme that it would help my leg aches. But then, I did some research onit and I found out that statins affects our hearts and depletes thissupplement from our cardiovascular system. I thought that statinswere supposed to protect our hearts? Isn't that the reason why theymake us take these ridiculous pills in the first place; to protect andprevent us from dying from stroke or heart attack? Next they will begiving us pills for Alczheimers because I heard on the news last nightthat people on cholesterol drugs have a 50% chance of gettingAlyzheimers

disease. Sorry about the spelling. I hope that I neverhave to learn how to spell Alzymers disease. My doctor told me that there is yet another bombshell of a medicationcoming out in about a year. I can't wait! It is a combination ofniacin and something else. I took Niaspan and I thought that I wentto hell and back. I had bad flushing and my whole body felt like Ijust got badly sunburned. It was terrible. In my mind, I have nointention whatsoever of trying it. http://geocities.com/flyinresorts/blog.html

Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now.

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I'm new to this forum as well. Has any one of your doctors done a

test for inflammatory markers?

Here's some on the list:

CRP C-Reactive Protein

Fibrinogin

L(p)a

Homosystein

Inflammatory markers are said to have more of an influence in heart

disease than simply an LDL level.

What are your other numbers?

HDL and Triglycerides?

You may be used to the Niacin at this point but anyone beginning to

take this should precede it with an aspirin 15 minutes prior to

reduce the " flush. "

You should also work up to a higher dose. NEVER start with more

than a 50 mg tablet. Especially without the aspirin.

I took Niacin for awhile and thought the acid-reflux I was suffering

was just coincidental to the advertising blitz that was on TV awhile

back. Those have since been replaced by good 'ol " Dr. Jarvic " ( e.g.

the artificial heart inventor) pushing the Lipitor. No conflict of

interest there, eh? He's not even an MD and if you saw the

commercial with him in the lake rowing in a scull, It WASN'T him!!!

It was a stunt double!!

Well anyway, it seemed that so many people had it that I thought I

had joined the ranks.I never had acid-reflux before. Then one day I

just couldn't eat or barely get out of bed. My stomach was killing

me. I went to the doctor. They tested for ulcer (pylori bactor).

Negative. Because I felt so bad I didn't take the Niacin for awhile.

I began to feel better so I gave it up. I felt much better after

that but of course my LDL count went back up. The Niacin lowered it

55 points!

I tried taking Red Yeast Rice (which actually is a " natural " form of

lovastatin)and after not even two weeks started having the same

symtomsso I canned that as well.

I think I have a collection of statin med prescriptions for Zocor,

Lipitor, Crestor, Vytorin and maybe one or two more that so far I

haven't filled. Doctors have been trying to give me this stuff for

about 9 years now.

My elevated LDLs are inherited as well and I don't have premature

heart disease in my family though.

It makes me wonder since all this testing came about, if all my

aunts, uncles and grandparents who lived well into their 80s and who

twenty years ago didn't have any of these tests, would have tested

high for LDLs.

So far I've made the decision not to take these very powerful drugs.

Am I playing with fire? Who knows. Maybe I'll be my own case study.

The last cardiologist I went to just last week was the one to

presribe me Crestor (the most powerful statin yet). So powerful the

FDA rewrote the warning insert about 3 years ago to let people know

about the very real possibility of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis ( a

muscle wasting disease). It's only been on the market for 6 years.

He didn't even take the time to look at all the reports I gave him

including a calcium score.

And I want this guy to prescribe me a drug to take for rest of my

life?!

Don't think so.

D

> >

> > I am a new member and after reading some of the posts, I realize

> now

> > that all of my aches and pains are not all in my head. I have an

> > inherited form of cholesterol according to my doctors. My

problem

> is

> > not caused by diet. I have been on practically every medication

> they

> > use for controlling cholesterol except for Crestor. That will

> > probably be the next one if Vytorin doesn't give them better

> results.

> > I couldn't tolerate Lipitor at all. I was on it for just a

little

> > under a year and I had terrible muscle pain in my lower legs.

One

> > morning, I woke up and couldn't even walk. My legs felt so

heavy

> and

> > when I tried to walk, I felt so fatigued. I thought that I had

> some

> > disease. I told my doctor and since then, I have been on

> Pravachol,

> > Niaspan, Zocor, Zetia and Baycol. None of them worked for me

> except

> > for the Baycol which was taken off the market because of people

> dying

> > from it. The Vytorin seems to be working for me now. I went

from

> 399

> > to 299 in 3 months. Both my LDL and Triglyceride level went

down.

> > However, I have been having some aches and pains in my shoulder

> blades

> > and lower back. Sometimes, I wake up in the morning with a

> tingling

> > feeling in my leg and I also experience some pain under my right

> rib

> > after eating dinner. I have mentioned these symptoms to my

doctors

> > but they are reluctant to change my medication because of its

> success

> > in getting my numbers down. To be truthful, I am also happy that

> > there is a medication that is finally working for me. I am not

> > without other health problems. I am on 5 medications for high

> blood

> > pressure and I think that they have their gamut of side effects

> too.

> > When you take so many medications, it is downright difficult to

> > convince your doctor that your not feeling up to snuff which is

> > probably being caused by one of the medications or the

combination

> of

> > all of them. They think nothing of it. Instead, they would

rather

> > send you for tests or increase your dosage. I just wish they

would

> > read the drug pamphlet that patients get when they take home

their

> > medications. Maybe then, they would believe us.

> >

> > After my doctor read my blood test results, he said that I

should

> take

> > CoEnzmye Q10 for my heart. I didn't understand why. The

doctor

> told

> > me that it would help my leg aches. But then, I did some

research

> on

> > it and I found out that statins affects our hearts and depletes

> this

> > supplement from our cardiovascular system. I thought that

statins

> > were supposed to protect our hearts? Isn't that the reason why

> they

> > make us take these ridiculous pills in the first place; to

protect

> and

> > prevent us from dying from stroke or heart attack? Next they

> will be

> > giving us pills for Alczheimers because I heard on the news last

> night

> > that people on cholesterol drugs have a 50% chance of getting

> > Alyzheimers disease. Sorry about the spelling. I hope that I

> never

> > have to learn how to spell Alzymers disease.

> >

> > My doctor told me that there is yet another bombshell of a

> medication

> > coming out in about a year. I can't wait! It is a combination

of

> > niacin and something else. I took Niaspan and I thought that I

> went

> > to hell and back. I had bad flushing and my whole body felt

like I

> > just got badly sunburned. It was terrible. In my mind, I have

no

> > intention whatsoever of trying it.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

> > >

> > > I am a new member and after reading some of the posts, I realize

> > now

> > > that all of my aches and pains are not all in my head. I have an

> > > inherited form of cholesterol according to my doctors. My

> problem

> > is

> > > not caused by diet. I have been on practically every medication

> > they

> > > use for controlling cholesterol except for Crestor. That will

> > > probably be the next one if Vytorin doesn't give them better

> > results.

> > > I couldn't tolerate Lipitor at all. I was on it for just a

> little

> > > under a year and I had terrible muscle pain in my lower legs.

> One

> > > morning, I woke up and couldn't even walk. My legs felt so

> heavy

> > and

> > > when I tried to walk, I felt so fatigued. I thought that I had

> > some

> > > disease. I told my doctor and since then, I have been on

> > Pravachol,

> > > Niaspan, Zocor, Zetia and Baycol. None of them worked for me

> > except

> > > for the Baycol which was taken off the market because of people

> > dying

> > > from it. The Vytorin seems to be working for me now. I went

> from

> > 399

> > > to 299 in 3 months. Both my LDL and Triglyceride level went

> down.

> > > However, I have been having some aches and pains in my shoulder

> > blades

> > > and lower back. Sometimes, I wake up in the morning with a

> > tingling

> > > feeling in my leg and I also experience some pain under my right

> > rib

> > > after eating dinner. I have mentioned these symptoms to my

> doctors

> > > but they are reluctant to change my medication because of its

> > success

> > > in getting my numbers down. To be truthful, I am also happy that

> > > there is a medication that is finally working for me. I am not

> > > without other health problems. I am on 5 medications for high

> > blood

> > > pressure and I think that they have their gamut of side effects

> > too.

> > > When you take so many medications, it is downright difficult to

> > > convince your doctor that your not feeling up to snuff which is

> > > probably being caused by one of the medications or the

> combination

> > of

> > > all of them. They think nothing of it. Instead, they would

> rather

> > > send you for tests or increase your dosage. I just wish they

> would

> > > read the drug pamphlet that patients get when they take home

> their

> > > medications. Maybe then, they would believe us.

> > >

> > > After my doctor read my blood test results, he said that I

> should

> > take

> > > CoEnzmye Q10 for my heart. I didn't understand why. The

> doctor

> > told

> > > me that it would help my leg aches. But then, I did some

> research

> > on

> > > it and I found out that statins affects our hearts and depletes

> > this

> > > supplement from our cardiovascular system. I thought that

> statins

> > > were supposed to protect our hearts? Isn't that the reason why

> > they

> > > make us take these ridiculous pills in the first place; to

> protect

> > and

> > > prevent us from dying from stroke or heart attack? Next they

> > will be

> > > giving us pills for Alczheimers because I heard on the news last

> > night

> > > that people on cholesterol drugs have a 50% chance of getting

> > > Alyzheimers disease. Sorry about the spelling. I hope that I

> > never

> > > have to learn how to spell Alzymers disease.

> > >

> > > My doctor told me that there is yet another bombshell of a

> > medication

> > > coming out in about a year. I can't wait! It is a combination

> of

> > > niacin and something else. I took Niaspan and I thought that I

> > went

> > > to hell and back. I had bad flushing and my whole body felt

> like I

> > > just got badly sunburned. It was terrible. In my mind, I have

> no

> > > intention whatsoever of trying it.

> > >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

> http://geocities.com/flyinresorts/blog.html

>

> ---------------------------------

> Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile.

Try it now.

>

Hi,

Before taking Vytorin, my LDL was 239 and my Triglycerides were 200.

My HDL was 45. I was told that my total cholesterol dropped from 100

points from 399 to 299 while taking Vytorin. I don't recall what the

other increases or decreases were. I was so happy to hear about my

total cholesterol dropping that I blocked out everything else. My

blood pressure has come down too, even though I am on 3 different

medications. I think that the drop in my cholesterol level might have

had some effect on it. I am on Coreg for my arrhythmia problem. It

is a beta blocker and it slows down my heart rate so that my heart

doesn't have to over work itself. It is not without side effects

either. It causes weight gain which I am dealing with right now. I

have gained over 10 pounds since I have been on it. That extra 10

pounds is causing me to have shortness of breath. I went to my doctor

and told him that I am having difficulty breathing and he put me on

Advair. That medication can cause death too. I take Hyzaar twice a

day and another water pill every other day. Even though my bp and

cholesterol level is coming down, I still feel like crap. I don't

know what to do anymore. I don't want to gain any more weight because

my endocrinologist said that if my HA IC level increases, I will need

to go on diabetic medication next month. It is like fighting a losing

battle. Niki

[Guest guest]

Are your drugs making you sick?

Vytorin?

Coreg?

Advair?

Hyzaar?

Have you done your own research on the side effects of these drugs?

Sorry to hear that your doctor is making you ill.

phine

> Hi,

>

> Before taking Vytorin, my LDL was 239 and my Triglycerides were 200.

> My HDL was 45. I was told that my total cholesterol dropped from 100

> points from 399 to 299 while taking Vytorin. I don't recall what the

> other increases or decreases were. I was so happy to hear about my

> total cholesterol dropping that I blocked out everything else. My

> blood pressure has come down too, even though I am on 3 different

> medications. I think that the drop in my cholesterol level might have

> had some effect on it. I am on Coreg for my arrhythmia problem. It

> is a beta blocker and it slows down my heart rate so that my heart

> doesn't have to over work itself. It is not without side effects

> either. It causes weight gain which I am dealing with right now. I

> have gained over 10 pounds since I have been on it. That extra 10

> pounds is causing me to have shortness of breath. I went to my doctor

> and told him that I am having difficulty breathing and he put me on

> Advair. That medication can cause death too. I take Hyzaar twice a

> day and another water pill every other day. Even though my bp and

> cholesterol level is coming down, I still feel like crap. I don't

> know what to do anymore. I don't want to gain any more weight because

> my endocrinologist said that if my HA IC level increases, I will need

> to go on diabetic medication next month. It is like fighting a losing

> battle. Niki

>

[Guest guest]

>

> Are your drugs making you sick?

> Vytorin?

> Coreg?

> Advair?

> Hyzaar?

> Have you done your own research on the side effects of these drugs?

> Sorry to hear that your doctor is making you ill.

>

>

> phine

>

>

>

>

> > Hi,

> >

> > Before taking Vytorin, my LDL was 239 and my Triglycerides were 200.

> > My HDL was 45. I was told that my total cholesterol dropped from 100

> > points from 399 to 299 while taking Vytorin. I don't recall what the

> > other increases or decreases were. I was so happy to hear about my

> > total cholesterol dropping that I blocked out everything else. My

> > blood pressure has come down too, even though I am on 3 different

> > medications. I think that the drop in my cholesterol level might have

> > had some effect on it. I am on Coreg for my arrhythmia problem. It

> > is a beta blocker and it slows down my heart rate so that my heart

> > doesn't have to over work itself. It is not without side effects

> > either. It causes weight gain which I am dealing with right now. I

> > have gained over 10 pounds since I have been on it. That extra 10

> > pounds is causing me to have shortness of breath. I went to my doctor

> > and told him that I am having difficulty breathing and he put me on

> > Advair. That medication can cause death too. I take Hyzaar twice a

> > day and another water pill every other day. Even though my bp and

> > cholesterol level is coming down, I still feel like crap. I don't

> > know what to do anymore. I don't want to gain any more weight because

> > my endocrinologist said that if my HA IC level increases, I will need

> > to go on diabetic medication next month. It is like fighting a losing

> > battle. Niki

> >

>

Hi,

I know for a fact that my Coreg causes weight gain. In 2006, I was

taken off Sectral, another beta blocker, because it made me swell and

I had pains in my legs and feet at night. So much so, that I couldn't

sleep in bed at night. I had to sleep on my chair or stay up until I

fell asleep. I told my doctor and he put me on metolozone to help

with the swelling. He also told me to see a kidney specialist. I

couldn't understand why I needed to see a kidney doctor for my bp

medication. He said that he is the expert on bp medications. After a

month or so, I went to the kidney doctor because I didn't feel well

and he told me to join a gym and get a personal trainer. I stared at

him and couldn't believe my ears. I explained to him that I needed to

come off of the Sectral because of the side effects and weight gain.

What a waste of time and money on my part. Well, after about two

months on this awful medication, I finally called my PCP back and

told him that I wanted to come off of the medication, whether he

agreed or not. He finally took me off after he conferred with the

kidney doctor and a trip to my cardiologist. I had to be weened off

of the Sectral and had to wear a Catapres patch in its place. After a

few days, my bp increased and my heart rate was over 120 beats. They

got scared and put me on Coreg, another beta- blocker, and I had to

see a doctor every single day until my bp was under control. Now that

my bp is finally under control after two years, the weight gain is

back. I can't keep gaining weight because I am having shortness of

breath which I never had. I researched this Coreg and I found out

that shortness of breath is one of its side effects as well as the

weight gain.

I have decided to try the South Beach Diet to see if I can lose some

weight. While taking any beta blockers, I was unsuccessful on any

type of diet. I really can't exercise because of my shortness of my

breath and heart rate problem. If I can't lose by the end of June, I

will have to talk to my PCP about it. I don't want to have to start

taking medication for diabetes, especially when the rise in my sugar

level is being caused by a bp medication, not organ failure.

Niki

[Guest guest]

YOUR DRUGS ARE CAUSING YOUR PROBLEMS.

Please save yourself from your doctors or they will do great harm to

you. phine

> Hi,

>

> I know for a fact that my Coreg causes weight gain. In 2006, I was

> taken off Sectral, another beta blocker, because it made me swell and

> I had pains in my legs and feet at night. So much so, that I couldn't

> sleep in bed at night. I had to sleep on my chair or stay up until I

> fell asleep. I told my doctor and he put me on metolozone to help

> with the swelling. He also told me to see a kidney specialist. I

> couldn't understand why I needed to see a kidney doctor for my bp

> medication. He said that he is the expert on bp medications. After a

> month or so, I went to the kidney doctor because I didn't feel well

> and he told me to join a gym and get a personal trainer. I stared at

> him and couldn't believe my ears. I explained to him that I needed to

> come off of the Sectral because of the side effects and weight gain.

> What a waste of time and money on my part. Well, after about two

> months on this awful medication, I finally called my PCP back and

> told him that I wanted to come off of the medication, whether he

> agreed or not. He finally took me off after he conferred with the

> kidney doctor and a trip to my cardiologist. I had to be weened off

> of the Sectral and had to wear a Catapres patch in its place. After a

> few days, my bp increased and my heart rate was over 120 beats. They

> got scared and put me on Coreg, another beta- blocker, and I had to

> see a doctor every single day until my bp was under control. Now that

> my bp is finally under control after two years, the weight gain is

> back. I can't keep gaining weight because I am having shortness of

> breath which I never had. I researched this Coreg and I found out

> that shortness of breath is one of its side effects as well as the

> weight gain.

>

> I have decided to try the South Beach Diet to see if I can lose some

> weight. While taking any beta blockers, I was unsuccessful on any

> type of diet. I really can't exercise because of my shortness of my

> breath and heart rate problem. If I can't lose by the end of June, I

> will have to talk to my PCP about it. I don't want to have to start

> taking medication for diabetes, especially when the rise in my sugar

> level is being caused by a bp medication, not organ failure.

>

> Niki

>