Does anyone have personal experience with being on a statin?

Yes, been on them for about 15 years. Simvastatin (generic Zocor). No big deal, take it every night.

Never had side effects.

Doctor is happy it works – no changes to dosage since I began, and my levels have been consistent.

I’ve been on a statin for several years. It took a while to get my dosage right, but we experimented with different types and different dosages. Last year, my cholesterol started creeping up again. Nothing too alarming, but she wanted me to come back in 3 months. Another doctor that I work with suggested I add a fish oil supplement to my daily intake.
When I went back to my regular doc, she noted that my cholesterol had gone down to where she wanted it. She asked what changed and I said the fish oil. She said to keep taking it, but not as a substitute, but as a supplement.
I’ll be going back in December, so hopefully it’s still working.

I have been on Atorvastatin for four years with no side effects.

I was put on statins about 15 years ago, and had leg cramps within two days, so I quit taking it. My Cardiologist switched statins on me a couple years ago, and I had leg cramps again, so he switched me back to Atorvastatin.

I also take Ezetimibe, which is a cholesterol absorption blocker, and may also cause muscle pain. If you experience muscle pain on a statin, let your doctor know right away.

Also, ask your doctor how often to get your liver enzymes checked. Because of all my heart meds, I get mine checked twice a year.

Yes, several. I don’t recall having any side effects.
Some say if you are taking a statin, you should also take CoQ10, but there have been recent studies casting doubt on it.

No statins but if your doc tries to put you on niacin watch your blood sugar.

I’ve been on a statin for about 10 years, no problems. I did change my diet and exercise in the last few years but doc says I stay on them.

Yes, Atorvastatin, many years. I don’t know of any side effects; I guess I might have some, but I haven’t connected any to this drug. I have so many long-time prescriptions that it would be hard to isolate any effects.

Rosuvastatin. Been on low dosage for about 5 years. Cholesterol numbers have stayed constistently good. When I first started, I would occasionally get leg cramps at night, but that is all but resolved.

Yes. I don’t notice any difference at all, but my labs come back great.

@Jeruba Me too.

Oh, I should mention that my father had terrible Sciatic, he ran all kinds of tests. It ended up being the statin he was on. His doctor switched it up to a different one and the pain went away. Just something to be aware of.

I’ve been on atorvastatin for 10–15 years. I’m also on a number of other meds, so I don’t really know if I have side effects – from any of them. My cholesterol panel and triglycerides are good values, except the hdl could be higher, and probably would be if I was more active. I’m also on fenofibrate which is also a lipid reducer. Not exactly sure why I’m on two of them. note to self – ask doc if I can stop taking one of the lipid reducers

Yes, I tried two, I couldn’t take them because of side effects, but they were incredibly effective. I took the lowest dose and my cholesterol dropped 80 points in a few weeks.

My dad has been taking statins for 30 years and I think it’s part of the reason he’s still alive, maybe most of the reason. He does come up pre-diabetic for years on tests, which is possibly from the statins, but he is also 40–50 pounds overweight. He doesn’t need to take any medicine for the pre-diabetes.

The husband of a friend of mine also is suddenly having sugar problems and he started statins around the same time. For some reason the doctor never mentioned the statins might be the cause. He had a heart attack, which is why he was put on a statin, so maybe the doctor just feels it’s too important.

My mom can’t take statins so she takes Colestid.

They say red yeast rice creates a natural statin effect if you want to try it. It can have the same side effects as statins.

I think if you have no obvious negative side effects and your cholesterol is high, statins are life extending drugs.

That’s my non-medical opinion.

I’ve been taking Atorvastatin for about a year and a half. No known side-effects. I do have some eyelid swelling, but I think that may be from fatigue and/or allergies that have been bothering my eyes lately.