Re: Anyone taking Zetia?

[Guest guest]

,

You should be aware Zetia is a type of 'statin'. All " statins " can

cause muscle weakness, not what we with CMT need.

Lowering cholestertol by diet and exercise can be done. But committment

is needed. You may also want to talk to your doc about Niacin. It is a

natural way to lower cholesterol, if taken correctly. Your doc can also

provide you with a cholesterol-lowering diet plan too, and get you

started on an exercise plan.

Docs are paid by drug manufacturers to push their products. Some docs

get kickbacks from the drug companies.

~ Gretchen

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I also have high cholesterol. I did try Zetia. I was exhausted all the time. I

cut the dose and took it at night and still was miserable. I have tried Lipitor

and Novastatin and Crestorand a few others all under a cardiologist and my

neurologist advice. I was always in pain. I kept telling them I can't take

these drugs and he kept pushing the statins, saying one will work.

After taking the Novastatin, I had such a bad reaction I said enough. My

cholesterol was 379. My good cholesterol was bad.. I decided I would give it my

best shot with diet and exercise. I lower my cholesterol to 260 and my good

cholesterol climb back up. It's not perfect. But I will never go back to

statins.

I take Niacin. I was told to get a timed release capsule. I went for a low

dose. I also take garlic. As long as I watch it and I don't over do the

exercise. I am ok.Sometimes it is a bit much but I am out and about and doing

it. Not to mention my body is in better shape. So it's well worth it.

Carol

[Guest guest]

My husband took Zetia for a while, but then some blood tests was bad

[increased creatine?] so the doctor took him off. He takes Niacin and eats very

healthfully.

I don't have CMT, but my doctor has me on Niaspan

_http://www.niaspan.com/About_Niaspan/index.asp_

(http://www.niaspan.com/About_Niaspan/index.asp) to help with blood pressure.

My HDL [good cholesterol] has gone up. I take it at bedtime to minimize

flushing, which occasionally wakes me up.

Elinor

[Guest guest]

Hello ,

I had high cholesterol too, and my internist did not want to

prescribe statins because of my CMT. She referred me to a

cholesterol specialist to see what other options might be available.

After a review of my diet (learned during the course of losing 30

lbs. with Weight Watchers) the new doctor declared it " excellent "

and combined with my 7-day a week aquatic and weight-training

exercise program, she said I was doing all I could on my end, but my

cholesterol was still too high. She prescribed Zetia, which is not a

statin (sorry to disagree with Gretchen) and after 6 months all my

values, (total, HDL, and LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides) were

right at the target levels. I have been on Zetia since 2003 and

have had absolutely no side effects.

Everyone is different, but it seems to be working for me.

Donna in New Hampshire

[Guest guest]

Thanks for everyone who gave me feedback about taking Zetia. My doctor also

told me that Zetia was not a statin. I am still collecting information about

it. I have not tried it yet.

I appreciate all your comments.